Brazil
Argentina
Bolivia
Chile
Colombia
Ecuador
Guyana
French Guiana
Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
Uruguay
Venezuela
Germany
Austria
Belgium
Croatia
Denmark
Spain
Finland
France
Greece
the Netherlands
Hungary
Ireland
Iceland
Italy
Luxembourg
Norway
Poland
Portugal
the United Kingdom
the Czech Republic
Sweden
Switzerland
Turkey
Canada
the United States
Mexico
the Dominican Republic
South Africa
Fiji
New Zealand
Papua New Guinea
Beach · Rainbow Beach, Queensland
Rainbow Beach Coloured Sands
Sand cliffs with bands of red, orange, yellow and white along Rainbow Beach, colored by minerals such as rutile, ilmenite and zircon.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Discover
About Rainbow Beach Coloured Sands
The colorful sand cliffs that rise behind the beach, south of the village, gave Rainbow Beach its name. The sand layers, deposited over thousands of years, show bands in shades of red, orange, yellow, white and brown, colored by minerals such as rutile, ilmenite, zircon and monazite and by iron oxides.
The simplest way to see them is to walk along the beach from the village at low tide, when the sand strip is wide. Early morning light enhances the colors.
The cliffs are part of the Cooloola landscape in Great Sandy National Park, land of the Kabi Kabi.
The cliff sand is fragile; do not climb or dig into the slopes.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
From 1 to 2 hours, including the walk along the beach.
Best time
At low tide and early in the morning, when the light falls on the cliffs.
How to get there
On foot along the beach from Rainbow Beach village, heading south at low tide. 4x4 beach trips to Double Island Point also pass by them.
Tip
Check the tide table before you go: at high tide the water reaches close to the cliffs and the path becomes narrow.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Rainbow Beach Coloured Sands
Why is Rainbow Beach’s sand colorful?
Because of minerals such as rutile, ilmenite, zircon and monazite and iron oxides, accumulated in layers over thousands of years.
How can you see the colored cliffs of Rainbow Beach?
By walking along the beach from the village, heading south at low tide.
Can you climb the Rainbow Beach cliffs?
No. The sand is fragile, and climbing or digging the slopes accelerates erosion.