Stretching from the Noosa River mouth northwards to the rocky headland of Double Island Point and beyond to Inskip Point is one of Queensland's most popular destinations for beachside camping, fishing and four wheel driving.

Dominating the landscape is the seemingly endless stretch of a golden sandy surf beach fringed with numerous sand dunes and cliff faces that have been ravaged by the elements of nature over time. Some cliffs display magnificent colours with the most remarkable of all being the coloured sands located nearby the small township of Rainbow Beach.

Access to the surf beaches of the Cooloola National Park can be gained from the southern end of the beach by firstly taking the Noosa/North Shore ferry over the Noosa River at Tewantin. From there it is just a matter of following the signs and taking one of the "cuttings", access points which lead onto the beach.

Another point of access can be made via the Freshwater Track which is located approximately five kilometres inland from the township of Rainbow Beach. Located on the left hand side of the road when travelling back towards Gympie, this 4wd track offers an alternate route, especially when Mudlo Rocks just east of Rainbow Beach is impassable.

Access to the beach can also be gained at Rainbow Beach where travellers can view the spectacular Coloured Sands. Once these sands are passed, the Leisha Track which meanders behind the headland of Double Island Point gives access to the beaches of the Cooloola National Park and the popular tourist attraction, the wreck of the Cherry Venture.

Access to the beach on the western side of Rainbow Beach gives anglers a reasonably good run to Inskip Point and the vehicular barges which service the southernmost end of Fraser Island.

Four Wheel Driving

It is important to carry a tide chart to determine the best time for travelling the beaches. Low tide gives 4wd enthusiasts hard, packed sand not unlike a bitumen highway to drive upon (by the way, speed limits and road rules apply on these beaches).

As the tide rises, travellers have no choice but to make their way through the soft sand near the sand dunes, slowing travel and consuming more fuel.

Depending on the beach conditions at the time, travel along the beach may not be possible at all during high tide. Towards the top of the tide, the area at the Coloured Sands is not passable and sometimes, the Mudlo Rocks cannot be negotiated, even at low tide.

If this is the case, access to Rainbow Beach must be made via the Freshwater Track which is located south of the Cherry Venture and North of Freshwater Creek. Otherwise, travel the bitumen from Gympie to Rainbow Beach.

Only one major creek carries freshwater over the beach and into the ocean. This creek usually poses no problems but it is important not to stop in the creek or you can become bogged. At high tide, be aware of any washouts which are generally located more towards the top of the beach - slow the vehicle down before reaching Freshwater Creek and assess the situation before crossing.

Vehicle permits are not required when travelling the beach from the Noosa River to Inskip Point.

Camping

Camping along the beaches of South-East Queensland is one of life's simplest pleasures. Permits are required however and can be purchased in advance from National Parks and Wildlife or the ranger which regularly patrols the area.

Camping is permitted south of Freshwater Creek southwards with signage showing where camping is and isn't allowed.

Established campgrounds can be found on the Freshwater Track only a hundred metres or so inland from the surf beach. Bookings must be made here as the campsites are popular. The ranger at Rainbow Beach can be contacted on (07) 5449 7959 for bookings. When one has the opportunity of having a hot shower every night ($1 buys 3 minutes of hot water) it's no wonder the women love this spot.

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Fishing

Fishing is given high priority status by those camping amongst the sand dunes. Whether serious anglers or not, most will have a fishing rod on hand to tackle one of the many fish species on hand. More likely though they will be targeting whatever fish which may end up on the end of the line rather than a particular species!

During Summer, species regularly encountered include Whiting, Dart and Flathead. Over the winter months there is an increase of Tailor, Jew, Tarwhine and Bream captures. Trevally and Snub Nosed Dart are occasionally caught as well.

Tide, currents and winds shape the sands into fish producing structures of gutters, holes and spurs. Towards the Noosa River, good structure - holes and shallow gutters form and these fish well for Flathead, Whiting, Dart and Bream.

Further north towards the rocks of Double Island Point, good deep gutters and holes form which attract the likes of Tailor and Jew.

It is in these areas where smaller baitfish congregate for protection. It is also where larger predatory fish cruise in search of food. Wave action stirs the sand, uncovering food in the form of worms, pippies and crabs.

With a 4wd on hand it is easy to locate fish producing structure - who wants to walk for miles with rods, reels, tackle, bait, knife etc? Just drive until you find a likely looking location where fish could possibly be found.

Keen rock fishermen can try their hand fishing from Double Island Point. Obviously care must be taken on the rocks and fishing during a large sea can spell disaster for the angler. Tragically lives have been lost on these rocks. No fish is worth that.

Occasionally Tailor, mackerel, trevally, tuna and sharks can all be caught from the rocks on pilchards or you can try your hand at spinning for Tailor.

Around the corner, calm conditions usually welcome anglers between Rainbow Beach and Double Island Point. This area has much structure in the way of rocky outcrops.

These rocks can fish productively year round though light sinkers are a must to avoid becoming snagged up. Ensuring your hook is well covered by your bait will also assist in not becoming stuck on the rocks. Bream and Whiting are often caught here.

Further towards Inskip Point, the surf starts to pick up again and fishes reasonably well for Flathead, Whiting and Dart.

Once Inskip Point is reached, anglers have the chance of targeting Whiting, Flathead, Dart and even Jew. During the summer months, tuna, trevally and mackerel are distinct possibilities, even for those fishing from the beach. You never quite know what you'll catch casting a live Whiting into the channel between the mainland and Fraser Island.

Bait Collecting

Baits are easily attainable along the beaches. Low tide is best for bait collection with even the kids being able to join in.

Pippies (or eugaries) are the easiest to locate with a mound in the sand giving away their whereabouts. Mostly they are found in the compacted sand and are often driven over by 4WD's negotiating the beach. A small shovel can be used to dig these shellfish out and they should be kept covered by saltwater in a bucket. Make sure the water is changed regularly and the baits are kept out of the sunshine. Any unused pippies should not bet wasted and should be returned to the water's edge for a chance of survival.

Beachworms are a little more difficult to catch with patience and practice required to collect these for bait. A reasonably flat stretch of beach is one of the better areas to start looking for worms.

Firstly, the beach is prospected using fish frames and offal in an onion bag. Move the bag from side to side whilst allowing the waves to wash up over the bag. When the tide recedes, the aroma from the "bait" being used will attract the beachworms who will stick their little heads from the sand to investigate.

A telltale "v" ripple will form behind the worm, giving away its location. Walk gently to where to worm is and place a pippy in front of it. Whilst doing this, gently ease your thumb and finger behind the head of the worm and slowly but firmly place pressure on the worm. You will feel the worm arch and this is the time to add additional pressure to quickly grab the worm before pulling it out.

At first, you may only pull out a head or more frustratingly, lose the worms over and over again. Persevere and you will have one of the most delectable baits for fishing the surf beaches.

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Tailor

Tailor are one of the most popular targets along the beaches of South East Queensland.

These fish generally prefer a deep gutter that is free of sand kicking up on the back sandbank. Fishing a rising tide early morning or late afternoon into the night are the two prime times to be targeting this fish.

Baits which can be used for this fish include W.A. Pilchards, Garfish, Whitebait, Bonito and Tailor Flesh.

For Pilchards use a gang of Mustad 7766 or 4200D hooks - 3x5/0 or 4x4/0 hooks which may vary depending on the size of the bait. Wire is not necessary when using ganged hooks though you may occasionally get bitten off.

If using single hooks and flesh baits, wire is mandatory. When Whitebait or Frogmouth Pilchards are used, gang three No. 3 Mustad 34007's together giving good coverage of the bait.

Use a main line of either 8kg or 10kg with a 50cm -75cm 15kg trace. A heavy sinker will enable the bait to be cast towards the back of the gutter and keep it anchored in position. A slow retrieval of the bait should be made keeping constant contact with the bait at all times.

Smaller Tailor (also known as "Choppers") hit aggressively and often hook themselves. Larger Tailor can sometimes be harder to hook, picking at the bait instead of hitting hard.

Along with bait, Tailor also respond quite well to lures. Metal or chrome lures cast to the back of a gutter and retrieved quickly (a Shimano TSS4 or Alvey 650GRBC reel works well for this application) will account for Tailor. To better the chance of a good hookup, the back treble on these lures can be replaced with a single hook.

Once you hook the fish always keep a tight line as any slack line can lead to the fish escaping.

An indication that there may be fish in a gutter will be the presence of birds wheeling and diving in amongst the breakers. This will be a good place to start fishing.

Bream/Tarwhine

Bream and Tarwhine are often caught together and are best fished for early morning, late afternoon or during the night. Under the cover of darkness, these fish will venture into very shallow water (30cm) though during lighter periods, can be found in deeper gutters.

When fishing during the night, Tailor and bonito flesh are the preferred bait along with mullet gut, beachworms, yabbies and pippies.

A Mustad 9555B No. 1 can be used for flesh baits, worms and yabbies. A number 4 long

shanked hook can also be used for worms and yabbies.

An Alvey 600B spooled with 6kg main line and a trace of approximately 50cm - 75cm is ideal for chasing Bream in the surf.

Constant contact with the bait needs to be maintained at all times. When a bream is felt picking at a flesh bait, feed a small amount of line to the fish while still maintaining contact. A sudden lunge from the fish will indicate that the fish has taken the bait and a lean back on the rod is all that is required to set the hook properly.

Yabbies, Pippies and worms are consumed with gusto with the Bream often hooking themselves.

Flathead

Flathead are a welcome bycatch when targeting other fish. A renowned scavenger, these fish can be caught on pilchards, pippies, yabbies, worms and the flesh of tailor, mullet and tuna.

When a Flathead is hooked, it is important to keep the rod tip low, almost parallel with the ground, when winding in. Flathead have the inclination to shake their heads once lifted from the water causing break-offs. Use wave action to bring the fish up onto the beach which causes less pressure on the line.

Whiting

Whiting are the perfect light tackle species with 2kg main line and trace, an Alvey 625B/500B and a light surf rod ideal for tackling these fish. Whiting prefer areas with the minimum of wave action and can be caught from the beach at Inskip Point right through to the Noosa River mouth.

Worms, Yabbies and pippies are the perfect baits with yabbies ideal to use in good conditions. When rougher water is encountered, worms and pippies will stay on the hook better.

Always make exploratory casts close to the waters edge. Often this water is overlooked with anglers making their way down the beach to cast their baits out as far as possible.

Jew

Mulloway Jew can be caught off the headlands of Double Island Point and a couple of kilometres along the stretch of beach to the south of the headland.

Deeper water and low light conditions are often favoured when targeting this species. Flesh baits of tailor and bonito are favoured though jew absolutely love beachworms as well.

An elusive though prized fish to many anglers, these fish can often be caught whilst targeting Tailor.

Once hooked, these fish make a breathtakingly fast first run, followed by shorter, yet equally fast second and third runs and are perhaps the best fighting fish in the surf.

15kg main line is often used though 10kg will suffice.

Swallowtail Dart

Swallowtail Dart are usually prolific along the surf beaches and can be caught throughout the year. Smaller fish can be caught closer to the shoreline with the bigger of the species often caught towards the back of a gutter.

Once hooked, these fish offer anglers a fantastic fight using their deep bodies and wave action to try to make their escape. Small fish can make for an interesting capture on light lines though larger fish call for the use of 4kg-6kg main line with similar line used for trace.

Although not fussy when it comes to baits, they do prefer live baits of worms, pippies and yabbies.