Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area
Getting there and getting around
- Inskip Peninsula map (pdf, 81kb)
From Gympie, take the Tin Can Bay — Rainbow Beach Road.
A 4WD alternative is available from the south, driving along Cooloola's beaches from Tewantin to Rainbow Beach. Always travel around low tide and check conditions beforehand, especially Mudlo Rocks near Rainbow Beach, which may be impassable.
From Rainbow Beach, turn north into Clarkson Drive, reaching the Recreation Area along 9.3km of sealed road. At low tide four-wheel drivers can access Inskip via the beach.
Barge services carry 4WD vehicles between Inskip Point and Fraser Island. Vehicle permits are needed for entry to Fraser Island.
Wheelchair accessibility
There are no wheelchair-accessible tracks or facilities on Inskip Peninsula.
Park features
Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area lies opposite the southern tip of Fraser Island, at the entrance to Tin Can Bay. The peninsula is bounded by the Pacific Ocean on its eastern side and the sheltered waters of Tin Can Bay and Great Sandy Strait to the west. Most of the peninsula has been set aside as a recreation area managed for nature-based recreation.
The Great Sandy Strait (including Tin Can Bay and Tin Can Inlet) has been listed as a Wetland of International Importance under the Ramsar Convention. For more information see the Australian Wetlands Database.
Camping and accommodation
Camping
There are four campgrounds to choose from. Their names recall the area’s past shipping history. All camping areas require a camping permit and fees apply. On-the-spot fines apply for camping without a valid permit.
MV Sarawak campground is accessible by 2WD from the road and SS Dorrigo campground is accessible for 2WD under normal conditions, but 4WD is recommended. MV Natone and MV Beagle campgrounds are accessible by 4WD only.
When setting up camp, use an established site and camp within the tree line — not on the foredunes.
No water or shower facilities are provided on site. Water is available at the service facility on Clarkson Drive in Rainbow Beach. Bring your own water containers. Each campground has self-composting or hybrid toilets (minimal water use). Rubbish bins are near the road exit from each campground and "The Oaks" beach access track. Do not empty contents of portable toilets in campgrounds. Please use the service facility on Clarkson Drive in Rainbow Beach.
- Find out more about camping in Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area.
- Book your campsite online.
- If you cannot book online, book by phone on 13 13 04.
- Bookings can also be made in person at the EPA Rainbow Beach office.
Other accommodation
There is a range of holiday accommodation in and around Rainbow Beach. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Things to do
Relaxation is high on the list for most visitors to Inskip. The surrounding waters are rich in sea life and the area is a popular fishing spot (but please take only enough for your immediate needs — bag and size limits apply). Dolphins, dugong and turtles may be sighted. A short walk (425m one way, 900m circuit) leads to Pelican Bay from the roundabout near the day carpark. The varied plant life provides habitat for a surprising assortment of birds.
Swimming
A section of beach in front of Rainbow Beach township is patrolled by lifeguards (check signs for times). All other beaches are not patrolled and visitors should be aware of currents and offshore rips.
Fishing
Fishing is popular at Inskip Point. On the beach, all refuse from fish cleaning, including offal, scales and unused bait, should be buried at least 30cm deep below the high tide line. Bag limits and size restrictions apply to some fish species. Details are available from the Department of Primary Industries and Fisheries.
Things to know before you go
Essentials to bring
- Fresh water — Visitors to Inskip can obtain water at the service facility on Clarkson Drive (see township map). Don't forget your water containers.
- Fuel stoves — Fuel stoves are preferred as they are safer, easier and more environmentally friendly than open fires.
- Milled firewood and firelighters — If using campfires, bring clean, untreated, milled firewood (such as mill off-cuts) and firelighters. Firewood can be purchased at Rainbow Beach. Don't bring unmilled firewood (bush timber) as it may contain insects and disease. Use milled firewood for kindling. Extinguish fires with water, not sand. Chainsaws cannot be used in the Recreation Area. Never cut or collect bush timber, leaf litter or twigs from the bush. Penalties apply.
- Dogs on a leash — Dogs are permitted, but must be kept on a leash at all times.
- Sand pegs — Do not tie ropes to trees.
Opening hours
Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area is open 24 hours a day. The information centre at Rainbow Beach is open 7am to 4pm, 7 days a week (except Christmas Day).
Permits and fees
All camping areas within Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area require a camping permit and fees apply. Permits must be obtained prior to arrival. A tag with your booking number must be displayed at your campsite. Campers are responsible for renewing expired permits. On-the-spot fines apply for camping without a valid permit.
- Book your campsite on line.
- If you cannot book on line, book by telephoning 13 13 04 (24 hours).
- Bookings can also be made in person at the EPA Rainbow Beach office.
Pets
Dogs are allowed in Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area, but must be kept on a leash at all times, both in the campgrounds and on the beach. Do not allow your dog to chase birds or other wildlife. Wrap or bag droppings and place in bins. Ensure that your dog does not prevent rangers' access to view your camping permit. No other domestic animals are permitted.
Climate and weather
Inskip Peninsula enjoys a mild, sub-tropical climate. The average daily temperature range is 22 to 30 degrees Celsius in summer and 12 to 22 degrees Celsius in winter.
Fuel and supplies
Fuel and supplies are available at Rainbow Beach.
Staying safe
To enjoy a safe visit to this area, please:
- Take care when driving in sand.
- Watch the tides. On the beach, travel as close to low tide as possible, as this is when beach driving conditions are safest. Avoid driving during the two hours either side of high tide.
- Watch for 4WDs. Often the sound of the surf makes it difficult to hear approaching vehicles.
- Do not climb or park near sand cliffs as they are unstable and may collapse.
- Never leave a fire unattended and extinguish all fires before leaving the area. Use water, not sand — children have been burnt by hot sand covering coals.
In an emergency
Call police, doctor or ambulance on 000. The nearest public phone is at Rainbow Beach. UHF channel 7 may provide community contact.
Safe sand driving
Beach driving conditions can be unpredictable. Before taking your vehicle onto the beach, make sure you are familiar with sand driving techniques and have appropriate equipment.
Engage four-wheel-drive
- Lock freewheel hubs and use four-wheel-drive for driving on sand and other soft or slippery surfaces.
- Select low gears for driving in soft, dry sand.
- Reduce your speed and avoid sharp turns and sudden braking.
- You may choose to reduce tyre pressure on your vehicle and trailer (if towing) to improve traction in soft sand, but if you do, do not forget to re-inflate your tyres to resume speed on harder sand or surfaces. Keep within tyre manufacturer's specifications for tyre pressures.
Speed limits and road rules apply
- All road rules apply throughout the Inskip area.
- Police patrol beaches and inland roads.
- All vehicles must be road registered and drivers must be licensed.
- Keep to speed limits.
- 80km/h maximum speed on beaches or as signposted
- 40km/h speed limit on all beaches adjacent to camping and day-use areas.
- 20km/h maximum in campgrounds
- Drivers must assess conditions and be responsible for the safety of themselves, their passengers.
- Wear seatbelts at all times.
- Never carry passengers outside the vehicle cabin.
- Keep to the left of oncoming vehicles at all times.
- Only use indicators when overtaking or turning. Keep to the left of oncoming vehicles at all times.
Slow down when passing people, oncoming vehicles and wildlife
- Go slowly and drive around wildlife and people.
- Often the sound of the surf makes it difficult for people and wildlife to hear approaching vehicles.
- Drive around, not through, flocks of birds. Many shorebirds are migratory and are of international conservation significance. Help to conserve and care for them.
Stay on formed tracks
- All vehicles are prohibited on dune vegetation areas.
- When accessing beach camping sites, use designated access tracks to minimise damage to fragile plant communities and wildlife habitat.
Ensure your vehicle is mechanically sound
- Carry a tyre gauge, air pump for tyres, water, snatch strap, tow rope, a first-aid kit and essential spares.
- Load your vehicle evenly, with heavier items packed low. Do not overload it.
For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.
Looking after the park
To minimise disturbance to this fragile area and its wildlife:
- Keep to established vehicle tracks, paths and campsites.
- Dispose of all litter (including cigarette butts and bait bags) in bins provided, or preferably, take your rubbish with you. Lock up food and rubbish from animals — do not hang it from trees or tents.
- Bag disposable nappies and sanitary items and place in bins. Please do not bury or put these items in toilets, as they do not decompose.
- Do not empty contents of portable toilets in campground toilets. Please use the service facility just north of Rainbow Beach on Clarkson Drive.
- Use pre-existing fire sites. Never leave a fire unattended and extinguish all fires before leaving the area (use water not sand). Children have been burnt by hot sand covering coals.
- Do not feed wild animals. They become dependant and learn to harass visitors for food.
- Avoid beach driving at or near high tide — this will damage dune vegetation and destroy shorebird nests.
- Keep dogs under control and on a leash at all times.
See the guidelines on caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.
Park management
Inskip Peninsula was declared a Recreation Area in 1996. This enables the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to manage increasing use of this fragile, sandy environment. The Recreation Area extends to the low water mark, except in parts of Pelican Bay. Unlike in nearby national parks, dogs are allowed in Inskip Peninsula Recreation Area, provided that they are kept on a leash at all times.
Tourism information links
- Cooloola Regional Development Bureau
-
- www.cooloola.org.au
- Lake Alford, 24 Bruce Highway, Gympie QLD 4570
- ph (07) 5483 6411 or 1800 444 222
- fax (07) 5483 6411
- email info@cooloola.org.au
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au.
Further information
- EPA Customer Service Centre
-
- 160 Ann Street, Brisbane
- PO Box 15155, City East QLD 4002
- ph (07) 3227 8185
- fax (07) 3227 8749
- email csc@epa.qld.gov.au
- (8.30am–5pm Monday—Friday)
- Smart Service (for camping and vehicle permits)
-
- www.qld.gov.au/camping
- ph 13 13 04
- fax 1300 300 768
- email enquiries@smartservice.qld.gov.au
- EPA Great Sandy Information Centre
-
- 240 Moorindil Street, Tewantin
- P O Box 818, Tewantin QLD 4565
- ph (07) 5449 7792
- fax (07) 5449 7357
- (8am–4pm daily)
- EPA Rainbow Beach
-
- Rainbow Beach Road, Rainbow Beach
- PO Box 30, Rainbow Beach QLD 4581
- ph (07) 5486 3160
- fax (07) 5486 3335
- (7am–4pm daily)
Last updated: 12 June 2009
