Rainbow Beach to Tewantin via Double Island Point - Day 1 of 4 (Drew)

https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/great-walks-cooloola

 Tracy was meant to join with me on this 5-day hike, however she had feet issues, so she walked out and meet me on the last night, and we walked the last day together. I also shortened this to a 4-day hike. (Not recommended)

Day 1

I had only one day off to recover from our 3 day walk from Noosa to Calandra and to travel to Rainbow Beach. I arrived at Rainbow Beach at 19:00 where I set up the tent and went straight to bed. I rose at around 05:30 and was packed and walking just after 06:30. After only a few meters I found I was walking with Kendal. She stopped me and we had about a 15 minute conversation on what I was doing, trail running, and her business in wholefoods and many other topics. It was a most enjoyable 15 mins. This conversation ended up being the lengthiest in 3 days. Kendal caught up with me on the sand blow with her family and shared a photo of me.

This time I decided to cover the longer route to Noosa, so I walked over Double Island Point and down the beach to Freshwater campsite and spend the night there. This allowed me to have a nice shower. The walk was very present, with the spectacular Double Island Beach and lighthouse hill views.

Rainbow Beach Trail Festival

Today we participated in the Rainbow Beach Trail Festival by RunQld.
 https://www.runqld.com.au/rainbow-beach/
I did the marathon, as I think this is one of the most beautiful running courses available.  If you are not a runner, this route could be done as a two day hike from Rainbow Beach with an overnight stay at Freshwater Campground.  It is a beautiful loop.
 https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/cooloola/camping/freshwater
The map of the route can be found at https://152094c3-7a5b-44a9-b564-064affc268cd.filesusr.com/ugd/d9e3e8_c2a2019cdcc54984a5c56e40a9026bea.pdf?index=true. 

We began from the park opposite the caravan park and headed up to the Carlo sand blow, this is seriously large.
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/cooloola/journeys/carlo-sandblow-walk  https://www.queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-574793ba1a7a85bb5be02bc9-carlo-sand-blow

Then through some lovely bushland to Poona Lake.
https://www.aussiebushwalking.com/qld/carlo-sand-blow-to-poona-lake  http://www.wildswimmingaustralia.com/locations/poona-lake/

From Poona Lake we headed back into the forest toward Freshwater camping ground.
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/cooloola/camping

From Freshwater campground the trail headed down to the beach and we ran a beautiful 8km along Teerwah Beach at lowtide.  The weather was mercurial, raining on and off, with the sun coming out briefly at times, but overall pretty good running weather.

All the way up to Double Island Point.  On turning around to look back the way I had come, there was a rainbow!
https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/cooloola/journeys/double-island-point-lighthouse-walk

Once I was up onto the top of Double Island Point, the sun came out giving a great view of the lighthouse and surrounds.

 The trail then descended onto Rainbow Beach, and the sun disappeared, limiting the view of the spectacular coloured sands.  There were still plenty of 4WD out enjoying the beach though.

 And then back into the bush on the telegraph track, heading back toward the Carlo sand blow.

 And just like that the sun popped out as I was crossing the sand blow. Hard to believe these two photos were only taken minutes apart.

Next up, the pool to ice our legs, unpleasant but makes a world of difference.  After a well deserved shower and feed we all had a good stretch.  We spent a bit of time chatting to fellow runners, from a COVID safe distance.

Late in the afternoon we headed down to the playground with some friends where our 14 year old thoroughly enjoyed helping their 1 year old use the equipment.  We finished the day with a delicious meal at the Rainbow Beach Surf Club Bistro. 

https://www.rainbowbeachsurf.com.au/bistroandbar