Coral Sea

We’re not exactly sure where the Pacific Ocean meets the Coral Sea, but it’s somewhere in the waters just off Rainbow Beach.

Maybe that’s why this magical water playground’s full of all kinds of marine life.  Dolphins, dugongs, grey nurse sharks and sea turtles and, we’re also on the humpback highway with thousands of humpback whales and their calves passing by from June to October each year.

Great Sandy Strait

Between our beautiful coast and K’gari (formerly Fraser Island), is the idyllic Great Sandy Strait. With about 70kms of crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches, shallow flats and a maze of creeks it’s no wonder dolphins, dugongs and turtles love this place as much as we do.

Our sheltered waters here are perfect for boating, kayaking and fishing and, for a real nature experience, there’s nothing quite like hiring a houseboat!

The Mighty Mary River

The Mary River has long been acknowledged by our traditional owners, the Kabi Kabi people, as an important life source.  This is a north flowing river and home to the Australian Lungfish, the Mary River Turtle (or punk turtle as we call it) and our elusive Mary Valley Platypus, which locals will tell you are found everywhere!  

Today, we use the river for kayaking and stand up paddle boarding in the Gympie City River to Rail Trail, with 9kms of trail, it’s fast becoming a family favourite for walking and biking.

Lake Borumba

This is a water lover’s paradise. With a nearby camping ground, we go boating, fishing, kayaking and sailing here just about all year round. It’s a perfect spot for weekend getaways or for fishing gurus (and their apprentices) during school holidays.

Home to the Mary Valley Platypus is Yabba Creek (just off Lake Borumba) a gentle, placid kind of creek that’s perfect for swimming or kayaking. For platypus spotting, we recommend dusk or dawn!

Poona Lake & Seary’s Creek

Don’t be put off by the tea coloured water at Poona Lake, just like our infamous punk turtle, this is actually a unique feature of our region.  A fresh water lake, this is a great place to cool off after a lovely walk through lush rainforest.

If swimming holes are more your thing, we recommend Seary’s Creek day rest area.  These swimming holes are easy to get to and, with a wheelchair friendly board walk that passes through our woodlands, they are really accessible for all abilities.

Our Secret Spots

Most of us have our own personal ‘secret’ spots but here’s two that we’ll share.

Fringed by shady rainforest trees Glastonbury Creek (Brooyar State Forest) is a perfect spot to cool off in after a day of rock climbing or hiking in the state forest or cycling the Kilkivan to Kingaroy Rail Trail

Nearer Gympie City, in Woondum National Park, is Mothar Mountain Rock Pools. This one’s perfect for families with pools, rock hopping and great water ways to play in.  But bring a picnic!