Rainbow Beach punches well above its size for a small town. The coloured sand cliffs south of town — layers of ochre, red, orange, and white stacked by wind and time — are spectacular up close. The Carlo Sandblow, a vast dune system a short walk from the main street, shifts constantly and offers sweeping views over the coast and towards K'gari. Double Island Point, reached by 4WD north along the beach, has a historic lighthouse, reliable surf, and superb views on clear days.
Inskip Point, about 7km south of town, is where the barge departs for K'gari (Fraser Island). It's a 10-minute crossing to the world's largest sand island.