State Government reveals plans to draw 5500 campers to the Cooloola Coast

‘Glamping’ is on the cards along the Gympie region’s coastline thanks to a new proposal put forward by the State Government.

Multiple “luxury” camping sites are proporsed to be built along the 102km Cooloola Great Walk between Rainbow Beach and Noosa North Shore.

High end “glamping” experiences are on the cards at the Cooloola Coast under a State Government plan to build eco-tourism cabins along the 102km Cooloola Great Walk.

Under the plan the cabins will be built at five locations along the walk, which stretches between Noosa North Shore and Rainbow Beach.

These are to be: along the Noosa River, 11km upstream from Lake Cootharaba; adjacent to the Litora walkers camp 18km south of Rainbow Beach; on the high ridge line of the Cooloola sand mass, 12km south of Rainbow Beach; 60m-180m west of Lake Poona, 6.5km south of Rainbow Beach; and on Double Island Point.

Five camping sites are proposed to be built.

Guests would then be offered a number of different routes to the cabins, leaving from both Noosa and Rainbow Beach.

The campsites will only cater to overnight hikers.

The cabins are expected to cater to more than 5500 guests each year.

The walk currently attracts less than 2000, according to State Government documents.

Double Island Point is one of the proposed “glamping” locations.

AS part of the negotiations with the Kabi Kabi traditional owners of the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park an area at Double Island Point east of the proposed eco-tourism site has been identified for non-public use for cultural purposes.

Two different types of accommodation will be offered: tent sites, and eco-cabins.

South Australian-based CABN Pty Ltd has emerged as the preferred group to deliver the project.

The plan is one of four pilot programs by the Queensland Eco-tourism Trails Program, a State Government initiative led by the Department of Environment and Science and the Department of Innovation, Tourism and Sport.