Landslide blocks traffic between Double Island Point and Rainbow Beach

A popular beach highway has been opened up after a 70m+ cliff collapsed and blocked beach access for two days. VIDEO:

A “huge” landslide that brought down tonnes of sand, rocks and trees onto a popular Queensland beach as been cleared after two days.

Police said they were called to the stretch between Rainbow Beach and Double Island Point after one of the sand dunes collapsed on Thursday at around 4pm.

Waterford resident Kerissa Kelly called the landslide into the police as her husband and her kids arrived “30-60 seconds” after it happened.

“There was sand still sliding when we arrived, but only small amounts,” Ms Kelly said on Thursday evening.

“It was huge.”

Kerissa and Mark Kelly's family arrived only moments after a 'huge' landslide between Rainbow Beach and Double Island Point. Picture: Supplied

Her husband Mark Kelly estimated the landslide to be at least 70 metres.

Police and emergency services checked the area and confirmed no cars were trapped or anyone injured.

The Kelly family were among many holiday-makers who were unable to use the beach to cross between Double Island Point and Rainbow Beach.

“We went to Double Island on Tuesday and loved it so were heading back there for the afternoon before heading home tomorrow,” she said.

Others witnessed the moment the sand cliff came crashing down.

Abby Hine wrote in a Facebook post: “Sitting at the point facing Rainbow and just watched a mad landslide on the cliffs around 3.45pm”.

The police closed the area off as the sand also fell into the water, so crossing through the beach made it unsafe.

Colourful local identity The Ice Man posted a live video from the location advising people to access Rainbow Beach from Double Island Point via the Freshwater Track.

A landslide has brought down tonnes of sand, rocks and trees onto a popular Queensland beach, forcing holiday-makers and beach motorists to use an inland track.

The landslide happened 8km south of Rainbow Beach and 3km west of Double Island Point, police said.

Rainbow Beach sand dunes are known to reach up to 80 metres in height, and photos show sand, rocks and trees collapsed from a sand dune towering seemingly much more than 80m above the bystanders on the beach.

By 5pm on Saturday, January 6, Queensland Police, with the assistance of Gympie Regional Council had cleared the beach and holiday-makers and tourists once again had access to Rainbow Beach and Double Island Point via the Beach.

A landslide has brought down tonnes of sand, rocks and trees onto a popular Queensland beach, forcing holiday-makers and beach motorists to use an inland track.

Department of Environment, Parks and Innovation have issued an ‘unstable sand cliffs and dunes along Rainbow and Teewah beaches’ park alert for the area, and advise visitors:

Exposed sand cliffs and sand dunes along Rainbow and Teewah beaches are unstable and can collapse without warning.

Falling boulders and landslides are common in this dynamic coastal environment and can result in serious injury or death.

For your safety and to avoid injuries:

Do not climb or dig into sand dunes or sand cliffs.

Avoid standing, sitting or parking near the base of the dunes.

Always stay well away from the base of sand dunes.

Supervise children at all times.

Beach travel is recommended two hours either side of low tide. Travelling three hours either side of high tide should be avoided.

Observe all signage, barriers and directions from rangers and do not enter closed areas.

Originally published as Landslide blocks traffic between Double Island Point and Rainbow Beach