Looking for budget stays in Rainbow Beach? This section is designed to save you time, money, and unnecessary stress. We've got insider tips to help you find affordable hostels and the cheapest places to stay in Rainbow Beach.
Rainbow Beach is a small town in the coastal area of Queensland, Australia. Situated near the old gold mining town of Gympie, Rainbow Beach is home to about a 1,000 people and is a popular stop for travelers (especially backpackers) through the East Coast of Australia, so there are some good hostels to choose from. The city derives its name from the sand dunes which surround the main town. Although there is a legend explaining why the sand dunes are colored this way, the "real" reason, if you will, are the minerals found in the soil.
Rainbow Beach is best reached by bus. Most bus passes that you can purchase to use on the Australian East Coast will allow you to choose Rainbow Beach as a stopover. If you've got a car, the town is about 75 km off the famous Bruce Highway, which goes through the east coast. The hostels in Rainbow Beach are of good value and the price range is approximately the same as other places in east coast Australia: you'll be paying about 20-25 AUD for a dorm bed and a bit more for double / twin rooms.
Things you'll want to do when you stay at a Rainbow Beach hostel depend on your interests. Four wheel drives are a big thing around here, and there are also some walking trails you might find interesting. There are also opportunities to swim with dolphins, sky dive, and hang glide. Rainbow Beach is also one of the points where the ferries to Fraser Island (a great nature destination) leave from (more accurately Inskip Point, which is a bit north from town proper). For details you can check the tour operators' websites for pricing and timetables for Fraser Island tours.
Written by Travel Expert Rainbow Beach
Miika