For some, winter is a time to rug up on the couch in front of a good movie, but in Queensland, there are many who make the most of the beautiful clear days and slightly chilly nights of the state’s cooler months, and head outdoors!
Winter camping in Qld can take many forms. From hitting the hinterland or exploring the bush. Not to mention camping out on a beautiful beach. A very good place to start is Rainbow Beach.
Renowned as the gateway to Fraser Island, Rainbow offers visitors much more than a spot to let down the tyres. The township itself has a vibrant beach community vibe, with ample restaurants and bars to keep you more than happy. It’s also the spot you can hit the beach in the fourby and tackle the 23km of “road” between Rainbow and Double Island Point.
There are two very good caravan parks in town or a handful of luxury apartments if that is more your speed. Or, you can of course camp! The team at BCF have a load of new Wanderer camping kit that will make any stay on the beach a breeze. The crew chose to set up at Inskip Point, at one of the designated camping grounds there. A simple setup is really all you need, but that doesn’t mean you have to skimp on luxury.
A gazebo is a must for shelter and then a swag will certainly keep you comfy and warm during the night. How’s this for a tip, for a little more comfort, to keep you off the ground and even keep you warmer, try putting a stretcher under the swag! It also has the added bonus of giving you the ability to dust the sand off your feet.
Something different to add to your campsite might be a smoker! Articularly if you’re hoping to catch a few fish. Wanderer have just released a new Stainless Steel smoker that is super easy to use. A tip, brine any fish first before you smoke them. It will add delicious flavor plus helps cook the fish through. BCF’s own camp guru Jason Broadhurst has a very easy brine.
- 3 teaspoons brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- Oyster sauce
- Chilli flakes before it’s cooked
- Water
Of course, you can’t come to Rainbow Beach and not catch a fish or two. A simple setup is all you need for beach fishing. A light beach rod paired with 6-10 pound mono line should handle most bread and butter beach species. You can, of course, use the faithful Alvey, as have many beach fishermen before. BCF stock a range of Alvey products, certainly worth a look.
There are a couple of really good fishing guides in the region that can help you find fish. Allen from Hookedon Rainbow runs beach trips daily and has a knack for spotting a good looking gutter. Of course, if you are wanting to head offshore, Ed from the Keely Rose is your best bet.
The Snapper and Pearl Perch fishery in the region is renowned nation-wide, but that doesn’t mean that’s all you’re going to catch. The benefit of fishing offshore Rainbow is that you have the option to target both your open water species as well as reefies, meaning every drop is a lottery!
You will find all the gear you could ever need to tackle Rainbow Beach at your local BCF.
If you are planning a stay in the region, remember you have to book a camping pass. It’s easy enough to find by following your nose on the National Parks site. Equally, why not stay in style for a few nights? Rainbow Sea Resort sits atop the hill in Rainbow, offering guests the best views of the ocean. Not bad if we do say so ourselves.
