Starting from the car park at the end of Coolala Drive, this walk takes you to the Poona Lake via the Carlo Walking Track (a part of Cooloola Great Walk) and back, visiting the Carlo Sandblow along the way. Explore the lively rainforest that is filled with the birdsong of wompoo fruit-doves, noisy pittas and catbirds as you make your way to the tea-coloured lake. The water at the lake is clear despite the tea leaves on it. The pristine white sand around the lake can make for a great picnic spot. In spring, lilly pillies cover the entire area with white berries, creating a lovely sight for you to see. Keep an eye out for impressive strangler figs and piccabeen palms as well. Let us begin by acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.
Turn left onto Brisbane Road, 15, 40 and drive for another 2.2 km
Turn right onto Tin Can Bay Road, 15 and drive for another 42.2 km
Turn right onto Rainbow Beach Road, 43 and drive for another 29 km
Turn right and drive for another 60 m
Turn right and drive for another 6 m
Turn slight left and drive for another 7 m
Turn right and drive for another 85 m
Turn left onto Bomburra Court and drive for another 130 m
Turn right onto Rumbalara Avenue and drive for another 285 m
Turn right onto Double Island Drive and drive for another 35 m
Continue onto Double Island Drive Firebreak and drive for another 9 m
Turn left onto Carlo Walk to Telegraph Track Firebreak and drive for another 205 m
Continue onto Cooloola Great Walk and drive for another 10 m
Continue onto Cooloola Great Walk and drive for another 90 m
+
-
Track Notes
Turn by turn instructions & maps
Getting started From the end of Cooloola Drive (Carlo Carpark), pass through the wooden bollard and head along the singular dirt track as you pass by a signpost and a bench to your right. Follow the said track until you come to the Carlo Sandblow, then keep right as you make your way over the dune. Join the track on the other side and follow it as you keep the ocean to your left to continue along the Poona Lake via Carlo Sandblow Track.....
Turn map
Directions & comments
Start.
Find the car park at the start.
After another 130 m pass the "Carlo Sanblow Wolking Track Information" (on your right).
Then pass the "Carlo Sandblow Walking Track Revegetation" (15 m on your left).
After another 7 m (at the intersection of Carlo Walk to Telegraph Track Firebreak & Cooloola Great Walk) continue straight, to head along Cooloola Great Walk.
After another 235 m pass the "Carlo Sandblow Welcome Plaque" (15 m on your right).
After another 20 m head down the earthen steps (about 40 m long)
Continue straight.
After another 95 m pass the "Carlo" (85 m on your left).
After another 7 m head down the earthen steps (about 55 m long)
Then come to the viewpoint.
After another 20 m continue straight.
After another 265 m find the "Carlo Sandblow" (55 m on your left).
Carlo Sandblow
Carlo Sandblow
This sand dune is surrounded by rainforest and also has access to the ocean. Walk the pristine wavy sands and soak some sun in as you enjoy the view.
+
-
This sand dune is surrounded by rainforest and also has access to the ocean. Walk the pristine wavy sands and soak some sun in as you enjoy the view.
After another 110 m continue straight, to head along Cooloola Great Walk.
After another 110 m continue straight, to head along Cooloola Great Walk.
After another 760 m (at the intersection of Cooloola Great Walk & Fire Miteigation Zone Break) continue straight, to head along Cooloola Great Walk.
After another 2.5 km veer right, to head along Cooloola Great Walk.
After another 520 m (at the intersection of Freshwater Road & Cooloola Great Walk) continue straight, to head along Cooloola Great Walk.
After another 3.3 km (at the intersection of Walk 18 - Bymien to Poona Lake & Cooloola Great Walk) continue straight, to head along Cooloola Great Walk.
After another 1.1 km come to "Poona Lake".
Poona Lake
Poona Lake
Surrounded by paperbark trees, this hidden lake has a remote and relaxing feel to it. Keep an eye out for rare bird species as many of them reside here.
+
-
Surrounded by paperbark trees, this hidden lake has a remote and relaxing feel to it. Keep an eye out for rare bird species as many of them reside here.
Turn around here and retrace the main route for 9.3 km to get back to the start.
+
-
Terrain
Know the Hills, grading & facilities
Poona Lake via Carlo Sandblow
Grading
Class 3/6
Moderate track
Length
18.6 km
Time
5 h to 8 h
Quality of track
Clear and well formed track or trail (2/6)
Gradient
Short steep hills (3/6)
Signage
Clearly signposted (2/6)
Infrastructure
Limited facilities, not all cliffs are fenced (3/6)
Bushwalk
5 h to 8 h
{{title}}
Find the car park at the start.
After another 130 m pass the "Carlo Sanblow Wolking Track Information" (on your right).
After another 20 m head down the earthen steps (about 40 m long)
After another 95 m pass the "Carlo" (85 m on your left).
Then come to the viewpoint.
After another 265 m find the "Carlo Sandblow" (55 m on your left).
