Last Updated on November 19, 2023

The state of Queensland in Australia is a veritable treasure trove of opportunities for thrillseekers with a love for the beach or the desert.

In fact, it boasts some of the finest sandboarding spots in all of Australia, which is an incredibly exciting prospect for any thrill-seeker.

One of the most well-known and popular destinations for sandboarding enthusiasts is the Tangalooma desert, which can be found on Moreton Island. This area is not only breathtakingly beautiful, but also offers “desert safari tours” for visitors who are keen to experience the thrills of sandboarding.

For those who prefer something a bit more remote, the Big Red dunes of the Simpson Desert near Birdsville are an excellent option. These dunes offer a unique and challenging sandboarding experience, and are sure to satisfy even the most seasoned of sandboarding enthusiasts.

However, if you are more of a beach person, don’t worry – Queensland has you covered too. The stunning Rainbow Beach and Fraser Island are two incredible locations that offer the opportunity to surf the sand on large cliffs, while taking in awe-inspiring views of the majestic sea.

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Moreton Island Dunes
Dunes with a view in Moreton Island. Photo courtesy of MoretonIslandAdventures.

Tangalooma Desert – Moreton Island

The stunning sand island of Moreton is a flourishing Australian sandboarding destination near Brisbane in Queensland.

The island is home to Tangalooma Desert, simply known as “The Desert”, a truly unique place with dunes entirely surrounded by vegetation, where you can hop on a “desert safari tour” which includes sandboarding.

Sandboarding Tours in Moreton Island


Carlo Sandblow, Rainbow Beach
Carlo Sandblow – Rainbow Beach, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Cassarazzi.

Carlo Sand Blow – Rainbow Beach

Rainbow Beach is a tiny village and subtropical surfer’s paradise on the Great Beach Drive in Gympie Area.

The nearby Carlo Sand Blow is a huge sand park with cliffside views and large dunes where you can have fun with your sandboard and toboggans. Fraser Island is also easily reachable from Rainbow Beach.


Kirrar Sand Blow – Fraser Island

The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Fraser Island is one of Queensland’s most popular attractions for beach lovers and it’s no surprise that this incredible location – which is also the largest sand island in the entire world – is also a hotspot for sandboarding and dune sports.

The best spot is known as Kirrar Sand Blow but it can be difficult to locate, so make sure to ask around. Read more: sandboarding in Fraser Island


Camels near Birdsville
A camel train silhouette near Birdsville QLD, Australia. Photo courtesy of Brett Stanley.

Big Red – Birdsville, Diamantine Area

The Big Red is the most famous sand dune in the area around 40 metres tall, located 35 km outside of Birdsville and the door to Australia’s Simpson Desert. The nearby dunes, such as the Little Red, are also worth checking out and more suitable for beginners.

You will most likely need a 4×4 to reach the Big Red dune, make sure to bring your own sandboarding equipment, or join an adventure tour to get the most out of your Australian outback experience.


Middle Island – Bustard Bay, Queensland

Middle Island, nestled in Bustard Bay near Seventeen Seventy, invites adventure-seekers to partake in sandboarding on the expansive sand dunes of Eurimbula Resources Reserve. Join the thrilling sandboarding tours organized by 1770 LARC! Tours for an unforgettable experience.



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