Rainbow Beach trends south-south west for 2.5 kilometres from the dolerite rocks at Middle Rock Point to the sedimentary rocks at Bonny Hills, The beach is backed by a fore dune, then two kilometres long Duchess Gully Creek that drains across the southern end of beach, where it is called Little Vinegar Creek, linking with a second small creek. Ocean Drive skirts round the beach with access only available at Middle Rock, where there are no facilities, while Bonny Hills has the surf club, a park and picnic area, and two caravan parks. Rainbow Beach is patrolled during school holidays October through April.