Noosa's natural wonders will take you from beautiful beaches, coastal walks, hinterland towns and river cruises to National Parks, mountain tops, world-class wonders and forest trails - find out how to discover them for yourself.
The headland standing guard over Laguna Bay that gives Noosa Heads its name, is part of the Noosa National Park - a sanctuary for native animals including koalas and wallabies, and one of the most beautiful and accessible walks you can do anywhere.
The walk starts only a few minutes from the end of Hastings Street, with 5 beautiful coastal and inland rainforest paths – choose a short walk with stunning views over Laguna Bay, across to Noosa North Shore and the Cooloola Sandpatch, with viewing platforms and side tracks to the secluded bays of Tea Tree and Granite. Or walk for hours all the way to Sunshine Beach.
Watch the surfing action on the points, and spot turtles, dolphins and even humpback whales during their migration from June to October.
GETTING THERE
Walk along the boardwalk from Noosa Main Beach, alongside Park Road, past Little Cove Beach, to the Noosa National Park entrance. Then follow the signs and choose your coastal or bush trail.
Discover the upper reaches of the Noosa River as it winds its way into the Noosa Everglades - a bird watcher's paradise, a photographer's dream and a nature lover's ideal escape.
Known as the River of Mirrors because of the amazing reflections in the water, the Noosa Everglades is a 60km stretch of pristine waters, magnificent flora and fauna and narrow waterways. One of only two everglade systems in the world - and the only one where it's safe to swim - the Everglades stretch across two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, the Noosa and Great Sandy.
GETTING THERE
Kayak tours with Kanu Kapers leave from Boreen Point (about 25 mins drive from Noosa Heads). Boat tours leave from Elanda Point with Everglades Eco Safaris.
Just north of Noosa is the world’s largest sand island, and a true natural wonder of the world – World Heritage-listed K’gari (Fraser Island).
Walk through towering subtropical rainforest, swim in pristine freshwater lakes, hike across ancient sand blows and discover the Maheno shipwreck on 75 Mile Beach – all part of the natural wonderland of K'gari. It's an area of unspoilt natural beauty, hundreds of kilometres of white beaches, cliffs of coloured sands, lush rainforest, bushland and more.
The Noosa region is the gateway to the Cooloola Recreation Area and World Heritage-listed K'gari, both part of the Great Sandy National Park.
GETTING THERE
Join a guided day or multi-day adventure from Noosa with K’gari Fraser Island Adventures, K'gari - Sunrover Tours, K'gari Explorer Tours or Fraser Island Adventure Tours or create a self-guided 4WD adventure along the Great Beach Drive from Noosa North Shore (permits required) in your own vehicle or hire a 4WD.
If you have a bit more time, see the island from a self-skippered, luxury boat from Fraser Island Boat Charters (based in Hervey Bay, about 3 hours north of Noosa).
Follow the Noosa Main Beach boardwalk from the wooded paths of Noosa Spit, at the mouth of the Noosa River, past beachfront cafes and restaurants (make sure you have time for a sip!). Slip through arcades along the way and find yourself on Hastings Street, with its wonderful boutiques, bars and eateries.
The boardwalk sparkles in the evening, with fairy lights and the moon's glow on the gentle waters of Noosa's Main Beach.
Continue along the boardwalk as it hugs the shoreline - walk to beautiful Little Cove Beach and on to the Noosa National Park entrance where a choice of coastal and inland paths await.
NOOSA HEADS
Follow forest trails and country roads to discover natural wonders, serene lakes, mountain lookouts, country villages, farm gates and a side to Noosa that you may not know yet.
Eight scenic hinterland trails make up the Noosa Biosphere Trails (formerly known as the Noosa Trail Network), just half an hour from Noosa’s beaches, traversing the country towns of Cooroy, Pomona, Cooranand Kin Kin through farmlands, forests, and spectacular mountain lookouts.
Walk, mountain-bike or horse-ride the trails - for beginners to experienced hikers.
GETTING THERE
Head to the Noosa hinterland towns of Cooroy, Pomona, Cooran, Boreen Point, Kin Kin or Lake Macdonald (near the Noosa Botanic Gardens) - download the Noosa Biosphere Trails Map for locations.
Go on a journey along the pristine Noosa River, from where the sea gently rolls in at Noosa Spit in Noosa Heads, past the riverside villages of Noosaville and Tewantin, through serene lakes and on to the Noosa Everglades.
The river’s calm waters are perfect for safe swimming, jet ski fun, sailing, kayaking, stand-up paddling, cruising, fishing or just sitting and watching the passing parade of activity from the shore.
Join a river tour, hire a pontoon boat or catch the Noosa Ferry and see Noosa from the water.
The picturesque foreshore boardwalk along Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, is a flat, shady walk through grassy parklands with picnic tables, bobbing boats and restaurants and cafes with cool river breezes.
GETTING THERE
Noosaville is about 5 minutes from Hastings Street - catch a local bus or the Noosa Ferry which has several stops between Hastings Street and the Noosa Marina in Tewantin.
For more Noosa inspiration, READ THE NOOSA HOLIDAY GUIDE or pick up a copy from the Noosa Visitor Information Centre in Hastings Street (near the surf club).
And check out how TREAD LIGHTLY NOOSA programs to lighten your environmental footprint while holidaying in the beautiful Noosa Biosphere Reserve.
