Noosa has become a favourite holiday destination that can be attributed to the perfect balance of natural offerings and its people. There is a long and proud history of protecting and preserving our environment, championing sustainability and environmental consciousness.
Noosa was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2007, which recognised the passion to live in and visit Noosa, and to promise an ongoing commitment to protect and nurture the environment that is rich in natural beauty.
Enjoy uncovering some of our natural wonders that make Noosa such a special place to visit, and we think, one of the best places in the world to holiday & reconnect.
Discover the upper reaches of the Noosa River as it extends into the Noosa Everglades. Known as the River of Mirrors because of the amazing reflections off the water, the Noosa Everglades is a 60km stretch of pristine waters, magnificent flora and fauna and narrow waterways. Do not forget your camera!
The area provides one of Australia’s most diverse ecosystems and is a hidden gem, with the Everglades system one of only two in the world.
Kanu Kapers provide guided and self-guided full day and multi-day kayak tours into the Noosa Everglades, departing from Boreen Point. Everglades Eco Safaris provide half day and full day boat cruises into this majestic wonderland. The full day tour includes lunch at the onsite craft brewery CootharaBAR and you can even stay the night in a glamping tent at Habitat Noosa.
A 5-minute journey across the Noosa River via the car ferry at Tewantin takes you to Noosa North Shore – more than 80km of unspoilt open beaches, golden sands and forest wilderness. It’s a popular spot for beachfront camping, fishing and surfing. You will need a 4-wheel drive if venturing on to the sand as well as a permit from Queensland National Parks.
Continue along the Noosa North Shore and you will reach the popular beachside town of Rainbow Beach and on to World Heritage-listed K’gari (Fraser Island)
Enjoy a 1-hour horse ride on the beach or an overnight escape with Equathon, or a ‘fat-wheels’ electric bike tour with Eco Tekk.
We always recommend joining a tour to explore the spectacular Noosa North Shore to avoid any tide miscalculations or getting bogged in the sand! Epic Ocean Adventures provide options to SUP, surf or kayak in a stunning remote location. Great Beach Drive 4WD Tours will ensure you don’t miss natural attractions such as Red Canyon, the Coloured Sands and Double Island Point Lighthouse for extraordinary 190-degree coastal views.
If walking is more your thing, hike 88km along the Cooloola Great Walk.
Outdoor Adventure Australia offer a 5-day hiking adventure that includes everything except your personal items.
If heading onto K’gari, Discovery Fraser Island will pick you up in Noosa for a full day tour or they will even personally tailor an exclusive private tour just for you.
Noosa is home to eight well sign-posted and scenic hinterland trails that take you into the heart of the Noosa countryside.
The trails traverse Noosa’s hinterland towns of Cooroy, Pomona, Cooran and Kin Kin through country landscapes, eucalypt forests, green farmland, mountain peaks, lakes and country towns. Trail number 3 is the pick if you only have time for one walk (recommended by the local ranger!).
As Noosa is surrounded by nature, you will spot wallabies, koalas, goannas, the black cockatoo, whipbirds and over 1300 species of flora.
The trails are accessible to hikers, mountain bike and horse riders to explore. Visit Noosa Council for a map, information, and current warnings along the trails.
For a unique experience, Noosa Quad Bike Tours run half-day tours in the morning and afternoon on fully automatic quad bikes. Safety gear is provided, so just bring a sense of adventure for a great day out.
Spoke N Trail offer half-day and full-day tours for the mountain bike enthusiast, guiding you through the region’s best enduro, cross country and downhill tracks. Skills coaching can be added on to make the most of the experience.
A short 10km journey from Noosa Heads is a slice of natural paradise, offering over 25km of fast-flowing, single-track mountain bike trails. The well-maintained tracks provide stunning bushland and rainforest scenery and are home to native wildlife including koalas and echidnas.
Bring your own mountain bike and ensure you plan and choose the trail to suit your riding ability from easy, intermediate and difficult.
Or join Bike On mountain bike tours to explore the trails, offering something for everyone. Choose from single-track thrill seeker, the family tour and a skills session, self-guided tour or a mountain bike skills coaching session.
A short walk along the Noosa Main Beach boardwalk will lead you to the entrance of the Noosa National Park. The park provides a unique combination of coast and bush trails to explore, all offering stunning
coastal, bush and rainforest scenery. Along the way find hidden bays with world-class surfing breaks. There are also numerous wildlife spotting opportunities from koalas in the gumtrees to dolphins and whales out at sea (June to October).
The Coastal track follows the headland all the way round, providing spectacular ocean views. The full trip is around 10.8km return.
The Tanglewood track is another favourite that winds though bushy heathland tracks, spring wildflowers, coastal rainforest and links through to Alexandria Bay and Sunshine Beach.
The trails are well sign-posted and a must on any Noosa holiday.
If you are not comfortable venturing out on your own, give Noosa Running Tours a call who operate morning and afternoon running and walking tours through the Noosa National Park, or Outdoor Adventure Australia who also do walking tours.
The Noosa National Park has also been declared a World Surfing Reserve, so pack your board as you will find a wave to suit, whether you are a beginner or advanced surfer.
*Visit Noosa recommends checking opening times and make bookings to avoid disappointment.
