The Noosa region is an internationally recognised UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, meaning we know how to look after the amazing nature that surrounds us – from the National Parks and forest reserves to the pristine beaches and river, mountain-tops and countryside. Discover these natural wonders for yourself.
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 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, the Everglades stretch across two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, the Noosa and Great Sandy, and are safe to swim in.
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 along the Great Beach Drive. The Noosa North Shore is popular for camping, fishing, beach horse-riding, surfing, four wheel driving and more (find out about permits that are required for most camping and driving).
Pack your hiking boots for the Cooloola Great Walk, a unique multi-day trek between Noosa and Rainbow Beach. Travel through subtropical rainforests, pristine beaches, secluded swimming spots and to the top of giant sand dunes, with stunning coastal and hinterland views.
Eight scenic hinterland trails make up the Noosa Trail Network, just half an hour from Noosa’s beaches, traversing the country towns of Cooroy, Pomona, Cooran and Kin Kin through farmlands, forests and spectacular mountain lookouts. The trails are suitable for walking, hiking, horse-riding or mountain biking.
Just 10km west of Noosa Heads is a little slice of natural paradise – a hidden gem! The Wooroi Trails in the Tewantin National Park have over 25km of fast-flowing, single-track mountain bike trails through a stunning bush and rainforest canopy.
The Tewantin National Park encompasses Mt Tinbeerwah and the Wooroi Trails. The park is home to protected areas of rainforest, open eucalypt forest and remnants of wallum heath that provide refuge for native wildlife including echidnas and koalas.
The Noosa National Park, just a short walk from Hastings Street, is home to koalas (there’s often one high in the trees not far from the park entrance), wallabies, the protected brush turkey and goanna. Look out to sea as you walk the coastal tracks and you might spot turtles as they bob up for air, dolphins or whales (June to October).
Surrounded by all this natural beauty, Noosa is a wildlife wonderland – a safe home for our native animals, birds and sea creatures. In fact, the Noosa Biosphere Reserve is home to 3023 wildlife species (more than 700 are native) - from kangaroos and glossy black cockatoos to possums, echidna and flying foxes.
Snorkel or dive the pristine waters to discover reef fish, bottlenose dolphins and loggerhead turtles, or walk the forest and National Park trails to see wildlife in their natural habitat.
Noosa is a bird lover's paradise with more than 44% of all of Australia’s bird species, including the white bellied sea eagle, Brahminy kites, great egret or the much-loved pelican, feeding from the end-of-day fisherman’s catch. Follow the Noosa Bird Trail and discover some for yourself!
It’s little wonder that Noosa is a wildlife wonderland
