Noosa National Park
Getting there and getting around
Noosa is 160km north of Brisbane via the Bruce Highway and the Sunshine Motorway.
Headland Section
The Noosa Headland Section of Noosa National Park is at the end of Park Road, Noosa Heads. Access is available by walking from Hastings Street along the seaside boardwalk, enjoying the ocean views, or by catching the local shuttle bus to the national park during peak holiday periods. There is limited parking space at the national park carpark, which may also be closed at times due to unfavourable weather conditions.
There is also access to the Noosa Headland Section from Parkedge Road and the northern end of Sunshine Beach. Parking is limited.
Laguna lookout is accessed from the end of Viewland Drive in Noosa Heads.
Peregian Section
Access is from David Low Way, 3km north of Coolum and 4km south of Peregian.
Emu Mountain Section
Access is from David Low Way, 4km north of Coolum and 3km south of Peregian.
East Weyba Section
Access is from David Low Way, at Marcus Beach, 2.5km north of Peregian. From David Low Way, turn into Podargus Pde and into Calliandra Grove or continue to the Hawthorne Grove access point.
Wheelchair accessibility
In the Noosa Headland section, the coastal track from the information centre to Dolphin Point is paved and suitable for assisted wheelchair and stroller access. The toilets near the information centre and the toilets at Tea Tree Bay are wheelchair accessible.
Park features
Some of south-east Queensland's most picturesque coastline can be seen in Noosa National Park. The park includes the popular scenic headland at Noosa Heads, parts of Lake Weyba (a large, shallow, saltwater lake in the Noosa River system), Emu Mountain and coastal lowlands extending south towards Coolum.
The park is home to the koala, and rare and threatened wildlife such as the glossy black cockatoo, ground parrot, red goshawk, wallum froglet, swamp orchid and Christmas bell.
Open woodlands with a heath understorey and low wallum heath cover most of the park. Hoop and kauri pines tower above small rainforest pockets growing on sand in sheltered sites away from the sea breezes.
Camping and accommodation
Camping
To protect the natural values of this park, camping is not permitted. Larger national parks to the north, such as Great Sandy and Burrum Coast, are ideal for people seeking a coastal camping holiday.
Other accommodation
There is a wide range of holiday accommodation, including camping and caravan parks, in and around Noosa, Peregian and Coolum. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Things to do
Walking
Several easy to moderate walking tracks wind along the coast, through rainforest and open woodlands and across colourful wallum heath and sedgelands. Longer tracks lead out through open forest and heath, where a great variety of wildflowers can be observed in winter and spring.
Be prepared for your walk, especially in hot weather. Wear a hat and sunscreen, bring sufficient water, and allow adequate time to complete the walk. Suitable, sturdy footwear is recommended.
There have been serious assaults in this park. Never walk alone always walk with a group or in sight of another group. Stay on marked walking tracks and walk in daylight hours only.
Bicycles are not allowed on any of the tracks within the park.
Choosing your walk
Choose walks that suit your fitness levels using the track standards below.
Class 2 track Australian Standards
Class 3 track Australian Standards
Class 4 track Australian Standards
Noosa Headland Section
Explore over 15km of walking tracks marked with colour-coded signposts. On hot summer days, the Palm Grove circuit and the Tanglewood track through rainforest provide cool alternatives to the beach.
(1) Palm Grove circuit — 1km circuit (Allow 15–30 mins) Class 2
This circuit passes through rainforest with hoop pines and piccabeen palms. The track begins near the picnic area
(2) Tanglewood track — 6.9km (4.2km to Hell's Gates and return 2.7km on the Coastal track) (Allow 2 – 3 hours) Class 4
One of the park's more isolated inland walks, this track meanders through rainforest, open eucalypt woodlands and closed woodlands to northern Alexandria Bay. Return to the day-use area on the Coastal track. The Tanglewood track begins near the picnic area.
(3) Noosa Hill track — 3.4km circuit (Allow 1–1.5 hours) Class 4
A steady grade leads through open eucalypt woodlands and shrublands to the top of Noosa Hill. Views to the coast are restricted due to thick vegetation. This track begins past the information centre, near the entrance to the Coastal track.
(4) Coastal track — 5.4km return (Allow 1.5–2.5 hours) 1km Class 2 to Dolphin Point; 1.7km Class 3 from Dolphin Point to Hell's Gates
The track skirts along the shoreline over several headlands and provides access to many picturesque coves such as Tea Tree Bay. Spectacular views can be seen from several lookouts along the track, which ends on a high bluff at Hell's Gates. Take extra care along sections of the track that follow close to cliff edges. Keep children under close supervision.
(5) Alexandria Bay tracks
- 4.6km return from Parkedge Road (Allow 1 hour 15 mins–2 hours) Class 4.
- 2km return from northern Sunshine Beach (Allow 30–45 mins) Class 4 with steep stairs at the Sunshine Beach entrance. For fit walkers only. These sandy tracks wind through open woodlands and heathlands along a spectacular coastline that leads to Alexandria Bay.
Peregian Section
Ocean track — 1km return (Allow 1 hour) Class 3
This short walk to the beach leads across a boardwalk through paperbark swamp and sedgelands and down a sandy track to heathland and she-oak forests. Discover colourful wildflowers and dune plants such as yellow beach bean and pigface.
Emu Mountain Section
Emu Mountain summit walk — 850m return from northern access points or 1.8km return from southern access point (Allow 1–2 hours) Class 4
Take a short walk to the summit to see panoramic views of the coast. The grade is steep in places, so take care. The montane heathland displays a colourful array of wildflowers. Several rare and threatened plants can be found here, including the Mt Emu she-oak.
East Weyba Section
Several kilometres of unmarked tracks (Allow 1–2 hours)
There are no formal walking tracks in this section. Please walk only on the vehicle tracks, and do not leave them at any time, as unexploded ammunition could be found in this area. During World War II, this area was a military training ground. The diverse heaths here exhibit a kaleidoscope of colour in late winter and spring. This is a great spot for bird watching so bring your binoculars.
Guided tours and talks
There are ranger-guided walks and talks in holiday times. See the Go Bush Program or contact the Park Visitor Information Centre for details.
Picnic and day use areas
Have a picnic overlooking beautiful Laguna Bay with its sweeping views from Noosa to Cooloola. There is a picnic area at the end of Park Road, in the Noosa Headland section of the national park, with picnic tables, electric barbecues, drinking water and public toilets. Toilets and tap water are also provided at Tea Tree Bay.
Viewing wildlife
Lace monitors, honeyeaters and koalas may be seen while you are walking on Noosa's tracks or in the picnic area. Early mornings and dusk provide good opportunities for birdwatching and wildlife observation.
Between June and November, humpback whales can be glimpsed as they cruise past the coastline on their way to and from northern breeding grounds. Best spots to watch the whales are Dolphin Point and Hell's Gates. Turtles and dolphins are also often seen from those points.
Swimming
All beaches accessed from the park are not patrolled, often have dangerous rips and are not recommended for swimming.
Patrolled beaches at Noosa Heads and Sunshine Beach are ideal for swimming.
Things to know before you go
Essentials to bring
- Bring a hat, sunscreen, sufficient drinking water for any walks you plan to do, and sturdy shoes for walking.
- Bring your camera and binoculars for viewing wildlife.
Opening hours
For your safety, walk in Noosa National Park in daylight hours only (see Staying safe). The Park Visitor Information Centre is open from 9am to 3pm (closed for lunch), seven days a week.
Permits and fees
There are fees for some ranger-guided walks and talks. See the Go Bush Program or contact the Park Visitor Information Centre for details.
Pets
Domestic animals are not permitted in Noosa National Park.
Climate and weather
Noosa enjoys a mild, subtropical climate. The average daily temperature range is 21 to 29 degrees Celsius in summer and 10 to 21 degrees Celsius in winter. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Fuel and supplies
Fuel and supplies are available in Noosa Heads and nearby towns. For more information see the tourism information links below.
Staying safe
- Never walk alone always walk with a group or in sight of another group. Stay on marked walking tracks and walk in daylight hours only. There have been serious assaults in this park.
- Be aware that beaches surrounding Noosa National Park are not patrolled by surf lifesavers. Swimming here can be dangerous.
- Stay away from cliff edges and supervise children at all times.
- Please report details of unusual activity or illegal campsites to the police on 5447 5888 or rangers at Noosa National Park Information Centre on 5447 3243.
- Thieves use Noosa National Park too! While visiting the park, please ensure that you lock your vehicle and remove all valuables, including garage remote controls. Do not leave valuables unattended.
An emergency radio-telephone is located on the northern access track to Alexandria Bay.
For more information, please read the guidelines on safety in parks and forests.
Looking after the park
You can help protect the park by following these regulations.
- Leave your pets at home. Pets can frighten or kill wildlife, annoy other visitors, can become lost, and are prohibited in the national park.
- Do not feed or leave food for animals. Human food can harm wildlife and cause some animals to become aggressive.
- Everything within the national park is protected. Do not take or interfere with plants or animals.
- Place all rubbish in bins provided, or take it out of the park. Empty film containers are great for disposing of cigarette butts.
- Bicycles are not allowed on any of the tracks within the park.
- Stay on tracks. Do not cut corners or create new tracks, as this causes erosion.
- Keep out of the fenced dune area behind Alexandria Bay, as this area erodes easily.
See Caring for parks for more information about protecting our environment and heritage in parks.
Park management
Originally declared in 1939, Noosa National Park covers more than 4,000 hectares and includes areas surrounding Lake Weyba, Peregian and Coolum. As the coast becomes more developed, this park is becoming increasingly important for nature conservation and protects several rare and threatened species.
A Management Plan for Noosa National Park guides the management of the area.Tourism information links
For more information about activities, tours and accommodation in this region, contact:
- Noosa Visitor Information Centre
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- www.visitnoosa.com.au
- Hastings Street, Noosa Heads - opposite the roundabout
- ph (07) 5430 5000 or 13000 NOOSA (66672)
- email info@visitnoosa.com.au
For tourism information for all regions in Queensland see www.queenslandholidays.com.au
Further information
- Noosa National Park Information Centre
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- Park Road, Noosa Heads Qld 4567
- ph (07)5447 3243
- fax (07) 5447 2698
- Open from 9am to 3pm (closed for lunch), 7 days a week
- EPA Customer Service Centre
-
- 160 Ann Street, Brisbane
- PO Box 15155, City East QLD 4002
- ph (07) 3227 8185
- fax (07) 3227 8749
- email info@epa.qld.gov.au
Last updated: 20 April 2009
