Noosa National Park – what makes it so special?
Why visit the Noosa National Park? Because it’s a sanctuary that has been passionately protected for all to enjoy! It’s living proof of what can be preserved when people and the environment exist in harmony with one another. It’s treasured by locals, visitors and the wildlife and nature that’s free to prosper there.
Find out what makes the Noosa National Park so special…
A protected haven for all to enjoy
The Noosa National Park covers 40 km², including sections surrounding Lake Weyba, Peregian and Coolum. We have the communities’ passion to thank for protecting the Noosa National Park from development, so that locals and visitors can enjoy this magical haven for many generations to come.
In 1879, the Noosa Headland was declared a Town Reserve and officially became a national park in 1939. However, the park came under threat from development for a road being built along what is now the coastal walking track to Alexandria Bay.
In late 1962, local GP, Arthur Harrold, along with a small group of concerned Noosa residents, created Noosa Parks Association (NPA) to campaign against the road. Through impassioned NPA-led community activism they prevented the road from being built – hoorah!
Noosa National Park is loved by all and it’s thanks to the NPA – Queensland’s oldest community conservation organisation. This stunning area of coastal forest has remained untouched and is now one of Noosa’s most important natural assets!
See native animals and plants
Ready to immerse yourself in a thriving wilderness? The Noosa National Park is home to several rare and threatened species including, the glossy black cockatoo, ground parrot, red goshawk and wallum froglet. Lucky you if spot one of them!
As Noosa’s home to 44% of Australia’s total bird varieties, such as the eastern yellow robin, rufous fantail, satin bowerbird and crimson rosella – you’ll hopefully see and hear some of these beauties as you amble through the park.
Keep your eyes in the eucalypt trees because a koala population resides here. Therefore, there’s a good chance you’ll see a koala eating or dozing in the treetops! Other animals to look out for is the short-nosed bandicoot, common ringtail possum and brushtail possum.
Lose yourself within the rainforest as you take in the domineering Hoop and kauri pines, found in sheltered pockets away from the sea breezes. Covering most of the park is open woodlands and low wallum heathland that’s both rugged and beautiful. Skirting the coastline are striking pandanus palms, and the dramatic headlands offer the perfect place to watch migrating humpback whales.
Walk the enchanting tracks
You know you’re somewhere special when you can be in the heart of town one moment and in a sub-tropical forest the next. Well, that’s Noosa! There are 5 main walking tracks in the Noosa National Park, which are all linked by smaller tracks, making it easy for you to customise your own trail. Start your adventure from the Noosa Heads or Sunshine Beach locations.
The 10.8km return coastal walk from Noosa Heads to Sunshine Beach is the most popular and it’s easy to see why. This is where the forest meets the sea and as you wind your way along the coastal path, you’ll be treated to endless enchanting scenery.
There are three main lookouts, the first is Boiling Pot, named after the natural rock pool, where the ocean surges and bubbles through, like a boiling pot. Dolphin Point is the ideal lookout to see whales and dolphins and is the end of the sealed track, which is suitable for prams and wheelchairs up until this point. The track from here to Hell’s Gates is an uneven, gravel and sand track, so watch your step. Hell’s Gates is also the ideal place for a picnic and to see pods of dolphins, so make yourself comfy and stare out to sea. The wait is always worth it!
The other tracks wind through the middle of the park, where you’ll be enveloped in trees and beauty. All these track’s lead onto the coastal track at different points, so you can get the best of both worlds!
Experience secluded beaches and Fairy Pools
Want to feel like you’re on a desert island? You can in Noosa National Park! Scattered along the coastal track are secluded beaches that can offer you pure escapism. Each bay has its own unique character and charm and are destinations in their own right.
Little Cove
Little Cove is a stone’s throw from Noosa Main Beach and is one of Noosa’s best-loved beaches. Easily accessible and undeniably gorgeous, this is a beautiful beach to spend an afternoon, watching the sunset.
Tea Tree Bay
It’s easy to unwind at Tea Tree Bay, as it’s very picturesque, surrounded by shady pandanus trees and plenty of flat rocks. Rocky point is popular with experienced surfers and is known for its steep, hollow waves at low tide and fat, slow waves at high tide – join in, or watch the show. At low tide, meander through the little rock pools and look out for crabs and fish hiding between them.
Granite Bay
As one of the more remote bays, you could get this slice of paradise all to yourself! What’s unique about Granite Bay is that the sand is covered in large granite pebbles with boulders, hence the name. Home to the most famous and the biggest point break in Noosa, surfers make the longer hike there – will you too?
Alexandria Bay
You’ll find this remarkable sweep of golden sand and dazzling surf between Hells Gates and Devils Kitchen. Access the bay from the Sunshine Beach end to get there quicker. Affectionately known as A-Bay, the beach is popular with those who like to go au naturel! Feel a world away on this exceptionally beautiful beach that spans about 1km and most of the eastern side of the Headland section.
Fairy Pools
Just past Granite Bay and down an unofficial rocky path, you’ll discover the Fairy Pools, two natural tidal pools. Over millions of years, parts of these basalt rocks have been eroded by the sea and wind to form these beautiful, big pool-shaped cavities. Swim in these crystal-clear waters and take in the stunning Noosa National Park backdrop. Visit out of season, early morning, or late afternoon to claim them for yourself!
Stay where the forest meets the sea
Where better to stay than Little Cove? You’ll be staying in beachfront apartments next to Noosa National Park, so you can fully immerse yourself in one of the region’s most magnificent environment.
Browse Noosa beachfront apartments
Featured image: Paul Smith Images
