Best Noosa National Park Walks

Summary

If you’re heading to Noosa and are looking for a more active holiday, consider visiting Noosa National Park which is one of Noosa’s best features. This article provides you with tips on how to make the most of your visit, information on the best walking tracks, as well as accommodation options in the park.

Best Noosa National Park Walks

 

If you’re heading to Noosa and are looking for a more active holiday, consider visiting Noosa National Park which is one of Noosa’s best features. The park covers the headland and has fine walks with great coastal scenery and provides access to a string of bays with waves perfect for surfing. This article provides you with tips on how to make the most of your visit, information on the best walking tracks, as well as accommodation options in the park.

 

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Tips for Visiting Noosa National Park

• The most scenic way to access the national park is to follow the boardwalk along the coast from town
• Pick up a walking track map from QPWS centre (open from 9am to 3pm), at the entrance to the park
• Sleepy koalas are often spotted in the trees near Tea Tree Bay and dolphins are commonly seen from the rocky headlands around Alexandria Bay
• For a panoramic view of the park, walk or drive up to Laguna Lookout from Viewland Drive in Noosa Junction

 

 

Noosa National Park Activities

There are plenty of things to do and see in Noosa National Park including bushwalking, spotting wildlife and fishing.

 

Noosa National Park Map

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Noosa National Park Walks

There’s no better way to explore Noosa National Park than on one or more of its lovely walking tracks which wind their way along the coast, through rainforest and open woodlands, and across colourful wallum heath and sedgelands. A great variety of wildflowers can be observed in winter and spring. There are several walking tracks in the park that range from easy to moderate so whatever your fitness level there’s definitely a walk for you.

There are four sections in Noosa National Park – Noosa Headland, Peregian, Emu Mountain and East Weyba. Most of the walking tracks are located in Noosa Headland which is also the more popular area of the park. Below are some of the best walking tracks in Noosa National Park.

For Noosa National Park alerts, visit QPRS.

 

I. Noosa Headland Section of Noosa National Park

 

The Noosa Headland section has over 15km of walking tracks marked with colour-coded signposts. While the coastal tracks are more popular, in summer, consider taking the Tanglewood track or the Palm Grove circuit through the rainforest as they provide cool alternatives to the beach.

The Noosa Headland section 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 car park.

There is also access to the Noosa Headland section from Parkedge Road and the northern end of Sunshine Beach. Parking is limited here.

Laguna lookout, which provides a panoramic view of the park, is accessed from the end of Viewland Drive, in Noosa Heads.

 

1. Palm Grove Circuit

Distance: 1km circuit

Time: 15-30 mins

Class: 3

The Palm Grove circuit begins from the day-use area. This is an introductory walk which takes you through rainforest with hoop pines and piccabeen palms.

 

2. Tanglewood Track

Distance: 3.8km one way (continue to Hell’s Gates and return via the Coastal track for a 6.9km circuit)

Time: 2-3 hrs

Class: 4

The Tanglewood track begins beside the toilet block in the day-use area. 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 for a different view.

 

3. Noosa Hill Track

Distance: 2.4km one way (continue to the day-use area via the Tanglewood track for a 3.4km circuit

Time: 1-1.5 hrs

Class: 4

The Noosa Hill track begins past the information display, just before the entrance to the Coastal track. The walk begins on a steady grade leading through open eucalypt woodlands and shrublands to the top of Noosa Hill. Unfortunately, views to the coast are restricted due to thick vegetation.

 

4. Coastal Track (Top Pick)

Distance: 5.4km one-way

Time: 2-3 hrs

Class: 2 to 4

The Coastal track is the most popular walking tracks in Noosa National Park. Following the shoreline from the main park entrance to northern Sunshine Beach, the Coastal track passes over several headlands and provides many spectacular coastal views. This track is divided into three sections so you can do one, two or all sections of the track. The Coastal track from the information centre to Dolphin Point is paved and suitable for assisted wheelchair and stroller access.

The first section continues for 1km leading to Dolphin Point (Class 2) from where you can spot dolphins along the coast. From Dolphin Point, it’s another 1.7km to Hell’s Gates (Class 3), which is a plunging coastal gorge. Along the way you’ll pass pretty and private Tea Tree Bay, popular for its sleepy koalas. A further 2.7km from Hell’s Gate takes you to northern Sunshine Beach (Class 4). Walk along the beach at Alexandria Bay (a nudist beach with good surf) and rejoin the formed walking track at the southern end of the beach. There is a very steep set of stairs leading down to Sunshine Beach.

You can walk the Coastal track from Noosa to Sunshine Beach and catch a bus back. You’ll need to walk 1.2km further south along the beach to the bus stop outside the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club.

 

5. Alexandria Bay Track

Distance: 4.6 km return

Time: 1-2 hrs

Class: 4

From Parkedge Road, a sandy track winds through open woodlands and heathlands to Alexandria Bay. You can also access this track via the Tanglewood track and from McAnally Drive.

 

 

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II. Peregian Section of Noosa National Park

Access to the Peregian section of Noosa National Park is from David Low Way, 3km north of Coolum Beach and 4km south of Peregian Beach.

 

Ocean Track

Distance: 1km return

Time: 30 mins

Class: 3

The Ocean Track is a short walk to the beach leading across a boardwalk through paperbark swamp and sedgelands and down a sandy track to heathland and she-oak forests. Look out for colourful wildflowers and dune plants such as dune bean and pigface.

 

 

III. Emu Mountain Section of Noosa National Park

Access to the Emu Mountain section of Noosa National Park is from David Low Way, 4km north of Coolum Beach and 3km south of Peregian Beach.

 

1. Emu Mountain Summit Walk

Distance: 850m return

Time: 1 hr

Class: 4

The Emu Mountain Summit walk is a short yet strenuous 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 threatened plants can also be found here, including the Emu Mountain she-oak (Allocasuarina emuina).

 

2. Hakea Track

Distance: 1.8km return

Time: 1 hr

Class: 4

The Hakea track takes you through montane heathland where you can commonly see hakea shrubs, with distinctive woody seed pods.

 

 

IV. East Weyba Section of Noosa National Park

Access to East Weyba section is from David Low Way, at Marcus Beach, 2.5km north of Peregian Beach. From David Low Way, turn into Podargus Parade and into Calliandra Grove or continue to the Hawthorn Grove access point.

 

Unmarked Walking Tracks

Time: 1-2 hrs

There are no formal walking tracks in the East Weyba section, but there are several kilometres of fire management tracks. Please walk only on the fire management tracks, do not walk off-track at any time as unexploded ammunition can be found in this area. During World War II, this area was a military training ground. The diverse heaths exhibit a kaleidoscope of colour in late winter and spring. This is a great spot for birdwatching so bring your binoculars.

 

 

Noosa National Park Koalas

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Noosa National Park is a great place to see koalas as they are spread right across the park in huge numbers. Anywhere you see a crowd looking upward, you’re sure to spot a koala. The best place to spot sleepy koalas in Noosa National Park is at Tea Tree Bay – see the Coastal Track under our Noosa National Park Walks section above. However, they’re also often seen in the unlikely setting of the parking lot at the entrance to the park. So, wherever you go in Noosa National Park, look up occasionally so you don’t miss those cute koalas.

 

 

Noosa National Park Accommodation

Unfortunately, there are no accommodation options within Noosa National Park in order to protect the natural values of the park.

 

Noosa National Park Camping

Since it is only a small national park of 432 hectares, there are no roads and camping is not allowed in Noosa National Park; the closest camping option is located at Bougainvillia Holiday Park on Cooroy-Noosa Road in Tewantin. Neat as a pin and meticulously landscaped, this is the best camping option in the area. The park has both powered and unpowered sites as well as cabins. The facilities are spotless and wheelchair accessible, and there’s an on-site café.

If you’re looking for a coastal camping holiday, consider visiting the Cooloola Recreational Area of Great Sandy National Park or Burrum Coast National Park.

 

 

Tell us what you think. Are you planning to visit Noosa National Park? Which walking track(s) would you like to undertake? If you’ve been here before, which walks did you complete and what areas of the park did you like most. 

We love to hear from you so please leave your comments below.