Noosa National Park

Introduction

The natural delights of Noosa National Park include spectacular coastal scenery, wildlife and wildflowers. Rocky headlands protect quiet sandy coves, backed by pandanus, small pockets of tranquil rainforest, paperbark and coast banksia. Elsewhere there is open forest, wallum heathlands and grasslands. The park is divided into three sections, Headland, Peregian and Weyba. The Headland section is a short drive, or walk from Noosa’s Hastings Street along a seaside boardwalk. The Peregian section is the best place for wildflowers in spring – look for the rare swamp orchid and Christmas bell. The diversity of vegetation also provides important habitat for native fauna. Most commonly seen are the ubiquitous brush-turkeys, usually lurking around the edges of the picnic ground, and lace monitors. Harder to spot are koalas and rare and vulnerable species such as the glossy black-cockatoo, the ground parrot, the red goshawk and the wallum froglet. The park provides a haven for nature-lovers, bushwalkers and surfers. Keen surfers can walk to Granite Bay and Dolphin Point for good surf. Walking trails are numerous. The Rainforest Circuit (1 km, easy) leads from the carpark past rainforest species, most with informative signs. The Coastal Track (3 km one way), from the carpark to Hells Gate, passes picturesque Tea-Tree Bay; you can return via Alexandria Bay (nudist beach) and the bush-rimmed Tanglewood Track (4.2 km). The beaches in the park are not patrolled and often have dangerous rips, so swimming is not recommended. Tea-Tree Bay is sheltered and generally safe. Accommodation in the area is plentiful and the town of Noosa has an upmarket beach-and-cafe culture.

Fact file

Camping

No camping

Location and access

160 km north of Brisbane via Bruce Hwy and Sunshine Mwy

Park Information

• NQIS (07) 3227 8185
• QPWS Yungaburra (07) 4095 3768

Size

4000 ha

Where to Stay

Noosa Heads/Noosaville/Sunshine

Beach (07) 5447 4988, 1800 448 833

This content is from the publication:

Explore Australia’s National Parks

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