Noosa National Park is on Kabi Kabi Country. I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this area and their connection to land, sea and community, and pay my respects to their Elders past and present.
Noosa is the most popular holiday destination on the Sunshine Coast. But living just 45 minutes away, it’s easy enough for us to join the masses in traipsing about Noosa National Park.
Of all the national parks on the Sunshine Coast, Noosa National Park is, admittedly, the most stunning. Steep cliffs, clear turquoise water, tucked away coves, and if you’re lucky you might even spot some whales and turtles.
NOOSA NATIONAL PARK: QUICK PRACTICAL TIPS
- It’s free: Noosa National Park is easily one of the best free things to do on the Sunshine Coast, which is probably why everyone and their dog is here on a weekend.
- Best weather: Winter in South East Queensland is hard to beat with crisp blue skies, sunshine and 20-23°C days—making it prime walking weather before the summer humidity sets in.
- Avoid the crowds: Given the fantastic scenery, about 500 other people will have the exact same idea. Steer clear of weekends and school holidays if you want a quieter walk.
GETTING TO NOOSA NATIONAL PARK
Getting to Noosa National Park by car isn’t hard but parking is a nightmare. Here are your options.
OPTION 1: THE NOOSA END (PARK ROAD)
Starting your hike from the Noosa end at Park Road is the most popular choice, especially as the first few kilometres on the track are paved and wheelchair-accessible, giving you easy access to the main beaches.
The day-use car park (Park Road) here is small and fills up early. If you want to avoid the parking headache entirely, park closer to Noosa Heads and walk the 1km boardwalk along Park Road from Hastings Street (though it gets incredibly busy here too).
Be aware, that there is now a strict 4-hour parking limit, which gives you just enough time to complete the entire track as a loop. Parking limits are enforced and fines are steep.
OPTION 2: THE SUNSHINE BEACH END
My preferred route is starting the coastal track from Sunshine Beach. It’s significantly quieter, and parking around Seaview Terrace is much less stressful.
On the flip side, you’ll first need to start with a beach walk and a steep set of stairs up the headleand.
OPTION 3: PUBLIC TRANSPORT
If you don’t have a car, you can catch a bus to Hastings Street and walk along Park Road to the main entrance. Coming from the Sunshine Beach end, you’ll need to walk roughly 1.3km to Duke Street to catch the return bus.
HIKING THE NOOSA COASTAL TRACK
NOOSA COASTAL TRACK AT A GLANCE
Whether you’re looking for short coastal strolls or longer Sunshine Coast hikes that work your heart a bit more, Noosa fits the bill. There are several short sections you could do but if you’re up for a big(ger) walk, the entire Noosa Coastal Walk (blue on the map) is seriously worth it.
If you’re starting at the Noosa end, make your way along Tea Tree Bay to Hell’s Gates. The trail then goes all the way around to Sunshine Beach, and the views at the end are brilliant! If you’re coming from Sunshine Beach, just do it in reverse. Easy.
It’s about 11 km if you do the whole circuit.
The first part of the track (Noosa end) tends to be the busiest with people making their way to Tea Tree Bay for surfing and swimming.
To return to your starting point, you can either hike back the same way you came or take one of the inland tracks. We generally loop back via some of the walking track links from the Sunshine Beach end, connecting onto the Tanglewood Track (orange) for a shaded return.
BOILING POT
The Boiling Pot is barely 300m from the main picnic area, and the first view point. The track to this point is very wide and wheelchair-accessible.
If it’s a clear day, you can see the coastal dunes along Teewah Beach (Great Sandy National Park) from here. Below the lookout, there’s a rock formation that can have water swirling about in a rock pool like a boiling kettle depending on the tide and wave action.
DOLPHIN POINT
From Boiling Point, it’s only another 900m to Dolphin Point, still along a sealed track.
This part is gorgeous as you pass by Tea Tree Bay and slowly climb up to the lookout. Tea Tree Bay is immensely popular with surfers and swimmers, though the beach is unpatrolled and there can be strong rips.
If you’re lucky, you might spot some dolphins or whales at Dolphin Point. I’ve never seen any but people definitely do.
QPWS has upgraded much of this section so the entire lookout is now sealed with stone benches where you can rest and scan the water.
And whilst I haven’t spotted any dolphins from here yet, we have crossed paths with an echidna!
HELL’S GATES
From Dolphin Point, the track becomes unsealed and slightly less busy. It’s about 1.5km to Hell’s Gates past Winch Cove and Picnic Cove.
Winch Cove is seriously pretty and a popular beach spot. (Again, swimming isn’t advised as the beach is unpatrolled.)
Just past Winch Cove at the end of Granite Bay is where you’ll find the famous Noosa Fairy Pools. These days, they’re massively popular and usually swarming with people. If you want a chance of having the tidal pools to yourself, you’ll need to go very early in the morning—otherwise, expect a crowd.
Hell’s Gates itself is a dramatic, high bluff where water crashes heavily into the rock face, offering splash views. Someone told us that turtles feed on the rocky outcrops here, and sure enough, I did actually see a turtle swimming happily in the water (once), getting rocked back and forth by the waves.
ALEXANDRIA BAY
From Hell’s Gates and turtle spotting, it’s only a short 600m stretch to Alexandria Bay.
The first time we ever came here, I had a vague recollection that Alexandria Bay was an unofficial nudist beach—and voila, yes, it is. Consider yourself warned. 😉
Whilst unofficially clothing-optional, Alexandria Bay also sprouts lots of standard surfers and beachgoers, so you won’t feel out of place in t-shirt and boardies.
The trail takes you directly onto Alexandria Bay beach, and continues from the southern end. It’s easy enough to spot during the day, though slightly trickier if you’re hiking back after the sun has already set (speaking from experience).
SUNSHINE BEACH
The last section (2.1km from the northern end of Alex Bay) involves climbing up the headland, taking in sweeping views from the lookout, and descending plenty of steps down to Sunshine Beach.
If you started at the main Noosa car park, you can take one of the walking track links to connect onto the Tanglewood Track (orange) and loop back that way. Or simply return along the coastal track.
True to its name, the Tanglewood Track offers plenty of massive Strangler Figs and tangled roots arching over the path—lots of fun for people who’ve always wanted to feel like Tarzan.
WRAPPING UP
Don’t miss the Noosa National Park coastal walk when you next come up to the Sunshine Coast for a holiday. Winter and mid-week are best to get the clearest views and avoid the crazy crowds.
If you don’t want to go for a long walk but still want fabulous views, drive up to Laguna Lookout in Noosa Heads. The views over the Noosa River and into the hinterland are splendid, especially at sunset.
Planning a wider trip? Check out my list of the best day hikes in South East Queensland (where Noosa is proudly featured as the sole Sunshine Coast pick) for more incredible trails across the region.
Happy hiking,
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10 things to do on the East Coast of Australia – Jayni Patel
7 November 2020 at 9:51 PM[…] Follow the wooden boardwalk and cool off in the fairy pools that are tucked away along the Coastal Track. […]