When you think of the Sunshine Coast, you’re likely to imagine a stellar line-up of beaches stretching from Caloundra in southeast Queensland, right through to Rainbow Beach in the north. But when you explore Noosa National Park on foot, you can make discoveries off the coastal track a little by hiking up the Emu Mountain summit walk.
While the pinnacle of Emu Mountain (also known by its Aboriginal name, Mout Peregian) offers some beautiful, uninterrupted coastal views, the walk uncovers so much more. It takes you through the majestic yet endangered coastal she-oaks and the brilliantly dramatic wildflowers on the rock formation that was once a volcanic mass.
For a truly remote forest experience and a grade 4 walking track, the Tanglewood track takes you through the inland forests, where you can expect a peaceful and remote walk. If you love flora and fauna, it’s the perfect place to enjoy:
- The rainforest edge
- Scribbly gums
- Banksias
- Wattlebirds
- Echidnas
- So much more!
Source: https://www.budgettraveltalk.com/noosa-national-park-walk-from-sunshine-beach/
Explore Off the Coastal Track
When you think of the Sunshine Coast, you’re likely to imagine a stellar line-up of beaches stretching from Caloundra in southeast Queensland, right through to Rainbow Beach in the north. But when you explore Noosa National Park on foot, you can make discoveries off the coastal track a little by hiking up the Emu Mountain summit walk.
While the pinnacle of Emu Mountain (also known by its Aboriginal name, Mout Peregian) offers some beautiful, uninterrupted coastal views, the walk uncovers so much more. It takes you through the majestic yet endangered coastal she-oaks and the brilliantly dramatic wildflowers on the rock formation that was once a volcanic mass.
For a truly remote forest experience and a grade 4 walking track, the Tanglewood track takes you through the inland forests, where you can expect a peaceful and remote walk. If you love flora and fauna, it’s the perfect place to enjoy:
- The rainforest edge
- Scribbly gums
- Banksias
- Wattlebirds
- Echidnas
- So much more!
Source: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/noosa/journeys/tanglewood-walk
Best Spots for Picturesque Photos on Your Coastal Walk
If you want a lasting memory of the beauty on your Noosa National Park Walks, there are several vantage points to pull out your camera and capture the Noosa Headland section and the coastal walk. Some of the key places to stop, admire and click your camera include:
- Pandanus Palms by the Beach
- Granite Bay
- Noosa Heads
- The infinite oceans of Hell’s Gates
- The rocky coastline
- Laguna Lookout Point
Must-Have Noosa National Park Walk Experiences
There are many points of interest as you walk through Noosa National Park, making it one of the top 5 highly rated things to do in Noosa. Whether it’s the inland tracks or a Noosa coastal walk, you can enjoy beautiful views, shady paths, wheelchair-accessible tracks, and places to swim.
These are just a few notable points of interest you will find along the way. As the name suggests, the location is ideal for seeing some dolphins drift past, along with the occasional humpback whale.
Boiling Pot
Also known as Boiling Point, this is the perfect track for the whole family. Its track is wide and ideal for wheelchairs and prams, and it is only 300m from the main BBQ and picnic cove with accessible drinking water and toilet facilities.
While Noosa North Shore’s beaches across the river are not visible from this vantage point, it’s easy to imagine gazing over at that scenic area, too, while taking in the sweeping coastal views. The Noosa region is blessed with stunning beaches in all directions.
When you reach the lookout, if the day is clear, you can see the coastal dunes of the great sandy national park and what a treat it is for the eyes. You can enjoy the swirls around the rocks that often look like a cauldron of frothy water, with uninterrupted views extending all the way to noosa north shore.
Dolphin Point
If you love the outdoors and exploration, take a hike to Dolphin Point, where, from the first few kilometres to the destination, the reward is magnificent views and sparkling waters against the black rock.
The walk takes around 3-4 hours and is suitable for most fitness levels and ages with its sealed track. On the way, you will pass Tea Tree Bay, a popular surfing spot in the area.
Hell’s Gates
When you leave Dolphin Point, you will find the track to Hell’s Gates a little less busy because of its unsealed track. While it has some steep parts, it’s suitable for all ages. The walk starts at the iconic main beach along a custom-built boardwalk.
Along the way, you can stop for a swim, a snack, or a selfie. It will take around sixty minutes to reach Hell’s Gate, and you will receive the gift of outstanding reviews.
Alexandria Bay
Immerse yourself in the eucalypt woodlands on the Alexandria Bay Walk on the southern end of Noosa Headland. If you’re a bushwalking enthusiast, you will appreciate the open forest, wetland gullies and some of Australia’s beautiful native birds.
There are plenty of side tracks to explore, which link to the Tanglewood track. On arrival at Alexandria Bay beach, be warned that this sun-soaked area is unofficially a nudist beach, but you won’t feel out of place if you prefer a swimsuit.
Noosa Hill Walk
The Noosa Hill track is one of the best walks located on the northern end. If you love quiet tranquillity and don’t mind a bit of a steep climb, this is ideal for you. Along the same path, if you detour a little, you can see glimpses of the cliff edges, rugged rocks, and sea spray of the picturesque coastline.
You may even catch sight of echidnas in the leaf litter, and experience the enchantment of tall blue gum trees, bloodwood, and hickory wattles as you reach the pinnacle.
Tips for Noosa National Park Walks
When you explore Noosa National Park, follow these tips to elevate your experience:
- Be on the lookout; you may spot dolphins swimming, koalas snoozing, and sometimes humpback whales rising from the sea while on a Noosa National Park walk.
- Grab a walking track map from the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Services information centre located at the park’s main entrance.
- If you want a panoramic view of Noosa National Park, take a drive or walk to Laguna Lookout.
How to Get to Noosa National Park
Noosa National Park is within walking distance of the town centre, and it’s quite a unique and uncommon experience. While school holidays and weekends are busy, weekdays are ideal for enjoying a quieter visit.
Getting there is easy, whether you choose to:
- Walk from the town centre
- Drive to the car park on Park Road
- Drive to the start of the Noosa Coastal walk at the Sunshine Beach end
- Take public transport to hastings street and walk through Park Road to the main entrance
- For public transport to the Sunshine Beach end, you must walk Duke Street to reach your destination.
Book Your Noosa Accommodation With Sunshine Coast Getaways
Looking for somewhere to stay? If you’re looking for accommodation close to all the best spots to visit, including Noosa National Park, Sunshine Towers is the perfect location to enjoy your Sunshine Coast getaway.
Start planning your trip and enjoy everything several headlands or coastal walk have to offer.
