Nature in Sunshine Coast

Places

• Noosa National Park

  Noosa Heads

  National park with about 15 km of tracks through rainforest, open forest and coast. Many start from the Noosa Headland area, and there are lookouts such as Hell's Gates and Laguna Lookout.

  Directions

• Glass House Mountains National Park

  Glass House Mountains

  Park of volcanic peaks about 70 km from Brisbane. It has tracks such as Mount Ngungun, 2.8 km return, and the Tibrogargan circuit, 3.2 km. The Jinibara and Kabi Kabi peoples consider these peaks sacred. Camping is not allowed.

  Directions

• Buderim Forest Park

  Buderim

  Forest of 45 hectares with a waterfall and a track of nearly 1 km that crosses a creek. It has two entrances from Lindsay Road and is about 10 minutes by car from Mooloolaba.

  Directions

• Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

  Sunshine Coast hinterland

  Council reserve of 55 hectares of subtropical rainforest with a view of the Glass House Mountains. The tracks open from 7:00 to 18:00 and the visitor centre from 9:30 to 15:30; it closes on some public holidays.

  Directions

• Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden

  Tanawha

  Council botanic garden of 82 hectares with natural bushland, native plant gardens and play areas. It opens at 7:00 and closes at 17:00 from April to October and at 18:00 from November to March.

  Directions

• Noosa Botanic Gardens

  Lake Macdonald, near Cooroy

  Council botanic garden on the shores of Lake Macdonald. It is open 24 hours and entry is free.

  Free
  Directions

• Noosa Everglades

  Cooloola, Great Sandy National Park

  System of rivers and lakes with tea trees and many birds, inside Great Sandy National Park. You visit it by kayak, canoe or boat. Elanda Point is about 30 minutes by car from Noosa Heads and there is little phone coverage.

  Directions

• Mount Coolum National Park

  Coolum

  Volcanic dome with a track to the summit of about an hour and a half return. The car park is 3.5 km south of Coolum Beach. The official guide says to climb only in daylight and not in the rain.

  Directions

• Great Beach Drive

  From Noosa North Shore to Rainbow Beach

  4x4 route along the beach that starts at the Noosa North Shore ferry and continues via Teewah and Double Island Point to Rainbow Beach, with the Carlo Sand Blow dune nearby. Inskip Peninsula is the southern entrance to K'gari. You must buy vehicle and camping permits.

  Directions

Details and prices seen on official websites on 5 Nov 2026. They may change, so check before booking. No link on this page pays us. Own a business here? For businesses.