Boreen Point is a small village overlooking Lake Cootharaba
with sandy beaches and pleasant picnic spots and historic
Apollonian Hotel (07 5485 3100) which does a good spit
roast on Sundays. A good sailing spot with easy beach
launching. Canoes and kayaks can be hired at Boreen Point and Elanda Point.
Cooran is a small village located at the bottom of Mt. Cooran. A good picnic spot is at Mothar Mountain Rockpools. The origin of the name is a dialect for tall, referring to local trees.
A small country town about 15 minutes drive from Noosa.
James Gridley in 1873 settled in what became Eumundi a town about 30 minutes drive from Noosa. On your way into Noosa, Eumundi is often missed due to the by pass that skirts the town from the Bruce Highway. Eumundi comes alive every Wednesday and Saturday with thousands of visitors attending the Eumundi markets. A market that has grown as a major Queensland attraction. Eumundi combines old and new with its art galleries, restaurants, shops, strawberry farm and lots more.
The Glass House mountains are located to the West of the Bruce Highway near Beerwah. They are very visible from the Bruce Highway and appear as volcanic cones. Many bushwalking opportunities exist in the Glass House Mountains and several of the mountains can be climbed. Mt Beerwah 556 m is 2.6km climb and recommended for experienced climbers only. Mt Tibrogargan is 364m and a challenging 3-4 hours. Mt Ngungum at 253m is the easiest Glass House mountain to climb. For details contact the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service at Beerwah on 07 5494 01510.
Extending from North of Noosa up to Rainbow Beach is the 64,000 hectare Great Sandy National Park, also known as Cooloola. From Noosa the best way to reach the park is by river. Many operators run day trips into the Everglades area of the park and combine with a BBQ or picnic in the park. The Everglades with their dark black water, due to the dye from the tea trees creates mirror images that make for wonderful reflections.
For the more adventurous canoeing up the river is a
relaxing way to enjoy the tranquility that is the everglades.
Canoes can be hired from Elanda Point Campsite (1800
226637). The National Park Office is at Elanda Point (07 5449
7364) and open from 9 - 3 where camping permits can
be obtained. The Sir Thomas Hiley Information Centre
(Kinaba) is at the north west corner of Lake Cootharaba
and has displays and a self guided walk through the
mangroves. It can be reached by boat across Lake Cootharaba
or by foot from Elanda via the Kinaba track.
Kin Kin is a small village at the corner of Noosa Shire with an old and famous pub the Country Life Hotel. Noosa Trail Network starts from Kin Kin. Kin Kin is the aboriginal name for a species of small black ant that is common in the area. It grew in the 1870's into a settlement for bullock drivers hauling logs tot eh sawmill at Elanda point. The quality of the Kin Kin timber was famous throughout Australia. In the early 1990's dairy farming flourished.
Turn off the Mapleton to Montville road to Kondalilla National Park. There are several short walks. The Kondalilla Falls circuit is 2.7km. The track begins at the top of the Kondaliial Falls and winds down through he rainforest to the base of the waterfall. An alternative is the Picnic Creek Circuit which is a 2.1km walk through open forest with views of the rainforest valley.
Located in Cooloola National Park, Lake Cootharaba is a beautiful lake surrounded by native plants. The first settlements was in the 1870's with the development of the Elanda Point Sawmill built on the edge of the lake. A tramway system was built to transport the logs across the swamp to the edge of the lake where flat bottomed paddle steamers towed barges across the lake to Tewantin. Then by the steam Culgoa to Brisbane.
On the road to Montville a pleasant walk can be had
at Mapleton Falls. The views from the car park are impressive
but the water fall trickles most of the year! A pleasant
circular walk of 1.3km provides a good introduction
to the rain forest. This walk winds through rainforest
and eucalypt forest. The Peregrine Lookout provides
an excellent view of the Obi Obi valley. For further
information on the park call 07 5494 3983.
Montville sits high on the range behind Noosa and
is a delightful contrast to Noosa. Plenty of village
shops, small art galleries, potteries and tea rooms
line the main street designed to attract the day visitor.
Car parking is available at the bottom of the hill.
The main attraction of crossing the Noosa River is
the 50 km long beach that runs up to Double Island Point.
To reach the North Shore the car ferry operates every
few minutes from just beyond Tewantin Village. To drive
on the beach a 4WD is required; these can be hired in
Noosa. The problem for the bather is that North Shore
is turning to a motorway and a very dangerous beach
to lie on!
Nestled at the foot of Mt Cooroora, Pomona is a relaxed country town with some pleasant easy walking tracks around the delightful parks. Pomona was first settled in the late 1880's and the railway that arrived in 1891 started the expansion of the agricultural industries.
Yandina was surveyed by Fryer in 1870 as a location for the metropolis of Maroochy shire. Yandina relied on timber and saw milling until the 1960's and now become famous for Ginger and sugar. The Yandina Ginger factory was established in 1980.
Even if you run out of things to do in Sunshine Coast, you still have plenty of options. Gold Coast is another great location in the area and it is only a couple hours away. If you’re vacationing, you shouldn’t be bored for a second; every moment should be new, fresh, and exciting. So plan your trip to Gold Coast online while you’re staying at the Sunshine Coast. It’s easy to book a hotel online, and it can add another dimension to your vacation. It only takes a few moments to get situated with a room, so there is no reason not to at least look over your options get the most out of your stay.
Some other places are described on Sunshine Coast eguide, just click the place and learn more..
Maroochydore
Mooloolaba
Coolum
Caloundra
Nambour
