How to spend a Full day at Noosa National Park – A Local’s Guide
Noosa National Park is one of the highlights of the Sunshine Coast. You can easily spend a full day exploring this national park. You’ll find a scenic coastal walk, beautiful beaches, and some of the best surf spots in the region. Whether you’re looking for an adventurous day or just a relaxing beach day, this guide will show you how to make the most of your day in this incredible National Park, from sunrise to sunset.
What is special about Noosa National Park?
Noosa National Park is famous for its stunning coastal views, secluded beaches, and marine life. While exploring this national park, you’ll find a unique mix of rainforest, white sandy beaches, and rocky headlands. You’ll most likely spot some dolphins, turtles, and even humpback whales in winter (June – October) at one of the lookouts along the Coastal Walk, such as Dolphin Point or Boiling Pot.
The park has well maintained walking tracks, making it accessible for all levels of fitness. There are several walks in Noosa National Park. You can either follow the Coastal Walk or take one of the inland tracks through the forest.
At the entrance of the National Park, you’ll find a BBQ area, toilets, drinking water, and tables next to the visitor centre. You can also grab a takeaway coffee at the outdoor coffee counter ‘Deadly Espresso.’
How to spend a Full day at Noosa National Park?
Morning: Start with the Coastal Walk to Hell’s Gates
Begin your day early and watch the sunrise over the ocean. The best walk is by far the Coastal Walk. It takes you from the park information centre at Noosa Heads to Hells Gates. The entire Noosa National Park Coastal Walk is about 5.4 km one way. The walk to Hell’s Gates is about 2.7 km and will take about 40 minutes.
How long does the National Park walk Noosa take?
The full Coastal Walk takes around four hours return, but when you’re short on time, you can always do only a part of the walk. There are a few viewpoints along the way, such as Boiling Pot, Dolphin Point, and Hell’s Gates, where you can easily return.
Mid-Morning: Beat the crowds at the Fairy Pools
After you watch the sunrise, head back about 400 metres to the Fairy Pools. There are two natural rock pools that are just a must-see. Head there early to avoid the crowds, and ideally, you want to visit the Fairy Pools at low tide and have no swell for the clearest water. It’s a great spot for a swim in the natural pool, but be cautious, as the walk down to the Fairy Pools can be slippery.
Late morning: Relax at the Beach
After your relaxing morning at the Fairy Pools, it’s time to stretch your legs again. From the Fairy Pools, you can either continue along the coastal walk to Alexandria Bay (A-Bay as the locals call it), a beautiful and less crowded beach or take the inland track through the forest to Sunshine Beach. A-Bay is also known as the unofficial nudist beach in Noosa. You can read all about the beaches in Noosa in our blog.
Lunch: Sunshine Beach Lookout
Continue the Coastal Track from A-Bay until you reach the last lookout point with stunning views over the coastline. You can see all the way South to Coolum from here. From this viewpoint, you can walk down and see Paradise Cove. A beautiful cove that is only accessible on a very low tide.
If you brought a picnic, this is a great spot to have lunch, or you can walk down the stairs to Sunshine Beach and have lunch at one of the local cafes before heading back to the National Park.
Can you access Noosa National Park from Sunshine Beach?
Yes, you can! You can start your walk at Sunshine Beach, climb the stairs and follow the coastal track towards Noosa Heads.
Afternoon: Surf and Relax at Tea Tree Bay
If you’re a surfer, then it’s always a good time to catch a wave at Tea Tree Bay. Tea Tree Bay is a stunning point break known for its long, peeling waves, making it perfect for longboarders. If you’re not into surfing, this beach is a great place to relax or set up your hammock between the trees. You can also find toilets and drinking water at Tea Tree Bay.
Evening: Sunset at the National Park Entrance
End your day by heading back to the National Park Entrance when the sun starts to set. The National Park entrance is one of the best sunset spots in Noosa. Alternatively, if you’ve spent the day in Sunshine Beach and there’s a full moon that day, you could watch the moonrise over the ocean, which is a unique experience and just as beautiful.
Have a great day exploring this beautiful National Park! And don’t forget to say hi when you see me catching a wave at Tea Tree!
FAQs about Noosa National Park
Is Noosa worth a visit?
Absolutely! With its stunning beaches, scenic coastal walks, great cafes and restaurants in Hastings Street with an incredible vibe. Noosa is a must visit for anyone who plans on visiting the Sunshine Coast.
What’s The Best Time To Visit Noosa?
You can visit Noosa all year round. Winter is perfect for whale watching and hiking. The water might be a bit cooler, but it’s my favourite season of the year. The shoulder seasons, such as spring and autumn, are also a great time to visit. Temperatures are not too high, but it can get windy in spring and stormy in autumn. Summer is the busy season. We always try to avoid Noosa during summer and school holidays.
Is Noosa National Park free?
Yes it is. You can enter the park for free. There’s a free car park available at the entrance with a 4 hour limit. Parking is limited, and can be very busy during peak times.
Is Noosa National Park dog friendly?
Unfortunately not. To protect the local wildlife, dogs are not allowed here.
Are There Koalas in Noosa National Park?
There used to be a few koalas in Noosa National Park. I recently asked the visitor centre where we could find them, but unfortunately, no koala has been sighted for the last year. You will still see the sign at Tea Tree Bay, but the chances are very small you’ll spot one. If you do spot one, let me know in the comments and inform the visitor centre.
Can you drive in Noosa National Park?
You can explore this National Park by foot. There are plenty of walking trails available.
How big is Noosa National Park?
The park covers approximately 3000 hectares of land, stretching from Noosa Heads to Sunshine Beach. Within this National Park you’ll also find Emu Mountain in Peregian Beach, Lake Weyba, Laguna Lookout,
Noosa National Park Map
You can find the National Park maps and resources on the official Queensland National Park website.
You can find all National Park information here.
Tips for visiting Noosa National Park
- Bring plenty of water and sunscreen
- Wear comfortable shoes
- Visit early in the morning to avoid the crowds and the heat
- Respect the wildlife and don’t feed them
I absolutely love Noosa National Park, and you can visit this place over and over again. You’ll never get enough of it and every time you go, you’ll see something new. Whether you’re visiting this national park to go hiking, surfing or simply relaxing by the ocean, you’ll find it an unforgettable experience, no matter where you go. Enjoy!
Visiting Noosa? Have a read through our other Noosa blogs to get inspired:
The content on Bush and Bay is based on our personal experiences and opinions. While we strive to provide accurate, up-to-date information, travel conditions and recommendations may change over time. We do not take responsibility for any decisions or actions made based on our content. Always conduct your own research and consult with professionals where necessary.
