The Noosa National Park walk allows you to view South East Queensland’s beautiful coastline.
Noosa is already a popular holiday and backpacking destination located on the Sunshine Coast but the Noosa National Park makes it even more of a tourist magnet.
There are a few walks to choose from:
- The Palm Grove Walk (1.1km circuit)
- The Noosa Hill Walk (2.8km return)
- The Alexandria Bay Walk (4.2km return)
- The Tanglewood Walk (8km return)
- The Coastal Walk (10.8km return)
The main and most popular Noosa National Park walk we are going to cover is the Coastal Walk which leads towards Hells Gates. This will give you some jaw-dropping coastal views and have the chance to see some wonderful wildlife such as koalas and eagles.
We will give you some beautiful photos on some of the viewpoints you will come across and some tips along the way, including how to find the Instagram phenomenon, the Fairy Pools Noosa.
Accommodation in Noosa
There is an array of choice for accommodation in Noosa, from the budget backpacker accommodation to the luxurious villas.
We have a few suggestions which stand out from the rest.
Nomads Noosa Backpackers
Perfect for backpackers and it doesn’t stretch the budget too much, considering Noosa is more expensive than other towns to stay in.
Featuring a swimming pool, their own restaurant and bar holding regular events, it’s a backpacker hub ideal for those like-minded travellers.
To make things even better, it is only a 5-minute walk away from Noosa National Park so you could start your walk straight from your room.
Check out the latest prices here.
Book an Airbnb
Airbnb can be particularly great for groups of friends or couples. You can rent out entire homes for a cheap price or sometimes a private extension/room on an existing house.
It can be significantly cheaper than booking a hotel and gives you more privacy and a different atmosphere than a hostel.
Check the Airbnb stays within Noosa here.
The Sebel Noosa
Give yourself a slice of paradise and stay within one of the most beautiful accommodations within Noosa.
The Sebel is located in the heart of Hastings Street. This is where all the fine dining eateries are.
It’s also handy only being a 100-yard walk from Noosa Beach and only a 15 min walk away from Noosa National Park.
You will have access to a hot tub, pool and fitness centre. Absolute bliss.
Check their latest prices here.
How to get to Noosa National Park
Rarely can you walk from the centre of a city or town to a national park but in Noosa you can. This gives you some great options to get there walking as well as getting there by car.
Noosa National Park parking
Thankfully, there is parking available outside the park so this is a viable option if you wish to drive to the start of the National Park instead of walking there.
There is nothing worse than having to drive around for 30 min looking for a parking space. However, this WILL be you if you don’t get there early. Don’t expect to cruise up at 12 pm with an abundance of spaces to choose from.
It is free up to 4 hours from Monday – Sunday. This will be more than enough time to enjoy the Noosa National Park walk and you won’t be rushing to get back to your car.
Parking TIP: No Spaces? Park near Hastings street and walk to the park via the boardwalk from the end of Noosa Beach (15 min walk)
It is easy to follow the directions if you put ‘Noosa National Park Carpark’ in Google Maps. This should take you to Park road where the car park is located.
Walking to Noosa National Park
You can walk to the entrance of the park straight from Noosa Main Beach via an easy boardwalk.
We took this route and would recommend doing it for some extra stops along the way or if you want a bit of a beach day too. Making your way from the beach keep to the right and follow the sign titled ‘First Point National Park Via Boardwalk’. It is pretty straightforward and you shouldn’t get lost.
In total it will take you around 15 min from the beach to the entrance of the park. You will even be able to stop at cute places such as the Little Cove area with Little Cove Beach.
What to expect on the Noosa National Park Coastal walk
DISTANCE: 5.4km return to Hells Gates, 10.8km return from Sunshine Beach.
TIME: 2 – 3 Hours to Hells Gates, 3 – 4 hours to Sunshine Beach, plenty of time to enjoy the views and key points along the way.
DIFFICULTY: Easy-Moderate, the beginning of the walk is pretty flat but further on the walk gets steep with some terrain.
Although the Coastal Walk is the longer of the walks offered in the National Park, you can shorten it by just visiting Hells Gates. Now you might be thinking, why not do the whole walk? Well if you are short for time, the point up to Hells Gates gives you most of the key points to stop off at. In addition, most people are interested in visiting the Fairy Pools which is just before Hells Gates.
We opted to do this and we left feeling satisfied and it was a good amount of time to enjoy the day. Another reason was we visited in summer and it was ridiculously hot and humid so we’d rather not walk an extra 5km getting tortured by the sun.
Noosa National Park map
The beginning of the coastal walk starts at the entrance of the Noosa National Park. You can grab yourself a map of the park from the information desk.
TOP TIP: Ask the staff at the information desk about any koala sightings to lead you in the right direction
As you follow the track at the beginning there is a little forest area. Koalas can be spotted here amongst the tall trees so make sure to keep an eye out. As well as looking up at the trees, have a keen eyeball for the floor, if you’re lucky enough you may be able to spot an echidna.
Boiling Pot
Only a short 300m walk and you will come to the first key point on the trail.
As you look down below you will see the ocean waves crashing into the rocks splashing and whirling around.
It is at this point where you will see where the name ‘Boiling Pot’ comes from, as the sequence of waves crashing around resemble water boiling in a kettle/pot.
It is not somewhere you can walk down to and swim in, but it is nice to admire the lovely views from above.
Tea Tree Bay
Walking a little further is a place you can relax on, Tea Tree Bay.
Named after the popular tree which grows around there, it is a beach surrounded by plantation with some decent shade, which is welcoming on a hot day.
Officially, swimming is not advised but we did see people surfing, chilling on the beach and swimming in the water. On the day we went, it was pretty calm, to be honest, we couldn’t see why it would be deemed unsafe. We guess it’s just down to using your common sense depending on what the sea is like that day, as it isn’t patrolled.
Dolphin Point
As the name suggests, you could be lucky enough to spot dolphins!
Dolphin Point is another short walk away, probably around 10 mins from Tea Tree Bay.
We can’t say we were lucky that day, instead of spotting dolphins we had one or two speedboats instead. Hopefully, you will have more luck at spotting a pod.
Granite Bay
The National Park just keeps giving and giving, another lovely beach for you to enjoy.
A little less busy than Tea Tree Bay, you can relax and go for a quick dip. It is less shaded than Tea Tree Bay so keep that in mind.
If the tide is relatively high, you might not be able to see the beach at all.
For all you surfer dudes and dudettes out there, this place is great for surfing. There is a main surf access point to walk down so look out for the sign.
Fairy Pools
The Fairy Pools are a hidden gem in Noosa National Park, it’s so secret that even the staff at the information desk won’t tell you where they are.
The Fairy Pools are a natural wonder where you can swim in rock pools created by nature due to weathering over the years.
It has become an Instagram phenomenon as everyone is eager to find out how to get to them.
You can find out exactly how in our Fairy Pools Noosa blog.
Hells Gates
At the far end of Noosa National Park is Hells Gates, a beautiful lookout point with stunning views enriched with beautiful wildlife.
If you look down from the cliffs into the ocean you may be able to see turtles creeping up for a breath of fresh air, a pod of dolphins and even whales if the season is right.
As well as glancing down don’t forget to peek up into the trees. More often than not, you will be able to see the majestic osprey, scanning the waters for fresh pickings.
You can read more about Hells Gates in our Hells Gates Noosa blog.
Alexandria Bay – Further walking
If you’re thirsty for more adventure, keep walking towards Alexandria Bay.
It is located between Hells Gates and Devils Kitchen. It is more remote than other places in the national park so it’s perfect for a bit of peace. Sit back, relax and enjoy the golden sands as you care about nothing.
The beach is unpatrolled though so do care about that and don’t swim out too far.
FAQ
The coastal walk from the entrance of the Noosa National Park to Hells Gates is around 45 min one way.
The walk is relatively easy with the odd incline. It will be safe enough to walk with small children.
Koalas can be spotted in the Noosa National Park right at the beginning of the walk. They can be found at the top of trees.
The Noosa National Park is free to enter and you do not have to purchase any tickets.
