Are you visiting Noosa and want to take a dip in the popular but hidden Fairy Pools? This post will share everything you need to know for a visit to the pools.
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What are the Noosa Fairy Pools?
The Noosa Fairy Pools are two tidal rock pools hidden in the coastline of the Noosa National Park. Thanks to Instagram the pools have become a popular spot in Noosa. But not everyone is able to find these hidden gems!
Noosa has some incredible beaches. But being a popular spot for surfing, there aren’t too many places in the area where you can float around in calm water. If you’re anything like me and don’t love being smashed by waves, the Noosa Fairy Pools are the perfect swimming spot for you!
The coastline of the Noosa National Park is very rocky and the pools have been formed over time by erosion. The tide brings the ocean in and fills the pools up, making a perfect, calm spot for swimming that honestly does feel like somewhere fairies would live!
There are two pools. One is closer to the water level and doesn’t get as deep. The second is higher up in the rocks and is much deeper. When it’s full, you can’t stand up. In both pools, you can see fish, colourful corals and sponges growing on the sides of the pools.
The smaller, shallower pool on the left, and larger, deeper pool on the right
Does it cost to visit?
No, visiting the Noosa Fairy Pools is completely FREE! Being inside the Noosa National Park, there is no cost to enter the park or visit the pools. The best attractions are usually the natural ones, which don’t cost a cent to enjoy!
Where are the Noosa Fairy Pools?
The Noosa Fairy Pools are located in the coastal town of Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast. The pair of tidal pools are inside the Noosa National Park.
How long will it take to get to there?
The pools are located inside the Noosa National Park, and you need to walk along a trail to find them. Once you are at the entrance of the national park, and at the starting point of the Coastal Walk, it is 2.4 kilometres to reach the Fairy Pools. Depending on how quickly you walk, it will probably take around half an hour each way. And trust me, there are plenty of beautiful lookouts and viewpoints along the way so you will be stopping for photos often!
How to get to the Noosa Fairy Pools
That is the question you are probably seeking an answer to by reading this post! Because the pools have gotten so Insta-famous, their location is actually pinned on Google Maps. But even with the precise location, it can still be difficult to find them. They are concealed in the rocks and off the main path. Taking at least half an hour to walk there, there is the potential to miss them. So below I will break down each step you need to take to find the Fairy Pools. So you can have your own swim and photo in them!
đź’¦ These instructions are starting from the Noosa side of the national park. The Coastal Walk runs through the national park from Noosa to Sunshine Beach. It is possible to reach the Fairy Pools starting from the Sunshine Beach end of the national park, but it will be a longer walk.
Step 1: Getting to the Noosa National Park
To start the walk to the Fairy Pools, you need to first make your way to the entrance of the Noosa National Park. If you have a car, you can drive right to the entrance and park in the car park. It is at the end of Park Road, and if you put Noosa National Park Carpark in your map, you will easily find it.
If you are staying in the Hastings Street and Noosa Main Beach area, you can walk along the boardwalk to the entrance of the national park. Just follow the path up the hill from Main Beach, and it runs right into the national park. It is about 1 km and should take around 20 – 30 minutes.
The Noosa Boardwalk – there is a stairs option, or a boardwalk the whole way
Step 2: Starting the Coastal Walk
Once you’re inside the Noosa National Park, you will see a large map highlighting all the different trails around the park. To get to the Noosa Fairy Pools, you will need to walk along a part of the Coastal Walk (the blue trail on the map). Below I will list some of the ‘landmarks’ on the trail that you need to pass before you reach the Fairy Pools. All of these landmarks are clearly signed, so you shouldn’t have any trouble working out whether you have passed them or not. Most of them are also pinned in Google Maps, which makes it easy to work out how far along the trail you have gone.
🏝️ For more detailed information about the Noosa National Park overall and the Coastal Walk, check out our dedicated guide here
Step 3: Pass Boiling Pot
The first landmark on the Coastal Walk is Boiling Pot. This is a lookout that offers amazing views over the Noosa North Shore and to adjacent Tea Tree Bay. If you look directly down, you will notice a rocky outcrop. As the waves crash into the rock, it looks like a boiling pot of water, hence the name!
Step 4: Pass Tea Tree Bay Beach
This is the first beach you will come across in the national park. Tea Tree Bay Beach is a popular spot for koalas to hang out, so make sure you are looking up as you wander through. This is also the last toilet stop for the rest of the park, so be sure to use it if you need!
Step 5: Pass Dolphin Point
Another lookout, which as the name suggests, is a great spot to look for dolphins. Keep an eye out for turtles too. The Dolphin Point lookout is actually a small diversion from the track, so once you’ve had a look, go back to where you came from and continue up the hill.
Step 6: Pass Granite Bay
From Dolphin Point, you head uphill a little and look down at Granite Bay. This is a stunning part of the trail, and the views are simply spectacular. There are a couple of signs for entry points to Granite Bay Beach. Keep walking past all of them.
Step 7: Pass Picnic Cove
Towards the end of Granite Bay, you will see a small sign for Picnic Cove. Keep an eye out for this sign, as it means you are getting close to where you need to depart the track to find the Fairy Pools. Continue on the path from here.
Step 8: Find the bench seat
The trail inclines a little after Picnic Cove, and as you get to the top of the small hill, and emerge out of the bushy area, you will see a wooden picnic bench seat. Just after this point is where you need to leave the trail and start your rock scramble to the pools.
Step 9: Head off the path
In front of the bench seat, you will see there has been some temporary rope set up. I think has been done to discourage people from leaving the path and heading towards the pools. I wouldn’t say visiting the Fairy Pools is dangerous, but I guess I can understand why the national park’s staff don’t want people scrambling on rocks. Just after this rope ends, you can see a trodden path where people head down onto the rocks.
Step 10: Climb down the rocks
It is a little bit of a scramble/climb to get down, but nothing too steep or scary. Go slow, be careful and use your hands if you need to. Almost as soon as you leave the main path and walk out onto the rocks you will see at least one of the pools. They can appear and disappear from view as you move between the rocks, but they are not difficult to find. The larger of the pools is higher up on the rocks, closer to where you went off the path. The smaller pool is lower down, closer to the sea level. A little to the right, further from where you exited the main path. If you are struggling to find them, the Fairy Pools are pinned on Google Maps. This can help you to work out if you are in the right spot.
What you can expect to see when you first spot the small pool (left) and the large pool (right)
When to visit the Noosa Fairy Pools
There are a couple of things to consider when determining the best time to visit the Fairy Pools.
Weather in Noosa
The first is the weather in Noosa. Noosa has beautiful weather year-round, but it can be cool in the winter months (June – August). Unless you’re really brave, you probably won’t want to swim at this time. But the pools are worth seeing even if it is too cold to swim. Check out our Noosa Travel Guide for more detailed information about the weather in Noosa, and averages for each season.
A swim in the pools is worth it at any time of the year
The tides
The next thing to consider is the tides. We have never seen the pools empty, so there is no problem with visiting at low tide. However, it is best to avoid visiting the pools at the peak high tide. The smaller pool will be concealed by the ocean. And the waves crashing in can become large and strong, and it can be dangerous swimming at this time. Plus, the pools are not as still when waves are splashing in, so you won’t get to experience the beautiful reflections. If it’s possible, plan your visit around the turn of the low tide, or mid-tide. Check tide times here.
Visit the pools at low tide for still water with reflections
Popularity of the pools
The final thing to consider when visiting the Noosa Fairy Pools is how popular they have become. If you want a chance at having the pools to yourself, which is an incredibly special experience, you should avoid weekends and school holidays. If you can visit on a weekday, going very early in the morning or in the middle of the day is the best option. It’s definitely worth a visit at any time of the day or year, but it truly feels magical to have the pools all to yourself. So set that alarm early – it will be worth it, I promise!
What the Fairy Pools look like on a busy weekend
Tips for visiting the Noosa Fairy Pools
Now you know what the pools are, where they are and how to get there, here are a few other tips to keep in mind, and things to bring for your visit.
Bring food and water
The pools are located inside the national park, and there are no amenities in there. If you think you might be hungry, pack some of your own snacks. Be sure to bring plenty of water. It’s a decent walk and there aren’t any taps inside the park.
Wear sturdy walking shoes
Although it would be possible to wear trusty old thongs (flip flops), or my personal choice, Birkenstocks, it’s probably best to wear runners or hiking boots. The path itself is well made, but you will need to scramble down some rocks. And being a national park, you never know what animals or reptiles you might encounter. It always makes me feel safer to have some sturdy shoes on!
Be prepared for the sun
I’m not going to mother you and say wear a hat and bring sunscreen (because I never listen to my own Mum when she says this!). But I will say that many parts of the trail are open and exposed to the sun. And it can be HOT in Noosa. So dress accordingly, and as above, be sure to bring plenty of water.
Plan your bathroom stops
It’s important to remember that there are no amenities at the pools. There is a bathroom at the entrance of the national park in Noosa. And there is another one at Tea Tree Bay, but that is the final one in the park, so plan accordingly!
Be cautious
As I said above, I don’t consider visiting the Noosa Fairy Pools dangerous. But it is important to remember that it is technically not allowed, or encouraged. There is no official path/infrastructure to reach the pools, and there is actually temporary fencing to discourage people from visiting. There are no lifesavers or anyone on hand to rescue you if something goes wrong. So visit at your own risk, and don’t go at high tide or in bad weather. The rocks can be slippery and large waves can come out of nowhere.
Make the most of the walk
Regardless of the Fairy Pools, the Coastal Walk in the Noosa National Park is one of the most popular things to do in the area. The scenery you encounter on the trail is simply stunning, and this is definitely our favourite walk in Noosa. Don’t rush straight to the pools. Enjoy the walk, stop at all the points of interest along the way. And continue the walk up to Hell’s Gates (just a small way past the pools).
Return via the Tanglewood Track
If you continue along the Coastal Walk after the pools, the next landmark you will encounter is Hell’s Gates. From here, you can continue for another couple of kilometres to the end of the Coastal Walk in Sunshine Beach. Then you need to turn around and come back via the same trail. We prefer to return via the Tanglewood Track, which is an inland track through the bush. You connect with this track at Hell’s Gates, so there is no need to go all the way to Sunshine Beach unless you want to.
Take a moment to reflect
The Noosa Fairy Pools are absolutely stunning, and they are such a great photo opportunity. After all, they got famous from images circulating on social media. While I definitely encourage getting some good shots (I have my own too!). Be sure to put down your drone/camera/phone, and spend some time floating in peace in the pools. They really do feel magical, so be sure to enjoy the serenity.
Leave the pools as you found them
We are blessed here in Noosa to have a relatively pristine environment. Please be a responsible tourist, and leave the pools (and any natural area) as you found them. Carry your rubbish out with you, don’t take anything from the pools like shells, and consider using reef-safe sunscreen to avoid contaminating the water and corals.
Other things to do in Noosa
Once you’ve finished your visit to the Fairy Pools, head into Hastings Street for a coffee or a feed. Our favourite spots are Cafe Le Monde for coffee and brunch, Blended Health Bar for healthy smoothie bowls, or Cach Song for Vietnamese iced coffee and bahn mi.
Although the Noosa National Park and the Noosa Fairy Pools are some of the most popular attractions in Noosa, there are so many other amazing things to see and do. Be sure to check out this post with some ideas and inspiration for 30 things to do while you’re in Noosa.
Planning a trip to Noosa
🌞 Planning a trip to Noosa? Here are some quick tips to help you get organised!
Travel insurance: whether you’re an international visitor coming into Noosa from another country, or an Aussie visiting from another state, you should always travel with travel insurance. We swear by Covermore and have had nothing but positive experiences with them.
Renting a car: we highly recommend having a car to get around Noosa. You can browse and book rental cars here.
Airport transfers: if you aren’t picking up a rental car at the airport, the most affordable way to get to Noosa is via an airport transfer. Organise a transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport here, or from Brisbane Airport here.
Where to stay: there are so many great places to stay around Noosa for all budgets. Some of our top choices are listed below.
Hostel – Bounce Noosa
Caravan and camping – Noosa River Holiday Park
Mid-range – The Islander Noosa Resort
Splurge – Tingirana Noosa
Activities and tours: if you want to pre-book some tours and activities in and around Noosa, I recommend using Get Your Guide, which has a great range of options and allows free cancellation up to 24 hours prior. Browse Noosa tours here.
Noosa Fairy Pools
These beautiful tidal rock pools are well worth visiting when you’re in Noosa. Floating around in a natural pool fit for a fairy is a really special experience. Combine that with the stunning walk through the Noosa National Park, and I guarantee this will be one of the best things you do in Noosa. Let me know in the comments if you have found these hidden pools!
🏝️ Don’t forget to read our Noosa Travel Guide for other great information to help plan your trip to Noosa
