Noosa National Park Walk – A Guide to the Spectacular Coastal Walk

No trip to Noosa is complete without doing the Noosa National Park walk. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about doing the popular Coastal Walk.

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About Noosa National Park

The Noosa National Park is the jewel in Noosa’s crown and the most visited national park in Australia. It’s not hard to see why either! Dramatic cliffs, coastal trails, beautiful bays, and lush hinterland tracks are just some of what you can expect on a walk in the Noosa National Park. If you’re lucky you might spot a furry koala, dolphins playing offshore, or even a humpback whale migrating along the coast in winter.

The national park spans over 2,000 hectares and is actually divided across multiple areas from Noosa down the coast to Peregian Beach. What most people think of when they say Noosa National Park is the ‘Headland Section’. This part of the national park is within walking distance from the tourist hub of Hastings Street. It’s not too often a pristine natural area is so close to the centre of town, but Noosa is special!

No matter what day of the week or what time of day, you are guaranteed to come across locals and tourists walking in the national park. It is by far one of the best things to do in Noosa, and even after hiking in the park countless times, it still takes my breath away every time!

Where is the Noosa National Park?

The Noosa National Park is located in the coastal town of Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast. The main entrance to the park is at the end of Park Street, in Noosa Heads.

Does it cost to visit?

No, it is completely FREE! There is no cost to enter the Noosa National Park, to hike, surf, swim or sunbathe for as long as you like. The best attractions are usually the natural ones, which don’t cost a cent to enjoy!

Noosa National Park walk

Although there are five different walking tracks inside the Headland Section of the national park, it is the Coastal Walk that tourists flock to Noosa for. The trail is 5.4km each way, and unless you divert to a different trail (which is possible and I will discuss below), the way you come in is the way you go out. I would allow at least four hours to do the full circuit (returning the same way or via another trail). There are plenty of places to stop along the way, so allow yourself plenty of time.

The Coastal Walk runs from the Noosa National Park day-use area just outside of Hastings Street, all the way to Sunshine Beach. You can start from either end, but we usually begin the walk from Noosa, so I will detail it in that direction. However, it’s very possible to reverse the route and do it the other way around. The trail is clearly marked the entire way, so it’s very hard to get lost. It is paved from the starting point in Noosa, until Dolphin Point. Those with strollers or reduced mobility should have no problem navigating the trail until this point. After Dolphin Point, the trail turns to dirt, but it is well-made.

Coastal Walk quick facts

• The Coastal Walk is 5.4 km each way, 10.8 km total
• Allow at least four hours to do the full circuit
• Starting point is at the Noosa day-use area, or the northern end of Sunshine Beach
• The path is paved from the Noosa day-use area until Dolphin Point (approx. 1.2 km)
• After this point, it is an unmade dirt trail

Getting to the Noosa National Park

To start the walk, 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.

However do be aware that it can be incredibly difficult to get a park, especially if the waves are good and there are surfers out. Even early in the morning, it can be impossible. If you can’t find anything inside the car park, head back towards Noosa and turn left on Pandanus Street. If you can find something along there, or along nearby Mitti Street you can access the national park from the end of Mitti Street.

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.

If you want to start from the Sunshine Beach end of the walk, you can either walk along the beach from the main centre of Sunshine Beach town. Or alternatively, if you have a car, park in the car park for the dog beach on Seaview Terrace, and turn left when you hit the beach. Your first challenge will be conquering the ‘Sunshine Beach stairs’, which signify the beginning of the national park and the Coastal Walk.

The Coastal Walk

Once you’re inside the Noosa National Park at the Noosa day-use area, you will see a large map highlighting all the different trails around the park. This area also has toilets, a small information centre, a coffee kiosk, water taps and BBQs and tables. Below I will detail all the main stops and highlights along this Noosa National Park walk.

Boiling Pot

The first landmark on the Coastal Walk is a lookout platform called Boiling Pot. The lookout offers amazing views over the Noosa North Shore, and on a clear day you can see all the way to Double Island Point. 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!

Tea Tree Bay

As you continue on the walk, you will come across Tea Tree Bay Beach. This is the first beach you will come encounter 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! Tea Tree Bay is probably the best beach to swim at in the national park (in our opinion). The water is usually calm and on a sunny day so clear and sparkly blue! So make sure you’re weather your swimmers, and stop for a quick dip and sunbake.

Dolphin Point

After Tea Tree Bay the trail inclines again, and you reach another lookout, Dolphin Point. 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. It is very clearly signed, just look for the blue arrows to indicate the Coastal Walk.

Granite Bay

From Dolphin Point, you head uphill a little further and will look down across Granite Bay. This is a stunning part of the trail, and the views are simply spectacular. The Coastal Walk hugs the rocky cliff and winds above Granite Bay Beach. There are a couple of signs for entry points to Granite Bay Beach if you want to head down for a swim.

Noosa Fairy Pools

The national park has become even more popular in recent times, thanks to the Noosa Fairy Pools, which have found social media fame. These two rock pools are just off the Coastal Walk and are well worth a visit as part of your hike.

After walking past Granite Bay, you will see a sign for Picnic Cove. And as you get to the top of the small hill past the cove, 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 scramble down some rocks to the Fairy Pools.

Hell’s Gates

After you have returned to the trail from the Fairy Pools, your next stop will be Hell’s Gates. Take your time walking between these two points, as we always spot pods of dolphins around this area. They seem to like hanging around the rocks near the pools, so keep your eyes peeled!

Hell’s Gates feels like the peak of the national park, and there are stunning 360° views all around. The name refers to a deep valley, of sandstone cave that has been carved out by years of crashing waves. It is a sight to behold, and the power of the ocean is on full display.

Alexandria Bay

Once you pass Hell’s Gates, follow the Coastal Walk down onto Alexandria Bay Beach. This isn’t an error (we were confused the first time wondering if we had lost the trail). You walk on the sand all the way to the end of the beach, before reconnecting with a formed path. Alexandria Bay is a wide, expansive beach. And whilst it’s beautiful, I wouldn’t suggest this as the beach you stop to lay down your towel. The southern end of the beach (closest to Sunshine Beach) is an unofficial nudist beach (mostly frequented by older men in our experiences!). So if you hang around you’re likely to see something you don’t really want to see!

Sunshine Beach

Once you hit the path again, you’re on the final stretch of the Coastal Walk! The trail inclines again for the final section, winding around a few rocky headlands before reaching the top of the infamous Sunshine Beach stairs. This signifies the end of the trail and depending on what you are doing next (more on that below!), you might like to walk down the stairs and on to Sunshine Beach. The section of beach that you will arrive at is a dog-friendly beach, so you’re likely to see some furry friends running around and playing.

Next steps

Once you reach Sunshine Beach, that is the end of the Coastal Walk. You have a few options to choose from, from here.

Bus or Uber back to Noosa

If the 5.4 km was enough for you, you can walk into Sunshine Beach and get a bus or an Uber back to Noosa.

Return via the Coastal Walk

If you’re feeling energetic, you can turn around and return via the same path. Most people would take this option and consider the Coastal Walk a 10.8 km roundtrip.

Return via the Tanglewood Track

An alternative option, and the option that we always choose to take, is to return to Noosa via the Tanglewood Track. To connect with this track, you need to return along Alexandria Bay Beach, and you will see signs for Tanglewood Track before you reach Hell’s Gates. This trail follows an inland route, passing through changing rainforest and woodland terrain. It is very quiet and serene, and if you keep your eyes peeled you will likely come across a wallaby, a lizard of some kind and maybe even a koala. You are less likely to come across other people, making this is a much more peaceful option than the Coastal Walk.

Options if you started at Sunshine Beach

If you started in Sunshine Beach, your options are similar. If you don’t want to walk back, you can follow the boardwalk into Hastings Street and catch the bus, or an Uber back to Sunshine Beach. Alternatively, you can return the same way via the Coastal Walk, or via the Tanglewood Track for a change of scenery.

Animals of the Noosa National Park

Along the Noosa National Park walk, it’s likely you will spot some native animals and marine life. The national park has become synonymous with koalas, but sadly we never saw any despite many visits to the national park. Maybe we were unlucky or maybe we weren’t looking hard enough! The Noosa entrance to the park is a good spot to look out for them in the trees, as well as around Tea Tree Bay.

I can 100%, without a doubt guarantee that will come across Noosa’s most popular resident the bush turkey, along with many other Australian birds. You might also see lizards such as lace monitors, blue tongues or bearded dragons. Be sure to keep your eyes on the path as there are also snakes in the national park. We never came across one, but it is their home so be aware.

It can be hard to split your time looking up into the trees for koalas and looking out into the ocean for marine life. Make sure you do spend some time looking out into the water as there is a very good chance you will spot turtles, dolphins and during the season (July – October), humpback whales. We have spotted turtles around Boiling Pot and Tea Tree Bay many times. And despite the name, we have never come across a dolphin at Dolphin Point. We usually have more luck near Hell’s Gates.

Tips for visiting the Noosa National Park

Now you know a bit more about the Noosa National Park walk, here are a few other tips to keep in mind, and things to bring for your visit.

Bring food and water

Besides the small coffee kiosk at the Noosa entrance to the national park, there are no other food or drink outlets inside the park. If you think you might be hungry, pack some of your own snacks. Be sure to bring plenty of water, at least 1 litre per person or more if it’s very hot. It’s a decent walk and there are only a couple of water refill taps. One at the park entrance in Noosa, and one at Tea Tree Bay by the toilets. There are plenty of great lookout points and beaches to sit down and have a break and a snack, and we usually bring some fruit, nuts or muesli bars with us.

Wear sturdy walking shoes

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, pack your sunscreen (reef-friendly please!) and as above, be sure to bring plenty of water.

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

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!

Wear your swimmers

As I said above, I don’t consider visiting the Noosa Fairy Pools dangerous. But it is important to There are so many spots along the Noosa National Park walk to have a dip, so you will definitely want to be wearing your swimmers! The Fairy Pools are a beautiful, calm place for a float, and the clear, blue waters of Tea Tree Bay Beach are very inviting.

Leave the park as you found it

We are blessed here in Noosa to have a relatively pristine environment. Please be a responsible tourist, and leave the national park as you found it. Carry your rubbish out with you, don’t take anything from the park, like shells or plant materials, and use a reef-safe sunscreen to avoid contaminating the water and corals.

Other things to do in Noosa

Once you’ve finished the Noosa National Park walk you have absolutely earned yourself a feed, and maybe a beer! Head into Hastings Street and grab a bite from one of the many cafes and restaurants. 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. Or if you want a beer, you can’t go past the views from the Noosa Surf Lifesaving Club.

Although the Noosa National Park is the most popular attraction 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

Noosa National Park walk

These beautiful tidal rock pools are well worth visiting when you’re in Noosa. Floating around in a There is a reason that the Noosa National Park walk is the most popular thing to do in Noosa. The scenery is simply incredible, and all the lookouts, beaches and swimming holes along the Coastal Walk are just stunning. It really does highlight the best that Noosa has to offer, and no visit to the area is complete without a hike in the park. I couldn’t even count the number of times we have done the Noosa National Park walk, but still every time it is just as beautiful!