Noosa National Park Walk from Sunshine Beach

The Sunshine Coast in Queensland has a stellar line-up of sun-soaked beaches stretching 65 km north from Caloundra to the celebrated holiday destination of Noosa. Most people visit Noosa and the Noosa National Park, so it makes perfect sense to combine the two in a Noosa National Park Walk from Sunshine Beach to Noosa Heads. The park trails are well maintained with even more money recently allocated to improve visitor experience for families and the disabled.

We’ve done all the foot work for you and found the best way to do the Noosa Coastal Walk.

While at Noosa be sure to Visit Eumundi Markets and the cute surfing village of Coolum Beach 15 minutes to the south.

Start the Noosa Coastal Walk from Sunshine Beach

Coastal Track 4 is a Noosa National Park Walk that can be done in either direction, but we suggest starting at the Sunshine Beach end. To do this you will need two cars and two people.

Park the first car at Noosa Heads early in the morning and then the other at Sunshine Beach. With the walk complete and your Noosa vehicle already parked, you can relax and enjoy all that Noosa Beach has to offer, with your vehicle snugly parked for the day – you’re welcome!

If you are lucky enough to be staying at Noosa, then by all means do the walk from Noosa to Sunshine Beach via the coastal track catching a Translink bus back to Noosa from outside the Sunshine Beach Surf Club. The club is a further 1.2km along the beach from the southern end of the walk, but you will be a happy walker because Sunshine is one beautiful stretch of sand.

Most visitors walk from Noosa Beach to Hells Gates and then back track the same way. This is the most congested part of the walk and it is a better experience to walk the whole way in one direction.

Sunshine Beach Stairs.

The early morning sun warming Sunshine Beach and a lone seagull.

At the northern end of the beach the track leads to a coastal hilltop for views south over the beach. It is often used just as a view point, but this is the starting point for the Noosa National Park walk from Sunshine Beach to Noosa.

National Parks Qld Map

Follow Coastal Track 4. It’s marked solid blue on the map below. Snap a photo of the map for safety’s sake. The blue dotted line on the Alexandria Bay section indicates no formed track, just a relaxing walk along a beautiful stretch of beach.

Looking south to Sunshine Beach.

A little further up the hill and a more comprehensive view of one of the Sunshine Coasts more upmarket beach destinations. This will be the last sign of habitation for a couple of hours.

Sunshine Beach.

Walk on the wild side – Devil’s Kitchen on the Sunshine Beach to Alexandria Bay section of the walk.

Turning the corner to Alexandria Bay with waves thundering onto the rocks.

This is a good place to leave the track and explore the rocks or just rest and enjoy the wild beauty.

Time to tackle the beach section of the walk. By the way this is an unofficial nudist beach.

At a little less than half way through the walk these surfers have walked a long way whichever way they’ve arrived.

Hells Gate Noosa

After climbing the next headland look back over Hells Gates to Alexandria Bay Noosa National Park. This is also a good place to look for migrating whales and playful pods of dolphins.

Fairy Pools.

These two tidal pools are hot property so I’ve added this aerial map to show their location at the base of Noosa Headlands. I’ve added their position to the map above. Low tide is the best time for swimming. Bring snorkel and goggles to view coral and sponges. The perfect place to find mermaids…

Beach hair, don’t care!
 #noosafairypools @gypsea_lust @visitnoosa #visitnoosa #CaravanningQld #Carafans

A post shared by Caravanning Queensland (@caravanningqueensland) on Jul 18, 2017 at 9:45pm PDT

You can see one of the pools in the photo below.

From here the track turns west toward Noosa beach with entrancing glimpses of hidden beaches and glittering surf breaks as far as Fraser Island.

Granite Bay.

Coastal Track 4 heading toward Noosa Main Beach.

There are many beautiful views through the trees.

Ocean to the right and trees to the left.

Tea Tree Bay Noosa National Park – bring all your gear and set up for the day.

SUP, surfing and Fraser Island from Noosa National Park.

Noosa Main Beach.

Check out Main Beach action on the Easter long week-end 2017.

Noosa Beach Australia.

The coastal walking track continues on to Noosa main beach in front of the Noosa Surf Club before morphing into a boardwalk separating sand from the hotel strip.

Noosa Tourist Information.

Find the Tourist Information Centre at 61 Hastings Street, Noosa, to the right of the Noosa Surf Club and the Noosa National Park Information Centre in the National Park near the Entrance Car Park (9.15am to 4.45pm, seven days a week).

Noosa Map.

This map shows the parking areas of Noosa Spit Rec.Reserve – Noosa National Park Carpark – Maze Carpark (all free) – the bustling shopping and restaurant filled Hastings Street – budget accommodation option of YHA Halse Lodge.

Brisbane to Noosa

• Greyhound Bus Brisbane to Noosa Junction – 2 hrs. 45 mins.
• Driving from Brisbane Airport – 1 hr. 40 mins.
• Train Brisbane to Nambour. Bus Nambour to Noosa. – 4 hours.

Noosa Heads Weather

• Summer is December to February. Hottest month January. Minimum 21 to Maximum 28 degrees C.
• Winter is June to August. Minimum 10 Maximum 21 degrees C.
• The wettest month is March with 175mm of rain. September is the driest month with 50mm of rain.
• With the least amount of rainfall and plenty of sunshine, September to November is the best time to visit.

Perfect for Pinning.

How long is Noosa National Park Walk?

5.4 km one way. Allow 2 to 3 hours with stops.

Stay on a budget.

Halse Lodge Hostel

Location. Location. Location. Gorgeous Halse Lodge hostel has beds from $32/night.

Set in two acres of rainforest on a slight hill and only 100 metres from the beach, the fully restored 1880 era lodge paints a pretty picture.

This 92 bed YHA associate, has twin and double rooms as well as dorms. Although there are no dedicated family rooms a four bed dorm can be booked.

The restaurant is open to the public, and the bar/beer garden hosts travellers from all over the world. It might be too noisy for us over 50’s but it is worth considering for it’s stunning location alone.

It’s worth noting that cheap places to stay in Noosa are few and far between!

Couples on a Budget with a vehicle.

Noosa is a beautiful but an expensive place to secure budget accommodation outside of hostels. But the good news is there are other beautiful beaches close by, like Peregian Beach. With a vehicle you can be at Noosa in 10 minutes from Peregian Beach. Gina’s place at Peregian Beach has private rooms with private bathroom for $70 per couple.

Even without a vehicle at your disposal staying at nearby beaches is totally achievable as the coast has a good public bus service and it’s free in school holidays.

Noosa Accommodation for Families

Compare Noosa Holiday Apartments for Families here.

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