Noosa Everglades
The Basics
The everglades’ aquatic landscape is best explored by boat. Cruise up the Noosa River on a guided river cruise or canoe excursion to see wildlife and vegetation up close, learn about the area’s unique ecology, and swim in the reflective waters. A typical Noosa Everglades tour includes a boat cruise along the river, wildlife watching around Lake Cooroibah and Lake Cootharaba, and a barbeque lunch or afternoon tea at one of the area’s scenic campgrounds.
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Things to Know Before You Go
The Noosa Everglades are a must-see for nature and wildlife lovers.
Strict conservation rules protect this area and all tours are eco-certified.
Sections of the river system are unshaded, so remember to bring a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
There are limited visitor facilities within the everglades, but lunch and refreshments are served at the Harry’s Hut and Fig Tree Creek campgrounds.
How to Get There
The Noosa Everglades lie along Australia’s western Sunshine Coast, stretching north from Noosa Heads. The everglades are reachable only by boat or canoe, and tours typically set out from the Noosa Everglades Discovery Centre in Noosaville, which is roughly two hours by road from Brisbane.
Trip ideas
When to Get There
Summer (December through January) is the most popular time to visit, although boat cruises are possible year-round as temperatures rarely dip below 68°F (20°C). In summer, opt for an early morning or late afternoon tour to avoid the hottest part of the day.
Wildlife in the Noosa Everglades
The diversity of trees, plants, and wildlife is one of the main attractions of the Noosa Everglades, with big twisting grasses, large swamp banksias, dense reeds, and hundreds of different flower species. As you cruise around the wetlands you can admire tea trees, melaleucas, and water lilies, while keeping a lookout for pelicans, ducks, cormorants, and eagles. You might even spot a rare jabiru swooping overhead, snakes or lizards lazing on the riverbanks, or the odd kangaroo hopping along the shore.
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