Boardwalk at Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary.

Take a moment to inhale the scent of the surrounding forest, listen to the birdsong, and relax as you wander along the boardwalk at Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary.

Exploring the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary

Arriving at the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary will immediately put you at ease. With tall trees towering above you, the sweet smell of nature filling the air and the gorgeous sounds of birdlife, you really will feel at one with nature at this Sunshine Coast destination.

First stop should be the visitor centre which is located beside the carpark. During opening hours, you can explore the centre, read about the local environment and grab a guide to assist you on your visit at the Sanctuary.

When you are ready, set off on the gentle walk which starts at the back of the visitor’s centre and follows a wide boardwalk along a 900m trail. While there are several detours along the walk, staying on the main boardwalk will lead you through dry eucalypt forests, melaleuca forest, and rainforest before emerging at the mangroves and Maroochy River.

Along the way you may be treated to spying any one of the 200 species of wildlife that call this Sanctuary home including birds, crabs, fish, butterflies, and reptiles.

A large variety of crabs can be found scuttling throughout the wetlands including Fiddler, Sentinel and Hermit crabs amongst others. Will you be lucky enough to spot one?

The boardwalk is nice and wide, and quite flat, so this walk is suitable for legs big and small, as well as prams, wheelchairs and mobility aides. If at any time you need a rest, bench seats are dotted along the way, so there is always somewhere to take a load off.

Along the boardwalk you will find several informative signs as well as interactive panels which invite visitors to turn the wheel until a message plays. This is always a fun way to involve the kids in learning about what they can see and hear during their visit to the wetlands.

This is an out and back walk, so if you miss anything on the walk out, you can catch up on the return journey.

Please note all plants and animals within the sanctuary are protected and cannot be removed. Domestic animals are prohibited.

Imagination Factor at Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary

Any outing in nature lends itself to limitless imagination opportunities. Bring binoculars and scan the treetops and undergrowth for creatures great and small. What do you think you will see? What did you actually see?

A visit to the Sanctuary also allows for more gentle activities such as day dreaming, relaxed conversations and generally being present in the moment while you explore nature.

Accessibility at Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary

Thanks to a flat and well-maintained boardwalk, the walk throughout the forest and wetlands is easily accessible for those with mobility issues or utilising a pram or wheelchair. The walk is mostly shaded thanks to the mature trees and several bench seats along the paths allows for visitors to sit down and rest tired legs.

Beside the carpark and visitor centre you will find accessible toilets. Those requiring accessible car parking, will be pleased to find a few places in the main carpark.

Due to the wetlands environment, mosquitoes can pose a problem throughout the year, so come prepared with long sleeves, pants and insect repellant.

Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary features

Environmental Visitor Centre
Boardwalk (self-guided walk)
Accessible toilets (composting)
Mangrove Room (meeting room and volunteers office)
Small car park

While You Are in the Area

A little further down the road toward the centre of Bli Bli, you will find Sunshine Castle where you can visit the castle courtyard, check out the armoury or visit the doll museum.

For an animal adventure visit Wildlife HQ, about 15km away, where you can ride the Pineapple Express Train, visit the cute and cuddly animals or snap a selfie with the Big Pineapple.

What We Thought of Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary

We love anything that involves exploring the great outdoors, and a visit to the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary allowed us to do just that. The facilities and environment centre were clean and well maintained and a great spot to start our visit.

The walk among the trees and wetlands was peaceful and made nice and easy thanks to the flat boardwalk. The air was alive with birdsong, which was the most delightful soundtrack to our outing.