Visit Noosa National Park with Kids

Noosa is a coastal paradise, just 160km north of Brisbane via the Bruce Highway and the Sunshine Motorway.

Beautiful beaches, gourmet ice-creameries and cafes spilling out onto the pavement make Noosa the perfect retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life.

And no visit to Noosa is complete without taking the time to explore the Noosa National Park with the kids – a 3000ha park showcasing amazing fauna and flora, as well as some of the most picturesque coastline in Australia.

Getting to Noosa National Park

The main access point for the national park is at the end of Park Road in Noosa Heads. Car parking is very limited at this point, so you may like to consider catching the local shuttle bus from the town centre. You can also walk to the national park from cosmopolitan Hastings Street, along the pretty seaside boardwalk. Alternatively, there is access from Parkedge Road and the northern end of Sunshine Beach, but again, parking is limited. Other access points include:

• Laguna Lookout – end of Viewland Drive, Noosa Heads
• Peregian Section – David Low Way, 3km north of Coolum Beach
• Emu Mountain Section – David Low Way, 4km north of Coolum Beach
• East Weyba Section – David Low Way, Marcus Beach, 2.5km north of Peregian Beach

Things to do at Noosa National Park with Kids

Families could easily spend a whole day at the Noosa National Park. It’s a great location for kids to spot wildlife – koalas can often be sighted in the day use area or along the walking tracks. You may also be lucky enough to spot black cockatoos, ground parrots, and many other rare and endangered species. Between June and November, humpback whales can be glimpsed as they cruise past the coastline on their way to and from northern breeding grounds.

Noosa National Park is also a great place for relaxing with a picnic or a barbecue and enjoying the stunning views. The day use area (located at the end of Park Road, Noosa Heads) overlooks the beautiful Laguna Bay with its sweeping views from Noosa to Cooloola. Picnic tables, electric barbecues, drinking water and public toilets are provided. There is also a kiosk selling drinks, snacks and souvenirs, should you forget anything.

Walking at Noosa National Park

There are more than 15km of walking tracks within the national park, many of which are suitable for children. The coastal tracks offer breathtaking outlooks, and gorgeous beaches and rock pools to explore. The inland tracks feature rainforest, wildflowers and plenty of natural beauty. Here’s a list of the walking tracks you can find in the Noosa Headland section of the park:

Coastal track – 5.4km one-way

• 1km to Dolphin Point
• 1.7km from Dolphin Point to Hell’s Gates
• 2.7km from Hell’s Gates to northern Sunshine Beach

The coastal track is undoubtedly the most popular track in the park and so it does get busy at times. The track is wheelchair accessible in the beginning and follows the shoreline from the main park entrance, offering spectacular coastal views along the way. You can also stop at a number of places and make your way down to the stretches of beach to explore the rock pools and play in the sand. Don’t forget to take your camera as you will want to capture the natural beauty that surrounds you. Some other walks include:

Palm Grove circuit – 1km inland circuit
Tanglewood track – 3.8km one way, inland track
Noosa Hill track – 2.4km one way, inland track
Alexandria Bay track – 4.6km return

Things to remember at Noosa National Park

Checking out Noosa National Park is one of the best things to do with kids in Noosa but to ensure you have a safe and happy day please remember:

• Only swim at patrolled beaches at Noosa Heads and Sunshine Beach – surf lifesavers do not patrol the beaches within the national park.
• Strong currents and surf are particularly dangerous at Alexandria Bay.
• Bring drinking water, sunscreen, insect repellent and hats.
• Bring a camera and binoculars for viewing wildlife.
• Stay away from cliff edges and supervise children at all times.
• Mobile phone reception is not reliable in all areas of the park.
• Do not feed or leave food for animals. Human food can harm wildlife and cause some animals to become aggressive.
• Everything within the national park is protected. Do not take or interfere with plants or animals; take your rubbish out of the park.
• Bicycles, scooters, skateboards and rollerblades are not allowed on any of the tracks within the park.
• Stay on track. Do not cut corners or create new tracks, as this causes erosion.
• Camping is not permitted within the Noosa National Park.

If you haven’t been to Noosa National Park before, add it to your bucket list! You’ll soon see why it’s so popular with tourists and locals.

For more family friendly places to visit on the Sunshine Coast with kids, check out our reviews of Currimundi beach and Mudjimba beach.