Robyn BoxNoosa - on the (un)beaten tracks
November 4th 2008 04:44
Most people visit Noosa for the beaches, the restaurants and the seemingly ever-present sunshine. Many, on a not-so-perfect day, make their way up to Noosa National Park; a short 1.5km stroll from Hastings Street up (and occasionally down) a boardwalk, which lines the Noosa shoreline. Once at the bus terminal at the base of the Park, it’s common practice to follow the path along the Coastal Line track, on which visitors will experience some of the most breathtaking views across the Sunshine Coast and witness some of the angriest ocean. What many visitors neglect to do, however, is hang a right at the bus terminal and head up one of the handful of not-so-popular walking tracks through the national park. Tracks that, until now, even the most regular visitors to Noosa could easily have ignored over the chance to experience once again experience those amazing coastal views.
Cleverly, there are options for all fitness levels and all time restrictions. If you have only an hour until your dinner reservation, scoot through the lush Palm Grove circuit, bursting with the vibrant greens and dirty browns that only the combined old and new vegetation can offer. The new vegetation throughout this track is so beautiful you’ll find yourself fighting the temptation to reach and touch it to ensure it’s real and not simply a plastic replica. Invest 30 minutes into this track to truly soak up the serenity of it all. The perfect nature experience for those with heart conditions, minimal fitness levels or those who just want to experience a sneak peak into what this incredible Park can offer.
For a slightly more physically challenging walk (not enough to send you to hospital with heart palpitations, but impressive enough to be able to brag about it), choose the Noosa Hill Track option. This track provides walkers with an authentic national park feel, with entwined rainforest, eucalypt woodlands and closed woodlands. It will, however, test those with little walking experience due to many of the uphill tracks being made of loose sand and stones.
If what you’re after is a sweeping view across the ocean and towards the horizon, don’t head up the Noosa Hill track. Once any walker has reached the summit of this hill all they will find is thick vegetation, a bazaar Blair-Witch-style rock formation and close to zero views. For ocean views stick with the Coastal track.
If you’re after a real ‘back to nature’ experience, with medium work, this track wont disappoint. The tranquillity is, on occasion, overwhelming, with this track often being overlooked by visitors because the minimal coastal views and steady uphill incline (on sand – eek!) can be considered little reward for such hard work. This means those who do wander this path can find themselves completely alone and at one with nature. Stop and listen, and walkers will hear nothing but the sound of a slight ocean breeze combing through the treetops and the sweet calls of local honeyeaters. No other footsteps. No discussion among other walkers. Nothing. Just simple, pure, serenity.
Noosa National Park also offers the Tanglewood and Alexandra Bay track. Both these tracks are quite long and can be narrow with steep exposed inclines or many steps. These should be left to those with a good fitness level, as they can take up to 2-3 hours to complete and can penetrate so far into the Park that it would be difficult to avoid a panic attack if the thought of being lost crept in.
Don’t visit Noosa without taking time to indulge in such beautiful nature. And with so many track options, there’s no reason visitors can’t fit this into the busy schedule of sunbathing, eating, drinking, and shopping that Hastings Street promises.
Quickstats:
· Noosa National Park – 1.4km from the end of Hastings Street.
· Five tracks are offered: Palm Grove Circuit (1km), Tanglewood Track (3.8km on way), Noosa Hill Track (3.4km), Coastal Walk (5.4km one way), and Alexandria Bay Track (4.6km return). Each track showcases a different slice of the Sunshine Coasts’ flora and fauna. No track has suitable wheelchair access, but wheelchairs can reach the bus terminal area at the base of the walks for beautiful views across Noosa.
· No access to the Parks in the evenings, so don't plan to take a midnight stroll (because in all likelyhood you'll plummet to your death, or a best a broken leg)
· Don’t forget to grab a map from the Information centre before you start walking.
· Be sure to: take sufficient water, hat and sunscreen. Limited or no mobile phone reception throughout the park, so don’t think that’s all you need- make sure someone knows you’re heading up there, and DON’T stray from the track!
Cleverly, there are options for all fitness levels and all time restrictions. If you have only an hour until your dinner reservation, scoot through the lush Palm Grove circuit, bursting with the vibrant greens and dirty browns that only the combined old and new vegetation can offer. The new vegetation throughout this track is so beautiful you’ll find yourself fighting the temptation to reach and touch it to ensure it’s real and not simply a plastic replica. Invest 30 minutes into this track to truly soak up the serenity of it all. The perfect nature experience for those with heart conditions, minimal fitness levels or those who just want to experience a sneak peak into what this incredible Park can offer.
For a slightly more physically challenging walk (not enough to send you to hospital with heart palpitations, but impressive enough to be able to brag about it), choose the Noosa Hill Track option. This track provides walkers with an authentic national park feel, with entwined rainforest, eucalypt woodlands and closed woodlands. It will, however, test those with little walking experience due to many of the uphill tracks being made of loose sand and stones.
If what you’re after is a sweeping view across the ocean and towards the horizon, don’t head up the Noosa Hill track. Once any walker has reached the summit of this hill all they will find is thick vegetation, a bazaar Blair-Witch-style rock formation and close to zero views. For ocean views stick with the Coastal track.
If you’re after a real ‘back to nature’ experience, with medium work, this track wont disappoint. The tranquillity is, on occasion, overwhelming, with this track often being overlooked by visitors because the minimal coastal views and steady uphill incline (on sand – eek!) can be considered little reward for such hard work. This means those who do wander this path can find themselves completely alone and at one with nature. Stop and listen, and walkers will hear nothing but the sound of a slight ocean breeze combing through the treetops and the sweet calls of local honeyeaters. No other footsteps. No discussion among other walkers. Nothing. Just simple, pure, serenity.
Noosa National Park also offers the Tanglewood and Alexandra Bay track. Both these tracks are quite long and can be narrow with steep exposed inclines or many steps. These should be left to those with a good fitness level, as they can take up to 2-3 hours to complete and can penetrate so far into the Park that it would be difficult to avoid a panic attack if the thought of being lost crept in.
Don’t visit Noosa without taking time to indulge in such beautiful nature. And with so many track options, there’s no reason visitors can’t fit this into the busy schedule of sunbathing, eating, drinking, and shopping that Hastings Street promises.
Quickstats:
· Noosa National Park – 1.4km from the end of Hastings Street.
· Five tracks are offered: Palm Grove Circuit (1km), Tanglewood Track (3.8km on way), Noosa Hill Track (3.4km), Coastal Walk (5.4km one way), and Alexandria Bay Track (4.6km return). Each track showcases a different slice of the Sunshine Coasts’ flora and fauna. No track has suitable wheelchair access, but wheelchairs can reach the bus terminal area at the base of the walks for beautiful views across Noosa.
· No access to the Parks in the evenings, so don't plan to take a midnight stroll (because in all likelyhood you'll plummet to your death, or a best a broken leg)
· Don’t forget to grab a map from the Information centre before you start walking.
· Be sure to: take sufficient water, hat and sunscreen. Limited or no mobile phone reception throughout the park, so don’t think that’s all you need- make sure someone knows you’re heading up there, and DON’T stray from the track!
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