Ask any local and they’ll tell you the best way to see Noosa is on foot. Whether you want a flat riverside stroll before breakfast or a steep climb with a reward at the top, there’s certainly a track to suit. We’ve pulled together six of our favourite Noosa walks below, from the well-known coastal track to a couple of summits most visitors never reach.
Noosa National Park Coastal Walk
If you only have time for one Noosa walk, make it this one. The Noosa coastal walk runs roughly 10.8 km return along the headland, following the shoreline past Boiling Pot, Tea Tree Bay, Dolphin Point and Hell’s Gates. The first stretch from the day-use area to Dolphin Point is paved and suitable for prams and assisted wheelchairs. Keep an eye out for koalas in the trees, turtles and dolphins offshore, and whales during the winter season. Start your walk from the timber boardwalk at the eastern end of Hastings Street.
Tanglewood Track
When you want to swap the coast for the canopy, the Tanglewood Track heads inland through the shaded heart of Noosa National Park. It covers around 8 km return and takes 1.5 to 2 hours at a comfortable pace. Its real appeal is how it connects: at Hell’s Gates the track links to the coastal walk, letting you combine the two into a loop of roughly 7km that takes in both forest and coastline in one outing.
Mount Tinbeerwah
For the best view-to-effort ratio in the region, drive about 15 minutes inland to Mount Tinbeerwah in Tewantin National Park. The walk to the summit is only around 1km return and takes about 20 minutes on a paved path. At the top, a fire tower lookout delivers 360-degree views across Noosa, the Noosa River, the coast and the hinterland peaks. Mount Tinbeerwah is a favourite spot for both sunrise and sunset, and with very good reason.
Noosa River Foreshore
If you’d rather stroll than climb, the Noosa River Foreshore walk is made for just that. This flat walk meanders next to the water along Gympie Terrace in Noosaville, covering roughly 2 km one way. There’s no rush here: you’ll pass grassy picnic spots, playgrounds and a run of riverside cafes including Depot Noosa and La Vie en Rose, perfect for a morning coffee stop.. It’s a gentle, family-friendly option that suits any time of day, and it’s especially stunning at sunset.
Alexandria Bay Walk
The Alexandria Bay Walk is one of the loveliest walks in Noosa and a bit of a local hidden gem. It is around 4.2 km return and takes about an hour, following a mostly sandy track through open eucalyptus woodland and heathland to Alexandria Bay, a long, secluded beach known to locals as A-Bay. Start from Parkedge Road in Sunshine Beach, or link to the bay from the coastal walk beyond Hell’s Gates. Worth noting that the surf here is unpatrolled, so it’s better suited to a walk and a paddle than a swim.
Mount Cooroora
If you’re up for something challenging, head about 30 minutes inland to Pomona and climb Mount Cooroora. This is a steep hinterland summit of around 4.2 km return, but there’s nothing quite like the sense of achievement of making it to the top. The payoff is a panorama that stretches across the Noosa Hinterland to the Glass House Mountains and back toward the coast. This is definitely the most demanding walk on our list, so choose a cooler part of the day, take plenty of water and get ready for an unforgettable adventure.
Experience these gorgeous Noosa walks by booking your stay Accommodation in Noosa.
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on what you’re after. The six we’d send anyone to are the Noosa National Park Coastal Walk, the Alexandria Bay Walk, the inland Tanglewood Track, the flat Noosa River Foreshore, the short climb up Mount Tinbeerwah and the steeper Mount Cooroora. Between them they cover coast, forest, river and hinterland summits, with something for every fitness level.
The Noosa National Park Coastal Walk is roughly 10.8 km return. You can easily shorten it by turning back at Tea Tree Bay or Dolphin Point, or going all the way to Sunshine Beach and then hopping on the bus at Duke Street and heading back to Noosa Heads.
Absolutely, the Noosa River foreshore walk is one of our favourite easy walks in Noosa. It is a flat, shaded path along Gympie Terrace, roughly 2km one way, with playgrounds, cafes and river views along the way. It’s dog-friendly and suits all ages. Mount Tinbeerwah is another relatively easy option, with a paved 1km return track to a lookout with big views.
Early morning is our pick. The light is soft, the air is cooler, and it’s the best time to spot koalas, birds and marine life. It also means you’re back and settled before the warmer part of the day, especially on longer or steeper walks like the coastal track or Mount Cooroora.
It depends on the track. Dogs aren’t permitted anywhere in Noosa National Park, but the Noosa River foreshore is the exception and welcomes dogs on a lead.
The Noosa River foreshore is ideal, being flat, shaded and dotted with playgrounds and picnic spots. The paved section of the coastal walk to Dolphin Point suits prams too. For a quick win with a big view, the short, mostly paved climb up Mount Tinbeerwah works well with kids who are steady on their feet.
Mount Tinbeerwah is hard to beat, with its 360-degree summit lookout catching the light over the hinterland peaks, and it’s only a short walk from the car park. The Noosa River Foreshore is a lovely flat alternative, with the sun setting over the water and a restaurant never far away for afterwards.
