Cooloola Great Walk opens: 5 day trek from Noosa to Rainbow Beach

The new Cooloola Great Walk is set to become one of Australia's iconic long distance walking tracks attracting international and local bush walkers to Queensland.

The 102km Cooloola Great Walk links the Noosa North Shore to Rainbow Beach via the eastern high dunes, the upper Noosa River, Poona Lake and Carlo Sand Blow, with an optional route via Double Island Point.

Showcasing the outstanding natural attractions of the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park, the track winds through rainforest, tall eucalypt forest, dry coastal woodland and heath plains.

You can undertake the full 5 day trek or a shorter walk by joining at several entry points.  The designated overnight camp sites must be booked. A lovely two day walk can be undertaken from Rainbow Beach to Freshwater, where you camp overnight and then walk back.  If you love cool, fresh water when bush walking, you won't be disappointed by the upper Noosa River, Lake Cooloomera, Freshwater Lake and Poona Lake along the way.

From Rainbow Beach, keen walkers can hike another 13km to Inskip Point and catch the barge across to link up with the Fraser Island Great Walk!

We recently explored the Carlo Sand Blow, which is at the Rainbow Beach end of the Great Walk.  Here's just a glimpse of the beautiful wildflowers and plants you can expect to see along the way.

Coastal bush sculpted by the wind.  View looking across Carlo Sand Blow. On the opposite hill you can see a track where people slide down the dune and tiny specks of people!

Interesting links
All the Great Walks of Queensland
Construction of the Cooloola Great Walk
More about Rainbow Beach

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Legends of conservation that preserved Noosa for us all

Have you ever sat on the beautiful beach at Noosa or walked through the National Park and thought "thank goodness there is no high rise in Noosa"?

In 1969, Noosa Council had approved a high rise development on the beach side of Hastings Street and in the late 70's was proposing a 12 storey limit on the other side of Hastings Street.  Today, there is a humble three storey limit.  How this happened is the story of two legendary couples, Arthur and Marjorie Harrold and Bill and Mavis Huxley, and the volunteer organisation they founded, Noosa Parks Association (NPA).

Queensland's Noosa and Cooloola National Park region works its magic on all who are fortunate to visit, just as we were at Easter.  Noosa is one of our most valuable tourism destinations in economic terms, but only because concrete development has harmonised with the natural beauty of rainforest scrambling down coastal headland to pristine beaches.

I was awe-inspired to learn that we also have these people to thank for there being no coastal road around Noosa Heads and the existence of Cooloola National Park stretching from Noosa River to Double Island point.  In the 60s and 70s, this area was destined to be ripped apart for sand mining and when the miners moved on, suburban development would have moved in.

The NPA and the people that have volunteered their time and hearts since 1962 are true legends of conservation.  Today, the NPA is regarded around the world as a shining light for successful community environmental organisation.  Unlike well known single issue battles such as the Franklin and Gordon River, the NPA has relentlessly fought and won successive battles over 40 years.

In addition to lobbying, the organisation has a vibrant program of activities including bush walking, bird watching, Greening Noosa and weekly talks at their Environment Centre in Wallace Drive, Noosaville. 

Thousands of visitors to the Noosa National Park (from where you walk around to Alexandria Bay) will also benefit from the recently opened NPA Info Hut and guided walks each Wednesday morning.  Bookings 07 54473522

Dr Michael Gloster, who was President of the NPA for many years, has written a fascinating 10 part series about the NPA and the battles.  These are incredible stories that will enrich your experience of Noosa and remind us all that individuals do have the power to change the world!

More reading:
Timeline of the Noosa District  For history buffs, a thoroughly enjoyable chronology from the traditional Aboriginal inhabitants to modern times. Sunshine Coast Library online resources.

Dr Arthur Harrold was named a Legend of Conservation by the Queensland Conservation Council in 2009.  Sunshine Coast Daily article.

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Share a nature photo that inspires you & win a $50 voucher

After a few challenging days, we'd love some fun and inspiration to re-connect with our precious environment!
On our Facebook page, we're inviting you to share an experience with nature that inspired you to live a more eco friendly life - and you'll have the chance of winning a $50 voucher. 

Our photos from Bitter Springs and Kakadu in the Northern Territory are posted below - what a spectacular experience!

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The "top end" of Australia has taken our breath away

We are so fortunate to live in Australia and enjoy its immense natural beauty - but I had not realised until now just how incredible the land is around Darwin, Litchfield and of course World Heritage Kakadu. We are on a family camping trip around the region and every day opens the door to a magical world.

Here are the children snorkelling in Bitter Springs, a setting so surreal it seems to have been landscaped. Fresh, warm and crystal clear water from an underground spring flows gently along a sandy course through reeds and lush bush. An Azure Kingfisher skims overhead as we drift, watching the underwater life. Apparently there are no crocodiles in residence - although they are omnipresent around here and have caused me great apprehension! We swam in many inviting waterfalls where it was signed as safe. The management of the National Parks from a visitor's point of view has been outstanding.

Today we joined a sunrise cruise on Yellow Water billabong in Kakadu. Experiencing the morning symphony of animals, birds and plant life was exhilarating. It was abuzz with crocodiles (one of the 17 we counted lurks below) and birds, like the regal Jabiru and Brolgas. We finished the day looking at ancient rock art and watching the sunset over the Kakadu wetlands at Ubirr.

Re-connecting with the raw beauty of our environment helps to reinvigorate our passion for eco friendly living and what we believe in at Biome. In the city it's too easy to feel distant from why we need to conserve water, save forests and reduce emissions.

Should you have any travel questions about what we did and saw, please post a comment.

WIN a $50 voucher with your photos >> On our Facebook page, we're inviting you to share an experience with nature that inspired you to live a more eco friendly life and you could win a $50 voucher.

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Yes we should pay to drive on Cooloola Coast

As reported in The Courier-Mail today, the Queensland Government has released for consultation a management plan for the Cooloola Coast north of Noosa to Double Island Point and around to Rainbow Beach.

Our family loves this area, so I declare a vested interest, but also some first hand experience of the people that are damaging this environment and threatening the safety of others.

It is proposed to charge people to drive and camp in the area, just like you have to pay for a permit to visit some National Parks. At the moment, it is used and abused as though it is a highway and a fun zone. A proper management plan is long overdue because this area adjoins the Great Sandy National Park and the World Heritage Fraser Island area. It has equal environmental value and beauty.

We take great enjoyment from driving along the beach to swim at Double Island Point and walk up to the lighthouse to look for whales - although we do it with some guilt about the incongruity of driving a polluting 4WD through a pristine environment. So we try to drive and visit with respect for the privilege we have been given.

Paying for access will also allow facilities to be built to accommodate 46,000 car loads of people a year -- for example, there is only one set of toilets in this huge area at Freshwater.

Link to The Courier-Mail article

Have your say by 7 September 2009 Go to the Queensland Government website for info on the Cooloola Recreation Area plan and how you can make a submission.

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A wander through coastal woodland of Scribbly Gum & Banksia

Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park, near Rainbow Beach, Queensland

Once at threat from sand-mining, this stunning area stretches from the north shore of the Noosa River, along beaches backed by high dunes, open wallum heathland, woodlands of scribbly gum and banksia, shady blackbutt forests, rainforests and tranquil lakes, to the mangrove lined fish habitats of the Tin Can Bay inlet. The coloured sands, Carlo Sand Blow and Double Island Point lighthouse are popular attractions. Our family explored the area over the school holidays.
house

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Remarkable Rocks, Kangaroo Island

Remarkable Rocks in Flinders Chase National Park, Kangaroo Island, South Australia

A recent family holiday on Kangaroo Island was the perfect recharge - beach, wildlife, spectacular natural wonders, fascinating history and local food. This remarkable cluster of massive boulders has been sculpted by the elements. They perch miraculously on a granite dome right at the end of a peninsula.

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