National Parks & Gardens

Wander through the Noosa Botanic Gardens, where 80 per cent of the plants are native species and include rare King Ferns. The Gardens are also home to wildlife, including tortoises and 40 species of birds, and the dam is stocked with native fish. Wander under leafy pergolas, past palms and lilies, grassed picnic areas and the amphitheatre on the lake.

Noosa National Park is one of Australia's most frequently visited national parks. Located at one end of busy Hastings Street and accessible from Sunshine Beach to the south, the park attracts bushwalkers, nature lovers, picnickers and surfers. Look out for resident wildlife, including bush turkeys, goannas and koalas. Swim or surf at coves and beaches around the rocky headland, wander through cool vine forests, palm groves and heath-covered slopes that bloom with spring wildflowers.

The Great Sandy National Park stretches for 60 kilometres, from north of Noosa up to Rainbow Beach. The area is also known as Cooloola and the park is home to the Teewah Coloured Sands and Rainbow Beach. It offers easy 4WD access to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island where you will see pristine rainforests, sweeping beaches and clear blue lagoons.

South of Noosa, the Glass House Mountains National Park is a popular destination with walkers who come to climb the volcanic mountains.