Best Parks on the Sunshine Coast: Noosa National Park, Maroochy River and the Hinterland

The Sunshine Coast has outstanding public parks and natural reserves across its coastal, hinterland and river environments, from the pristine coastal heath of Noosa National Park to the volcanic landscapes of the Glass House Mountains. Noosa National Park at the eastern tip of Noosa Heads is the Sunshine Coast's most iconic natural space, a 4,000-hectare coastal park with walking tracks through coastal heath and paperbark swamp to headland vantage points and secluded coves including Hells Gates, Tea Tree Bay and Fairy Pools that are accessible only on foot. The park is home to koalas and is one of Queensland's most visited national parks due to its combination of natural beauty and accessibility from the Noosa Heads resort village. Mooloolaba and Maroochydore's Maroochy River foreshore parks provide paddling and boat launching on a scenic coastal river. Mapleton Falls National Park in the Blackall Range hinterland has walking tracks to waterfalls through subtropical rainforest. The Glass House Mountains National Park, 30 minutes south near Beerwah, has walking tracks to volcanic summit peaks including Mount Ngungun (253 m, 1-hour return) and Mount Tibrogargan (364 m, 2-hour return) with outstanding coastal and hinterland views. Mudjimba Beach and Island on the central coast provide a beach park and accessible island for day trips by kayak or paddleboard.