Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the national park car park at the end of Park Road, follow the coastal track east past Boiling Pot and down to Tea Tree Bay. It continues round the headland to Dolphin Point and Granite Bay, then on to Hell's Gates, a rocky point where the swell surges into a deep cleft below the cliffs. Come back a short way and take the Tanglewood Track inland through eucalypt forest, which leads back to the car park.
It is 7 km round with 142 m of ascent; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy: a wide, well-used coastal track, then a narrower forest track with some climbs.
Look out for dolphins and turtles off the headland, humpback whales from winter into spring, and koalas in the trees near the start. Keep off the rock platforms when the sea is big. Swim only at a patrolled beach, such as Noosa Main Beach.
The park car park is small; buses run to Noosa Heads, a short walk away along the Park Road boardwalk. Check the Queensland park alerts before you go.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- The coastal track rounds Noosa Headland past Boiling Pot, Tea Tree Bay, Dolphin Point and Granite Bay
- Hell's Gates is a rocky point where the sea surges into a narrow cleft below the cliffs
- Dolphins, turtles and, from winter into spring, migrating humpback whales are often seen from the headland
- Koalas live in the park's eucalypt forest; look up in the trees near the start
Getting there
Start: Noosa National Park day use car park, Park Road. -26.38181, 153.09881
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Noosa National Park day use car park: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.