Noosa National Park
Noosa, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
November 22, 2023
Noosa National Park Coastal Hike
Noosa is born from the aboriginal word "Noothera" or "Gnuthuru", in the Kabi Kabi language meaning shadow.
Hike Details:
Approx 9km, roundtrip
Approx 3-4 hours
Grade 4
We did the Coastal Walk hike in Noosa National Park out to Hells Gate in Alexandria Bay. We stopped and admired the sweeping ocean views from Boiling Pot, Tea Tree Bay, Dolphin Point, Granite Bay, Fairy Pools and finally Hells Gate near Alexandria Bay. When we started out the sands on the beach were abundant, on return with the tide coming in…it all but disappeared. It was pretty cool to watch and hear the waves crashing against the cliffs and rocky areas.
Boiling Pot…aka Witches Cauldron
According to the park sign, when the conditions are right, a powerful surge of water from the surf enters the rocks and creates a whoosh of water much like a boiling pot on the stove. It was formed when joints within the sandstone were worn down, creating blocks that were eventually swept away, and leaving an opening for the surf to surge through.
Tea Tree Bay....forest of eucalyptus/gum trees.
We didn't see any koala milling about, although they are supposed to be around. The "tea tree" or melaleuca trees are really cool, the bark layers peel off like paper.
Dolphin Point...gave us spectacular views, just no dolphins!
Fairy Pools are Magical!
The coast of Noosa National Park is characterized by a very rocky shoreline. It’s in these rocky areas that the “fairy pools” form. They are natural tidal rock pools, with a fun and fancy name.
Over millions of years the basalt/volcanic rocks have been eroded by the sea and wind to form big pool-shaped cavities. Ocean waves regularly wash into the rock pools, creating a natural seawater pool in which you can swim without the fear of being pulled back into the ocean by the strength of the waves. If I were younger, I would have loved getting in.
Hike to Hells Gate…The Road is Paved!
Fun facts:
Formed over 190 million years ago
10 meter vertical drop, no barriers
270 degree view on top
The hike up on the high bluff gave us spectacular views of the coastline north to Double Island Point and south over Alexandria Bay. This spot is truly a place to take in the power and beauty of what water can do. By sheer force, the ocean has eroded and carved out the sandstone to create “Hells Gate”. I would venture to call this a little slice of Heaven instead.
If you’re lucky enough you will catch glimpses of whales and dolphins playing as well as view nesting Osprey. We didn’t see any of those but did have a cheeky little Australian Black Raven (Torresian Crow) squawking about.
Massimo’s Gelateria was Delizioso!
After a long hike out and back, we deserved a treat! Chuck got the Black Cherry Swirl and I got the watermelon & strawberry sorbet! Do you know the difference between gelato and ice cream? We didn’t at first but now that we do…there’s no going back! Gelato is Italian ice cream made with more milk and churned slower resulting in a less air, creamier and richer flavored ice cream. Benefit, it also has less fat, so we can enjoy it more often, right?
