Adventure Through the Other Everglades: Discover the Beautiful Noosa Everglades
Did you know that there is an area called The Everglades in Noosa, Queensland?
While Noosa is usually known for its beach, there is a lot more to it. Noosa has a lot of natural beauty and unique things to do.
My in-laws live near Noosa and we lived there for 6 weeks before moving down to Brisbane. I prefer city life, but we definitely had fun in Noosa and head back often.
I am originally from Florida, a few hours from The Everglades. I had no idea that there was another place called The Everglades in the world, much less in Noosa!
Keep reading to find out what to expect on a visit to the Noosa Everglades with kids.
There are other Everglades? Let’s explore the Noosa Everglades with Kids!
I grew up in Florida, which is home to the Everglades. Even so, I have only actually been to the Everglades once that I remember.
Everyone knows that it is swampland filled with alligators, snakes, and other wild creatures that we like to encounter from a distance.
When I was a teenager, I went with my family on an airboat ride through the Florida Everglades, which is a popular way to travel through the swamp.
My in-laws are currently living near Noosa and have been wanting to check out the Everglades boat ride. It wasn’t available the last time we were in town, and we ended up taking a sunset river cruise instead. On this trip, we signed up for Everglades Eco Safaris. They currently offer 3 tours.
Heading out with the kids, to the Noosa Everglades
The tour begins at Habitat Noosa Eco Camp, a campground with cabins and glamping tents.
We were led to a boat with rows of seating. Just about every seat was full.
Due to our last boat ride (which you can check out here), we overprepared. We brought water, snacks, towels, bathing suits, raincoats, umbrellas, and plenty of activities for the kids.
Again, I should have done my research! I figured the boat would have tables. The floor was wet and there was no room to store bags other than on your lap.
To get to the Everglades, the boat drives across the lake. The lake is shallow, about 1 meter deep at its deepest point. That means that people can walk across it, though no one was.
There are plastic windows that you can put up and down. We put them up and down quite a few times during the day as it rained on and off.
They are not easy to see through, so keep them up if it is not raining.
Fig Tree Point
The first stop on the Noosa Everglades boat tour is Fig Tree Point.
Canoeing is an option. Canoers are split into 2 groups.
The first group leaves from Fig Tree Point and the other brings the canoes back from our second stop, Harry’s Hut. The canoe ride is about 5 kilometers and takes about an hour. We hadn’t signed up to canoe, and while it looked beautiful, it rained a lot, and it would have been difficult with the kids.
Those who did not canoe first were able to walk around Fig Tree Point. There are bathrooms there as well.
We were guided around on a walk called the Melaleuca Circuit. It usually takes about 20 minutes, but most of us walked quickly as it started to pour.
Of course, our umbrellas and raincoats were on the boat. Our guide warned us about mosquitos due to all of the rain. We did not know before the trip or we would have brought bug spray.
They had some bug spray on the boat, but not enough. The guide was right, there were so many mosquitos.
It was like the Noosa Everglades were trying to mimic the Florida Everglades!
The Noosa Everglades
We got back on the boat and continued through the Everglades.
Ever means a never-ending supply of water. Glades mean grasses/glassy reflection.
We could see that glassy reflection, even in the rain. It is easy to spot the melaleuca trees with their papery bark. That is where tea tree oil comes from.
We saw a few birds, but that is it for wildlife.
Morning Tea at Harry’s Hut
Around 11:30 am, we arrived at a park for morning tea.
The canoers met us there and those who were going to canoe back left as soon as they had their snack.
The guides set up tea while we walked around, either to the bathroom or to see Harry’s Hut.
Morning tea is individually packaged. Each person takes a container and a drink.
There was orange juice and hot water for making tea or coffee, plus milk for the coffee.
Each container had a piece of watermelon, a slice of banana bread, and a cookie. There were also packages of Arnott’s cookies available.
The rain had stopped by this point and we found a picnic bench in the shade.
The boat leaves around 12 to head back to Fig Tree Point to pick up the canoers.
Fig Tree Point Take 2
The boat goes back to Fig Tree Point to meet the second group of canoers.
The first group of canoers can walk Melaleuca Point.
Those who have already walked can walk again or swim.
We ended up not swimming as it seemed like more trouble than it was worth. Maybe we would have swum on a hot day, but due to the rain, we didn’t need our bathing suits.
Our towels did come in handy as we used them to dry off between rain showers.
Lunch Time
The boat returns to Eco Park for lunch around 2 pm.
Lunch is included, but drinks are not. They offer craft beer and are known as the only craft brewery in a National Park in Australia. The water used is from Frasier Island.
They can cater to vegans and vegetarians, but we did not get a special meal. Each person gets a large plate with roast chicken, coleslaw, potatoes, corn on the cob, and a piece of bread with butter. It was nice to have a hot meal after being out in the rain. By then we were dry, luckily.
The End of Our Day in the Noosa Everglades
We had a great day, despite the rain. Of course, we would have loved to have a beautiful day but that is not always possible.
I would suggest bringing bug spray. I would also suggest bringing a waterproof bag that closes so that you can put it on the ground and not carry it on your lap. Rain ponchos would be perfect to stick in your bag just in case. The kids had raincoats but I did not.
This was a fun day trip for us, our children, and their grandparents, so I can safely say that it is for just about all ages. If you are looking for something fun to do with kids in Noosa, try a day on the water.
More Things to do near Noosa with kids
- Australia Zoo
- Noosa National Park and the fairy pools
- Ginger Factory
- Fig Tree Walk
- Mount Tinbeerwah Lookout
- Sunset Ferry Cruise
- Kilkivan Bush Camp
- Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Pin Noosa Everglades for Later!
