Welcome / Wunya

Everglades Tour
Information Guide

Get ready to embark on a captivating

cruise experience as we journey
through the Noosa Everglades read more >

Kinaba Great Sandy

National Park

The Narrows Kabi Kabi

Harry’s Hut Wildlife

 5

Everglades Eco
1 Safari Route Map

“ Everglades = Ever Glade The Everglades begin with wetlands

where water flows slowly, creating
A timeless, tranquil glade that
barely any ripples.
remains perpetually bathed in soft
sunlight, offering a serene escape
Further upstream, the oils from tea
within the forest’s embrace.
trees darken the water, turning it
into a mirror-like surface that
Loggers described it as an
captures spectacular reflections—
'everglade, 'a small, always
this tranquil and reflective quality
sheltered opening in the forest.’

”
is the key feature of the Everglades.

1
As you depart from Habitat Camp, on your right is is a small township
of Boreen Point. On your left is Mill Point where lives the ruins of a
sawmill dated 1869-1893. Straight ahead are the hills of the coloured
sands & Teewah beach up to Double Island point up to Rainbow Beach
and K’Gari (Fraser Island)
 Kinaba

2
2
The Kinaba Visitor Information
Centre, built in 1978, was
originally designed to
accommodate up to two Park
Rangers at a time. Although it
was used for this purpose for
many years, it has not served
as accommodation for the
past two decades. The
building, constructed using
locally sourced timber, has
seen various uses and
changes over the years,
reflecting its remote and
evolving role in the region.

Also known as the

Sir Thomas Hiley
Visitor Centre, this
location on the
northern edge of
Lake Cootharaba is
the perfect starting
point for exploring
the Upper Noosa
River by kayak,
canoe, or boat.
Visitors can also
walk to the centre
from Elanda Point
via the Kinaba
Information Centre
walk.

Sir Thomas Hiley (1905–1990) was

Queensland’s Treasurer from 1957 to 1965 and
founded the Bird and Wildfowl Association of
Queensland. In 1970, he offered financial
support to the government for a project aimed
at preserving and observing native bird species
in their natural habitats. His contributions
helped shape conservation efforts between
1970 and 1976.
Kinaba

Kinaba Information Centre Walk

The Kinaba Information Centre Walk

is a scenic trail that connects Elanda
Point to the Sir Thomas Hiley Visitor
Centre, offering a tranquil and
immersive experience in the natural
beauty of the Noosa Everglades.

You may spot various bird species,

including waterfowl and raptors, as
well as glimpses of the serene lake
through the foliage. Along the way,
you'll encounter informative signage
about the local ecosystem and
history.

Today, it functions as a visitor

information centre where
guests can learn about the
12.2km 4 hours Toilets local environment, enjoy the
scenic surroundings, and relax
on the wide steps that wrap
around the building.

Click here to book a canoe and

uncover the hidden gems of Kinaba
on your next adventure!
Great Sandy
National Park
Great Sandy National Park, also
known as the Cooloola
Recreation Area, was originally
State Forest and home to
several cattle farms, including
Habitat Noosa, and a timber mill
at Mill Point. The region
underwent three phases of
logging during early settlement.
During the first phase at Mill
Point, only the finest timbers
such as Cedar, Kauri Pine, and

“
K’Gari Beech were harvested.
From the 1920s to the 1930s,
logging shifted to hoop pine, The Great Sandy National
spotted gum, and flooded gum, Park is a stunning natural
with some of this timber being treasure. It encompasses
used in the construction of the
Kinaba building.
a diverse range of
ecosystems, including
pristine beaches, lush
rainforests, and vast sand
dunes. The park is
renowned for its beautiful
landscapes and rich
Following this period, the biodiversity, offering
Government initially planned to visitors opportunities for
replant the state forest with rows activities such as hiking,
of pines. However, in 1973, it was camping, and wildlife
proposed that the area would be
ideal as a coastal National Park.
spotting. It’s also home to
K’Gari, the world's largest
By 1975, the land was officially sand island, which boasts
gazetted as a National Park. To unique features like
expand its size, the Government freshwater lakes and
acquired several cattle farms, ancient rainforests.

”
including Habitat Noosa, which
was originally a cattle farm. The
owners agreed to sell the site
with the condition that the 65
acres be preserved as a
campground accessible to the
public and operated under a
private lease.
Kabi Kabi wunya / welcome

Country
My Country by Damien and Yilpi Marks

The traditional lands of Gubbi Gubbi

(also known as Kabi Kabi). The Kabi Kabi
people extend along the Sunshine Coast
of southeast Queensland, stretching
from north of Brisbane to the Gregory
and Isaac Rivers south of Bundaberg.

Their territory encompasses the eastern

coastal ranges, including the volcanic
Glasshouse Mountains, as well as the
expansive Mary River valley, which flows
from the Conondale Ranges to the sea
near Maryborough.

Traditional activities of the Kabi Kabi People include fishing, hunting, and
gathering, which are closely linked to the land and its natural resources.

Traditional Custodians:

Indigenous Australians, including the Gubbi Gubbi, have traditionally

practiced sustainable management of the land and water. They used
fire-stick farming, a method of controlled burning to promote the
growth of certain plant species and manage landscapes.

Cultural Significance:

The Everglades region is important to the Gubbi Gubbi people

for its natural resources and its role in their traditional stories
and practices. The wetlands, rivers, and forests are intertwined
with their creation stories and spiritual beliefs.

Sustainable Practices:

The Gubbi Gubbi language is part of the larger Pama-Nyungan

language family, with efforts being made to revitalize and preserve it.

Efforts are ongoing to acknowledge and support the rights and heritage of the Kabi
Kabi People, including land rights and cultural heritage initiatives.
Fig Tree Point

This picturesque picnic spot and

small camping area are steeped in
history, offering a charming setting
surrounded by natural beauty.

3
Fig Tree Point was a significant site for the Indigenous people. It held
cultural and spiritual importance, serving as a key location for
ceremonies and traditional practices.

The area remains a testament to the rich heritage and deep

connection of the Indigenous communities to the land.

Loggers displaced
the Indigenous
people from Fig In 1920, a 99-year lease was established, and a
Tree Point, dairy farm operated with three children who
clearing parts of eagerly left once grown. The farm was
the land for timber abandoned in 1964, and a cyclone in 1968
and later leasing it destroyed the farmhouse and uprooted the Fig
for farming. Tree, giving the site its name.

The fig tree lay on the ground for years, and

today, little remains visible of that history; the
farmhouse was located where the toilets now
stand, and the original Fig Tree was about 30
meters into the bush, where numerous smaller
fig trees now grow.
Fig Tree Point

To explore the Melaleuca Circuit,

head straight across the picnic area
and follow the sign indicating the start
of the 400-meter track. You should be
able to complete the loop within the
allotted time by making left-hand
turns as you go. If you're not back 400m 30 mins Toilets
after 10 minutes, stop and retrace
your steps the same way you came.

Fig Tree Point is notable for the 1836

rescue of Eliza Fraser, whose ship,
the Stirling Castle, sank on the Great
Barrier Reef while on route from
Sydney to England. With only two
lifeboats, a longboat, and a small
dinghy, they rowed towards Moreton
Bay, but many became too ill to
continue. Eliza Fraser, who was
pregnant, was eventually captured The Butchulla people are the
by the Butchulla people. Her Indigenous inhabitants of the
captivity was marked by hardship, Fraser Coast region in
but she was later rescued and her Queensland, Australia,
dramatic story was widely published including K’Gari
and became a notable episode in
early Australian colonial history.
The Narrows

4
As we enter the narrow section of the Everglades, we find ourselves
surrounded by Melaleuca tea trees.

A bushfire swept through this area in 2019. While the tea trees and
banksias have made a remarkable recovery, several other species
have not yet rebounded.

In February 2022, severe

flooding in the Everglades
near Noosa caused
widespread inundation and
damage to the ecosystem.
Heavy rains and storms led As we navigate the narrow section of
to high water levels that the Everglades, you'll notice a
disrupted wildlife habitats notable absence of water bird life.
and affected infrastructure. This is largely due to the acidic
The floods underscored the nature of the water in this area. The
need for effective flood high acidity levels can create an
management and environment that's less hospitable
conservation efforts in this for many bird species, affecting their
sensitive environment. ability to thrive and find the
resources they need.
The Narrows

The Cabbage Tree Palm is a prominent

feature of Australia’s Everglades, thriving in
the subtropical and tropical wetlands of
eastern Australia. Characterised by its tall,
slender trunk and fan-shaped leaves, this
palm can reach up to 20 meters in height. It
plays a crucial ecological role, providing
habitat and stabilising soil in its swampy
environment. Historically, Indigenous
Australians used the palm's heart as food and
its leaves for crafting.

Scribbly Gums

Cabbage Palm Trees

As we approach the wider section of the

Everglades near Harry’s Hut, you'll observe a
change in vegetation. Look for scribbly gums,
grass trees (Xanthorrhoea), and sedge
grasses along the water's edge. You'll also
see a type of tea tree with finer leaves,
known as manuka (famous for manuka
honey), as well as termite nests. Cypress
Pines, called Cooloola by the Kabi Kabi
traditional custodians, and Myrtle trees are
also prominent in this area.

Grass Trees
read more about plant species >>
 Harry’s Hut

5
5
Harry’s Hut is named after Harry Spring, a In the 1970s, when the area was
pharmacist from Cooroy who purchased designated a National Park,
the hut in the 1960s. Harry faced a tough battle to
retain his lease. The State
Government sought to acquire
all leaseholds and freeholds
through compulsory acquisition.

By 1975, Harry’s well-connected

friends helped him with his
battle to keep his lease.
Ultimately, he won the fight,
fencing off a small area around
his hut while returning the
remaining land to be
incorporated into the National
Park.

The Hut was originally

constructed in the 1950s as a
logging camp. Situated on the
sand hill known as Ramsey’s
Scrub, this area is characterized
by a diverse mix of tall eucalyptus
forest and rainforest species. To
transport the logs, workers had to
haul them across the river using a
vehicle for an extended period. In 1989, Jim Worsley embarked
on the restoration of Harry’s
Hut. The project was completed
in 1991, and the restored hut
officially opened to the public
on June 9th of that year. Since
then, it has welcomed visitors
from across the world.

Harry passed away in 1999 at

Harry’s Hut can also be accessed by 4WD the age of 92. The land has been
and walking tacks. It is now a permitted officially transferred to the
camping area, which provides a relaxing National Park and is protected
and picturesque bush retreat. under a Historical Heritage
Covenant.
 Wildlife
White Heron ‘Great Egret’

Birds

The Great Cormorant Eastern Yellow Robin

Australian Pelican The Everglades in Noosa host a diverse

range of bird species, including the striking
Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike and the majestic
White-bellied Sea-Eagle. You can also spot
the elegant Great Egret, the slender
Australasian Darter, and colorful birds like
the Rainbow Bee-eater and Red-backed
Fairy-wren. The Royal Spoonbill adds to the
area's avian charm with its distinctive
spoon-shaped bill.

Rainbow Bee-eater Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike

Pelicans

Royal Spoonbill Red-backed Fairy-wren: shrike

 Wildlife
plant species
Water Lilies
Water lilies in Queensland typically begin
flowering in October and continue through
to March, showcasing their vibrant blooms
during the warmer months of the year.

Paperbark Trees (Melaleuca species) The Everglades in Noosa are home to a

variety of plant species well-suited to the
wetland environment. Prominent among
them are
Eastern the Paperbark
Yellow Robin Trees (Melaleuca
species), with their distinctive peeling bark,
and the Swamp Paperbark (Melaleuca
quinquenervia), known for its aromatic leaves
and white flowers. The vibrant Water Lilies
(Nymphaea species) add beauty with their
floating blooms, while the towering River Red
Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) is
commonly found along waterways. Dense
stands of Common Reed (Phragmites
australis) provide important wildlife cover,
Large Fruited Orange Mangrove
and Sedges (Carex species) contribute to the
Bruguiera gymnorrhiza
diverse wetland flora. Together, these plants
play a vital role in sustaining the Everglades'
unique ecosystem.

River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)

Cypress Pine
Pelicans

In the Noosa Everglades, seagrasses play a

crucial role in estuarine ecosystems by
forming the foundation of local food
chains. They provide essential nourishment
for various marine organisms and offer vital
Manuka Trees shelter for small and juvenile fish, prawns,
and other marine creatures.

Seagrasses (Zostera species)

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Join us at CootharBAR for food and drinks.

Enjoy a delectable selection of homemade
pizzas, small and large dishes and craft
beers - brewed right on site at our brewery.