Our World Pristine place to paddle about in
BONITA GRIMA discovers Australia’s very own everglades — in Noosa, Queensland
Most Australians have heard of Florida’s Everglades but most don’t know that we have our own version right here in Australia. Well known for its beaches and laid back lifestyle, Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is also home to one of only two ecosystems of its kind in the world.
Consisting of the waterways of the upper reaches of the Noosa River, the Noosa Everglades are protected within the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park, and form part of the 150,000ha that make up the Noosa UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Considered one of the most pristine wetlands on Earth, it’s home to more than 44 per cent of Australia’s bird species, 1365 species of plants, and some 700 native animal species.
Keen to explore some of this 60km stretch of undisturbed wilderness, I join a guided day tour with Kanu Kapers.
“The experience of paddling on these waterways is unique,” says the kayaking tour company’s founder, former world champion gold medal kayaker, Vivienne Golding. “You don’t have a noisy motor and you can get up close to the birds, plants and wildlife without infringing on the environment at all.”
Departing from Elanda Point, our group of six, paired in three double sea kayaks, set out early across Lake Cootharaba, in perfect conditions...
This is an edited version of the original, full-length story, which you can read here.
A message from Travel Editor Stephen Scourfield...
Thanks for reading us – we value your continuing interest and our connection with you.
But as our readers increasingly move to digital, we have to keep up with them.
As I’m sure you’ll appreciate, there are costs involved in doing what we do for you.
To support Travel, reading the full story now requires a digital subscription (it’s $1 a day for full access to thewest.com.au, for all your devices).
If you have the newspaper home delivered, you may already have complimentary premium access to thewest.com.au and our digital editions.
And we have other packages, including $9 a week for the weekend papers and everyday digital.
Stephen Scourfield
You may also like
Bullet proof Leica camera
Leica regularly release special edition cameras with different themes. Their latest special edition camera is inspired by professional photographers working in war zones.
New year, new hope, much wider horizons to explore
STEPHEN SCOURFIELD finds many options in WA and over east to excite travellers in 2021
More Australians taking out travel insurance
Survey reveals travel insurance an increasing priority for Australian travellers