Cooloola Great Walk

Project  overview

The Cooloola Great Walk highlights the Sunshine Coast’s stunning natural environment, unique wildlife and ancient cultural heritage.

The Queensland Ecotourism Trails program is being delivered by the Department of Tourism and Sport and the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation to create genuine ecotourism experiences, unlock new income streams for the preservation and management of parks.

One of the projects as part of the Queensland Ecotourism Trail program was about establishing low-impact, best practice ecotourism facilities along the Cooloola Great Walk to enhance one of Queensland’s national park long distance walking experiences.

Between 31 May 2019 and 22 August 2019, the community was invited to share their ideas and knowledge on the Cooloola Great Walk to help shape its future planning. Input and feedback from the consultation was sent to the shortlisted proponents as part of the 2019 Expression of Interest process to help them deliver an enhanced experience.

In 2020, a preferred proponent was identified. The Queensland Government has worked closely with the preferred proponent and Traditional Owners, the Kabi Kabi People, over the past four years to take this project forward.

It was decided in May 2024 that this project will not be progressing at this time. The State is disappointed not to realise the original vision, but our commitment to protecting and showcasing the distinctive beauty and ecology of the Great Sandy National Park, and the unique tourism opportunity it presents to the region and Traditional Owners remains strong.

About

The Cooloola Great Walk, Great Sandy National Park is an existing 102 kilometre walking and camping experience that links Noosa North Shore with Rainbow Beach.

It is situated between the K’gari World Heritage Area and the Noosa Biosphere Reserve, contains amazing biodiversity and rich Aboriginal cultural heritage and is extremely valuable to local communities and the regions. Visitors can discover perched lakes, ancient sand dunes and a diverse range of ecosystems including coastal woodlands, heathlands and rainforest, each boasting unique flora and fauna.

The existing walk is a rough Grade 4 track with steep and sandy sections and recommended for experienced walkers. Visitors can walk the trail over five days and camp in designated walkers’ camps along the way. Shorter walks and separate four-wheel driving tracks are available through the Great Sandy National Park.

What's next?

While the 2019 market process didn’t deliver the outcomes hoped for, that doesn’t mean there aren’t other opportunities for future development.

The State remains supportive of ecotourism opportunities to enhance the Cooloola Great Walk.

And in the meantime, the pristine 102-kilometre Cooloola Great Walk from Noosa North Shore to Rainbow Beach remains open for hiking and camping.