Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park Sunshine Coast

Pull up a log, and soak up the peaceful surroundings at Upper Noosa River camp site 13. Photo credit: © Steven Nowakowski

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Upper Noosa River camping area 13

Pitch a tent, drop a fishing line and truly get back to nature in the remote upper reaches of the Noosa River.

Accessible by

  • Canoe or kayak

Camping area facilities

  • Tent camping
  • Short walk to tent
  • Canoeing and kayaking
  • Fishing

From camp site 9 paddle 2km upstream to a wide, white sand bank surrounded by water reeds, on the inside bend of the river in the Upper Noosa River waterway. Follow the track up to the partly-shaded camp site among coast banksias, pink bloodwoods and white cypress.

Spend delightful hours fishing for bass from the riverbank in the deeper waters on the opposite side of the river. When you’re tired of fishing, simply relax and enjoy the expansive river views. This site is perfect for groups of friends and fishing enthusiasts—and you won’t be bothered by motorised boat here.

Getting there and getting around

Upper Noosa River camp site 13 is in Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park, on the Sunshine Coast between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach (155–240km north of Brisbane).

Via Kinaba

By canoe

  • Launch your canoe at Elanda Point and paddle 4.5km (1hr) to the Kinaba Visitor Information Centre.
  • Stay close to the shore line while paddling northwards. Plan to cross Lake Cootharaba early in the morning when conditions are likely to be calm and easy to travel.
  • From Kinaba, paddle 1hr 20mins from Kinaba to Harrys camping area, then a further 3hrs 10mins to camp site 13.
  • Read water safety for important information about staying safe in and near water and caring for parks.

By boat

  • You can take your motor boat on the Upper Noosa River waterwayas far as camp site 3; to proceed to camp site 13 you need a boat with an electric motor.
  • Launch your boat from the Boreen Point boat ramp and follow the lake navigation markers out into deeper water and then head on a north-east trajectory towards the visible Cooloola Sandpatch in the distant landscape.
  • When you approach a red navigational marker in the middle of the lake (opposite Elanda Point), turn on a near northerly trajectory to the channel markers through very shallow shoals to the Kinaba Visitor Information Centre. The trip is 7km and 15mins travel time.
  • From Kinaba allow 1.5hrs at 6 knots (and no wash) to travel to camp site 3. From here it is about another 1hr 40mins travel time to camp site 13.
  • Read boat and fish with care for tips on boating and fishing safety and caring for parks.

Getting to Boreen Point and Elanda Point

  • From Brisbane drive 135km north on the Bruce Highway or the Sunshine Motorway to Tewantin; or from Gympie drive 58km south and east on the Bruce Highway to Tewantin.
  • From Tewantin drive 19km west and north via McKinnon Drive and Louis Bazzo Drive to Boreen Point. Turn left onto Lake Flat Road and drive 2km to the Elanda Point access road.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Upper Noosa River camp site 13 is open 24 hours a day. Check-in to your camp after 2pm and check-out by 11am on the day of departure.

Check park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Cooloola Recreation Area safely and camp with care.

View all park alerts