• Set up camp in open forest scattered with cypress, gum and paperbark trees. Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
• At Upper Noosa River camp site 9, your home away from home for the night is only a short walk from the river. Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government

Paddle 1km upstream from camp site 8, as the river bends west and north, to this lush green shady camp site on the eastern bank in the Upper Noosa River waterway. Stroll up the river bank and set up camp in the large clearing in amid white cypress, scribbly gum and swamp paperbark trees.

Relax near the river bank, soaking up the peace and quiet as you gaze into tannin-stained waters—motorised boats aren’t allowed here. Drift off to sleep as wallum rocketfrogs sing their musical chorus from the reed-lined river banks and rise ready to continue your canoeing adventure.

Getting there and getting around

Upper Noosa River camp site 9 is in Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park, on the Sunshine Coast between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach (155–240km north of Brisbane).

• The camp site is in the southern section of Cooloola, in the Upper Noosa River waterway, 22.7km north of the Kinaba Visitor Information Centre.
• Canoeists and boaties (with electric motors) can access the camp site via Kinaba from Boreen Point and Elanda Point on Lake Cootharaba.

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 2hrs 50mins to camp site 9.
• 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 9 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 10mins travel time to camp site 9.
• 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 9 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.

1 site - maximum of 4 people.

Upcoming camping area availability

Visiting safely

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