Crocodiles are not generally found at Noosa. The locality in Queensland is much further south than where crocs are typically found. Even with that in mind, sometimes crocodiles do end up in places where they don't belong. Extreme weather events can carry crocs greater distances than what they would travel themselves.
NOOSA RIVER FORESHORE - A LITTLE POCKET OF JOY
This beautiful river is unlike any other, it's safe for swimming, has sandy banks lined with grassy parks and shaded trees that make it the perfect spot for a dip.
What is this? Crocodiles have been known to be as far south as the Mary River in Gympie. This is only about 167km from Brisbane and only 52km from the Great Sandy National Park. More astonishingly, this is a whopping 449km away from the northern points of Queensland where they are typically found.
Noosa's Main Beach is a Sunshine Coast icon, and no visit to the Coast would be complete without a dip in the beach's glistening waters. It's one of the few north-facing beaches on Australia's east coast, and it is fully patrolled; making it a beautiful and safe destination for all members of the family.
It will focus on the four catchments of Noosa, Maroochy and Mooloolah River and Pumicestone Passage, with at least 20 to 30 bull sharks caught and tagged in each waterway.
The most common snakes you will encounter here on the Sunshine Coast are Carpet Pythons and Tree snakes, both of which are not dangerous at all.
Surrounded by all this natural beauty, Noosa is a wildlife wonderland – a safe home for our native animals, birds and sea creatures. In fact, the Noosa Biosphere Reserve is home to 3023 wildlife species (more than 700 are native) - from kangaroos and glossy black cockatoos to possums, echidna and flying foxes.
Noosa is one of the most gorgeous localities in Queensland and while the area isn't known for huge populations of jellyfish or stingers, they can still get them. This is why staying smart about entering the water is always important, regardless of where you might be.
YOU might want to think twice about jumping into the Noosa River for a swim at the moment, if this sting is anything to go by. YOU might want to think twice about jumping into the Noosa River for a swim at the moment, if this sting is anything to go by.
Byron Bay has an impressive Hinterland to explore and the walk up to Mount Warning is becoming more and more popular. Noosa National Park is world famous and offers visitors plenty of activities to complement the pristine beaches.
Noosa (and its surrounding areas) are known for having a wide variety of different wildlife and water systems like the Everglades, but crocodiles aren't normal in this region of Queensland.
Croc country (considered to be typical crocodile habitat) begins at the Boyne River south of Gladstone, and extends northward, up the east coast and across Far North Queensland. Crocodiles can sometimes also be found outside of croc country.
How far can saltwater crocodiles swim? They are known to be fantastic swimmers and can travel long distances by sea, sometimes as much as 900km. Saltwater crocodiles aren't particularly strong swimmers, yet there have been many reports of sightings in the open ocean, far from land.
Cruising down the Noosa River enjoy the spectacular scenery from the water in search of the Bottlenose Dolphins. The nimble RIB boat offers a personal experience for 12 guests to watch the dolphins gracefully dive in and out of the water playing, feeding and socialising together in pods.
SPOT WHALES FROM LAND
Whales and their newborn calves can be spotted from vantage points along the eastern beaches from Sunshine Beach to Sunrise, Peregian and Coolum, where a coastal boardwalk provides great viewing. Whales can also be seen from the Noosa National Park headland if they are close enough to shore.
Friendly locals, slow beach days and unique adventure activities make Noosa one of Australia's most popular beachside destinations. Noosa is surrounded by stunning beaches, lakes, and the lush hinterland of Noosa National Park. It's also home to one of only two everglades systems in the world.
While the rest of Australia rugs up for the Winter months, you can enjoy swimming, sunbathing and snorkelling in beautiful Noosa all year round.
Unlike many tropical destinations it is ok to swim year-round in Noosa. There are no poisonous Box Jelly Fish in summer, as in tropical north Queensland. Spring, summer, and autumn present ideal weather for swimming in Noosa. Swimming in the ocean in Noosa in winter is a personal choice and many guests swim year-round.
Noosa has a long history of coastal damage from cyclones, with the worst being three consecutive TCs over the summer of 1947-48, which tore the roofs off the Laguna House and Beachhouse guesthouses, blew campers out of the Woods, knocked down the lifesavers' tower and stole Main Beach.
Just ask the likes of ex-Formula One driver Mark Webber, retail billionaire John Van Lieshout, musician Jon Coghill and former car rental boss Bob Ansett, who all call Noosa home. Former Formula One driver Mark Webber owns a home in Noosa.
The only shore snorkeling sunshine coast available is off rocky headlands: Kings Beach (Caloundra), Point Cartwright (Mooloolaba), Point Arkwright (Coolum), Noosa National Park (Noosa). All these locations are a no go when the swell or wind is up.
Stonefish facts
Often found in Pumicestone Passage and Maroochy, Mooloolah and Noosa Rivers. Habitat: Creek mouths with murky waters, sand, rocks and weeds. Why: Masters of camouflage who use spines as defence. They partly bury themselves in sand as they wait for prey.
Hell's Gate National Park is named after a narrow break in the cliffs, once a tributary of a prehistoric lake that fed early humans in the Rift Valley. It was established in 1984.
Noosa is considered expensive to live in. The cost of living here is much higher than in other areas of Queensland. Perhaps the reason behind this is because the area attracts so many visitors.
It is widely accepted that the name Noosa comes from the local Aboriginal word "Noothera" or "Gnuthuru", in the Kabi Kabi language, for shadow or shady place. An 1870 map of Noosa shows the Noosa River written as Nusa River.