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NOOSA EVERGLADES

MULTI-DAY / OVERNIGHT TRIPS

OVERVIEW

To really experience the Noosa Everglades, we recommend spending a few days out there. Staying overnight lets you slow down, explore properly, and reach parts of the river most day trips don’t.
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Our most popular option is a 3-day, 2-night self-guided canoe and kayak hire — a great balance of paddling, relaxing, and exploring at your own pace. It’s a simple way to experience a true multi-day canoe and kayak trip in the Noosa Everglades.
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We keep things simple and set you up properly with stable, comfortable canoes and kayaks (with back support), along with dry barrels and bags to keep your gear sorted. Before you head off, we’ll run you through everything you need to know, with maps, route options, and local tips. You’ll also have access to a self-guided audio tour you can download, with stories about the river’s history, wildlife, and unique ecosystem to listen to along the way. Flexible start times and the option of a water taxi give you a bit of extra freedom and a backup if needed.
 

If you’d rather keep it easy, we also offer camping and cooking gear hire — so you can simply arrive and head off, with everything packed and ready to go.

PRICES

Note: All children must be accompanied by an adult. An additional $20 fee applies for sleeping bag hires.

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WHAT'S INVOLVED

  • These Everglades trips do involve some longer paddling days, but they’re very manageable at a steady, relaxed pace with plenty of time to stop, rest, and take it all in. You don’t need any prior paddling experience — just a reasonable level of fitness and a willingness to get out there.

  • To make the most of the best conditions, we encourage early starts and usually meet between 7:00 and 9:00am, depending on the time of year. We’ll confirm your exact time when you book, and as we open from sunrise, earlier or later starts can be arranged if needed.

  • If you’re happy to paddle a bit more, launching from Elanda Point is the most budget-friendly option. It includes a 4km lake crossing (8km return) before reaching Kinaba, the start of the Noosa Everglades. The lake can sometimes be a bit more exposed and challenging depending on conditions, but we monitor the weather closely and will always talk you through your options. We won’t send anyone out if they’re not comfortable, and we have a fair cancellation policy in place if conditions aren’t suitable.

  • If you’d prefer an easier start, our Water Taxi from Boreen Point can take you and your gear straight to Kinaba — skipping the lake crossing and letting you begin in the calm, sheltered waterways. 

  • Before you head off, we provide a detailed briefing covering navigation, paddling tips, safety, and what to see along the way. You’ll also have access to a self-guided audio tour you can download, with stories about the river’s history, wildlife, and unique ecosystem to listen to as you paddle. From there, you’re free to follow our suggested route or explore at your own pace, with plenty of opportunities to stop, swim, fish, hike, or just enjoy the surroundings. Most trips finish around 3–4pm, but you’re welcome to return earlier if you like.

  • For those hiring camping gear, everything is packed and ready to go in dry bags and waterproof drums to keep your gear protected. Feel free to get in touch if you’d like more details on what’s included.

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CANOE OR KAYAK?

Generally speaking:​

  • Canoes tend to better cater for the storage of gear - they have much more space than kayaks and it is all easily accessible

  • Seating structures in canoes tend to be solid and more supportive of the paddlers' backs, and thus to be more comfortable for a day's outing

  • Canoes tend to offer better protection from small waves and the wash from any passing boats

  • Canoes can be used with either single or double-bladed paddles while kayaks generally require the double blades, and experienced paddlers can cover more water using double blades - but then again, who's in a hurry?

  • Kayaks are affected less by the breeze because they have lower sides than canoes - however most of the Upper Noosa River is relatively narrow and protected from the breeze so wind is mostly not an issue

  • Our kayaks have a rudder which is controlled using foot pedals by the paddler closest to the stern. This can be an advantage in terms of steering, though manouvering canoes by paddles is also easy after you have been given some basic instruction


Overall, we suggest the use of canoes for over-night trips but we also have a modern fleet of kayaks if these are your preference.

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Water taxi transfers across Lake Cootharaba (if taken)

  • Kinaba Information Centre and mangrove broadwalk

  • Kinaba Island 

  • Upper Noosa River

  • Kin Kin Creek

  • Fig Tree Lake

  • Lake Como

  • Noosa Everglades - the "River of Mirrors"

  • Canoeing - the rivers and the Everglades

  • Camping - in the national park - there's wide range of campgrounds available in terms of size and facilities offered

  • Treking - through the forest - there's a wide variety of walking trails available - talk to us for guidance

  • Swimming, fishing

  • Cooloola Sandpatch - with amazing views to the ocean, rivers and lakes, and the hinterland beyond 

WHAT'S INCLUDED

For all multi-day hires:

  • Your choice of canoe or kayak, for the same price - kayaks carry a maximum of 2 people whilst our canoes can carry 2 adults and up to 2 young children

  • Mandatory safety gear for each person including buoyancy vests

  • Dry bags or water-proof drums for the storage of your gear

  • Our detailed pre-departure briefing, and accurate maps

  • Optional - Water Taxi Service for transfers between Boreen Point and Kinaba Information Centre.

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If hiring our camp gear, we also provide:

  • Tents and sleeping mats

  • Cooking equipment, including a gas cooker with gas canisters, cooking pot and pan, cutlery and plates, cups/mugs and cleaning materials 

  • Lighting - battery-powered lanterns and/or torches

  • Camp chairs

  • Drinking water

  • Basic first aid kit

  • Rubbish bin

  • Esky/ice box, if required but we highly recommend taking dried meals as ice will only last up to 24 hours.

  • Optionally, pillows & sleeping bags for a hire fee of $20 each to cover laundering costs

WHAT YOU SHOULD BRING

  • National park camping permit - book on the Parks website or phone them on 13 74 68 > Book "Cooloola Recreation Area"
    🔗 Book your camping permit here

  • Camp gear and sleeping bags or blankets (if not hiring from us)

  • Comfortable clothing, including enclosed shoes for walking, a sweater for the evenings and a spray jacket if you have one

  • Fully charged mobile phones

  • Torches, if you have them

  • Hat

  • Swimming costume and towel

  • Sunscreen

  • Insect repellent

  • Fishing gear, if you wish

  • Food and drink 

  • Water bottle

  • Personal first aid kit (if you have one)

  • Please keep weight in mind when packing for your trip. While our canoes are spacious, a lighter and simpler load will make for a more comfortable and safer paddling experience.

  • We recommend bringing only the essentials to help ensure easier handling and stability on the water.

SUGGESTED ITINERARY (3D2N)

Our most popular trip is this 3-day 2-night trip and this would be our suggestion, which you can vary as much as you wish:

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Day 1

  • Get yourselves to our Elanda Point launch spot. 

  • Receive full briefings on use of the equipment, canoeing techniques, map reading, the suggested itinerary and safety matters

  • Together we drive for 5 mins to your chosen launch area - normally, at Elanda Point

  • Unload your gear and park your car

  • Together we pack your canoe or kayak

  • Either paddle across Lake Cootharaba to Kinaba Information Centre, or take our water taxi

  • Paddle upsteam through the Upper Noosa River and the renowned Noosa Everglades

  • Arrive at your chosen campsite - there are several to choose from (we will advise you)

  • Setup camp - you can stay at the same campsite for the two nights, or you can move to a different site on day 2 (depending on what you booked)

 

Day 2

  • After breakfast, paddle or hike to Camp Site 3, taking your lunch with you

  • Hike along easy trails through the forest to the Cooloola Sandpatch - 12km round trip

  • Return by canoe to your campsite

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Day 3

  • Time for exploring alternative walking trails or routes along the river

  • Pack up your camp and load back into your canoe or kayak

  • Paddle downstream back to Kinaba, with several options to detour and further explore along the way

  • Paddle back across Lake Cootharaba or catch our water taxi service

  • Arrive at Elanda Point 

  • Return our equipment

  • Pack your car - and, end of the adventure!

SAFETY

Your comfort and safety are our primary concerns at all times. You need to be aware that all outdoor adventure activities carry an element

of risk and that you need to be in reasonable health to partake in a day of outdoor activity. For your information:

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  • As with any on-water activity, weather plays a very significant factor in the level of comfort and safety you can expect during any hire or trip with us, and so we encourage you to check weather forecasts a few days in advance of any booking and to discuss any concerns with us.  Pay particular notice of the expected wind strength and direction through the day noting that wind strength is normally at its lowest in the early mornings and gathers through the day - this is why we mostly recommend early starts for all hires.  Remember, you are free to cancel or postpone with no fees/charges if weather conditions are deemed unsafe.

  • Mobile phones usually work on Lake Cootharaba and the higher hills which fringe this area, but will be intermittent or non-existent on the Noosa River and at most of the camping areas  

  • If ever needed, your best source of immediate assistance on the water is probably any passing commercial tour boat and the general boating public

  • We have a rescue boat and will come to your assistance if called

  • General and emergency vehicle access is available into the Harrys Hut camp area

  • National Park rangers do patrol the area at times - both on the water and at the riverside camp sites

  • Our pre-departure briefings will alert you to some other matters of safety and some of the actions you should and should not take on these trips

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Your involvement in any of our trips, tours and hires is subject to our General Terms & Conditions, and any other specific hire agreement we may execute with you.

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