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Noosa and Florida have a lot in common. Both sit in regions nicknamed ‘The Sunshine State’, enjoy year-round warmth, boast beautiful beaches and coastal national parks, and are famed for their luxury resort stays. But here’s something you might not know – these two subtropical paradises are home to the only two everglades systems on Earth. The key difference? Noosa’s mirror-like waters are completely alligator (and crocodile) free.
Before visiting the Noosa Everglades, I’ll admit I didn’t actually know what an 'everglade' was. But now I can give you a confident answer.
Known as the ‘River of Mirrors’ for its glassy reflections, this slow-moving wetland ecosystem spans 60 kilometres of interconnected rivers and lakes. It’s one of the Sunshine Coast’s best-kept secrets, yet is an easy 40-minute drive from Noosa Heads or two hours from Brisbane.
There are a handful of ways to explore the Noosa Everglades, but the best is undoubtedly from the water. I recommend jumping aboard a serene river cruise with Everglades Eco Safaris, which departs daily from Habitat Noosa (a secluded eco-glamping site on the edge of Lake Cootharaba).
Gliding through the wetlands, I could see the entire ecosystem reflected in the dark, tea-tree-stained waters – from purple water lilies to towering melaleuca paperbark trees and banksias. The Noosa Everglades is also a birdwatcher’s paradise, home to 44 per cent of Australia’s total bird species. I was lucky enough to spot the vibrant azure kingfisher and sleepy tawny frogmouth, though the resident koalas sadly didn’t come out to say hi.
What I loved most about exploring the Noosa Everglades was seeing how diverse and accessible this rare ecosystem is. Cruising along, we passed a big group of local stand-up paddleboarders and kayakers enjoying the peaceful waterways. For those wanting to venture deeper into the wilderness, there are 15 campsites dotted along the upper Noosa River – accessible only by canoe, kayak or boat.
At one of these camping spots – Harry’s Hut – we transitioned from the boat into canoes, and paddled five kilometres back toward the river mouth. I could totally relax in the water, because unlike the Florida Everglades, Noosa’s waterways are completely free from alligators – making this the only swimmable everglades system on Earth!
So next time you’re visiting Noosa, look beyond its beautiful beaches and bustling Hastings Street and venture into the wonderful wilderness of the Noosa Everglades.