Noosa National Park: Coastal Walk & Tanglewood Trail Guide

Discover the perfect trail route to experience the best of the Coastal Walk and Tanglewood Trail with this Noosa National Park walking guide!

Noosa National Park is one of my favourite spots for easy walking trails in Central Queensland! We spent a day in Noosa Heads exploring the town and surroundings, and the national park is a must-visit spot. There are multiple trails to explore, suitable for most people with average levels of fitness.

Two of the most popular trails, the Coastal Walk and Tanglewood Walk are listed as individual trails on the maps of Noosa National Park, they’re actually an ideal combination for a loop trail!

The full Coastal Walk is a 10km out-and-back trail that extends through Alexandria Bay to Sunshine Beach. However, at Hell’s Gates, the Coastal Walk links across to the end of the Tanglewood Walk. This trail leads back to the car park, creating a loop trail encompassing the different landscapes of the national park.

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Trail Map

Coastal Walk

The coastal walk is an absolutely gorgeous little trail along the clifftops, suitable for anyone with an average level of fitness! We set off from the day use area, and it wasn’t long before we reached the first point of interest along the walk…

Day Use Area (Start)

The entrance to the Coastal Walk trail starts at the Noosa National Park Day Use Area car park. Vehicle parking is available and free, but limited – the car park gets full super early during busy times and there were very few spaces free when we were there in the off-season.

Alternative parking is available on surrounding roads, and you can also park in Noosa Heads and follow the wide boardwalk to the national park entrance. The trail start is clearly signposted from the day use carpark.

Boiling Pot (300m)

Just 300m into the Coastal Walk, you’ll reach Boiling Pot lookout, a hollow in the rocks at the water’s edge. The spot gets its name from the way the water splashes up from the rocks, like a pot of boiling water. It’s also one of the first spots to tease the views that await, with 180 degree views of the surrounding ocean.

Tea Tree Bay (750m)

Following the sealed path down to sea level, the next stop on the walk is the rugged beach at Tea Tree Bay. Swimming’s not recommended here, but have a look around the rock pools for crabs, fish and other marine life.

Dolphin Point (1.3km)

Dolphin Point is one of the major lookout spots on the Coastal Walk, so-called as you might be lucky enough to spot dolphins frolicking in the water below! During the months of June-November, look further out to sea, as humpback whale sightings have been reported here too.

Sadly, we didn’t spot any dolphins, but the views are pretty spectacular regardless!

Granite Bay (1.7km)

After Dolphin Point, the track gets a little rougher, with steeper sections and some steps along the unsealed path. The payoff is more than worth the effort, as the ocean views from the coastal headlands are outstanding. At Granite Bay, take in the large black granite rocks across the sand.

Fairy Pools (2.3km)

One of the Coastal Walk’s most-talked-about points, the Fairy Pools themselves aren’t marked on the National Park trails map, but they’re easy enough to find.

After Granite Bay, continue on the path around a corner until you see a bench on the left hand side. Right after this, there’s a small, rough trail down to the pools. The path involves scrambling over some rocks, but once you get there, you’ll be able to enjoy the two rock pools – one shallower, one deeper.

You’ll need to visit at low tide to access the Fairy Pools, as they’re covered during high tide. They also get pretty busy during the day, so I’d advise heading out early to beat the crowds.

Hells Gates (2.7km)

Pulsing, churning waves crashing against jagged rocks – Hell’s Gates definitely earns its name from the sheer power of the ocean below!

Before you join the Tanglewood Walk for the next part of your hike, make sure you look out to your right for sweeping views of Alexandria Bay!

Tanglewood Walk

The Coastal Trail continues along to Alexandria Bay, but to change up the scenery on your way back to the day use area, follow the path around the Hell’s Gate’s headlands, and you’ll reach a fork in the road. Turn right to join the Tanglewood Walk, a forest bush walking trail.

The first section is a wide, sandy pathway, leading towards a forest trail through lush trees with twisted, tangled branches. The trail narrows after the first section, but the ground is relatively flat. Keep your eyes on the ground, just in case any snakes are out and about!

The return direction means most of the trail is heading downhill, with a few upward inclines along the way but nothing too taxing. The only point that caused a little more difficulty was the final kilometre, where some sections were pretty muddy – so bear that in mind if there’s been rain in the area recently. Even with the mud, some good shoes made this section perfectly manageable.

We even found some trees to climb around on for a bit of childlike adventure!

The trail ends back at the day use area, where you can either head back into town, or do one of the smaller walks in the area. The Noosa Hill trail (2.8km return) is a relatively steep track through more woodland; and the Palm Grove Walk (1.1km) is an easy, family-friendly rainforest loop.

Coastal Walk & Tanglewood Trail FAQ

More things to do in Noosa

• Head out onto the water to spot marine life on a Dolphin Safari or Whale Watching Trip.
• Board an afternoon cruise through the Noosa Everglades, one of only two wetlands of its kind in the world.
• Take a day trip to K’gari, a UNESCO World Heritage listed sand island.
• Learn to surf! Noosa Heads Main Beach is a popular spot for riding the waves, and you can book a two hour surf instruction lesson to get a feel for Australia’s most popular watersport.

Where to stay in Noosa

• Dolphins Beach ($) – dorm accommodation close to town for budget-conscious travellers.
• Halse Lodge ($$) – inviting heritage-listed lodge, decorated with pastel colours and wood panelling.
• Anchor Motel ($$$) – classic and comfortable motel in the Noosaville area, a short bus ride from town.
• Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort ($$$$) – high-end resort hotel.