TA K E A H I K E I N T H E H I N T E R L A N D with Andrea Taylor
Cooloola Sandpatch
C O O L O O L A G R E AT W A L K - U P P E R N O O S A R I V E R THE Cooloola Sandpatch is along the 102km Cooloola Great Walk, a walking track from Noosa North Shore to Rainbow beach. This track takes you through the most pristine rainforest, tall eucalypt trees, and wide open spaces, past perched lakes and over the Cooloola Sandpatch. I haven’t yet done the five day trek but have done a couple of bits and this is definitely Mother Nature’s finest. Mother’s Day last year Hubby and I visited the Cooloola Sandpatch, by kayaks. We started early, as Pete says “This is when the magic happens”, and he is 100% right. We drive to Harry’s hut and put our kayaks in the upper Noosa River on a cool misty morning, waiting for the sun to pop up over the trees. As the sun hits the water the reflections are just incredible. This is truly my favourite place. Around every corner is another surprise, from massive eagles flying over, fish jumping out of the water, snakes skimming across to the other side, black cockatoos and kingfishers with their bright blue head and wings. It’s a 6.3km approximately 2 hours paddle down to Campsite 3, where we tie up our kayaks. The campsite has toilets and a day use area. The hike to the Sandpatch is 12km return, allow 5hrs walking time. The walk in is slightly up hill, but good news this means it’s downhill on the way back. Hahaha! The trail takes you through scribbly gum and blackbutt forests, with grass-trees underneath the canopy. In Spring time it is abundant with
wild flowers. When you reach the 2km long Sandpatch, the views looking over Lake Cootharaba and back towards Mt Coorooa are spectacular. And I have heard sunrise and sunset are breathtaking. We went prepared enjoying a cup of tea and scroll for brekkie, as we took in the views. The flora and fauna is beautiful with the banksia being the star of the show. There are around 170 species of banksia ranging from a low shrub to trees up to 30m tall. You could also see goanna’s, snakes, and I always hear more birds then I see. The State government proposes to build eco-tourism accommodation in this National Park. If you would like any more information on this you can go to https://www. protectparks.net where there is also a link to sign a petition. Please help save this beautiful part of our Sunshine Coast. This adventure is not for everyone, and
give yourself a whole day. You are going to need to take a back pack with food, and plenty of water. You can camp overnight at Harry’s Hut or Campsite 3 but remember you are roughing it, no showers or open fires, and everything you take in you take out. As always remember your sunscreen and hat - happy hiking enjoying the great outdoors.
Some of Mother Nature’s fine
st!
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