Nature & Wildlife - Sunshine Coast | Coast to Hinterland Tours

Sunshine Coast Nature & Wildlife

World-class natural beauty

You are never far from world-class natural beauty on and around the Sunshine Coast, from the ocean to the hills and beyond, beauty abounds, explore the Nature & Wildlife.

The Glasshouse Mountains so named by Captain James Cook after the furnace cones of the glass factories in his native Yorkshire, which they resembled rise up from the surrounding landscape inspiring awe and creating a wonderful photographic backdrop.

The Noosa Everglades, one of only two everglades systems on earth is a 60km stretch of pristine waters, magnificent flora and fauna and narrow waterways. Gardener Falls, Kondalilla Falls, Buderim Falls, Booloumba Falls, Wappa Falls, are some of the best waterfalls in the area.

Don’t forget your swimwear and towel so that you can enjoy a quick splash in the waterholes found either above or below some of the falls.

Exploring by foot

Those keen on exploring by foot will find numerous walks to suit all ages and levels of fitness. Following the coast for 96km from Bells Creek in the south to Tewantin in the north, the coastal pathway is the coast’s longest shared pathway.

In addition there are a host of walks dotted across the area showcasing its unspoilt natural beauty, ranging in time from 20 minutes through to 3 days.

The walks of the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland form just part of a larger network of Great Walks in Queensland. Trek through rainforests, past giant figs and listen to the symphony of birds as they go about their day.

You’ll be amazed to see majestic Sunshine Coast Nature & Wildlife

National Parks

As you dig deeper into the area you discover a number of National Parks each with their own unique attractions, flora and fauna.

A trip to Noosa would not be complete without a walk in the stunning Noosa National Park featuring spectacular coastal scenery and a great spot to take in some whale watching during their annual migration up along the Queensland coastline and then return back to the Antarctic.

Conservation

Conservation of the natural environment is a key element of the Sunshine Coast Region and every effort is made to ensure the protection, conservation and regeneration of the unique flora and fauna found here.

Sunshine Coast National Parks

Mapleton Falls National Park Set in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland on the Blackall Range, Mapleton Falls National Park is only 105km north of Brisbane. As its name might suggest, the park has excellent views of Mapleton Falls, but also the Obi Obi Valley.

There are several short walks through tall, open bushland and rainforest. The park is a small but important reminder of the forests that once covered the Hinterland.

The Glass House Mountains National Park Driving along the Bruce Highway it’s hard not to notice the craggy, volcanic peaks that tower over a patchwork of pine plantations.

These peaks form the Glass House Mountains, named by Captain James Cook himself on his voyage along Australia’s east coast.

Nature & Wildlife, Mary-Cairns-Cross-Scenic-Reserve - Coast to Hinterland Tours

Marsupials

Australia has more than 140 species of marsupials, including kangaroos, wallabies, koalas, and wombats.

Our 55 different native species of kangaroos and wallabies vary greatly in size and weight, ranging from half a kilogram (1 pound) to 90 (198.4 pounds) kilograms

Birds

We have more than 800 species of birds in Australia, and about half cannot be found anywhere else. They range from tiny honeyeaters to the large, flightless emu, which stands nearly two metres (6.6 feet) tall.

See cassowaries in our tropical rainforest, kookaburras in our open woodlands and emus in sclerophyll forests and savanna woodlands.

Reptiles

Australia has more venomous snakes than any other continent, 21 of the world’s 25 deadliest in fact. But not all are poisonous, and we also have some stunning pythons and tree snakes.

We are famous for our crocodiles, and host two different species, the freshwater crocodile, which is found nowhere else in the world.

Marine animals

Our marine environments support around 4,000 of the world’s 22,000 types of fish, as well as 30 of the world’s 58 seagrass species.

We also have the world’s largest coral reef system, the World Heritage-listed , where there are countless species of colourful fish, including the beautiful clownfish seen in Finding Dory.