2008 ASCTS Annual Scientific Meeting

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Noosa

History of Noosa

The Noosa River and lakes were flooded by sea during the glacial period 130,000 years ago making Noosa heads into an island. The mountains in the area were formed by volcanic lava thrust upward that have withstood erosion over millions of years whilst the softer land around washed away and created the Great Sandy Park with its high dunes.

The original inhabitants of the Noosa area were the Gubbi Gubbi people. Many significant ancient sites remain as evidence of their love of the region. Explorers first encountered the Gubbi Gubbi at Noosa Heads in the 1840's and settlement began in the Tewantin area.

It was logging and then gold that first attracted white man to the region in the early 1800's. logs were rafted downstream along the Noosa River from Lake Cootharaba to Tewantin where they awaited loading onto ocean going vessels.

In the later 1800's Tewantin acted as the gateway to the Gympie goldfields 50kms away. It was then that people from the township of Tewantin started to use the beaches and fishing estuaries of Noosa.

Noosa has changed considerably since first being inhabited, having developed from a small fishing hamlet to a world-class holiday destination. It has a population of 43,000 residents 10,000 of those permanent.

Noosa - the Destination

What to do?

Noosa Heads is set on the edge of Laguna Bay and the most visited National Park in Australia.

Noosa is within a short distance of world-class natural attractions including the Noosa River Everglades, Cooloola National Park. Noosa is a declared fauna and flora sanctuary and offers a network of walking trails through 477 hectares of lush forest, cliff tops, rocky coves and picturesque bays.

From Noosa, visitors can easily join a 4WD tour and drive along the beach to Rainbow Beach, the departure point for World Heritage Listed Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island. The Glasshouse Mountains and Nambour are easily accessible from Noosa as well.

The Noosa region has a number of weekday and weekend markets, where everything from fresh local produce to unusual artifacts and gifts can be found. The best-known markets can be found in Eumundi, Peregian, Maleny and Buderim.

Fast Facts

Noosa was a popular holiday destination for Indigenous Australians before European settlement whilst the Bunya Nut festival, the oldest festival known to man, was held annually in the nearby Blackall Ranges.

The Noosa Surf Life Saving Club began in 1927 as a tent on the beach. It is now a major building on the beach offering wonderful views, food and service.

Hastings Street is considered the most expensive strip of real estate in Queensland.

The Noosa River is one of the most pristine in Australia. It stretches south to lake Weyba and to the North passes through Lake Cootharaba to the famous Everglade regions.

The Noosa Shire council and residents are extremely active in preserving their natural habitat enforcing town planning initiatives such as no high rise development and a population cap of 65,000.

An estimated 390,000 people holidayed in Noosa during 2006. That's an average of 7500 people per week.

Noosa is home to many festivals and events throughout the year including the Noosa Jazz festival, Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival and the Family Fishing Classic.