As Queensland’s first and only Biosphere Reserve, Noosa is the perfect blend of idyllic nature and stylish offerings. The reserve shows potential to develop sustainable organic production enterprises through innovative participatory practices in the community. Noosa’s ongoing commitment to managing its development while protecting the natural environment has already been recognised by UNESCO, which has awarded the region “Man and the Biosphere Reserve” (MAB) status. This article aims to become far more than a useful source of information and knowledge.

What Does That mean?

Biosphere Reserves act as a keystone of MAB by providing a global network of sites for cooperative research toward this end. They also aim to demonstrate the sustainable use goals of the World Conservation Strategy.

Of about 17 Biosphere Reserves in Australia at this time, only 2 of them are reserves in which more than 80% of the approved area lies outside legally protected “green” zones. That means that all development, trade and lifestyle should meet guidelines for “sustainability”.

With official UNESCO recognition, Noosa Biosphere Reserve has made a start in harnessing the huge achievements made to date by the local community.

It was founded by a small group of unit owners and businesses to provide Information Services and to promote Hastings Street. The very first information centre was located near the bus stop and was staffed by volunteers and remained in operation until the formation of Tourism Noosa who subsequently took over the responsibility.

Managing urban growth in a sustainable manner and developing a culture of responsible stewardship by all community members is one of the key drivers of the Noosa Biosphere. The local economy has a strong reliance on tourism and this in turn is dependant on the natural resource base and locational attributes of the area.

The Biosphere Reserve should be governed through the formation of a company limited by guarantee, owned by the soon to be created Sunshine Coast Regional Council. Currently there are 13 groups with approximately 80 active volunteers. Stockland is “Australia’s largest diversified property group”, and the state government is giving them the right to both construct and initially own an entire city of 50,000. There is no precedent for this.

In 2008, Michael was elected as a community representative on the board of Noosa Biosphere Limited, the 1st Noosa Biosphere Limited in Queensland. Michael is also in his third term as chair of Tourism Noosa. An advocate for the harmonious balance between a great lifestyle and interaction with mother earth, Sheraton has been granted a Biosphere Reserve status by UNESCO. This undoubtedly is another feather to one’s cap as the world salutes a hotel with a big support for the environment.

Beautiful Noosa

Surrounded by Noosa National Park, low-rise and leafy, Noosa is a rare coastal holiday destination with a commitment to preserving its natural environment. Visitors enjoy Noosa’s pristine beaches, the prestige shopping and dining along the renowned Hastings Street and catch glimpses of koalas living in the trees overlooking Noosa’s Laguna Bay.

The hinterland areas inland of Noosa and Coolum are so underrated. You get towering forests, mountains, lakes, quaint little villages and quiet, winding roads – much more interesting than the highway!

Noosa is approximately an hour and half drive north of Brisbane and is part of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Enjoy the great outdoors, while staying in warm Noosa accommodation, by swimming and surfing at the beach, kayaking down the Noosa River, or by taking a bush walk in the beautiful Noosa National Park, which boasts stunning ocean views.

The Spirit of Noosa Biosphere Continues to Flourish is a post from: noosaeverglades

Related posts:

1. The Noosa Biosphere Reserve Project

There are two parts of the national park which are both managed by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. The Cooloola section situated on the coast between Noosa Heads in the south and Rainbow Beach in the north that covers 184,00 hectares and the Fraser Island section encompassing almost all of the world’s largest sand island.

Sand dunes averaging 10–12 meter high predominate a scenic lanscape off Cololoola section. Sandy beaches along its shores are interspersed with low, rocky headlands of gneiss. The gneissic basement projects above water level in many places to form several small islands.

The dunes cover much of the desert areas in the eastern and south-western parts of the park. They form parallel ridges of between 20-40 metres high, trending mainly south-east to north-west, lying between 200 metres and six kilometres apart and often extending for more than 40 kilometres in length.

But for a desert the Great Sandy Desert receives a surprising amount of rain. Especially the northern parts are affected by the monsoon and see a good amount of thunderstorms during the wet season in Australia’s tropical north (Nov – April).

Adventures you can do at Great Sandy National Park

Visitors can enjoy numerous recreational and athletic activities as well as learn about a well preserved and highly diverse ecosystem in this part of Australia.

Great Sandy’s sheltered calm waters, shifting patterns of mangroves, seagrass, sandbanks and mud islands, and its unusual ancient swamplands known as patterned fens, are exceptionally important. These are feeding grounds for migratory shorebirds and home to several rare and threatened species: sea turtles, dugong and inshore dolphins to the lesser known mangrove-dwelling butterflies and false water rats.

Drive along the beach or take the Cooloola Way and Freshwater Road through tall open forests and heathlands. Walk in and out or just setup your camp in your most comfortable spot.

Camping permits are required by the way and must be purchased before setting up camp – there fees that apply. A camping permit tag with your booking number must be clearly displayed at your campsite. Campers are required to pack out their refuse from areas not serviced by a trash bin.

Drive north towards Cairns, Rockhampton and Townsville and you will come across some more amazing trails and beautiful campsites that are just begging to be discovered. Cairns is the perfect hub for numerous adventure and nature-based activities.

Drive the 40 mile beach. Enjoy breathtaking vistas from Double Island Point lighthous. There are regular sightings of dolphins, turtles, manta rays, and humpback whales (whales only between July and October).

Special regulations go into effect when large concentrations of whales are in the park. The regulations affect vessel speed limits and travel routes in certain areas. Specifically, fisheries biologists conduct stream inventories including snorkel survey, electro-fishing, seining for anadromous fish, and spawning/carcass surveys in Redwood Creek and its tributaries.

And how can you miss the famous Fraser Island, where many saline lakes will tempt you to bathe sporadically filled unique crystal-clear water? Because Fraser Island is all sand, you will need a four wheel drive vehicle with high clearance to enjoy driving the inland tracks or the beach at low tide.

You might as well go fishing. Fishes from the ocean beach, wander through tall rainforests or marvel at the crystal-clear beach water nearby. Try an optional trip to the Great Barrier Reef aboard a maxi-catamaran or go crazy with other optional adventures offered in the area.

Explore, take a swim in the pristine waters, photograph the abundant wildlife or simply relax in this natural environment – an adventure worth trying a lifetime.

Planning for Adventures at Great Sandy National Park is a post from: noosaeverglades

Boreen Point is a small village about 30 minutes drive from Noosa overlooking the sandy beaches and pleasant picnic spots of Lake Cootharaba. It is a beautiful place, quite untouched by developers and still feels like a small fishing village; quiet, still, and peaceful.

Lake Cootharaba is actually a tidal lake attached to the Noosa River system so some people even go shopping by boat and moor in Noosa. The famous Lake Cootharaba is a very large, shallow lake that is very popular nationally for boating, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, sailing and windsurfing.

The lake is also the southern entrance to Cooloola’s waterways. From here, you can explore the more protected waters of Kin Kin Creek, upper Noosa river and its tributaries. On the lake’s other (eastern) shore there are the Teewah coloured sands and the coastal section of the Cooloola National Park.

Boreen Point is the camping and accommodation centre for the lake. It has a range of holiday accommodation including holiday houses, units and cottages, as well as caravan parks. Boreen Point is also home to the Apollonian Hotel, known as the historic hotel nestled in the heart of the Noosa hinterland.

This unspoilt hotspot is visited by sailing and boating enthusiasts, making it an ideal destination and a wonderful place for a coastal holiday.

What You Will Enjoy Doing There

Boreen Point is a small (urban) holiday and retirement spot on the western side of Lake Cootharba. A 100 square kilometre area around Boreen Point has an aproximate population of 198,832 (0.001988 persons per square meter). The people and place are a melting pot of culture just like most of the sunshine coast hotspots.

This is a popular camping area and campsites are on the lakeshore. There are holiday cottages as well, general stores, caravan parks and boat hire facilities around.

Also best activites to spend include sailing, kitesurfing or paddling, windsurfing, canoeing or kayaking and navigating the expansive waters of Lake Cootharaba.

Canoeing is very popular when the lake is smooth and calm. Typically this early morning or at sunset is ideal but through the winter months most of the day offers good canoeing conditions. Canoes and boats can be hired. Your equipments are already there as Boreen Point is a haven for sailing and boating enthusiasts nestling enough shops and water sports facilites.

Home to the Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club, Boreen Point also hosts a number of regattas including national and state championships every year.

Kite flying near Lake Cootharaba is such a rewarding pastime but get your duck on standby; there isn’t anywhere else that is safe to kite on a westerly up the sunny coast.

For international students and interested folks, higher education facilities are located at Tewantin, a 20-minute drive away, and at other places on the Sunshine Coast. Boreen Point is also serviced by a free daily bus service transporting children to and from local primary and secondary schools at Pomona and Cooroy.

Pomona is just a 15-minute drive away if you need other facilities like a bank or just about to visit the well-known cinema/museum. Everything is smooth when you steer the wheel and enjoy at your own coastal drive.

Nothing more than a 30-minute drive from Noosa to Boreen Point full of anticipation of what you will enjoy ahead. Oh, did we mention that the locals are warm and laidback?

Makes Boreen Point and Lake Cootharaba is a post from: noosaeverglades

BYOkids went on a 3 day, 2 night canoe tour into the Noosa Everglades and hiked up to the great sand patch at Cooloola. There was an 8 mile hike and 6 hours total of canoeing. We would recommend this tour for the older children because of the decent amount of physical endurance required. If your family is active and adventurous this trip is heaps of fun!

For more information or to book your own tour visit: http://www.noosaevergladesdiscovery.com.au/

Noosa Everglades with the Discovery Group is a post from: noosaeverglades

You might remember us from the trip to the Everglades a week last Tuesday – I was the one very keen on taking photos of birds of prey. Just a line to say how very much we enjoyed our 4 hour cruise with you – it was definitely one of our holiday highlights. I was particularly grateful for the efforts you took to allow us close views of the brahmini, etc – thanks for that.

I’ve included a link to my Flickr pages – do have a look at the Sea Eagle on the last page when you have time.

cheers, Roger Smith

Trip to the Everglades is a post from: noosaeverglades

I would just like to thank everyone involved, and especially Trevor, for everything they did for us. From booking to leaving we were taken care of, with all staff going out of their way to make the visit an enjoyable one for our elderly clients.

If you could pass on our thanks to all involved, we would appreciate it & hopefully we will be back yet again.

With sincere thanks,
Belinda Lincoln
Volunteer Coordinator

Flexi Care inc. is a post from: noosaeverglades

Noosa Parks Ass. Bird Observers’ Outing 15th May, 2011.

Total of 45 bird species

Butterflies
Evening Brown
Black Jezebel
Brown Ringlet

Valda McLean
Convenor
Noosa Parks Association Bird Observers’ Group

Noosa Parks Association Inc. Bird Observers’ Group is a post from: noosaeverglades

Margaret and Duncan Southall

Thank you for the great afternoon is a post from: noosaeverglades

Noosa River Everglades Photo Gallery is a post from: noosaeverglades

Noosa Everglades Discovery enjoys an enviable reputation amongst operators within the industry and equally with its clients. Our tours from the Sunshine Coast have guided tens of thousands of people to Fraser Island and the Noosa Everglades in comfort and safety.

Lake Cootharaba

Noosa Everglades Discovery is a professional organisation committed to giving you the very best. We need just half a day to show you the wonders of the Noosa Everglades – give us a day….we’ll give you memories for life!

Estuary birdlife

Come with us and share what thousands of others have shared – the uniquely Australian tour. Experience the best Australia has to offer. Experience a company without compromise. Experience Noosa Everglades Discovery.

Discover the Noosa Everglades is a post from: noosaeverglades

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1. Noosa Everglades Discovery