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Noosa Everglades Serenity Afternoon Cruise

An afternoon on mirror-flat water in Australia's only everglades.

A two-and-a-half-hour afternoon cruise through the mirrored waterways of the Noosa Everglades, Australia's only everglades system, with full commentary and plenty of birdlife. Complimentary shuttle from select Noosa stops.

📍 Noosa ⏱ 2 Hours, 30 Minutes 👥 Up to 36 🔥 Chill

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Booked with Wanderlust, an Australian travel business based in Byron Bay (ABN 34 636 612 523). We handle your booking ourselves, before and after you travel.

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Overview

The Noosa Everglades are the quiet side of Noosa: the upper Noosa River inside the Cooloola section of Great Sandy National Park, where the water is so still it doubles the sky and every photo looks upside down. This afternoon cruise is the gentle way to see them, two and a half hours on the water through the southern end of the system with full commentary from the skipper and a glass of sparkling wine, beer or juice in hand.

The shuttle collects you from stops in Sunshine Beach, Noosa Heads, Noosaville and Tewantin from 12:55pm and drops you at the eco camp on Lake Cootharaba at Boreen Point, about 25 minutes from Noosa. Check-in runs 1:30pm to 1:50pm and the boat leaves at 2:10pm, crossing the lake and heading up into the narrow, tea-coloured river where the mirror effect kicks in. The skipper calls the birds as they appear; this is a birdwatcher's run as much as a scenic one. There's a stop at Fig Tree Point, then back to the pontoon by 4:45pm. The return shuttle leaves at 5:15pm and has you back in Noosa by about 6:15pm.

The boat carries 36, is eco certified, has large opening windows, sun protection and wind curtains, and runs in all weather. All ages, no fitness needed, and it slots neatly between lunch and dinner. Not the one for thrill-seekers; very much the one for a slow afternoon. Bring a hat, sunglasses, marine-friendly sunscreen, insect repellent, a water bottle and a warm layer.

Why you'll love it

  1. 1

    Australia's only everglades

  2. 2

    Mirrored waterways, upside-down photos

  3. 3

    Full commentary on board

  4. 4

    Plenty of birdlife

  5. 5

    Glass of sparkling wine, beer or juice included

  6. 6

    Complimentary Noosa shuttle

  7. 7

    Two and a half hours, afternoon

Itinerary at a glance

1 12:55pm · Noosa shuttle pick-ups

The branded shuttle runs from Sunshine Beach at 12:55pm through Noosa Heads, Noosa Parade, Noosaville and Noosa Marina in Tewantin, arriving at the eco camp at Boreen Point about 1:45pm. Be at your stop five minutes early; the bus does not wait.

1 1:30pm · Check in at the eco camp

Check-in at reception from 1:30pm to 1:50pm. Use the toilets here, as there are none on the boat.

1 2:10pm · Cruise the river of mirrors

Across Lake Cootharaba and up the upper Noosa River with full commentary, a stop at Fig Tree Point, and your included glass of sparkling wine, beer or juice on board.

1 4:45pm · Back at the pontoon

The boat returns at 4:45pm. The shuttle leaves at 5:15pm and is back in Noosa around 6:15pm.

What's included

✓ What's included

  • Full commentary from the skipper
  • One glass of sparkling wine, beer or juice on board
  • Complimentary shuttle transfers from select Noosa, Noosaville and Tewantin pickup points

✕ Not included

  • ✕Food (none served and no outside food on the boat)
  • ✕Extra drinks
  • ✕Travel insurance

Common questions about this trip

  • Where does the shuttle pick up and when?
    Serenity pick-ups start at 12:55pm on David Low Way in Sunshine Beach, then Noosa Drive and Noosa Heads station in Noosa Heads, two stops on Noosa Parade, Mary Street in Noosaville, and Noosa Marina in Tewantin at 1:24pm. You pick your stop when you book and the exact time is on your confirmation. Be waiting five minutes early; the buses run to a schedule and don't wait for late runners.

  • Can I drive myself?
    Yes. The cruise leaves from the eco camp at Lake Flat Road, Boreen Point, about 25 minutes from Noosa. The last stretch of Elanda Point Road is dirt; go through the boom gate to the car park and check in at reception.

  • What should I bring?
    A water bottle, hat, sunglasses, marine-friendly sunscreen and insect repellent, plus a warm layer and wet-weather gear if the forecast is iffy. No food on the boat, so eat before you go.

  • Is there a toilet on board?
    No. Use the facilities at the eco camp before departure. The cruise stops at Fig Tree Point, where there are national park toilets.

  • What happens in bad weather?
    The cruise runs in all weather. The boat has sun protection and wind curtains, and the operator only cancels in the rare case that conditions are unsafe or park rangers close the area. At some times of year low water levels mean you may need to walk through shallow water to board; the operator sends an SMS when that's likely.

  • Is it suitable for kids and older travellers?
    All ages are welcome and there's no fitness requirement. The boat is not wheelchair accessible.

  • Can I change my pick-up stop?
    Yes, up until noon on the day of the cruise.

  • What's the cancellation policy?
    Cancel 24 or more hours before departure for a full refund. Inside 24 hours there is no cancellation and no refund, and no-shows are not refunded. Date changes are free if made 2 or more days ahead, cost $15 per person before 5pm the day before, and are not allowed after that. If the operator cancels a tour for any reason, you are offered another day or a full refund. Wanderlust handles the refund for you, refunds mirror the operator's terms 1:1 (including if the operator cancels) and we chase it on your behalf.

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What travellers say

Reviews from real travellers

Public reviews of the operator who runs this tour on the ground.

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"An absolutely fabulous experience with stunningly beautiful scenery, a very knowledgeable onboard commentary and to cap it off, a generous and hospitable drinks host."
R

Rob Falconer

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Superb experience from the bus pick up through the tour and to our eventual drop off. Perfect!!"
M

Mike J

Tripadvisor review

⭑⭑⭑⭑⭑
via Tripadvisor
"Loved this tour. It was a delightful way to spend the morning. The tranquility and beauty of the Everglades shouldn’t be underestimated."
j

jane

Tripadvisor review

Traveller reviews, source shown on each · shown as excerpts.

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