Coolum to Emu Mountain

Gain some height and enjoy 360 degree views of the coast and hinterland from this 70 metre peak.

Suitable for walkers, joggers. This adventure starts outside the National Park but does go into the park please follow National Park Regulations on this adventure.

A very nice way to see Coolum from above after seeing it from street level. Set off on a short walk to Hakea track that begins behind the sporting grounds. The track approaches Emu Mountain at a steady slight rise, past tall melaleuca swamp, then squat scribbly gums, and eventually into an open heath with the whole mountain visible. (This is after you have have passed a small settlement of houses off to your right in the distance.)

At the first Y junction go left. Once you get to the second Y junction you have 2 choices: Go right up the steep and scrabbly slope straight up to the summit (as per our accompanying orange trail marker). An easier approach is to stay left on Hakea path till you get to the next junction and take an easier link route that winds to the same summit track.

Once you get to the top enjoy the rewarding views. You can see Mount Coolum to the South and the Noosa Headland to the North.

It is also possible to descend to the north and return to Coolum via David Low shared pathway or via the beach. See below.

Make this a circuit route by descending on the north side onto Havana Road East.

About 500 metres south of Havana Road on the coast side is an unnamed road (Ocean Beach walk) that will take you out to the beach (about 500 ms). At the beach you can walk all the way back to Coolum Beach (southwards, past Stumers Creek). It’s approximately 3 km along the beach to Coolum. Alternatively you can walk north to Peregian, also approximately 3 km away.

Alternatively, after descending on the Northside of the mountain head west into Peregian Sprints. There are pathways there and some bush tracks as well.

There are multiple tracks that can you can take to the top of Emu Mountain. If you are driving or walking you can access the route from side roads off David Low Way (namely Tritonia Drive, Kanooka Avenue or Havana Rd East.)

The accompanying red marked trail gives you a longer outing by starting just north of the Coolum Beach Surf Club. It follows a shared walk/cycle way north till you get to the sports complexes past Stumer’s creek. The trail takes you down the driveway to the Coolum Peregian Sports Complex, across the end oval to connect with Hakea trail that heads west before heading up the mountain via the Summit Link Trail.

To the end point: The end point is the same as your starting point. You can make it a there and back excusion but you can also do a circuit by heading down the mountain on the northside, heading towards the coast on Havana Road East. Once you hit David Low Way there is is a cement cycle/walking path that runs beside it, which will take you back to Coolum Beach.