Tewantin National Park: Lake MacDonald North.

Explore some pleasant parkland and bushland just outside of Cooroy.

Suitable for walkers, mountain bikers and horse-riders – though check signage to ensure you can go through the forest – otherwise you can take Collwood Road.

Here is a pleasant trail without much elevation, or worry of wandering too far. This section of Tewantin National Park on the northern end of Lake MacDonald is big enough to feel wild but small enough that you can exit under half an hour in any direction. Crossing 6 mile creek adds to the adventure, but is easy enough to shortcut if you don’t want to get wet.

The Noosa Botanical Gardens are definitely worth a visit and Cooroora Scout Camp has very basic camping on the lakeshores

Starting and finishing near Lake MacDonald gives the option of a paddle after as well or a picnic by the Lake’s shores. Note there is no swimming in the lake.

Copperhead microbrewery and Cooroy township and cafes (on either side of the railway) are only a few minutes drive away.

To the starting point: From Cooroy follow Lake MacDonald Drive to the Noosa Botanical Gardens. You can start this adventure and return from here. Or turn right into Collwood Road and choose your starting point. Kookaburra Park is located at the junction of Lake Macdonald Dive and Coollwood Road. The marked pin starting point is along further and to your left in Clearview Drive. Horseriders park your float a few hundred metres down Collwood Road at Mary River Cod Park.

To the end point: The end point is the same as the starting point. The route can be as long or as short as you want to make it.