Elanda Point, Mill Point: various walks

Explore the shoreline, historic sites and bushlands bordering the scenic waterways of the upper Noosa River and Lake Cootharaba.

Suitable for walkers with a variety of walks are on offer, mostly flat, just different lengths.

In this area, tracks range from a 5.1 km return circuit via the historic Mills Point, to walks up to 12km to Fig Tree Point and Harry’s Hut adjacent to the Noosa River system.

For a taste of this area there is a little flat loop from the public carpark through re-vegetated forestry land, past a pretty pond where you may see waterbirds. The Mill Point cemetery memorial stone is not too far further along but be aware there are nearly no remnants to see on this loop, and it can be boggy at times. It’s a good idea to take bug spray with you to ward off mossies.

Mill Point proper is better accessed from the new Elanda Point bar and bistro called Cootharabar, as the route is drier walking. Mill Point is a heritage-listed site that encompasses the early settlers sawmill and small township, believed to be home to over 100 people at its peak in the 1800s. It was set up to harvest timbers initially felled in Gympie and brought to Mill Point to be timbered before putting on barges to be taken down Noosa River. Interpretive plaques and ruins reveal the hardships suffered by these early settlers. There’s an old chimney by a big mango tree, the lid of a well, some tankstands and an old boiler by the beach and tram lines into the lake. You’ll also see a fascinating fig tree whose roots rise from more ruins. And you can often see a variety of butterflies in this vicinity.

From Mill Point you can continue on the Kinaba Walk to the Kinaba Visitor Centre walk .( From Elanda point this is 12.2km return, so plan before hand.)

Alternatively head back to Cootharabar for refreshments at this boutique brewery and cafe / restaurant. Other facilities there include a canoe launch, a children’s high ropes course, camping huts, toilets and showers and a flat grassy area to play or enjoy your own picnic. If you like you could also jump in the car and head back to Boreen Point township where there is the famous Apollonian Hotel.

To the starting point: Take Louis Bazzo Drive to Boreen Point and instead of driving into the Township drive straight ahead onto Lake Flat Rd. When the road does a 90 degree turn to the left go straight ahead along a dirt road to Elanda Point.

On the right hand side there is a public car park where most of the walks start – or you can continue on a little further to Habitat Noosa’s Everglades ecocamp and Cootharabar restaurant and start from there.

To the end point: For shorter walks, the end point is the same as your starting point. For longer walks you can choose to make them one way and do a car shuttle.