Sunshine Beach to Alexandria Bay loop
Sunshine Beach to Alexandria Bay loop
A wonderful loop walk with magnificent ocean views followed a shady path that winds through open eucalypt woodland and heathlands.
Summary
A wonderful loop walk with magnificent ocean views followed a shady path that winds through open eucalypt woodland and heathlands.
Description
The walk has been mapped as a loop walk but can also be taken as a shorter walk straight to Alexandria Bay and back from Parkedge Road in Sunshine Beach (POI number 17 below).
We have mapped it as a loop walk starting near the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club and the bus stop on Duke Street. It has some steepish steps as you enter Noosa National Park from Sunshine Beach, but there are a few seats to rest and take in the amazing sea views. Look out for migrating whales July-October and dolphins all year round.
The path to Alexandria Bay is a little rocky, but very beautiful. From Alexandria Bay take the path to Parkedge Road. A few other tracks cross the path, but the track to Parkedge Road is clearly marked.
From Alexandria Bay the path meanders over sandhills of tall open forest, featuring sculptural pandanus palms, brush box, coastal banksia and pink bloodwoods. Dip into wet heathland gullies, brimming with small sedges, rushes and soft blankets of coral fern. Make sure to pack your binoculars—this track offers plenty of opportunities for birdwatching (see link above).
Two other great walks in the National Park are the Noosa Heads Coastal Track and Sunshine Beach – Laguna Lookout – Noosa walk.
2589 Views
Points of Interest
1. Path to the beach
If you are starting from the Surf Club or Bus Stop on Duke St, walk along the footpath and take the track down to the beach just past the viewing platform.
2. Steps
At the end of the beach , take the steps up into the National Park.
3. Sunshine Beach
Wonderful view along Sunshine Beach and beyond!
4. Sculptured path
The path really looks like a work of art, its not super flat, but it is very beautiful.
5. Paradise Caves
While they are called Paradise Caves, we didn't see anyway to get down to them
6. Alexandria Bay
On many days, there are often surfers in the water and the rocks provide a pretty good spot to watch them.
7. The beach
Its a great beach to walk along, but for this walk you leave the beach very soon as the track starts a little after where the rocks finish.
8. Path
Up from the beach, follow the signs to Parkedge Road. There is a map and information board here as well.
9. Sandy Path
A very pleasant sandy, shady path through the bush.
10. Grass Trees
"Grass trees, belonging to the genera Xanthorrhoea, have a fascinating and unique biology and are some of the most distinctive plants in Australian flora", see link for more.
11. Banksias
Inland Banksia - Banksia integrifolia The Inland or Coastal Banksia can be seen throughout the Noosa Trail Network and was traditionally used as a source of nectar. (see link for more).
12. Meet the locals
The Australian brush-turkey or gweela (Alectura lathami) is also frequently called the scrub turkey or bush turkey is a very common sight.
13. Path along the ridge
As the path nears Sunshine Beach you can see glimpses of the sea and there is a little less shade.
14. Wildflowers
We walked in July and saw a few wildflowers; it must be an amazing walk in Spring when many flowers would be about!
15. Shady track
Beautiful dappled light on sunny days.
16. Parkedge Road
Once you reach the end of the track, got through the barriers and turn right.
17. Turn right again
Like many streets in the area, there are no footpaths.
18. Down the hill
Down the hill and back to the start.
Features
Nature trail
