Whether you’re visiting on a day trip around the Noosa Hinterland or vacationing by the lakeside, there’s plenty to do at Lake Cootharaba. Take to the water to swim, sail, windsurf, or go stand-up paddleboarding; enjoy fishing along the shore; or explore the vast Noosa Everglades by boat or kayak. As well as getting out on the water, you can hike the 15-mile (25-kilometer) lakeside circuit. Day tours from Noosa Heads and the Sunshine Coast often stop at the lake en route to the Everglades, the Noosa Hinterland, or Great Sandy National Park.
Lake Cootharaba is popular with families, campers, and outdoor enthusiasts.
There are several campgrounds and cabins around Lake Cootharaba, and Boreen Point has public restrooms and cafés. For everything else, you’ll need to drive to Noosa Heads.
Bug spray is essential if you’re visiting the lake in summer, especially around dusk and dawn.
Sitting on the southwest shore, Boreen Point is the main access point for Lake Cootharaba. The lakeside town lies 16 miles (26 kilometers) northwest of Noosa Heads; you’ll need your own transport to get there. It’s also possible to visit on a day trip from Brisbane (about a 2-hour drive) or the Sunshine Coast (about a 50-minute drive).
The sun is always shining in Queensland, but the summer months (December through February) bring the biggest crowds to Lake Cootharaba. Expect hot, humid, and wet weather in the Everglades during the summer. Avoid the storms and still enjoy swimming and water sports by planning a trip in the spring or fall.
North of Lake Cootharaba, Great Sandy National Park stretches along the coast to Rainbow Beach and Fraser Island. There are plenty of options for outdoor adventures: enjoy a scenic drive along the beaches in a 4WD, admire the views from Double Island Point Lighthouse, or venture inland to hike or canoe along the Noosa River. Continue to Fraser Island to discover pristine rainforest trails, magnificent colored-sand dunes, and freshwater lakes.