Sunshine Coast Council

A quite trail on the eastern side of Lake MacDonald – just a little explore.

SUITABILITY
Suitable for walkers of all ages as it’s a short, pleasant, easy walk. Also suitable for folks in wheelchairs, recreational cyclists, mountain bikers and horse-riders – perhaps as part of a longer outing as the Noosa Trail Network is close by.

HIGHLIGHTS
Lake Macdonald is one of the starting points for access to the Noosa Trail Network, which caters for walkers, runners, horse riders and mountain bike riders.

This walks takes you through bushland to one of the quieter reaches of Lake MacDonald where you spot water birds such as Magpie Goose, Comb-crested Jacana , the Australasian Grebe and a variety of ducks.

The trail can get overgrown at times – best after it has been cleared by Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service. Also be careful not to venture onto private property.

Boating is a popular activity at Lake Macdonald for fishing and nature lovers. Electric powered watercraft, sail craft and paddle craft are permitted on the lake. Canoe trails commence at Mary River Cod Park, and lead to Lake Macdonald Park and Jabiru Park, where you can spot Jabiru from a hide vantage point on a rare day!

AFTERWARDS
Kookaburra Park located on Lake Macdonald Drive (where Collwood Road starts) provides car parking for the entrance to the Noosa Trail Network. Have an explore in there while you are here. Another trail starts opposite the Mary River Cod Park on Collwood Road.

In Cooroy there are lots of cafes and pubs on either side of the railway and if you have hankering for duck, try the Copperhead Brewery.

HOW TO GET THERE
To the starting point: From Cooroy follow Lake MacDonald Drive past Noosa Botanical Gardens (also worth visiting) and then along a little further turn right into Collwood Road. Go to the end of Collwood Road and take Gumboil Road to the right. Continue on for about 1.4 km and the trail will be on your right. It heads towards Lake MacDonald

To the end point: The end point is the same as the starting point as it’s a short there and back route.