Sunshine Coast Council

A peaceful lake to paddle that showcases beautiful natural woodlands and abundant birdlife including geese, ducks, egrets and pelicans.

SUITABLILITY
Very suitable for all levels of paddling from beginner to experienced.

HIGHLIGHTS
Lake Macdonald was named after the late Ian Macdonald who was Chairman of Noosa Council from 1964 to 1980.No motorised watercraft, water skiing, jet skiing, wakeboarding and tubing is permitted on Lake Macdonald so it is always a peaceful water experience should you choose to paddle it.

As it is a lake, it can be circumnavigated, however there are also various arms to the lake, so you can also head out and back depending on where you launch and what time you have available. Popular crossings include Jabiru Park to Mary River Cod Park return and Lake Macdonald Park to Mary River Cod Park return. The wooded section past Camp Cooroora is the most natural.

Along the foreshore you may see tortoises sunbaking, kangaroos or up to 40 species of birds including Magpie Geese, Pelicans, Black Swans, Darter, Little Black Cormorants, Pacific Black Ducks, Hardhead Ducks, White Ibis, Egrets, Purple Swamphens, Grebes, Storks, and Eurasian Coots. At different times of year there are dragonflies and damselflies and numerous species of butterfly flittering around the waters edge.

The Kabi Kabi people were the original custodians of Lake Macdonald, which is now part of SEQ’s water supply. Fishing is permitted at the Lake.

AFTERWARDS
Adjacent to Lake Macdonald Park is the Noosa Botanic Gardens to explore. There are eight hectares of native and exotic plants. There are options for a BBQ or a picnic. Also on Lake Macdonald Drive is Kookaburra Park, which provides car parking for the entrance to the Noosa Trail Network for keen walkers, runners, horse riders and mountain bike riders.
Jabiru Park, is a popular view spot for Bird watchers. Camp Cooroora, near Mary Cod Park, offers camping to the public and is run by Scouts Australia, Queensland branch.
Nearby Cooroy offers cafes, restaurants, craft breweries and various second hand/antique shops to explore.

HOW TO GET THERE
To the starting point: From Cooroy, head east along Cooroy Noosa Road. There are three designated launching points on Lake MacDonald:
* Lake Macdonald Park/Perch Park (Lake Macdonald Drive just north of the botanic gardens)
* Mary River Cod Park pontoon or boat ramp (on Collwood Road off Lake Macdonald Drive)
* Jabiru Park (at the end of Grange Road off Cooroy Noosa Road) – paddle craft only

To the end point: The end point is the same as the starting point.