Sunshine Coast Council

An out and back 2 km boardwalk through the marvellous Maroochy River wetlands.

SUITABLILITY
Suitable for walkers, prams and wheelchairs and is an easy grade.

HIGHLIGHTS
The sealed boardwalk, a sculptural masterpiece in timber-work, is two-metres wide and approx. 1 km long, making it easy to explore wet and dry eucalypt forests, rainforest, melaleuca forest, casuarina woodland, salt marsh and mangroves. The walk is part of the Maroochy Wetland Sanctuary, home to 200 species of native birds, as well as crabs, butterflies and other animals that make the wetlands their home. Within this wetland, life thrives in land on the edge of the sea, flooded by freshwater and salty tides. One of south-east Queensland's largest groups of Mangrove Ferns grow in these wetlands. There are also four other types of mangrove and five different crab species to discover including the fiddler crab, with its distinct large orange pincer claw.

The path leads you out to the banks of the Maroochy River and a landing jetty. Once you’re there, turn around and head back. There is also the opportunity to stop and sit at a Sunshine Coast Poetry Trail audio site – just download the App to your phone.

You can also access the sanctuary from the jetty by doing a Maroochy River boat cruise with a guided walk in the wetlands. To get the most out of this walk, download the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary Reserve information brochure.

Because of the birdlife, this is a great place to come at beginning and end of the day, however, it’s advisable to cover up or bring mosquito repellent.

AFTERWARDS
Mudjimba Esplanade is only 10 mins drive away for refreshments and a dip in the ocean. Alternatively you can head to Nambour, which is 13 mins away or pop into the new shopping centre at Bli Bli just minutes back down the road.

HOW TO GET THERE
To the starting point: The walk is roughly located halfway along Sports Road, Bli Bli .Take the Dunethin Rock (Willis Road) turnoff from Bli Bli Road which links Nambour and Maroochydore. Take Lefoes Road, the second right turn, and then turn right again into Sports Road. The Wetlands Sanctuary is at the end of the bitumen road on the right.

Look for signs for Bilai Environmental Education Centre and Bli Bli Education where there is plenty of off street parking including disabled car parking spots.
The wetlands are accessed via walking tracks and boardwalks leading from the Bilai Environmental Education Centre.

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