Maroochy Wetlands Boardwalk
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.
Accessibility guide
The trail and boardwalk are sealed and wide throughout, with multiple rest stops and shelters. Accessible car parks sit on the ring road and in front of the toilet, with a compost toilet about 10m away and the information centre about 15m. Side trails and the trail end narrow to one wheelchair at a time, and there is no kerb marking the boardwalk edge at the end.
The Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary provides accessible car parks located on the top of the ring road and in front of the accessible toilet facility. The compost toilet is conveniently situated approximately 10 metres from the car park, while the accessible information centre is just a short distance of around 15 metres away.
The trail and boardwalk within the sanctuary are entirely sealed and wide, ensuring ease of access for all visitors. However, it's important to note that the side trails and the end of the trail may be narrower and only accommodate one wheelchair at a time. At the end of the trail, there is no curb to mark the edge of the boardwalk, so caution is advised. Throughout the boardwalk, you'll find multiple rest stops and shelters, providing opportunities to take a break and immerse yourself in the surrounding nature.
It's worth mentioning that this trail was assessed without the use of assistive technology, ensuring that it remains accessible to a wide range of visitors.
The sealed boardwalk, makes 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. 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. Along the way, you will encounter QR Code Poetry and Information points, allowing you to delve deeper into the sanctuary's natural and cultural significance.
The starting point: The walk is located about 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, until you reach the right turn into Sports Road. The Wetlands Sanctuary is at the end of the bitumen road on the right. Look for signs for the Environmental Education Centre where there is plenty of off street parking including disabled car parking spots. Facilities and Activities:
- Accessible Parking and Toilets
- Sealed Pathways
- Bush Poetry via app download
Mudjimba Esplanade is only ten minutes away where you can have a swim in the ocean and take in some light refreshments.
Suitability
The Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary provides accessible car parks located on the top of the ring road and in front of the accessible toilet facility. The compost toilet is conveniently situated approximately 10 metres from the car park, while the accessible information centre is just a short distance of around 15 metres away.
The trail and boardwalk within the sanctuary are entirely sealed and wide, ensuring ease of access for all visitors. However, it's important to note that the side trails and the end of the trail may be narrower and only accommodate one wheelchair at a time. At the end of the trail, there is no curb to mark the edge of the boardwalk, so caution is advised. Throughout the boardwalk, you'll find multiple rest stops and shelters, providing opportunities to take a break and immerse yourself in the surrounding nature.
It's worth mentioning that this trail was assessed without the use of assistive technology, ensuring that it remains accessible to a wide range of visitors.
Highlights
The sealed boardwalk, makes 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. 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. Along the way, you will encounter QR Code Poetry and Information points, allowing you to delve deeper into the sanctuary's natural and cultural significance.
Getting there
The starting point: The walk is located about 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, until you reach the right turn into Sports Road. The Wetlands Sanctuary is at the end of the bitumen road on the right. Look for signs for the Environmental Education Centre where there is plenty of off street parking including disabled car parking spots. Facilities and Activities:
- Accessible Parking and Toilets
- Sealed Pathways
- Bush Poetry via app download
Afterwards
Mudjimba Esplanade is only ten minutes away where you can have a swim in the ocean and take in some light refreshments.
Disclaimer:
This trail accessibility review has been undertaken by Spinal Life Australia. Please note that the trails reviewed are not compliant with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Instead, these reviews are intended to provide additional information to assist trail users and carers in assessing the usability of each trail, including details about accessible parking, trail surfaces, and amenity facilities.
About this place
- Suitable for walking
- Dogs prohibited
- Picnic table on site
- Toilets on site
- Walking track grade
- Grade 1
- Flat and well formed with no steps, and no longer than 5km. Signposted the whole way, and suitable for a wheelchair with someone to help.
Graded on the Queensland Parks walking track scale. Walk with care(opens in a new tab)
- Managed by
- Sunshine Coast Council
To report damage, a hazard or another problem with the trail:
Safety
Hazards on this trail
mosquitoes
In an emergency, call 000. Always adventure safely!
- Always follow any local signage, it contains key information and conditions can change at any time.
- Use the trails with consideration for your abilities, be prepared for the adventure ahead:
- Be aware of the weather conditions, found here: Bureau of Meteorology — Queensland(opens in a new tab)
- Always wear appropriate clothing, focus on good footwear.
- Always bring more water than you think you will need.
- Be Sun Safe!
- Always let someone know where you are going that isn't going with you.
- Just getting started try this site for good useful information: Trail Hiking Australia — hike safety(opens in a new tab)
- Sunshine Coast Council does its best to keep this information current, but things change, so be aware that a trail may not be as listed here.
Meander through mangroves on beautifully maintained boardwalks all the way to the Maroochy River. This two kms return walk is perfect for families, wheelchair users and prams. Try to visit at low tide to enjoy the Orange-clawed Fiddler Crabs, which the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary have adopted as their logo. To find out more, please follow this link: https://www.weekendnotes.com/maroochy-wetlands-sanctuary/
This walk is lovely as it gives you a different perspective of mangroves and the wildlife/birdlife that inhabits them as well as the creeks and creekbanks. There is an information sign at the beginning and some information signs at the birdhide but I would loved to have seen more information along the walk itself. I believe that there may have been a brochure or even perhaps audio but because we came on a Sunday afternoon we didnt go up to the education centre. Very easy access for wheelchairs or prams. Short walk that is mostly in shade. We walked mid afternoon and had no problems with mozzies at all but early or late would be very different!
Nearby trails
- Walking
- Mountain Biking
Maroochy River to Bli Bli Circuit
Bli Bli
Easy11.0 kmCircuit
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Printed from Adventure Sunshine Coast · https://adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/trails/36831/maroochy-wetlands-boardwalk
Always check current conditions and closures before you set out.