'Trailblazers': nature beckons as annual hinterland walk celebrates milestone

Hikers who take part in the Great Noosa Trail Walk will help the event celebrate its 10^th anniversary.

More than 230 walkers are expected to take to the Noosa Biosphere Trails on October 1-3, making the 56km trek between Cooroy, Cooran, Kin Kin and Pomona.

Participants will travel through the Noosa Council’s Yurol and Ringtail Project: an important corridor between Cooloola and Tewantin National Park that provides valuable habitat for a range of threatened species, including koalas.

The 2022 event will feature walkers once again from interstate.

“A few changes will make this year’s event a little different to last – firstly, it is wonderful that, with open borders, the event organisers from Cooroy Future Group can welcome walkers from around Australia,” Group spokesperson Lisa Marshall said.

“Secondly, the usual route has been flipped around and some small tweaks made which will bring a fresh perspective … for those repeat walkers from previous years.”

Volunteer trail guides will accompany participants over the long weekend to ensure the trail is followed accurately and also provide insights into the local area.

During preparations for the event, organisers spotted koalas along the route, so it’s hoped plenty of native wildlife also will be on show for walkers during the event.

Organising The Great Noosa Trail Walk has been a community effort, supported by local businesses and service groups, as well as Tourism Noosa, Noosa Council and Queensland Parks and Wildlife.

The Great Noosa Trail Walk includes one-day and three-day walks:

• The one-day experience starts at the scenic Noosa Botanic Gardens in Cooroy and proceeds via Middle Lookout to Cooran, before participants jump on a shuttle bus back to Cooroy.
• The three-day walkers and guides will walk 23km on day one and two, and camp in Cooran and Kin Kin. For those wanting to complete the full walk, the final day of the event is a 10km trek.

For those who have energy to spare, there is also the climb up Mt Cooroora, which adds another couple of hours to the final day’s itinerary.

For further information about The Great Noosa Trail Walk, visit: www.greatnoosatrailwalk.com

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