• Photo credit: Trevor Hatfield © Queensland Government
• Photo credit: © Queensland Government
• Moor your boat at the jetty on the northern fringe of Fig Tree Lake and enjoy a picnic at Fig Tree Point day-use area. Photo credit: © Lachlan Gardiner

Relax in this pleasant, grassy day-use area after a day of paddling or boating on the Upper Noosa River waterway or a day of hiking on the Cooloola Wilderness Trail. Throw down a picnic rug, or lounge on the log seats, to soak up the sights and sounds of the river. Enjoy your lunch serenaded by birdsong from the surrounding wetlands.

When you’re refreshed, stroll along the Melaleuca circuit or wander to the lake and savour the expansive views before continuing your journey. If you’re staying the night, set up your camp at the nearby Fig Tree Point camping area.

Getting there and getting around

Fig Tree Point day-use area is in Cooloola Recreation Area, Great Sandy National Park, on the Sunshine Coast between Noosa Heads and Rainbow Beach (155–240km north of Brisbane).

• The day-use area is 2km north of the Kinaba Information Centre along the Upper Noosa River waterway.
• You can access the day-use area by canoe from Elanda Point, boat from Boreen Point; or on foot along the Cooloola Wilderness Trail.
• There is no road access to Fig Tree Point, except for emergency and management vehicles.
• Commercial tour boats operate daily from Noosa and Tewantin. Canoes, kayaks and small boats can be hired from private operators at Boreen Point and Elanda Point.
• For tourism information for all regions in Queensland, see Queensland.com, and for friendly advice on how to get there, where to stay and what to do, find your closest accredited visitor information centre.
• Read boat and fish with care for tips on boating and fishing safety and caring for parks.
• Read water safety for important information about staying safe in and near water and caring for parks.

By canoe

• Drive 1.4km on the access road to the Elanda Point car park and canoe launch area.
• Paddle 4.5km (1hr) to the Kinaba Information Centre, then paddle a further 20min north to the day-use area.
• Stay close to the shore line while paddling northwards. Plan to cross Lake Cootharaba early in the morning when conditions are likely to be calm and travel is easiest.

By boat

• Launch your boat from the Boreen Point boat ramp on Urunga Parade and follow the lake navigational markers out into deeper water and then head on a north-east trajectory towards the visible Cooloola Sand Patch in the distant landscape. When you approach a red navigational marker in the middle of the lake (opposite Elanda Point), turn on a near northerly trajectory to the channel markers through very shallow shoals to the Kinaba Information Centre.
• The trip is 7km and boats will take 15min travel time.
• From Kinaba, travel a further 2km north (6 knots maximum speed limit) to the Fig Tree Point day-use area. Boats will take 15min travel time.

Via the Wilderness Trail – Access is temporarily unavailable due to no bridge across Kin Kin Creek

• From the start of the Cooloola Wilderness Trail at Elanda Point, walk 10.6km (3.5hr) to the day-use and camping area.
• Read walk with care for tips on walking safely and walking lightly.

Getting to Boreen Point and Elanda Point

• From Brisbane drive 135km north on the Bruce Highway or the Sunshine Motorway to Tewantin; or from Gympie drive 58km south and east on the Bruce Highway to Tewantin.
• From Tewantin drive 19km west and north via McKinnon Drive and Louis Bazzo Drive to Boreen Point. Turn left onto Lake Flat Road and drive 2km to the Elanda Point access road.

Wheelchair access

Wheelchair-accessible toilet facilities are provided. Assistance may be required.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Fig Tree Point day-use area is open 24 hours a day.

Check Park alerts for the latest information on access, closures and conditions.

Visiting safely

For more safety information see Visiting Cooloola Recreation Area safely.