• Listen to the bird calls as you wander along this circuit track. Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government
• Discover paperbark trees, cabbage palms, scribbly gums and blue gum forests along the Melaleuca circuit. Photo credit: Rob Cameron © Queensland Government

From Fig Tree Point day-use area, amble through wetlands into scribbly gum, bloodwood and blue gum forest that fringes the low-lying delta of the Upper Noosa River. Unwind as you enjoy the rich birdsong in this cool retreat. At the junction with the Cooloola Wilderness Trail, turn left to continue through eucalypt forests and back into paperbark wetlands to the day-use area.

Take this short walk as a respite from paddling or motoring as you explore the Upper Noosa River waterway by canoe, kayak or boat; or if you want to explore while staying at the Fig Tree Point camping area.

Refer to the Cooloola and Inskip recreation areas discovery guide (PDF, 4.0MB) for a map and more details.

Getting there and getting around

Melaleuca circuit 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 walk is in the southern section of Cooloola on the Upper Noosa River waterway.
• It starts from the northern end of the Fig Tree Point day-use area, 2km north of the Kinaba Visitor Information Centre.
• You can access the walk by the canoe from Elanda Point, boat from Boreen Point.
• Walkers on the Cooloola Wilderness Trail can also access this walk when camping overnight at the Fig Tree Point camping area.
• Commercial tour boats operate daily from Noosa and Tewantin to Fig Tree Point. 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 Visitor Information Centre, then paddle a further 20mins north to Fig Tree Point 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 easy to travel.

By boat

• Launch your boat from the Boreen Point boat ramp on Urunga Parade and follow the lake navigation markers out into deeper water and then head on a north-east trajectory towards the visible Cooloola Sandpatch 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 Visitor Information Centre.
• The trip is 7km and boats will take 15mins travel time.
• From Kinaba, travel a further 2km north (6 knots maximum speed limit) to Fig Tree Point day-use area. Boats will take 15mins travel time.

Via the Wilderness trail

• The Cooloola Wilderness Trail currently has no pedestrian access across Kin Kin Creek due to the pedestrian bridge linking Elanda Point to Fig Tree Point being washed away in flood waters.
• Designs are currently in development to replace the bridge and restore access.
• An alternative temporary start/finish location for the Cooloola Wilderness Trail is the Boronia Trail on Harry’s Hut Road.
• Limited parking is available at the trailhead of the Boronia Trail on Harry’s Hut Road.
• From the start of the Boronia Trail, walk 7km (2.5hr) to Fig Tree Point 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

There are no wheelchair-accessible facilities.

Before you visit

Opening hours

Melaleuca circuit 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 and Walk with care.