Final-community Guide 03 04

where the historic lighthouse precinct is now          Noosa Aquatic Centre and Olympic sized pool.
cared for by Noosa Parks Association volunteers.       Close by is Council’s Regional Skate Park,
Tracks traverse the dunes into Rainbow Bay -           complete with three-metre vertical ramp,
more coloured sand cliffs - where armies of tiny       generously subsidised by the Rotary Club of
soldier crabs and playful dolphins enliven peaceful    Noosa Heads Daybreak.
picnics. The area is also the four-wheel drive
                                                       Peregian Beach marks Noosa Shire’s southern
gateway to the spectacular sand mass of World
                                                       border with neighbouring Maroochy Shire,
Heritage listed Fraser Island. In honour of all that
                                                       boasting a unique village atmosphere and
sand, the North Shore also has camel safaris, a
                                                       courtyard of designer shopping along with, of
family holiday resort and a wilderness
                                                       course, more excellent cafes. Like neighbouring
camping area.
                                                                             Marcus Beach it enjoys an
Sunshine Beach lies to                                                       idyllic lifestyle - just far
the south of Noosa                                                           enough from the madding
Heads,     around      the                                                   crowd, yet close enough to
corner from the Noosa                                                        pop in when the fancy takes.
Heads section of Noosa                                                       A bikeway now joins the
National              Park.                                                  villages along the coast,
Originally          called                                                   bordered by National Park
Golden       Beach,     its                                                  to the west.
magnificent sands were
                                                                             Cooroy revels in its history
rescued from mining by
                                                                             as well as its new heritage
local conservationists in
                                                                             streetscape, with shops to
the early 1970s. The rolling Pacific Ocean waves
                                                       match. Focal point for local artisans is the Cooroy
are hugely popular with surfers and boardriders.
                                                       Butter Factory, purchased and refurbished by
Sunshine Beach is shaking off its sleepy surfie
                                                       Council for use as a community arts centre.
village air to accommodate holiday units and
luxury duplexes, alongside million dollar holiday      A landmark event on its annual calendar is the
homes - and laidback old Queensland beach              Contemporary Furniture Exhibition. Cooroy is
houses. The local shopping centre has its own          now sprouting alfresco pavement cafes, boutiques
share of excellent restaurants. Sunshine Beach Surf    and galleries.
Club has a string of good food awards and one of
the world’s best oceanfront views.                     The Shire’s Botanic Gardens on Lake Macdonald
                                                       continue to attract horticulture fans, abundant
Further inland off the David Low Way coastal           birdlife and the occasional wedding party - in
highway lie the Bicentennial Centre, Rugby             addition to concert (last year Don Burrows !)
Grounds, St Andrews Church, the Noosa Heads            and other parties in its Grecian style amphitheatre.
Tennis Club, the Sunrise Beach shopping centre         Farming the Future is annually hosted in the town
and a trio of schools - as well as the mega-popular    which also houses the Noosa District High