Located in Queensland just 25 minutes north of Noosa’s main beach, the lesser-known northern reaches of the region reveal a striking contrast to its busy coastal heart. At Habitat Noosa, Eastern Grey kangaroos roam freely, while guided boat and kayak tours explore the mirrored waterways of the Noosa Everglades — one of only two Everglades systems in the world. This unique ecosystem, nestled within the Great Sandy National Park, is home to over 40% of Australia’s bird species. The experience continues with a short boat transfer to Makepeace Island, a private, heart-shaped sanctuary on the Noosa River, co-owned by Sir Richard Branson. With Balinese-style villas, curated interiors, and chef-led dining, the island offers a blend of barefoot luxury and ecological immersion.
** This Blog was written as part of a famil organised by Tourism Noosa held from May 5 to May 7, 2025 **
Kangaroos emerge just steps away from the villas at first light. About 200 of them roam freely across the 65-acre national park that is home to Habitat Noosa, located about 25 minutes north of Noosa’s main beach. "Sometimes you can even spot them hopping across the water at low tide," says Kelly Cattanach, Business Development Manager at this award-winning eco-resort where our minibus drops us off early in the morning.
Set on the banks of Lake Cootharaba, this eco camp offers a blend of wilderness and comfort, with 18 Paperbark Glamping Tents and 10 Wilderness Safari Tents nestled in nature. Today, it also marks the starting point of our Everglades Explorer tour.
Although it’s a bit too early to sample the homemade stone-baked pizzas, we take a moment to enjoy a final coffee at the CootharaBAR & Bistro, overlooking the lake. The bistro offers fresh, locally sourced meals, a full breakfast menu on weekends, and a gelato bar. It’s also home to Australia’s only artesian microbrewery in a national park, serving up eight craft beers brewed on site with tasting paddles available.
Then it's time to board the boat for a journey into one of only two Everglade systems on Earth.
Today’s program: Everglades Explorer tour, with Everglades Eco Safaris, to discover one of the world’s rarest ecosystems, the Noosa Everglades.
Only two Everglades systems exist on Earth, one in Florida and the other right here, in Queensland. The Noosa Everglades are part of the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park and stretch across a pristine network of waterways, ancient wetlands, and mirrored lakes. A haven for biodiversity, this unique ecosystem is home to over 40% of Australia’s bird species and shelters rare flora, freshwater fish, and occasionally, koalas spotted high in the eucalyptus trees.
Once we cross Lake Cootharaba, the boat glides into what feels like a forgotten world. The breeze drops. The ripples on the lake flatten into a glassy surface, reflecting the sky and the lush forest with such precision it’s sometime hard to tell where the water ends and the trees begin. “It’s an extraordinary aquatic and botanical world,” says Kelly Cattanach from Habitat Noosa. “We often see kingfishers, whistling kites, pelicans, and sometimes even koalas if you look closely at the treetops.”
Part of our group swaps boat for canoes, paddling quietly up the Upper Noosa River to the historic Harry’s Hut, a rustic old logger’s shelter tucked deep in the forest. The other half follows by boat, then switches places for the return. As we paddle, silence reigns. The water is still, the air thick with the scent of tea tree, and the only sounds are our paddles dipping into the surface. It feels like slipping into the rhythm of the forest itself.
At Harry’s Hut, drinks and fresh cakes welcome us on the riverbank. A well-earned pause, before heading back through the stillness of this rare and fragile paradise.
After our Everglades Explorer excursion and return to Habitat Noosa around 2pm, the next chapter of our journey feels just as magical.
A sleek speedboat awaits at Noosa Marina to take us on a short ten-minute transfer up the Noosa River. Our destination? Makepeace Island, a heart-shaped, private island retreat co-owned by Sir Richard Branson and now operated as an ultra-exclusive eco-luxury resort. Originally opened in 2007 as a private residence, it now offers high-end stays for up to 22 guests in a tropical sanctuary of absolute privacy.
As we dock, the island immediately charms with its Balinese-style architecture: carved timber columns, lush tropical gardens, and curated furniture sourced by the owners on their travels through Indonesia. "We wanted every corner to tell a story," explains Kate Gilbert, General Manager of Makepeace Island. "This is more than just a luxury stay. It's a place to reconnect with nature and enjoy time with those who matter most."
Our rooms are vast — some with canopy beds, others with private reading nooks, yoga decks or even private plunge pools — and all showcase Makepeace Island’s signature blend of Balinese-inspired design and eco-luxury. Each villa features hand-carved wooden panels, artisanal furniture collected in Indonesia, and a massive volcanic stone bathtub that invites slow, meditative soaks.
My villas opened onto a wide timber terrace that overlooked a secluded sandy cove tucked into a curve of the Noosa River. The water shimmered in the late afternoon sun, lapping quietly beneath a veil of overhanging paperbarks and eucalyptus. From the comfort of my hammock, strung between two carved posts, I watched light and shadow shift across the surface of the river. A pair of pelicans drifted past like sentinels. Beyond them, the mangroves whispered in the breeze. For a moment, time dissolved — the island felt like it was holding its breath, suspended between land and water, wildness and comfort.
Here, every detail invites stillness. Even the absence of digital noise is intentional: there are no TVs, no buzzing interruptions, only the sounds of birdsong, distant wind chimes, and the occasional splash of a water dragon slipping into the shallows. It’s a place designed not just to impress, but to help you disappear into it.
A pre-dinner cocktail sets the tone as we gather for an intimate, chef-hosted dinner in the open-air dining pavilion, surrounded by flickering lanterns and the soft hum of cicadas. The island’s culinary team, known for their bespoke and locally driven menus, has crafted a five-course journey through the flavours of the Sunshine Coast. Each dish is a tribute to seasonal ingredients sourced from nearby farms and fisheries — from Fraser Island spanner crab with finger lime and micro herbs to Mooloolaba prawns in a lemongrass bisque.
The wine pairings are curated with precision, each glass elevating the plate it accompanies. The conversation ebbs and flows between bites of slow-cooked lamb shoulder and native bush tomato chutney, followed by a tangy dessert of Davidson plum sorbet served on macadamia crumble. The chef Zeb Gilbert appears between courses to share the story behind each creation, adding warmth and depth to the experience.
It’s the kind of dinner that doesn’t just satisfy — it lingers. In the soft glow of candlelight, with the Noosa River just a few steps away, every bite becomes a memory, and every exchange feels like a shared secret in a place removed from the world.
Our stay continues with a soak in the infinity spa under the stars, followed by a deep, undisturbed sleep in our secluded villas. At dawn, the island awakens in hushed tones. We sip coffee on our timber decks as golden light begins to gild the edges of the Noosa River. Surrounded by a fringe of mangroves and still waters that reflect the sky like glass, Makepeace Island feels like it floats between worlds — untouched by time, far from any road or distraction.
A couple of wallabies graze quietly on the lawn, while water dragons stretch out in the early warmth. Overhead, a brahminy kite glides silently, and the air smells of salt, warm wood and frangipani. There is no engine noise, no Wi-Fi pings, only birdsong and the gentle rustling of the palms.
Breakfast is served alfresco on the dining deck: freshly sliced tropical fruit, flaky pastries straight from the oven, and soft-scrambled eggs laid by hens from a nearby farm. Everything is prepared to order by the island’s private chef, with juice squeezed just minutes before.
It’s just after 8am when we leave our villas for the final time. Our bags are already neatly loaded onto the boat, moored at the island’s private jetty.
The cruise back to Noosa Marina takes just under ten minutes, gliding along the upper reaches of the Noosa River. Pelicans drift by, and modern waterfront homes begin to appear behind the trees. As we round the final bend, the marina emerges — bustling now with early boaters, coffee drinkers and kayakers already out on the water.
