noosa everglades afternoon cruise review

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Everglades Afternoon Cruise - Everglades

• South Pacific    
• Australia    
• Queensland    
• Sunshine Coast    
• Noosa    
• Noosa - Things to Do    

Everglades Afternoon Cruise

we have holidayed quite a few times over the past 4 years in Noosa Heads and decided to treat ourselves to the afternoon cruise after our daughter recommended this tour. What a wonderful afternoon !! Our tour driver/ guide was wonderful - relaxed friendly and informative. The afternoon was sunny and calm and the reflections as we glided through the Everglades were incredible. Hennie our guide was well informed and had a great sense of humour which made for a truly wonderful afternoon. Highly recommend

The scenery here isn't anything special. It is just a tree-lined river. Even the guide described it as a "swamp". It's something different to all the East Coast beaches, but you wouldn't write a postcard home raving about it. The only wildlife we saw was a goanna, kingfisher, catfish and eels. I should've skipped it and gone to the pub.

visitors from nz saw very little bird life and bbq lunch over cookes dry fish highlight was morning tea nice cold juice and lovely fruit cake

My first time up to the Everglades, and what a great trip it was, the are really lovely, so peaceful, jet black water that reflects like a mirror. We went with discovery tours at noosaville, and they were excellent, the driver gave us a running and informative commentary, we stopped to feed the fish. Overall it was a most pleasant trip and I recommend it.

I did a camping/canoe trip here back in April 2014. The Eucalyptus trees lining the water have caused the water to go black! Probably good for the skin, and the reflections off of the black water with the serenity of the area are so unique. Definitely check out the dunes nearby - we canoed in the dark to watch the sunrise! And make sure to bring your mozzie spray + thick layers as the bugs are ferocious there

About 5 hours of a different look at Australia. Extensive inland lakes (some sea water some fresh) some slow bits because of water depth or nature of surrounding environment (including a Richard Branson private resort) some stark, burnt bush some lush re-generating forest, black water with wonderful reflecting qualities, a variety of native birds, some old bush huts, opportunity for a fresh water swim and even for a tranquil paddle in canoes for part of the trip if you felt so inclined. Most of all a guide and chef--Trevor-- who drove the boat and made the whole trip so fascinating with his knowledge and his stories. Thoroughly recommend it if you are looking for a day away from the beaches and Alexandria Head walks .

Noosa Everglades Cruise & Highlights Private Tour with Lunch

This full-day guided tour takes you to see the sights and delights of Noosa, including the famous Hastings Street, a 3-hour everglades cruise, & a delicious 2-course lunch overlooking the Noosa River.

Noosa Everglades Cruise & Highlights Private Tour with Lunch Highlights

• Return transfers from selected Sunshine Coast accommodation
• All transportation 
• 3 hr Noosa Everglades Serenity Cruise, including a glass of bubbly & light savoury afternoon tea
• Noosa Ferry from Hastings Street to Noosa Marina (45 min journey)
• 2-course lunch with beer, wine or soft drink
• 45 minutes free time to explore Hastings Street
• Visit Laguna Lookout & Point Perry Lookout

What to Expect

Discover the sights and delights of Noosa , one of the many jewels in the Sunshine Coast crown during this full-day guided tour. We stop at Laguna Lookout which offers the ultimate panorama of Noosa which is a short drive from the...

Frequently Asked Questions about Noosa Everglades Cruise & Highlights Private Tour with Lunch

What should i bring, does the tour operate in wet weather, do you provide a pick-up service for day tours, what if i have special dietary requirements, can i take a wheelchair or a stroller on tour, can i bring luggage on board the bus, reviews for noosa everglades cruise & highlights private tour with lunch.

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All Reviews

The staff were lovely and friendly. Our stay was amazing nothing less.

The staffs were kind and approachable. Always helpful, friendly and attentive.

This is one of the coolest experiences we’ve ever had as a family.

It is really suitable for tourists, and you can visit attractions as and when you want.

Had a great time....crew was very social and helpful.

Had a great time! The crew was great.

The tourist guide is excellent, could not be better.

Peaceful, informative, and easy way to laze away an afternoon in nature.

We had the most amazing day on the scenic wine and food tour.

We had a great day with our tour guide. He was very informative in sharing stories. This day tour is a must.

• Please wait outside the hotel 10 minutes prior to pick up time
• All passengers are to wear seat belts in seat belt equipped vehicles
• All tours will depart regardless of rain or other weather conditions unless we are aware of conditions/forecasts that...
• 0% cancellation fee applies for bookings cancelled more than 48 hours before departure
• 50% cancellation fee applies for bookings cancelled within 48 hours before departure
• 100% cancellation fee applies for no-shows 

All customer cancellation & refund requests are also subject to our website’s own  refund conditions .

Pickup Locations

• Alexandra Headlands / Maroochydore / Cotton Tree
• Brisbane CBD and Surrounds
• Caloundra / Kings Beach
• Noosa / Noosaville / Tewantin

Tour Operator

Honest tourism information about Australia

Noosa Everglades tour: Noosa wildlife cruise review & prices

• David Whitley
• National Parks

Everglades Ecosafaris runs a Noosa Everglades cruise up the Noosa River from Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. It focuses on the nature, birdlife and big goannas in the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park.

What is the Noosa Everglades?

The Noosa Everglades is a system of slow-moving waterways based around the Noosa River in the Great Sandy National Park, Queensland .

This Australian Everglades system is close to Sunshine Coast holiday town Noosa. Everglades cruises, taking in a host of native wildlife and the mirror-like reflections of the water, are one of the best things to do in Noosa.

Noosa Everglades cruise prices

Everglades Eco Safaris runs two Noosa Everglades cruises. The cheapest of these Queensland Everglades tours is the afternoon Serenity cruise . This Noosa boat tour costs $84, includes a glass of beer or sparkling wine and lasts around three hours. It should be booked online in advance .

The morning Everglades Explorer tour offers the chance to tackle 5km of the journey in a canoe, as well as doing the Everglades cruise. This Sunshine Coast nature cruise option costs $129 and includes a barbecue lunch. For instant confirmation and mobile-friendly tickets, book here .

The following Noosa Everglades cruise review is of the Everglades Explorer tour.

Noosa Everglades cruise review

The canoeists wish to give their arms a work out, so those content to stay on the boat say goodbye. There’s more than one way to travel up the Noosa River through the Noosa Everglades.

As the splashing paddles fade into the distance, suddenly all is serene again on the Noosa Everglades cruise. Tannins seeping from the trees darken the water. This makes it ideal for reflecting the fluffy white clouds overhead between the flowering lily pads.

The Everglades Ecosafaris cruise chunters deep into the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park. It works either as a canoeing trip for those who want to paddle part of the way, or an ordinary cruise.

Get the best out of Noosa – 6 sensational experiences to look into

• Cruise the mirror-like waterways of the Noosa Everglades – a glorious glide through stunning natural landscapes.
• 4WD along the beaches – AND kayak with dolphins on a day tour full of easy adventure.
• Take a dolphin-watching safari down the Noosa River.
• Have a go at kayaking , stand-up paddleboarding or waterbiking .
• Take a tasting tour of the local craft breweries and distilleries – find out how the locals have devoted themselves to quality.
• Get standing on your board by the end of a beginners’ surfing lesson .

Noosa Everglades cruise: Noosa River birdlife

Travelling along the Noosa River, the slow glide is punctuated by appearances from the local birdlife.

First come the pelicans. One always stands guard while the others are asleep. One pelican stretches tall on a nearby boat. Others glide towards the water, graceful until they land, at which point they look like hapless clowns.

In the massive osprey nest on other side, the same pair of ospreys have been resting for around 27 years. The cable ferry runs nearby, and that’s part of what keeps the area so quiet. No bridge connects to Noosa ’s ‘north shore’ – you have to take the Noosa North Shore Ferry – which that keeps the developers well away.

There are also ducks, white egrets and darters, which use their long necks to effectively spear the fish they’re hunting with their beaks. Then a cormorant follows the boat, hoping fish will be churned up in the wake.

12 fantastic Sunshine Coast experiences to book now

• Taste coffee and ginger, do rainforest walks, and visit the best lookouts on a highlight-packed hinterland tour .
• Take a serene Noosa Everglades cruise along the mirror-like waterways – or canoe through the Everglades .
• Learn to surf at a Sunshine Coast surf school – or try paddleboarding instead.
• Combine sight-seeing and thrills on a fast boat tour .
• Go e-mountain biking on the downhill trails of Tewantin National Park.
• Kayak with dolphins as part of a beach 4WD tour.
• Explore the Sunshine Coast from above on a seaplane flight .
• Take an indigenous cultural tour – with bush tucker tasting.
• Visit the region’s best craft breweries and distilleries on a drinks tasting tour .
• Go jetskiing through the gorgeous Pumicestone Passage.
• Taste wines, cheeses and chocolates on a hinterland food tour .
• Watch migrating humpbacks on a whale-watching cruise .

Noosa Everglades cruise: Harry’s Hut

The region became a national park in 1975, and most of the remnants from before that time are now gone. Forest has regrown to replace most of the logging camps, and Harry’s Hut further upstream was the last one standing. Now, there are a few information boards there, plus some tent sites and open-to-all barbecues.

It’s also where the big goannas like to hang out. They snuffle along the leafy floor, clearly intent on sharing everyone’s food.

The question is whether to go for a swim or not. Bull sharks have been caught in the river, but not this far up. Snakes can also be seen swimming across, but they can’t do any harm while in the water.

Again, the water is murky due to the tannins seeping in. But it turns out what this is what makes the Noosa Everglades far more pleasant than their Florida counterpart. Mosquitos don’t like the water, so they don’t show up. There’s no buzzing, no bites and no worries.

If I can do just one thing in Noosa, what should it be?

The Great Beach Drive – a four wheel drive adventure up Teewah Beach towards Double Island Point – is fantastic on its own. To go kayaking with dolphins as part of the same trip makes for a genuinely superb day out.

Take it as a massive personal recommendation – the Great Beach Drive plus Kayaking With Dolphins day tour should be at the top of your Noosa wishlist.

The drive from Brisbane to Noosa on the Sunshine Coast takes just under two hours. Stop there on the way north to Hervey Bay , and stay in one of Noosa’s caravan parks if you wish. Other river activities in Noosa include stand-up paddle-boarding. But you might prefer to take a walk from Hastings Street to see koalas in Noosa National Park , especially in September when the Noosa weather is at its best.

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Embark on a Serene Journey: Discover thIS Unforgettable River Cruise Noosa Experience

everglades eco safaris deliver an unforgettable wilderness experience into one of Australias’ most pristine and untouched regions. Swim in tea tree infused waters, canoe through the mirrored waterways or simply relax in this unique natural environment.

With only two everglades on the planet, everglades eco safaris are the exclusive guided tour operator to Australias’ only everglades. With a range of tours departing daily* from habitat noosa everglades ecocamp and purpose built eco vessels designed with wide open viewing windows to best experience the upper noosa river and abundant wildlife on display.

The vessels gently glide through the tranquil waterways also known as the “river of mirrors” and is home to 44% of native birdlife found in Australia. The flora and fauna throughout the ancient landscapes are truly spectacular and our expert guides provide full commentary throughout the journey, showcasing the rich history of this region.

This is simply Australias’ best accessible wilderness experience and should not to be missed!

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