Canoeing

Discover our new online Adventure Sunshine Coast tool that makes it easier to find inspiration and information on kayaking and canoeing trails in the Sunshine Coast.

Quickly filter over 20 Sunshine Coast canoeing and kayaking trips by location, waterway, distance, conditions and other criteria to find the paddle experience that's right for you. Create your own profile to keep track of the canoe or kayak trips you have done or want to do. Provide reviews of paddles to help others decide. See photos of what you will see on your voyage and lots more.

Adventure Sunshine Coast has all you need to plan your next paddle on the Sunshine Coast.

Paddle fun for locals and visitors to the Sunshine Coast

Wherever you are on the Sunshine Coast there are paddle experiences to be had.

From ocean side, to estuaries, river and lakes, there is an enormous variety of waterways, bird life, marine life and vegetation to explore - after all some things are better seen from the water.

A trip on our waterways is about having a grand adventure in an early explorer way. It's about getting active and having fun and gaining a quiet sense of accomplishment. It's about doing things at a different pace and in some cases entering a whole new world. You will learn more about the history and culture of the region and in some instances the farming and other communities that make their homes beside our rivers, lakes and dams.

In true Sunshine Coast style, many of our water courses can be enjoyed by paddlers of all ages and abilities with more challenging options for more experienced paddlers. You can paddle for an hour or the whole day.

By doing one of our paddle trails you will discover a peaceful and healthy way to connect to the Sunshine Coast's stunning natural environment.

Whatever your leaning, there's a paddle for you

The Sunshine Coast is a part of Australia that has much to offer canoeists and kayakers.

Maroochy River

The Maroochy River canoe trail is around 30 km long with 5 access points in the lower reaches and 5 in the upper. Starting in the middle at Lake Dunethin (suitable for disability access), paddlers can head north to George Best Park, or south to Coolum Creek, the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary and Mangrove Islands.

Currimundi Lake

Currimundi Lake canoe trail is a safe, sheltered, six kilometre trail along residential and bushland areas fringed with paperbarks and she-oaks. The creek provides a peaceful haven for wildlife and canoeists. You can even go further into the Pangali and Baroona Canals. The course is highly suitable for beginners and family groups.

Noosa River and the Everglades

Three canoe trips in this area let you explore the tea-tree stained tannin waters, the magnificent migratory birds and our stunning blue kingfishers as you glide through the pristine wilderness. The Elanda Point to Kinaba Kayak at Cootharaba is a 10 km return paddle with glimpses of the Cooloola sandblow to the north.

Islands off the Coast

For experienced paddlers Old Woman Island off the coast at Mudjimba is a gem when conditions are right. Take the channel north of the beach access then look for sea turtles as you paddle towards the island. Landing is not allowed, but you can fish, surf or snorkel or just take in the ocean scenery.

Islands in the stream

In the Maroochy River, paddle around Chambers Island, with its sand beaches all round. Close to the mouth of the river is Goat Island where you will likely see stingrays, several size fishes and of course seabirds. There are lots of islands to be explored in the Noosa River and Weyba Creek as well.

Dam good paddling

Nestled in the middle of the main range, between Maleny and Montville is the peaceful Baroon Pocket Dam. With no powercraft and high green hills all around, it's a beautiful protected place for a paddle. Further north you can take a lovely quiet loop around Lake MacDonald where you'll see plenty of geese and ducks.

Lakes with bountiful birdlife

Weyba Creek and Lake Weyba is a large lake close to Noosa. Follow the creek to go under old and new bridges and see sea eagles soaring above. Further upstream, in the lake you might see a Jabiru. It's sometimes call the black-necked stork but on closer inspection the feathers are iridescent greens, purples and blues.

There are more paddles to be found on Adventure Sunshine Coast

Adventure Sunshine Coast is a great way to discover not just popular water excursions but also our lesser-known yet equally impressive waterways, bird and marine life. Our Sunshine Coast canoeing and kayaking online guide lets you find options by:

locations
distances and time
available facilities
conditions
whether the paddle is a circuit or one-way.

Plus each paddle description contains helpful information on where you can hire canoes and kayaks, where you can park and launch, starting point, where you can pull in and go ashore and explore, and what you can do afterwards.

Discover Adventure Sunshine Coast online guide today for the most up to date information on all our canoe and kayak trails including new additions.

Sunshine Coast canoeing and kayaking paddle maps

If you prefer to read about some of our more well-known paddle trips you can download the following PDF publications which overview two main paddling areas on the Sunshine Coast.