Noosa Everglades

The Noosa Everglades run through the Great Sandy National Park upstream of Lake Cootharaba, one of a small number of everglade systems in the world, where the river spreads through paperbark and melaleuca swamp forest. The water is stained deep brown by tannins leaching from the vegetation, and because it is shallow and sheltered, it goes glassy on still mornings and reflects the trees and sky with unusual clarity, which is what most photographs of the place show. Access is by boat tour, hired kayak or guided paddle from Boreen Point or Elanda Point. The area holds more than forty percent of Australia's bird species, along with wallabies, goannas and abundant frogs.

What you actually see

• The mirror water - tannin-stained river reflecting the trees on still mornings.
• The paperbark forest - melaleuca swamp along the channels.
• The birdlife - a large share of Australia's bird species recorded in the area.
• The upstream camps - remote national park campsites reached only by water.

When to go

April to October for the dry season; the reflections need still air, so early morning is essential and wind ruins the effect by late morning. Summer is hot, humid and mosquito-heavy. Water levels vary with rainfall.

Honest expectations

The mirror effect depends entirely on wind, and a breezy day removes the main attraction. Tours are half or full day and not cheap; kayaking upstream is a long paddle. Mosquitoes and march flies are heavy in warm weather.

Nearby

Boreen Point and Lake Cootharaba are the access points; Noosa lies south.