Noosa National Park starts at the eastern end of Hastings Street and follows the rocky headland out into the Coral Sea — a rare arrangement that puts a major protected coastal reserve directly inside a resort town. The main coastal track runs about 5 km from the visitor centre out to Hells Gates, looping past a string of small bays: Boiling Pot, Tea Tree Bay, Granite Bay, and Alexandria Bay (a long, wild stretch where clothing is unofficially optional).
The walking is easy, mostly flat, and almost always within sight or sound of the water. Bring water, swim gear and reef shoes for the rocky beaches, and keep an eye on the trees: koalas, goannas, brush turkeys, and the occasional carpet python are all regulars. Get there early — the park gets busy by mid-morning in summer.