ACTIVITIES NOOSA HEADS

The scenic waterways of the upper Noosa River and its tributaries are one of the Great Sandy National Park's, Cooloola section most outstanding features. Tannins washed from decaying plant matter stain the waters a very dark colour, almost black in deeper sections, offering spectacular reflections of the twisted paperbarks and bloodwoods that line the waterways' banks. The Kinaba track takes you through regrowth forests, paperbark swamps and cabbage palm wetland. The vegetation changes from open forest to areas dominated by melaleucas and swamp banksias. As you enter a section of casuarinas with ground cover of mangrove ferns, look to the left for a surveyor's blaze on a dead tree. The Government arrow and the numbers "239" are still clearly visible. Upon reaching the Kinaba Information Centre, visit the displays or take the self-guided boardwalk through the mangroves.

Noosa National Park, a chunk of wild coastline jutting into the ocean, is understandably one of Australia's most visited parks. Wallum heaths, woodlands and pockets of rainforest with hoop and kauri pine are important refuges for wildlife, including koalas and rare glossy black-cockatoos. Explore the picturesque Noosa Headland along a selection of five tracks, ranging from one kilometre to eight kilometres and catering to all fitness levels. Walk past rocky shorelines and spiky pandanus, through woodlands and rainforests with piccabeen palms, to wide beaches or lofty lookouts. In the Peregian section, stroll to the ocean beach. In the Emu Mountain section, on your way to the summit, discover wildflowers. In the East Weyba section, along unmarked vehicle trails, watch for birds - but keep to the trails at all times.

Jew Shoal is a large reef complex of ridges, canyons, bommies, and a solitary 11 metre pinnacle. The Caves has rugged rocky outcrops and swimthroughs; the gutters are covered in colourful hard and soft corals, and reef fish including angelfish, butterflyfish, surgeonfish, globefish, rabbitfish, soapfish, morwong, sweetlip and bream. The coral gardens has an array of invertebrates - sea stars, feather stars, shrimps, hermit crabs, urchins, brittle stars, cowries and over 100 varieties of nudibranchs.

Spectacular views can be seen from several lookouts along the track. You will also see coastal rock formations such as the Boiling Pot and Hells Gates. Beaches include Tea Tree Bay, a pandanus-lined sandy beach, the more rocky Granite Bay, historic Winch Cove and the sweeping Alexandria Bay. Koalas frequent the gum trees along this walk and honeyeaters are often seen in the flowering shrubs next to the track. Out to sea, frolicking dolphins and migrating humpback whales are sometimes seen by the keen observer.

In Cooloola, Great Sandy National Park you can experience the majesty of nature's sculpture in sand. Massive dunes, towering cliffs of coloured sands and wide ocean beaches have been etched by wind and water. Tall forests, fragrant wildflower heaths and paperbark swamps decorate the sands. Water features abound, including surf, freshwater lakes and the undisturbed upper Noosa River. Walk one of the scenic tracks to highlights such as the historic Double Island Point lighthouse. Pack a tent for the two to four day Cooloola Wilderness Trail. Drive along the beach or take the Cooloola Way and Freshwater Road through tall open forests and heathlands. You will need a four wheel drive vehicle with high clearance to enjoy driving the sand tracks or the beach at low tide. Canoe the Noosa River. Camp in a variety of areas: from formal campgrounds with facilities to wilderness camps. Visit information centres at Tewantin and Rainbow Beach.

Welcome to a world of serene beauty. A mind and body in exquisite balance. A soul rejuvenated - welcome to the Aqua Day Spa. Perfectly located in the heart of Noosa on Hastings Street at Sheraton Noosa Resort & Spa, you're welcome to a unique haven. A tranquil oasis in which to relax, unwind, be pampered and indulged, where over 60 beauty and body treatments await using effective products from Thalgo and LaPrairie. Embracing purity, harmony and vitality of water, treatments reflect these key elements to restore balance and harmony. Eight treatment rooms offer the latest in skin and body care with a couples' room perfect for those seeking a romantic treat, a mother and daughter moment or for friends sharing a memorable day together. Explore an array of massage options to balance the body and mind or simply relax and experience the healing benefits of water in the unique Roman style aqua therapy and steam room. Let them create an experience that will ensure you feel your best on the inside and out. Come for an hour or stay the entire day, it's time to feel good.