One of the Sunshine Coast’s least known attractions is Noosa Botanic gardens located on the shores of Lake Macdonald, a short drive from the hinterland town of Cooroy – about 25km from The Rise Noosa.

The gardens comprise 8 hectares of native and exotic plant species, within which, you’ll find an open air bush chapel, fern house, lily pond, large lawn areas and winding paths leading to picnic areas and a Grecian style amphitheatre. All of this is surrounded by an abundance of wildlife.

Originally farmland, the site was resumed by Council in the late 1950s and part of it used to create the Lake Macdonald water supply.

Surprisingly, the site where the gardens are situated was used as an unofficial rubbish tip. After a great deal of preparation and work the Noosa Botanic Gardens officially opened to the public in August 1990.

It’s easy to arrange a visit from The Rise Noosa to Australia Zoo by bus if you don’t have a car or don’t want to drive about 40 minutes south. We can organise things for you.

Apart from a busy daily program every day in the Crocoseum and other areas there are often special occasions which you can enquire about via the www.australiazoo.com.au website. Throughout the Summer there are regular performances by Bindi and the Jungle Girls and you can also see Terri and Wes feeding the crocodiles. There is also a kids’ program called “Zoo Keeper for a Day”  and a whole lot more.

Whilst you’re unlikely to get to see Frodo, the young female koala who was recently badly injured and who is recuperating at the zoo currently, you never know. However, you can offer a donation to to assist if you wish.

Ask about our Noosa Holiday pacakges with Australia Zoo.