Sunshine Coast and hinterland national parks

250 500m Scale 0 To Maroochydore To Coolum Beach Suncoast Beach Drive Toolga Street Jarnahill David Low Way Tanah St (East) Tanah St (West) Mount Coolum summit Drive 1 The view from the top of Mount Coolum © Kate McGuiness This park protects a significant area of montane heath on the mountain peak and includes important pockets of wallum, paperbark wetlands, open eucalypt forest and rainforest remnants that have otherwise largely disappeared from this part of Queensland. Things to do Wildlife spotting See honeyeaters darting through the montane heath, while peregrine falcons, the world’s fastest animal, dive-bomb at up to 200km per hour on the hunt for prey. In winter and spring, migrating whales can be spied from the summit, breaching offshore. Must dos • Get a natural high on a steep trek up the volcanic peak 1 . • Sit quietly and sketch or photograph wildflowers. • Look for passing whales during the annual winter migration. Getting there Access is from David Low Way, 3km north of Marcoola and 6km south of Coolum Beach. Turn into Tanah Street to reach the car park. Places to go 1 Mount Coolum summit walk 1.6km return (2hr) Trek upwards through woodlands and shrublands to low montane heath—a threatened plant community surviving on this exposed summit. This walk has many steps so make sure you are fit enough for the challenge. Mount Coolum dome (above); the stair climb up Mount Coolum (right); a peregrine falcon (top) Photos: © Ross Naumann, QPWS volunteer Safety Never attempt the Mount Coolum summit walk in wet weather—rock surfaces become dangerously slippery. Encounter a sunrise like never before from the impressive green-cloaked dome of Mount Coolum, 208m above the Sunshine Coast lowlands. With spectacular 360 degree views of the coast and hinterland, it’s time to brush off your walking boots, get prepared and start hiking! Mount Coolum, in the traditional lands of the Kabi Kabi people, has very high spiritual and cultural significance. Please respect the park’s cultural and conservation values by looking after this precious area and leaving no evidence of your visit. Mount Coolum National Park 13