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The Kabi (or Gubbi Gubbi) tribe had been visiting the Noosa area for 40 000 years before Europeans first arrived in the 1800s. The tribe lived at the mouth of the Noosa River to the north, Redcliffe to the south and Cooroy and Nambour to the west. The region was a sacred retreat used by Aborigines for celebrations such as the annual Bunya nut festival.

  

The name “Noosa” is thought to be derived from an Aboriginal words “noothera” or “gnuthuru” describing shade, shadow or ghost, most probably a reference to the relief the tall forests of the area offered from the sun.

 

Geographical formation

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The Noosa River and lakes were flooded by sea during the glacial period 130,000 years ago making Noosa Heads into an island. The mountains in the area were formed by volcanic lava thrust upward that have withstood erosion over millions of years whilst the softer land around washed away and created the Great Sandy Park with its high dunes.

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The Noosa sand mass is similar to the great dune formations that constitute the Cooloola sand mass and off-shore islands including Moreton, Stradbroke and K’gari. Noosa is underlain by rock, which caused the retarding and settlement of coastal sand drift. The Noosa sand mass is partially separated from the mainland by Tin Can Bay, Noosa River and Lake Cootharaba.

 

European settlement

A Brisbane timber merchant, William Pettigrew, had explored the Maroochy district for timber harvesting, and in 1863 he inspected the Noosa River and its lakes. The first European settlement in the area was Elanda Point on Lake Cootharaba, from where logs were taken downstream to a wharf at Tewantin on the 'Nusa Harbour'. In 1870 a selector, Walter Hay, took up land on which the Tewantin township was surveyed (1870) and his land holdings included Hays Island (now Noosa Sound) and parts of Noosaville. 

 

In 1879 the Noosa Headland was declared Town Reserve. This tract of green forest has remained untouched and is now one of Noosa's most important natural assets, Noosa National Park. The land was gazetted as National Park in 1930, thus guaranteeing its protection in the future. A decade later the town began to develop swiftly gaining popularity as a brief holiday destination as well as a picturesque place to live. 

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Noosa village, consisting of allotments along both sides of Hastings Street, was surveyed in 1879, and most allotments were sold by 1885. Laguna House on Hastings Street was built in the late 1890s. A short walk north from Hastings Street brought visitors to the ocean beach. 

 

Intermittent cyclonic conditions have changed the size of the beach, and beach erosion in 1967 prompted the placement of rock fill to protect beachfront properties. Wave turbulence coming back off the rocks further eroded the beach and natural sand replacement did not cover the rocks. Sand pumping was needed.

 

Beachside holidays

 

By about 1900 holiday makers from Brisbane and Gympie made their way beyond Tewantin, finding accommodation in Laguna House or Bayview (Hillcrest Guest House) in Noosa Drive. Neighbouring Noosaville was known as Gympie Terrace.

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Noosa tourism developed in the late 1920’s. The Noosa Surf Life Saving Club began in 1927 as a tent on the beach and now a major building on the beach offering wonderful views, food and service.

 

These days, friendly locals, slow beach days and unique adventure activities make Noosa one of Australia’s most popular beachside destinations.

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Noosa is surrounded by stunning beaches, lakes, and the lush hinterland of Noosa National Park. It's also home to one of only two everglades systems in the world.

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