I was thirteen when I first kayaked the length of the Noosa River. My dad and I spent a few days camping along the tranquil snaking banks, swimming and slowly paddling up and back. Since then, I’ve hiked beside it, camped at its mouth with friends, and kayaked laps of it many times. Each time is slightly different, with fire scarring its banks and floods depositing debris; weather changing its façade and perspective, and age changing my view of these everglades.

I’ve learned a few things from all my Noosa adventures.

Get up for the sunrise! The river gets incredibly glassy, and the reflections are stunning.
It’s not about the K’s. Each stretch is as stunning as the last. Don’t rush it!
Take many pairs of clothes. There’s nothing worse than wet, sandy clothes.

So. I’ve described this length of water as a river. However, it is also an everglade.

What is an everglade?

Simply put, it’s a network of rivers and lakes, characterized by low swampy land. There are only two in the world - Noosa, and Florida. The Noosa Everglades was traditionally the home of the Kobi Kobi people! It’s also suggested that the population there was a lot more stable and less nomadic due to the plethora of food available.

As summer approaches, it’s definitely the right time to start planning your paddling trip!