Departure location
-
Our tours depart from Habitat Noosa which is a campground located in Elanda Point. (Near Boreen Point)
Please enter “Habitat Noosa” into Google or Apple maps and this will bring you directly to our departure point. -
Yes. For more information scroll down this page to “Courtesy Bus”
-
30km or approximately 25 minutes North of Noosa
-
Yes, there is plenty of free parking at Habitat Noosa
-
Yes, we have a full bar, bistro and micro-brewery onsite called Cootharabar & Bistro.
Low Tide Conditions
On rare occasions Lake Cootharaba and the upper Noosa river (The Everglades) may experience low tide conditions.
Every effort is may by our planning team to predict tides, however we occasionally find on the day of departure, tides have changed from what was predicted.
As a result, we may anchor our tour boats further from the lakes edge than normal to ensure we stay in deeper water and are able to depart without delay.
-
– You may be asked to walk in the lake to board our tour boats anchored approximately 50 metres from the lakes edge in water 15-30cm deep.
– We may ask for volunteers to exit the boat and walk alongside as we manoeuvre past the Kinaba sand bar. This is normally no more than 50 metres in water 15-30cm in depth.
We recommend you wear appropriate footwear that can be easily removed, or you don’t mind getting wet.
If your tour is planned to be operating during low tide conditions, we will make every effort to advise you via email or sms.
Please ensure your up to date email address and mobile number is listed in your booking.
If you have any concerns, please don’t hesitate to call during office hours on 07-5485-3348.
Check-in
-
Yes
-
Check-in opens 30 minutes prior to departure.
-
Our check-in desk is located outside reception at Habitat Noosa
Availability
-
We recommend you bring the following items on tour with you.
A water bottle
Sunscreen
Hat
Insect repellant
Warm clothing
Wet weather clothing
Dry bag (For the Explorer Tour only – If you wish to participate in the canoe experience)
Swimwear & beach towel (For the Explorer Tour only) -
NO
Our tour boats do not have onboard toilet facilities.
We highly recommend you use the toilets at Habitat Noosa prior to departure.
Everglades Explorer Tour
For guests on our Everglades Explorer Tour the tour boats stop at Figtree Point and Harrys Hut, both stops have National Park toilets.Everglades Serenity Tour
For guests on the Everglades Serenity Tour the boats do not have a schedule stop at any location with toilet facilities.
If you do require a toilet stop, please speak to the skipper who can make an unscheduled stop at Figtree point prior to returning to base.If you have a medical condition where access to toilets facilities are require, please contact us before making a booking.
Please note the toilet facilities at Figtree Point and Harrys Hut are National Park toilets and not managed of serviced by Everglades staff. They may be closed at times due to flooding and the standard of these facilities differ from standard toilets.
Our courtesy buses
-
We have two 39 seat buses and one 11 seat van.
-
Yes. Please ensure you select a pick up location at the time of booking or email us on res@ecoqld.com with your name, booking number, departure date and your desired pick up location.
-
Our buses have Everglades Eco Safaris branding on the front, side and rear of the buses.
Courtesy bus pick up locations and times
-
We pick up from several locations around Noosa.Please click here to view a list of our pick up locations.
-
No, we only pick up from a limited selection of public bus stops around Noosa.
Please click here to view a list of our pick up locations. -
Please check your booking confirmation or click here to see our pick up times.
-
No. We run on a schedule and can not delay our buses or boats for late runners.
-
You may still be able to drive, catch an Uber or Taxi, however we ask you to call us immediately on 07-5485-3348
-
Yes, please as long as you do this before 4pm the day before for the Explorer Tour or before 12pm on the day of departure for the Serenity Tour.
Please select one of our pick up locations listed here and then email call us on 07-5485-3348 or email us on res@ecoqld.com with you booking number, date and name and your desired pick up location. We will update your booking and send a new confirmation email.
Departing Noosa on a Greyhound or schedule bus service on day of tour
-
Although we can not guarantee you will make this connection we normally return to Noosa by 4pm at the latest. This can be impacted by traffic or weather delays on the lake or unforeseen circumstances beyond our control. We would recommend you bring your luggage with you to store in reception so you don’t need to return to your accommodation. We can drop you as close to the bus departure point as possible.
-
Yes, we can store it for you at reception.
Tour inclusions (Explorer Tour)
-
Complimentary transfers from Noosa, Morning Tea, Commentary, Canoe experience, Bush Walk
-
No. This is a self guided canoe experience. Our skippers provide maps, a safety briefing and instructions on how to get to the next stop. This is an optional part of the tour and you can choose to stay on the tour boat which makes its way to the next stop, where we all meet up for morning tea.
-
No
-
Morning tea is included in the Everglades. This includes juice, water and a light snack such as a muffin or biscuit
-
- Optional 10 minute bush walk in the Everglades
- Optional 4.7km canoe in Between Harrys Hut and FigTree Point (or vice versa)
- Optional swim at Harrys Hut
Tour inclusions (Serenity Tour)
-
Complimentary transfers from Noosa, A glass of beer, Sparkling Wine, Juice and Water
-
No, however you are welcome to bring your own snacks.
-
A glass of beer, Sparkling Wine, Juice and Water
Reconfirming bookings?
-
No. From 01 Feb 2025 we nolonger require bookings to be reconfirmed.
Travelling with children or infants
-
Yes
-
All canoe participants must be seven years of age or older and be a competent swimmer
Gift Vouchers
-
Yes. Please visit our website and click “Gift Voucher” where you can select any value.
-
There are two ways you can redeem. The first is over the phone and the second is via email.
Please ensure you have the gift voucher number with you when you call.
We do ask you to send us a copy of the gift voucher as we work with many agents who have different gift voucher processes. Please email a copy to res@ecoqld.com -
No.
Accessibility
Travelling with animals
-
No, as our tours operate inside a national park animals are strictly prohibited. Animals are not be left in your car while you are on the tour. If you turn up with an animal or pet you will need to rebook an alternative date and no refunds will be issued if you are unable to rebook an alternative date.
-
Yes. Please call our reservations team on 07-5485-3348 at least 24 hours prior to your departure and let us know.
Ensure you have valid service animal documents in your possession and it should wear the appropriate signage.
Our tour boats
-
We have two 36-seaters purpose built vessles
-
Life vests, fire fighting equipment, flares, first aid kits and all legally required equipment
Weather conditions
-
We operate in all weather conditions. Our tour boat cabins are equipped with sun protection and wind curtains for your comfort.
-
On rare occasions, our skipper may choose to cancel a tour at any time if weather conditions are considered unsafe or if the National Park rangers close Lake Cootharaba or the Everglades.
-
Yes, on rare occasions, if the wind is too strong our skipper may cancel the canoe portion for safety reasons. As this is a complimentary optional part of the tour no refund will be offered.
-
No, we recommend you bring appropriate wet weather clothing.
Food
-
No.
Amendments / Cancellations / Refunds
-
Yes, as long as you do so at least 48 hours before departure. If you booked with an agent please contact your agent to make those changes. If you booked direct with us please email us on res@ecoqld.com with your name, booking number and your new departure date.
-
Yes, as long as you do so at least 48 hours before departure. If you booked with a travel agent or online agent please contact your agent to cancel your tour. If you booked direct with us please email us on res@ecoqld.com with your name, booking number and we will process a refund.
-
No. Bookings much be dated and each time you make an emmendmnet a $15 change fee applies per person. If you booked with a travel agent or online agent please contact your agent to edit your tour. If you booked direct with us please email us on res@ecoqld.com with your name, booking number and we will process the change.
-
If we (the tour operator) cancel a tour for any reason and you included your email addresss or mobile number at the time of booking, we will make contact with you to let you know.
We will rebook you on any available date the works for you. If we are unable to find a date that works for you we will issue a full refund or approve your travel agent to issue you a refund.
Waitlists
-
Yes. You will need to call us during office hours on 07-5485-3348 and ask to be added to our waitlist. This does not guarantee a seat and we will only contact you should seats become available.