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Frequently asked questions
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Departure location
Q) Where do your tours depart from?
A) 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.Â
Q) Do you offer a courtesy shuttle bus?
A) Yes. For more information scroll down this page to “Courtesy Bus”
Q) How far is the departure point from Noosa?
A) 30km or approximately 25 minutes North of Noosa
Q) Is there free parking at Habitat Noosa?
A) Yes, there is plenty of free parking at Habitat Noosa
Q) Is there a restaurant or cafe at the departure point?
A) Yes, we have a full bar, bistro and micro-brewery onsite called Cootharabar & Bistro.Â
Low Tide Conditions
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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.Â
What does this mean for our guests?
– 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. Â
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
Q) Do I need to check in for my tour?
A) Yes
Q) When does check-in open?
A) Online check-in opens 72 hours before departure.Â
A) Check-in opens 30 minutes prior to departure.Â
Q) Where do I check in?
A) Our check-in desk is located outside reception at Habitat Noosa
What should I bring with me
We recommend you bring the following items on tour with you.Â
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)
Courtesy bus pick up locations and times
Q) Where do your buses pick up from?
A) We pick up from 7 locations around Noosa. Please click this link to view our pick up map.  https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1w5HBnKNd2EzryzRv3QFuBj1KbjJg-cM&ll=-26.39292996418681%2C153.0735237&z=13
Q) What are the pick up times for the courtesy bus ?
A) Please click this link to see our pickup locations and times.Â
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1w5HBnKNd2EzryzRv3QFuBj1KbjJg-cM&ll=-26.39292996418681%2C153.0735237&z=13
Q) If I am running late with the bus wait for me?
A) No. We run on a tight schedule and will not delay our buses or boats for late runners.Â
Q) What do I do if I miss the bus?
A) You may still be able to catch an Uber or Taxi, however we ask you to call us immediately on 07-5485-3348
Q) Can I change my pickup location?
A) Yes, please select one of the seven pick up locations listed above and then email us on res@ecoqld.com with you booking number, date and name and your desired pick up location.Â
Our courtesy buses
Q) What size are your courtesy buses?
A) We have two 39 seat buses.Â
Q) Do I need to book a seat on your courtesy bus?
A) 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.Â
Q) How will i know what your bus looks like?
A) Both of our buses have Everglades Eco Safaris branding on the front, side and rear of the buses.
Departing Noosa on a Greyhound or schedule bus service on day of tour
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Q) If I am leaving Noosa on a scheduled bus service such as Greyhound will I be able to make in time for my departure ?
A) 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.Â
Q) Can I bring my luggage with me if I am checking out of my hotel on the day of the tour?
A) Yes, we can store it for you at reception.Â
Tour inclusions (Explorer Tour)
Q) What is included in the Explorer tour?
A) Complimentary transfers from Noosa, Morning Tea, Commentary, Canoe experience, Bush Walk
Q) Is the canoe part of the tour guided?
A) 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.
Q) Is lunch included in the tour ?
A) No
Q) What food or beverage is included in the tour?
A) Morning tea is included in the Everglades. This includes juice, water and a light snack such as a muffin or biscuit
Q) What free of charge optional extras are included in the tour?
A) Optional 10 minute bush walk in the Everglades
A) Optional 4.7km canoe in Between Harrys Hut and FigTree Point (or vice versa)
A) Optional swim at Harrys Hut
Tour inclusions (Serenity Tour)
Q) What is included in the Serenity tour?
A) Complimentary transfers from Noosa, A glass of beer, Sparkling Wine, Juice and Water
Q) Is food included in the tour ?
A) No, however you are welcome to bring your own snacks.
Q) What beverages are included in the tour?
A) A glass of beer, Sparkling Wine, Juice and Water
Travelling with children or infants
Q) Are children and infants allowed on tour?
A) Yes
Q) How old do you need to be to participate in the canoe portion of the Explorer tour?
A) All canoe participants must be seven years of age or older and be a competent swimmer
Gift Vouchers
Q) Can I purchase gift vouchers for the Everglades tour?
A) Yes. Please visit our website and click “Gift Voucher” where you can select any value.Â
Q) How can we redeem gift vouchers?
A) 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.Â
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
Q) Can we redeem the gift voucher online?
A) No.
At this stage the systems do not have the capablity of redeeming gift vouchers online. We are working with our reservations system provide and hope to have this option available before 2025.Â
Travelling with a disability
Notification of a disability
Its important customers notify us at least 24 hours prior to departure of any disability which may require special assistance of our staff/crew. This ensures we are able to notify the appropriate staff and make the necessary preparations. Please email us at res@ecoqld.com or call 07-5485-3348 and ask to speak to the Everglades operations team.Â
Q) Is this tour suitable for customers who use a wheelchair?
A) Unfortunately not, access to our tour boats is across a beach, up a ramp and down stairs and at times via shallow water. We do have a dissablity mat which run across the beach to assist crossing the sand.Â
Q) Is this tour suitable for customers who use a crutches, walking sticks, callipers, strollers or other assistance devices?
A) Yes. An exception is when we operate under extremely low tides conditions.
Extremely Low Tide Operations
Less than ten days each year Lake Cootharaba and the Noosa Everglades experience extremely low tides. These conditions are not always able to be predicted. When we operate under extremely low tide conditions it may not be possible for our staff to assist customers with a disability in a safe manor and we may need to deny boarding. We will make every effort to notify customers so we ask you keep your contact details up to date. If for any reason a customer with a disability is not able to travel due to denied boarding we will offer a full refund.Â
Travelling with animals
Q) Are animals or pets allowed on the tour?
A) 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.Â
Q) Are service animals allowed on the tour?
A) Yes. Please call our reservations team on 07-5485-3348 at least 24 hours prior to your departure and let us know.Â
Ensure you have valid service animal documents in your possession and it should wear the appropriate signage.
Our tour boats
Q) What size are your tour boats?
A) We have two 36-seaters purpose built vessles
Q) What emergency equipment do your tour boats have onboard?
A) Life vests, fire fighting equipment, flares, first aid kits and all legally required equipmentÂ
Weather conditions
Q) What happens if there is bad weather?
A) We operate in all weather conditions. Our tour boat cabins are equipped with sun protection and wind curtains for your comfort.
Q) Do you cancel tours due to bad weather?
A) 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.
Q) Do you ever cancel the canoe portion of the Explorer tour?
A) 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.
Q) Do you provide us with umbrellas or rain coats?
A) No, we recommend you bring appropriate wet weather clothing.
Food
Q) Can I bring my own food on tour?
A) No
Q) Can I book lunch in your bistro?
A) Yes, click here to book a table. We recommend booking at 1.30 or 1.45 pm table as the tour returns at 1.30pm
Amendments / Cancellations / Refunds
Q) Can I change the date of my tour?
A) Yes, as long as you do so at least 48 hours before departure. If you booked with an agent such as Get Your Guide, Viator or BookMe 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.
Q) Can I cancel my booking?
A) Yes, as long as you do so at least 48 hours before departure. If you booked with an agent such as Get Your Guide, Viator or BookMe 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.
Q) Can I defer my booking to an undefined date in the future?
A) Yes, as long as you do so at least 48 hours before departure. If you booked with an agent such as Get Your Guide, Viator or BookMe please contact your agent to do this. If you booked direct with us please email us on res@ecoqld.com with your name, booking number and we will process the change.
Q) What happens if you cancel the tour on me?
A) If we cancel a tour for any reason we will contact you.
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.
