Follow highways and byways and you’ll come upon towns of charm and history tucked away over the railway line, across the creek, or just beyond the mountain. Eastward you’ll find the Noosa River winding its way down to the sea, and Lake Weyba, a pristine and magical environment. Explore this lake and its everglade creeks by canoe or kayak and you may spot a majestic jabiru, or a kangaroo hopping through the waters. The towns of Cooroy, Pomona and Kin Kin lie on Noosa’s Heritage and Discovery Trail, which allows the visitor to experience the beauty, tranquillity and unique culture that make this such a memorable region. You can also follow the Noosa Food Trail and meet local producers.
Cooroy
In recent years Cooroy has recreated itself as a country town with a difference – stylish streetscaping, cafés, bistros and arts and- crafts shops have all combined to create a sophisticated urban-style village with a sense of fun. Stroll down trendy Maple Street, with its mix of Art Deco Queensland-style shopfront architecture, browse in fashion boutiques and galleries, or see contemporary furniture, a pottery workshop or quirky theatre at the Butter Factory. Join the lunchtime locals who flock to Peter’s Café for ‘the best pie in Australia’, or at night dine at Bistro Bistro, one of the hinterland’s top eateries – both on Emerald Street. Five minutes’ drive north-east of the town are the magnificently planted and landscaped Botanic Gardens and Amphitheatre, overlooking Lake Macdonald, where recreational fishing is permitted.
Pomona
Pomona has also flourished in its scenic setting on the lower slopes of towering Mt Cooroora. The former Noosa Shire Council Chambers, now housing a historical museum; the gracious Pomona Hotel; the Art Deco style of the shops; the Old Pomona Railway Station Gallery; the Memory Lane antique shop; the Majestic Theatre – the world’s only surviving silent movie theatre – all these speak of the town’s unique heritage. It’s a heritage that lives on in the King of the Mountain Race, run every year in July, through the town to the top of the mountain and back. Take the challenging track yourself to the summit for spectacular views over the hinterland.
Kin Kin
Visitors are welcomed to Kin Kin by the two-storeyed, timber edifice of the Country Life Hotel, where they can soak up some history while quenching their thirst. Galleries along the main road display the work of the many local artists, and health is high on the bill, too, with Living Valley Springs, an internationally recognised health retreat, and Mette’s Institute, which offers Kahuna massage training. Kin Kin is the starting point for the Noosa Trail Network Countryside Loop and Scenic Trail – a 200km network of trails for use by walkers, horse-riders and mountain-bikers. Set off from here and you’ll be able to spend anything from five hours to two days discovering the Noosa hinterland on foot.
