Adventure time: Emu Mountain - Coolum Beach (Noosa National Park)

Enjoy 360 degree views of Peregian and Coolum surrounds from this 71 metre peak.

SUITABILITY

Suitable for walkers. This 1.4km adventure is easy to do with kids, even little ones, and also good route for people who want to have a run or a ride exploring multiple trails.

HIGHLIGHTS

You’ll find Emu Mountain just south of Peregian Beach. It’s more of a hill and sadly emus no longer roam the top.

Still, at just over 70m elevation it provides a surprisingly a sensational view, mainly due to so few trees and the compact mountain top allowing 360 degree uninterrupted views of the coast and hinterland.

It’s a much less strenuous and pedestrian busy option than the Mt. Coolum summit walk and the views are equally impressive.

Absorb the vista, and don’t overlook the interesting rock outcrops and vegetation on the mountain itself. The coastal heathland plants flower in spring.

For the easiest route up, take the western track (Hakea) and use the linking trail.

Note, some people refer to this hill as Mt Peregian. The mountain’s name is actually derived from the local Aboriginal word 'peregian', which means emu – because once there were emus on these slopes.

AFTERWARDS

You can make this a longer adventure by heading down the mountain via the Hakea route and following that south till its end where it hits Tritonia Drive. Follow that towards the coast. Once you hit David Low Way there is a cement cycle/walking path that runs beside it. Head north and it will bring you back to Havana Road East.

HOW TO GET THERE

To the starting point: There are various tracks that can you can take to the top of Emu Mountain.

If you are driving, cycling or walking you can access the route from side roads off David Low Way (namely Tritonia Drive, Kanooka Avenue or Havana Rd East.)

For the fastest ascent, climb from the end of Havana Road on the northside, which is what is marked with the accompany red trail.

There are two trails on this side: the Emu Mountain Summit Walk and the Hakea Walk, which has a side Summit Link Trail that takes you to the summit.

To the end point: The end point is the same as your starting point, however the red trail suggests you do a circuit route rather than an out and back.

Explore this trail

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For those who wish to take a dog on their adventures – be sure to check out Council’s handy interactive off leash dog map to help identify the current dog off-leash, on-leash and prohibited areas when you’re out and about across the Sunshine Coast local government region.