Welcome to the Noosa Shire

Nestled at the northern end of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast on Kabi Kabi country, Noosa Shire is renowned for its stunning landscapes, vibrant communities, and strong history of environmental stewardship. Home to approximately 59,000 residents, the shire encompasses both a bustling coastal community as well as diverse rural lifestyles throughout its hinterland.

The Shire enjoys 64 regional ecosystems—from pristine beaches and tidal estuaries to lush hinterland forests and freshwater creeks. The entire Noosa Shire is a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve, in recognition of its integration of community with environmental management.

The region’s rich biodiversity supports iconic species such as koalas, glossy black cockatoos, and our very own floral emblem, Key’s Boronia (Boronia keysii). Thanks to more than six decades of strong community leadership, particularly by the Noosa Parks Association, over 42% of our shire’s bushland areas are today protected under formal covenants, whether this be National Park, Bushland Reserve or Nature Refuge. The hundreds of Land for Wildlife and Voluntary Conservation Agreement private landholders add to this environmental repository. Furthermore, the many members of conservation organisations such as Noosa Parks Association, Urban Wildlife Gardens, Noosa Integrated Catchment Association, Mary River Catchment Coordination Committee, various bushcare groups, and Noosa & District Landcare collectively pay testament to the commitment of locals to the natural environment.

As the Noosa Council tagline puts it, Noosa is ‘different by nature.’ Many in the community value the long-standing integration of the natural landscape with the built environment. Indeed, since the 1980s, it been a conscious strategy that the natural landscape should take aesthetic precedence. The region’s unique scenery is thus central to Noosa’s character, shaping its charm and appeal. The result of this point of difference has resulted in Noosa becoming a tourism hotspot. Balancing its role as a popular holiday destination with the needs of permanent residents is generally well managed—though not without its challenges. Growing population pressures and increasing visitation continue to test this balance, making community collaboration and careful planning more important than ever.

Tourism thrives on the region’s natural assets, while local initiatives champion regenerative agriculture, renewable energy, and habitat restoration. Community groups, landholders, and council will need to work collaboratively to tackle challenges like invasive weeds, waterway health, and climate resilience.

More than a destination, Noosa Shire is a living example of environmental stewardship, and community spirit. Its people lead the way in protecting ecosystems, celebrating cultural heritage, and shaping a sustainable future for generations to come.

Noosa Biosphere Reserve

In 2007, Noosa Shire was internationally recognised as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve under the Man and the Biosphere (MaB) Program, placing it among a global network of over 700 reserves across 134 countries. This prestigious designation celebrates Noosa’s long-standing commitment to living in harmony with nature and fostering sustainable development.

Managed by the Noosa Biosphere Reserve Foundation, the reserve promotes conservation, community-led innovation, and environmental research. It serves as a “living laboratory” where ecological health, cultural values, and a smart economy are nurtured for future generations. The biosphere status reflects decades of community-driven stewardship and thoughtful urban planning that prioritise ecological integrity while addressing global sustainability challenges at a local level.

Kabi Kabi Country

The Noosa Region sits within Kabi Kabi country. The Kabi Kabi people's traditional country spans a vast area in Southeastern Queensland, primarily along the Sunshine Coast, extending from Caboolture in the south to Bundaberg in the north.

For tens of thousands of years, the Kabi Kabi People have thrived in diverse environments—from surf-washed shores and tidal estuaries to dense rainforests dominated by Bunya Pines. Abundant resources supported large populations, with local groups trading, sharing ceremonies, and forming marriage alliances. These networks extended to neighbouring nations, including Gooreng Gooreng, Wakka Wakka, Jinibara, and Yugarapul, and were central to major cultural gatherings like the Bunya Festivals held in the Bunya Mountains.

In June 2024, the Federal Court formally recognised the Kabi Kabi people as native title holders of over 365,345 hectares of land and waters. This historic determination affirms the Kabi Kabi People ‘s enduring connection to Country and provides a legal framework to strengthens future decision-making, safeguards cultural heritage, and fosters collaboration on Country.

Following this historic achievement, Noosa Council entered a groundbreaking commitment to sustainable custodianship of the lands and waters of Noosa, in partnership with Kabi Kabi People's Aboriginal Corporation (KKPAC). This Commitment between Noosa Council and the Kabi Kabi People acknowledges Noosa’s First Nations people and their deep cultural and spiritual connection to the natural systems that sustain us.