Hell's Gates

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Hell's Gates
Noosa National Park

Yes
this is where
we are going today
Hell's Gates
- you don't have to be
particularly devilish
just follow me

First let's take a look at the map.
I'll park the car at the end of Noosa Parade.
Look at the left hand edge of the map, 1/2 way up.

We'll walk over to the Surf Life Saving Club,
then from Hastings Street we'll make our way
to the boardwalk - the dark line on the shore.

The boardwalk will take us to the National Park
from where we will walk to the Boiling Pot, Tea Tree Bay,
Granite Bay and around the headland to Hell's Gates
so named for its dark and dangerous cauldron of swirling waves.

It's been a leisurely walk to Tea Tree,
we're heading now for Dolphin Point.

Winch Cove stretches north to south,
a long sweep of coastline
where the tumbling rocks on the shore
rumble with the outgoing waves

Further along the beach a lone surfer
watches the waves with interest

And here we are at Hell's Gates.
Lets take a look...

Only a few steps...

Don't get too close
It drops off quickly...

It's calm down there
in Hell's Gates today...
but no turtles

Looking south, down the east coast of Queensland,
in the distance is Alexandria Beach
(the unofficial nudist beach)
and the headland that abuts Sunshine Beach.
Another day we will walk over that ridge
to Sunshine Beach
but not today...

Lets turn 180* and look to the north across Laguna Bay
to where the North Shore is just visible -
This long stretch of beach is great for 4 wheel driving
and popular with campers and fishermen.

It's often blustery out here on the headland,
facing into the great Pacific Ocean
the Casuarinas- 'She Oaks',
have learned to grow with the wind

We'll turn and head back now.

Look at the Banksia tree nuts
standing out against the blue sky

Keep your eyes peeled because
on our way back
we may even see a kookaburra...



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