Noosa River

Noosa River
Origin	Wahpoonga Range
Mouth	Pacific Ocean
Basin countries	Australia
Basin area	1948 km²[1]

The Noosa River is a river situated in South East Queensland. The catchment starts in Wahpoonga Range near Mount Elliot in the coastal Great Sandy National Park and meanders south through a lakes district around Tewantin.

Lakes situated on the river include Lake Cooloola, Lake Como, Lake Cootharaba, Lake Cooroibah and Lake Weyba. The catchment is mostly covered by sand dunes and has two major tributaries—Gin Gin Creek and Teewah Creek.^[1]

Pelican on the banks of the Noosa River

The Noosa River enters the Pacific Ocean at Noosa, where substantial residential development has encroached into areas previously occupied by the changing river path. The river is noted for its populations of migratory birdlife.^[2]

History

Logging along the river began in 1864. The logs were transported north to a sawmill near Maryborough until 1870 when a sawmill was built on Lake Cootharaba.^[3]

Richard Branson purchased Makepeace Island on the river in May 2003. Noosa Council scaled down his plans for a luxury resort on the river.^[4]

Several kilometers of beach to the north of the mouth were a popular destination for four-wheel driving, until the Sunshine Coast Regional Council placed restrictions on them in May 2007.^[2]

Chemical contamination has been the suspected cause of a fish mutation resulting in two-headed fish larvae found in the Noosa River.^[5] Government investigations into the problem began in 2007. A final scientific report into the cause of the spawning was delayed in 2010 because of the potential to prejudice ongoing civil court proceedings involving the hatchery and a nearby macadamia nut farm.^[6]

See also

Queensland portal

• List of rivers of Australia
• Noosa River Ferry

References

1. ^ ^{a b} "Water resources - Overview - Queensland - Basin & Surface Water Management Area: Noosa River". Australian Natural Resources Atlas. Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. http://www.anra.gov.au/topics/water/overview/qld/basin-noosa-river.html. Retrieved 2009-05-20. 
2. ^ ^{a b} "Birds return to Noosa River". Sunshine Coast Daily. http://www.thedaily.com.au/news/2008/may/01/birds-return-noosa-river-mouth/. Retrieved 2008-05-14. 
3. ^ Explore Queensland's National Parks. Prahran, Victoria: Explore Australia Publishing. 2008. pp. 24. ISBN 9781741172454. 
4. ^ "Virgin tycoon presses on with luxury island resort". Sydney Morning Herald. 2008-04-27. http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/virgin-tycoon-presses-on-with-luxury-island-resort/2008/04/27/1208743316381.html. Retrieved 2008-05-14. 
5. ^ Brian Williams and Sophie Elsworth (2009-01-13). "Two-headed fish larvae blamed on farm chemicals in Noosa River". News Limited. http://www.news.com.au/story/0,27574,24905243-1248,00.html. Retrieved 2009-05-20. ^{[dead link]}
6. ^ Marrisa Calligeros (23 July 2010). "Two-headed fish report kept under wraps". Brisbane Times (Fairfax Media). http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/twoheaded-fish-report-kept-under-wraps-20100722-10mw8.html. Retrieved 24 August 2010. 

Coordinates: 26°21′S 153°04′E / 26.35°S 153.067°E / -26.35; 153.067