Noosa National Park

🇦🇺 Australia

🦎 Lace Monitors Cross the Coastal Track
🌍 #127 Global · 3.9 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #6 in Oceania #6 in Temperate Forest
Australia, Australia 744 spp. recorded

Noosa National Park sits on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia, where temperate forest clings to sandstone cliffs and sandy beaches. The park’s mix of coastal heath, eucalypt woodland and rainforest gullies creates a mosaic that feels different from the surrounding hinterland.

-26.388° S   153.105° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Australian Brush-turkey ★
LC Endemic

Australian Brush-turkey

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alectura lathami

80–90% · Very likely
Koala ★
VU Endemic

Koala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phascolarctos cinereus

Insufficient data
Lace Monitor ★
LC Endemic

Lace Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus varius

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Torresian Crow
LC

Torresian Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus orru

70–80% · Very likely
Coconut Lorikeet
LC

Coconut Lorikeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Trichoglossus haematodus

70–80% · Likely
Noisy Friarbird
LC

Noisy Friarbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Philemon corniculatus

60–70% · Likely
Lewin's Honeyeater
LC Endemic

Lewin's Honeyeater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Meliphaga lewinii

60–70% · Likely
Laughing Kookaburra
LC Endemic

Laughing Kookaburra

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dacelo novaeguineae

60–70% · Likely
Noisy Miner
LC Endemic

Noisy Miner

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Manorina melanocephala

60–70% · Likely
Major Skink
LC

Major Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Bellatorias frerei

50–60% · Likely
Pied Currawong
LC Endemic

Pied Currawong

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Strepera graculina

50–60% · Likely
Australian Magpie
LC

Australian Magpie

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Gymnorhina tibicen

40–50% · Likely
Australian Pied Cormorant
LC Endemic

Australian Pied Cormorant

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phalacrocorax varius

40–50% · Likely
Brown Honeyeater
LC

Brown Honeyeater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lichmera indistincta

40–50% · Likely
Crested Tern
LC

Crested Tern

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thalasseus bergii

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Koala ★
VU Endemic

Koala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phascolarctos cinereus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Short-beaked Echidna
LC

Short-beaked Echidna

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tachyglossus aculeatus

30–40% · Possible
Common Ringtail Possum
LC Endemic

Common Ringtail Possum

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Pseudocheirus peregrinus

10–20% · With luck
Swamp Wallaby
LC Endemic

Swamp Wallaby

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Wallabia bicolor

Insufficient data
Eastern Grey Kangaroo
LC Endemic

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macropus giganteus

Insufficient data
Humpback Whale
LC

Humpback Whale

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Megaptera novaeangliae

10–20% · With luck
Red Fox
LC Endemic

Red Fox

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Vulpes vulpes

Insufficient data
Queensland Tube-nosed Fruit Bat
LC Endemic

Queensland Tube-nosed Fruit Bat

☀️🌙 Day & Night Mammal

Nyctimene robinsoni

Insufficient data
Short-eared Possum
LC Endemic

Short-eared Possum

🌙 Nocturnal Mammal

Trichosurus caninus

Insufficient data
Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin
NT

Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Tursiops aduncus

5–10% · With luck

⭐ Iconic Species

Australian Brush-turkey ★
LC Endemic

Australian Brush-turkey

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Alectura lathami

80–90% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Torresian Crow
LC

Torresian Crow

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Corvus orru

70–80% · Very likely
Coconut Lorikeet
LC

Coconut Lorikeet

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Trichoglossus haematodus

70–80% · Likely
Noisy Friarbird
LC

Noisy Friarbird

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Philemon corniculatus

60–70% · Likely
Lewin's Honeyeater
LC Endemic

Lewin's Honeyeater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Meliphaga lewinii

60–70% · Likely
Laughing Kookaburra
LC Endemic

Laughing Kookaburra

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dacelo novaeguineae

60–70% · Likely
Noisy Miner
LC Endemic

Noisy Miner

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Manorina melanocephala

60–70% · Likely
Pied Currawong
LC Endemic

Pied Currawong

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Strepera graculina

50–60% · Likely
Australian Magpie
LC

Australian Magpie

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Gymnorhina tibicen

40–50% · Likely
Australian Pied Cormorant
LC Endemic

Australian Pied Cormorant

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Phalacrocorax varius

40–50% · Likely
Brown Honeyeater
LC

Brown Honeyeater

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Lichmera indistincta

40–50% · Likely
Crested Tern
LC

Crested Tern

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Thalasseus bergii

40–50% · Likely
Spangled Drongo
LC

Spangled Drongo

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Dicrurus bracteatus

40–50% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Lace Monitor ★
LC Endemic

Lace Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus varius

70–80% · Very likely

📊 Most Spotted

Major Skink
LC

Major Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Bellatorias frerei

50–60% · Likely
Common Bluetongue
LC Endemic

Common Bluetongue

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Tiliqua scincoides

30–40% · Possible
Carpet Python
LC Endemic

Carpet Python

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Morelia spilota

20–30% · Possible
Elegant Snake-eyed Skink
LC Endemic

Elegant Snake-eyed Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Cryptoblepharus pulcher

20–30% · Possible
Bar-sided Skink
LC Endemic

Bar-sided Skink

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Concinnia tenuis

20–30% · Possible
Frill-necked Lizard
LC

Frill-necked Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Chlamydosaurus kingii

20–30% · Possible
Black Treesnake
LC

Black Treesnake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Dendrelaphis punctulatus

20–30% · Possible
Copper-tailed Ctenotus
LC Endemic

Copper-tailed Ctenotus

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ctenotus taeniolatus

Insufficient data
Eastern Brown Snake
LC Endemic

Eastern Brown Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pseudonaja textilis

Insufficient data
Red-bellied Black Snake
LC Endemic

Red-bellied Black Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pseudechis porphyriacus

Insufficient data
Common House Gecko
LC Endemic

Common House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus frenatus

Insufficient data
Bearded Dragon
LC Endemic

Bearded Dragon

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Pogona barbata

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Eastern Cane Toad
LC

Eastern Cane Toad

☀️🌙 Day & Night Amphibian

Rhinella marina

10–20% · With luck
Copper-backed Brood Frog
LC Endemic

Copper-backed Brood Frog

🌙 Nocturnal Amphibian

Pseudophryne raveni

Insufficient data
Ranoidea caerulea

Ranoidea caerulea

Amphibian

Ranoidea caerulea

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Humpback Whale Migration

JunJulAugSepOct

Humpback whales migrate north along the coast in winter, often breaching close to shore near Noosa Heads. Boat tours and headland vantage points offer prime viewing.

Humpback Whale
LC

Humpback Whale

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Megaptera novaeangliae

10–20% · With luck
🦌

Koala Foraging Season

JanAprJun

Koalas are most active during cooler months, feeding on eucalyptus leaves in the park’s woodlands. Rangers report increased sightings near the boardwalks.

Koala
VU Endemic

Koala

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Phascolarctos cinereus

Insufficient data
🦎

Lace Monitor Courtship Displays

JanFebNovDec

Large Lace Monitors emerge in summer to mate, engaging in dramatic combat rituals and territorial displays near fallen logs and picnic areas.

Lace Monitor
LC Endemic

Lace Monitor

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Varanus varius

70–80% · Very likely

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
50–60
40–50
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
Australian Brush-turkey
80–90
60–70
80–90
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
80–90
90–100
Koala
30–40
<5
<5
30–40
5–10
30–40
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
<5
Lace Monitor
80–90
80–90
70–80
50–60
60–70
20–30
20–30
70–80
60–70
70–80
90–100
90–100
Torresian Crow
70–80
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
80–90
90–100
70–80
70–80
Coconut Lorikeet
70–80
50–60
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
60–70
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
70–80
Noisy Friarbird
60–70
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
Lewin's Honeyeater
60–70
70–80
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
50–60
50–60
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
Laughing Kookaburra
60–70
60–70
70–80
60–70
40–50
50–60
40–50
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
Noisy Miner
60–70
50–60
70–80
80–90
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
70–80
50–60
50–60
40–50
Major Skink
50–60
70–80
60–70
50–60
20–30
10–20
10–20
30–40
60–70
60–70
10–20
60–70
Pied Currawong
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
30–40
70–80
40–50
40–50
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
Australian Magpie
30–40
50–60
60–70
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
60–70
40–50
50–60
Australian Pied Cormorant
40–50
30–40
40–50
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
60–70
Brown Honeyeater
20–30
40–50
40–50
50–60
30–40
60–70
60–70
40–50
60–70
40–50
20–30
40–50
Crested Tern
30–40
20–30
30–40
50–60
40–50
30–40
40–50
50–60
40–50
40–50
40–50
40–50
Animal Events
🦌 Humpback Whale Migration
🦌 Koala Foraging Season
🦎 Lace Monitor Courtship Displays

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🦎 Lace Monitors Cross the Coastal Track

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Excellent

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
5.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
451
🐒 Mammals
120
🦎 Reptiles
134
🐸 Amphibians
39
744 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
45 Threatened 302 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Very good

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
3.4 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
64%
📊
Coverage (120 species at ≥5% of 744 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
16%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (10 bird, 2 reptile)
46% Global avg
37%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
74
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
4
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
18

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Noosa National Park?

The most likely sightings are Australian Brush-turkey (seen by 80–90% of wildlife watchers), Torresian Crow (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Lace Monitor (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Coconut Lorikeet (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Noisy Friarbird (seen by 60–70% of wildlife watchers) — among 744 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Noosa National Park for wildlife?

September has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Australian Brush-turkey in Noosa National Park?

Yes — about 84% of wildlife watchers report a Australian Brush-turkey sighting in Noosa National Park, based on 124 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Koala in Noosa National Park?

It's possible but not guaranteed: about 14% of wildlife watchers report a Koala sighting in Noosa National Park, based on 3 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data. Sightings take luck and time in the field.

Can you see Lace Monitor in Noosa National Park?

Yes — about 75% of wildlife watchers report a Lace Monitor sighting in Noosa National Park, based on 73 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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