The Big Pelican, Noosaville: Pelican Pete on the Noosa River

The Big Pelican is a large fibreglass pelican on the Noosa River foreshore in Noosaville, standing in a small fenced garden beside Pelican Boat Hire at 180 Gympie Terrace. Locals call it Pelican Pete, and it is one of the Sunshine Coast’s best-known big things and an easy photo stop on a day out along the river.

It costs nothing to visit, and it sits right on the riverfront path, so you can combine it with a coffee, a boat hire or a walk along the Noosaville foreshore.

The story of Pelican Pete

The pelican was built around 1977 in Noosa Council’s workshop for Rotoract, as a float for the Festival of the Waters street parade. It was chosen because the pelican was Noosa Council’s emblem at the time. Council overseer Jim Woods designed it. The first version was papier-mache over a metal frame, with two people inside working levers, pulleys and cables to move the head, eyelashes, bill, wings and tail. A seat on its back let passengers ride and wave.

It was not waterproof, and it once capsized off a pontoon into the Noosa River. In the 1980s it stood as a static display in front of the Noosa Lakes Motel on Hilton Terrace. In the 1990s the owners of Pelican Boat Hire acquired it and moved it to the roadside on Gympie Terrace. During the foreshore redevelopment around 2000 it returned to Apex Park beside the boat hire, and council agreed to a permanent site there.

Pelican Boat Hire restored the pelican with fibreglass and added a fence and a garden, and the restored Big Pelican officially opened in its current spot on 13 October 2007. The event raised funds for the Australian Volunteer Coast Guard. After the business changed hands, the boatshed was renovated and the pelican was repainted in 2016. The Rotary Club of Noosa Heads donated the surrounding garden.

What you can see

The pelican has flapping wings, a rotating head, an opening beak and blinking eyes, and its back opens to carry parade passengers. It stands in a fenced garden, so it is a landmark to look at and photograph.

Pelican Boat Hire next door

Pelican Boat Hire is open seven days a week, year-round. The coffee kiosk opens at 7.30 am and boat hire runs from 8 am to 5 pm. The pelican belongs to the business, which pays for its maintenance.

The business began in 1957 as Noosa Marine Services, with a slipway, small boat repairs and tinnies for hire, and has worked from this site for more than 50 years. Today you can hire runabouts, half cabin cruisers and BBQ pontoons, single and double kayaks, stand-up paddle boards and jet skis. It is also the primary fuel dock on the Noosa River.

Listed prices start at $20 for the first hour of a single kayak and $55 for an hour in a runabout, with half cabin cruisers and BBQ pontoons costing more. Check the Pelican Boat Hire website for current prices, availability and booking conditions before you go.

Planning your visit

• How long: 10 to 15 minutes for a photo stop, longer if you add a coffee or a walk along the foreshore.
• Cost: free to look at.
• Best time: coffee kiosk from 7.30 am, with the boat hire open 8 am to 5 pm.
• What to bring: a camera and sun protection.

Getting there

By car, the Big Pelican is about 134 km and about 115 minutes from the Brisbane CBD without traffic. The address to use is 180 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, the Pelican Boat Hire address, and the business can be phoned on 07 5449 7239 if you want to confirm hours or ask about hiring a boat or kayak on the river. The Noosa River guide covers the foreshore, ferry, parks and parking along the river.

Nearby

• Noosaville – river dining, breweries and the foreshore.
• Noosa River – the foreshore, ferry, parks and parking.
• Noosa Ferry – timetable, fares and stops.
• Tewantin – the marina, a gallery, trails and ferries.
• Noosa Main Beach – the surf beach in Noosa Heads.

Browse more history and landmarks and Noosa days out.

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• Cape Moreton Lighthouse (Moreton Island)
• Old Museum (Bowen Hills)
• St John’s Cathedral (Brisbane City)

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