Lake Weyba, Noosa: Kayaking, Birds and Getting There

Lake Weyba is a large, shallow salt-water lake about 4 km south of Noosa Heads, popular with kayakers, paddle boarders, kite boarders and birdwatchers. Mangroves, wetlands and bush line its edges.

The lake covers about 9.6 square kilometres. A national park borders its eastern side.

A shallow wetland lake

Lake Weyba is a large shallow estuarine system, up to about two metres deep. Tides are not noticeable on the lake itself, because wind-driven waves and rainfall dominate the water level. Seagrass grows throughout, and several small creeks feed the lake, including Weyba, Eenie, Keyser, Horsman and Murdering creeks.

It is a nationally important wetland. The lake and its lower reaches are part of the declared Noosa River Fish Habitat Area, and areas of heath, melaleuca woodland, eucalypt forest, rainforest and scrub, mangrove and saltmarsh remain around it. The lake was fished for mullet and oysters as far back as the 1970s.

Why the lake is special

The northern part of the lake has high habitat and fish diversity. Around it, heath, melaleuca woodland, eucalypt forest, rainforest and scrub, mangroves and saltmarsh remain, and parts of the area are protected in Noosa National Park, other Queensland Government estate and nature refuges. Upstream of the industrial estate, a patch of wallum heath holds plant species new to science, and wallum froglets live in Keyser Creek and nearby wetlands.

During floods, the lake can spill into Doonan Creek in the neighbouring Maroochy catchment. The Queensland WetlandInfo catchment story has the full detail.

Kayaking, paddle boarding and kite boarding

The lake is used mostly by shallow-draft craft: catamarans, kayaks, canoes, kite surfers, paddle boards and small tinnies. Visit Noosa lists bird watching, kayaking, bushwalking and kite boarding as the things to do here.

Paddlers can also follow Weyba Creek under the older and newer bridges, where sea eagles are often seen overhead, and look for a jabiru further upstream. The creek and the Noosa River have islands to explore.

Walking and birdwatching

An existing natural trail runs along the foreshore and is used by walkers and riders. The community group Friends of Lake Weyba says the Noosa Parks Association included the lake in a Ramsar submission recognising its international importance for migratory birds, and the Commonwealth lists it as a Wetland of National Importance. Bring binoculars, and keep your distance from nesting and feeding birds.

Facilities and access

Visit Noosa lists a boat ramp and picnic tables at the end of Lake Weyba Drive. The Sunshine Coast Council foreshore project page says facilities are limited and there are no formal boat accesses to the lake, so a car-top kayak or board is the easiest way to get on the water.

The council is developing a landscape plan for the foreshore park to enhance access to open space, the lake and the recreation trails. Works under the plan can be delivered in stages over several years, depending on funding, so facilities may change.

Dogs

Noosaville – Weyba Foreshore Park is one of Noosa Council’s designated off-leash dog areas, and dogs must be on a leash in other public areas. The Sunshine Coast Council project page does not cover dogs, so follow the signs on the day.

Planning your visit

• How long: an hour or two for a paddle and a picnic; longer if you bring a kayak and explore the creek.
• What to bring: your own kayak or board, water, a hat, sunscreen and binoculars. There is no hire place confirmed at the lake.
• Boats on the water: Maritime Safety Queensland handles on-water rules, and Noosa Council handles foreshore and land-based matters.
• Fishing: the lake is within a Fish Habitat Area, so check Queensland fishing rules before you cast a line.

Getting there

Lake Weyba Drive, Weyba Downs, is about 138 km from Brisbane CBD, roughly 2 hours by car without traffic. From Noosa Heads it is about 4 km south. Public transport to the lake end of Lake Weyba Drive is not confirmed, so plan to drive.

If you want to see more of the area on the same day, the Noosa River and Noosaville foreshore are close, and Noosa National Park is a short drive north.

Nearby

• Noosa River – foreshore parks, the ferry and parking.
• Noosaville – river dining, breweries and the foreshore.
• Noosa National Park – coastal walk, beaches and parking.
• Peregian Beach – swimming, markets and parking.
• Marcus Beach – a quieter Noosa coast beach.
• More lakes and rivers and more Noosa places

You might also like

• Lake Cootharaba – another Noosa lake for sailing and paddling.
• Lake Macdonald (Cooroy)
• Minyama (Sunshine Coast)

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