Are there any crocodiles in Noosa, Queensland?

Noosa is not in Queensland’s Croc Country, so the chances of encountering a crocodile in Noosa are tiny, if not totally impossible.

Noosa in Queensland is one of the most popular stops along Australia’s east coast. Many travellers will spend a night or two here on the drive from Brisbane to Cairns.

Things to do in Noosa include shopping on Hastings Street, surfing at Little Cove or spotting koalas in Noosa National Park.

For other activities, try taking a cruise through the Noosa Everglades, a whale-watching tour, a beginners’ surfing lesson or viewing aquatic life from a speedboat.

However, many visitors will be unsure about whether it’s safe to go swimming in Noosa. After all, Queensland has a large crocodile population, and many aren’t quite sure how far south crocodiles come.

Get the best out of Noosa – 6 sensational experiences to look into

Cruise the mirror-like waterways of the Noosa Everglades – a glorious glide through stunning natural landscapes.
4WD along the beaches – AND kayak with dolphins on a day tour full of easy adventure.
Take a dolphin-watching safari down the Noosa River.
Have a go at kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or waterbiking.
Take a tasting tour of the local craft breweries and distilleries – find out how the locals have devoted themselves to quality.
Get standing on your board by the end of a beginners’ surfing lesson.

Crocodiles in Noosa

For reassurance, take a look at the Queensland Government’s Crocwise initiative. This draws a map of where Queensland’s Croc Country is. Crucially for anyone visiting Noosa, the town is not within the typical crocodile habitat region.

The dividing line of Croc Country is the Boyne River near Gladstone. Anywhere south of the Boyne River, you are highly unlikely to encounter saltwater crocodiles.

Noosa is south of the Boyne River – although not by a massive margin. It is extremely unlikely that you’ll encounter a crocodile in Noosa.

12 fantastic Sunshine Coast experiences to book now

Taste coffee and ginger, do rainforest walks, and visit the best lookouts on a highlight-packed hinterland tour.
Take a serene Noosa Everglades cruise along the mirror-like waterways – or canoe through the Everglades.
Learn to surf at a Sunshine Coast surf school – or try paddleboarding instead.
Combine sight-seeing and thrills on a fast boat tour.
Go e-mountain biking on the downhill trails of Tewantin National Park.
Kayak with dolphins as part of a beach 4WD tour.
Explore the Sunshine Coast from above on a seaplane flight.
Take an indigenous cultural tour – with bush tucker tasting.
Visit the region’s best craft breweries and distilleries on a drinks tasting tour.
Go jetskiing through the gorgeous Pumicestone Passage.
Taste wines, cheeses and chocolates on a hinterland food tour.
Watch migrating humpbacks on a whale-watching cruise.

What happens if a crocodile is seen in Noosa?

That is not, however, to say that it is impossible to encounter a crocodile in Noosa. Crocs have occasionally ventured south of the Boyne River before, although this is a very rare occurrence.

Crocs have gone south of the Boyne River before, though. In January 2023, for example, there were reports of one spotted off North Stradbroke Island, 500km south of Croc Country.

Under the Queensland Crocodile Management Plan, Noosa is in Zone F – the atypical habitat zone.

Any crocodiles found in Zone F are immediately targeted for capture and removal. So, in the unlikely event a crocodile is seen in Noosa, it’ll be got rid of pretty quickly.

If I can do just one thing in Noosa, what should it be?

The Great Beach Drive – a four wheel drive adventure up Teewah Beach towards Double Island Point – is fantastic on its own. To go kayaking with dolphins as part of the same trip makes for a genuinely superb day out.

Take it as a massive personal recommendation – the Great Beach Drive plus Kayaking With Dolphins day tour should be at the top of your Noosa wishlist.