pandanus

" Summertime and living is easy".

The Whitsundays are internationally famous for their rugged, green-clad islands, blue waters and white sands. But behind that beauty lies much more: a tumultuous geological history, a long tradition of Indigenous use, and a complex ecosystem with thousands of animal and plants, including rare and endangered species. The Whitsundays lay in a geologically active zone, where volcanic activity continued for 37 million years. Explosive eruptions threw rock and ash into the air to rain down on the surrounding land. Layers of volcanic debris built up and gradually formed a solid bedrock. Today, this bedrock, composed of ash and rock fragments 'welded' together, can still be seen (e.g. on Whitsunday and Hook islands). This hardened rock appears as a smooth greenish grey to brown, and is worn away by saltwater wave action. The Whitsundays are generally ideal for coral growth: warm, clear, relatively shallow water, with an average temperature of around 20–30 degrees Celsius. In addition, the Whitsundays’ large tidal range causes fast currents to stream south with the incoming tide. These currents transport food and nutrients that nourish a rich and colourful diversity of corals on the edges of the fringing reefs. Vivid and beautiful, these corals also provide food and habitat for many sea-dwellers. Different plants grow on different parts of the islands, influenced by variations in soils, exposure to the elements, and availability of fresh water. At the top of the beaches grow tough pioneer plants like goat’s foot convolvulus, sea bean and spiky spinifex, which can tolerate wind, salt spray and shifting sands. On the foredunes behind these stabilising creepers and grasses, grow salt-tolerant shrubs and trees such as octopus bush and coastal she-oak. Further inland, vine forests and lush vegetation grow in moist, sheltered gullies and on steep, rocky hillsides, with tall hoop pines scattered through them. Hillsides with drier, deeper soils support open eucalypt forests and, on many islands, undulating native grasslands. Below all of these, along the shorelines, patches of mangroves flourish. Source: parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/parks-whitsundays/about/culture

Coolum is a relaxed beachside village popular with families and couples and is just 20 minutes south of Noosa Heads. With a year-round patrolled surf beach and wonderful bays to explore, Coolum Beach is perfect to get away and enjoy the natural coastal environment. Proudly protective of the environment, Coolum Coast Care has created wonderful sanctuaries for flora and fauna, boasting many natural bushwalks from the Northern Mount Emu, winding through Coolum Beach to Yaroomba and including Mount Coolum. This landmark mountain which greets you as you drive north towards Noosa requires a good level of fitness to climb but offers stunning views. It is accessible via Tanah Street West, off David Low Way. Source: www.visitnoosa.com.au/destinations/surrounds/coolum-beach

Noosa is home to a range of pristine natural environments - from waterways full of birdlife to rocky headlands where you can watch whales swim past. Noosa's Main Beach is one of the only north-facing beaches on the east coast of Australia and is calm on most days. Source: www.queensland.com/au/en/places-to-see/destination-inform...