Eumundi Voice - Issue 104, 17 October 2024

Giving back one step at a time

The highly anticipated Great Noosa Trail Walk (GNTW) has wrapped up again for another year with over 250 walkers gaining a unique perspective and appreciation for the Noosa hinterland on the leisurely, self-guided walk.

The GNTW traverses the hinterland towns of Cooroy, Kin Kin, Cooran and Pomona through a series of 56km of walking trails along the Noosa Trail network. The trails meander through farmland, natural forests and feature spectacular lookouts with views through to the ocean. This year’s event was extremely popular, selling out almost 2 months after registrations opened in February.

The event began 12yrs ago as a small-scale event organised by local walker and trail enthusiast Shaun Walsh. This year marks the 10th GNTW, due to two walks being cancelled. One event was cancelled due to bushfire risk and the other during the Covid pandemic.

Shaun is still heavily involved and leads the 25 volunteer guides who assist on the trail throughout the event. He has walked the trails since the early 1990s and started the event when Noosa Council amalgamated with Sunshine Coast Council. The aim was to profile the trail experience while ensuring the community also benefited from the experience.

“It is rare to have day walking trails that link our villages in Australia. It is common in Europe but not here,” said Shaun.

Cooroy Future Group Inc. now hosts the event which has grown to offer both one and three day walking opportunities with many walkers returning each year.

The experience is supported by a variety of local community groups, such as the Rotary Club of Eumundi who provide logistics support with luggage. The GNTW offers a vital opportunity for local clubs and organisations to raise much-needed funds to support their activities.

Eumundi Rotary has assisted with 8 events, raising over $23,000 in funds which have been used to support the club's youth programs.

Other community and sporting groups provide hot meals and morning tea along the walk. The event also generates a much-needed boost to local businesses with local hinterland

cafes, restaurants and accommodation venues enjoying the influx of visitors.

Shaun said, “I am extremely proud of the community involvement and profit model established for this event. It represents a good model of sustainable tourism as the community are inherently involved in the event.”

Congratulations to the GNTW organisers for another successful event!