September 2014
An Initiative of Pomona & District Community House Inc.
Get set for Great Noosa Trail Walk Above: People can tackle the Great Noosa Trail Walk at their own pace. Left: Organiser of the walk, Shaun Walsh, keeps spirits high.
Tall tales to be told at Kin Kin Yarn Festival For those who have propped the bar at the iconic Country Life Hotel at Kin Kin, chances are they have heard an entertaining yarn. Well, the bush yarn is about to be elevated to an art form at the Kin Kin Yarn Festival, to be held in the town within the folds of the hills of the Noosa Hinterland on Saturday 5 October. The concept has taken off and will be fuelled on the night by lots of curry and good cheer. Organiser and president of the Kin Kin Community Group, Allan Bonsall, said a good line-up of bush poets, singers of stories and comedians would
entertain a crowd that would include hikers on the Great Noosa Trail Walk. “The Noosa region is rich with people who have a story to tell – stories about the way we grow our food, about the way we respect our bodies and our health; tall tales about the past, funny stories about the present; stories about lifestyle residents living in harmony with farmers making a living from the land. “It will be a fascinating night of interaction and enrichment for the soul,” Allan said. Volunteers are wanted to help organise the event, Contact Allan 5481 4402.
The Noosa Hinterland is set for the Great Noosa Trail Walk – a journey of discovery for walkers as they hike the trails of the beautiful countryside surrounding the towns of the region over three days, 4-6 October.
pate in the Kin Kin Yarn Festival. On Sunday, the evening program includes sunset drinks at the Cooran Recreation Club, in the old farmhouse, followed by enjoyment of the longstanding Cooran Acoustic Night.
Now in its second year, the walk has been much anticipated following last year’s inaugural event, which attracted more than 100 participants. Numbers are restricted for safety and catering reasons, but have been expanded to 150 this year. The call has gone out for volunteers to assist in running the event, while business owners have been asked to make a special effort to welcome the hikers, who say they appreciate the experience of the bush and farmland interspersed with towns oozing charm.
Some of the other highlights include a riparian rainforest planting, bird watching and exploring Mill Place at Cooroy, Lake Macdonald, art galleries, model train and antique shops. The trail traverses the country towns of Cooroy, Kin Kin, Cooran and Pomona via a series of dedicated walking trails through farmlands, natural forests and spectacular lookouts of the hinterland, with vistas to the ocean.
The Great Noosa Trail Walk is the brainchild of Cooran local, Shaun Walsh. “We are really pleased with the initial bookings for the walk and are confident it is going to be a fantastic event again. We’ve made a few changes to the route and activities and it is looking like we will have a full contingent of walkers enjoying the majesty of the Noosa hinterland,” Shaun said. While the hiking is fantastic, the event offers even more with a great entertainment program and social activities. On the Saturday evening, walkers are invited to a twilight wander through the Kin Kin Sound Garden, the property and work of local artisan, Steve Weiss and from 6pm can partici-
Hikers undertake the walk at their own pace and are expected to take time to enjoy the landscape, local cafes and antique shops encountered on route. It is not a race. Guides will be posted along the route. A shuttle bus will transfer all camping gear, as well as being available to collect tired walkers. Camping accommodation is provided at Kin Kin and Cooran. Alternatively, accommodation is available at guest houses and pubs. Limited day walker spaces (10) are also available for each day’s walk. For more information: info@greatnoosatrailwalk.com.au or 0407 640 678. The cost to take part is $180, no concessions. This includes the price of a packed lunch, breakfast on day 2, insurance costs, the hire of the shuttle bus, camping fees and admission to entertainment venues.
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