Stand Up Paddleboarding – Lake MacDonald, Sunshine Coast

Lake MacDonald – The Main Points

Location – Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia
SUP – Own Drift Rigid, Frangipani and Viking Kayaks
Cost – No cost
Conditions – Lake MacDonald is Freshwater lake/reservoir
Other users – More Kayakers than Stand Up Paddleboards
Entry Point – Boat ramp
Surrounding amenities/Bathrooms- the Noosa Botanical Gardens form part of the surrounding parkland and there are picnic and bathroom facilities along with car parking.

Getting There – To get to Lake MacDonald, head north from Brisbane along the M1 or Bruce Highway to Cooroy then exit into the town centre. Follow the signs along Lake MacDonald Drive towards the boat ramp and Noosa Botanic Gardens.

Map

Current Weather Conditions

Wee Blether – Lake MacDonald

Having lived away from the Sunshine Coast area for the 5 years prior to this paddle, I sometimes forget what’s on my doorstep! It was a really great surprise to discover Lake MacDonald and to do it by Stand Up Paddleboard! Like many places on the Sunshine Coast, I had visited Lake MacDonald and Noosa Botanical Gardens years ago (before I began Stand Up Paddleboarding) Not having been on the water that time, I didn’t get to appreciate everything it has to offer. I was nicely surprised by just how beautiful the undulating waters edge is. Having the chance to see some of the beautiful properties on the shore of the lake I quickly resolved that it would be a great place to live one day – in the event of a large financial windfall…

The park around the access point is on the western shore of Lake MacDonald and is really lovely, perfect for a day out with picnic tables and the Noosa Botanic Gardens to explore. The boat ramp makes getting into the water easy enough and there is certainly plenty of water to paddle in. The shape of the shore line is quite undulating so there is lots to explore! Lake MacDonald is a fantastic place to Stand Up Paddle and I recommend checking it out.

It was also a great opportunity to get out for a paddle with my parents who love their Viking Kayaks!

For other great places to paddle throughout Queensland click here