Noosa History & Heritage

The Noosa region has a rich and unique history,  from the first peoples through European settlement to the present day.    Noosa Council, through its Cultural Heritage Unit and Heritage Library, plays a significant role in collecting, interpreting and preserving this heritage to connect our community and visitors with Noosa’s past and to inform current and future generations.

Discover more about Noosa’s history at the Noosa Library Service Heritage Library     

Built Heritage

Many of our towns have retained significant numbers of heritage houses and businesses, including many unique ‘Queenslanders’.

Noosa Shire has ten State heritage listed properties, including the Lower Mill Site Boiler House and Kilns which is a Council owned and managed property - open to the public daily. Other State-listed heritage sites include Alfredson’s Joinery, Cooroora Masonic Hall, Cooroy Railway Station, Halse Lodge, Kin Kin Sawmill, Majestic Theatre (Pomona), Noosa River Caravan Park, Mill Point Settlement Site and the Pomona Police Residence.

More details of the State heritage listed sites can be found on the Queensland Government website. In addition, the Noosa Plan 2020 lists 63 Local Heritage Places and identifies character areas in Cooroy, Pomona and Cooran. 

Noosa Council’s Historical Heritage Report for Noosa Shire and supporting citations are below:

Historical Cultural Heritage of Noosa Shire - Report

  1. Boreen Point Kin Kin Cooatharaba
  2. Cooroibah
  3. Cooroy & Lake Macdonald
  4. Eastern Beaches
  5. Mary River Catchment (includes Pomona, Cooran, Black Mountain, Ridgewood, Pinbarren and Federal)
  6. Noosa Heads
  7. Noosa North Shore
  8. Noosaville
  9. Tewantin & Doonan

Heritage Levy

Noosa Council is unique in having a heritage levy, which provides dedicated funding for a range of activities focused on preserving, documenting and interpreting the Shire’s history and heritage. Find out more: Heritage Levy Policy and Heritage Levy Policy Guidelines

Heritage Reference Group

The Noosa Heritage Reference Group provides input and advice to Council on heritage related matters.  

Heritage Inquiries

For heritage queries contact Council’s Heritage Coordinator on (07) 5329-6534 or email heritage@noosa.qld.gov.au