Surf Clubs - Hell's Gate Triangle

This loop is named for the two surf clubs (Sunshine Beach and Noosa Heads) and the Hell's Gate viewpoint, which together form a rough triangle-shaped loop around Noosa Heads National Park. This route can be run in either direction, as well as choosing your start & finish point, which could be at either Sunshine Beach SLSC or Noosa Heads SLSC. Both are great for a beachside coffee or cold beer after your run. Going anticlockwise, you'll have two big staircases of 200+ steps to climb, as well as a very steep uphill road section. Clockwise avoids these climbs (although of course you'll still have to go down them).

If you're starting at Sunshine Beach SLSC and going clockwise, start off by heading up Bryan St. Where it curves around to the left to become Solway Drive, turn right and then left along Parkedge Road. At the end of the road, head into the national park past the gate onto the 4WD track. It’s beautifully shaded under the tree canopy. Ignore the next 4WD track heading off to your left and keep following the track you’re on. At the T junction turn left. Keep a close eye out for a smaller single trail heading off into the forest on your right. Take this trail, which after a short distance brings you out onto a tarmac road (Viewland Dr). Turn right and enjoy this short cruisy undulating road section shaded by the tall trees, looking out for another gate and 4WD track veering off to the right into the national park. Take this track, which soon comes out at the top of the very steep Bayview Rd. Head down the road and follow it as it turns left and becomes Upper Hastings St.

Now you need to look out for the steps heading down to Hastings St proper, beside the Panorama building just before a right-hand bend. There is a sign saying ‘stairs to Hastings St’. Head down the steep stairs and then along Hastings St to the surf club. If this is your start & finish point, enjoy that well earned coffee/beer. Otherwise, grab some water at the fountain, hang a right and make your way along the beachfront side of the surf club to join the excellent boardwalk path heading into the national park. This is the popular Coastal Walk, which meanders around the coast past beaches, surf breaks, cliffs & coves and is always busy with walkers & runners from dawn till dusk.

Take the small detour to the Dolphin Point lookout, then keep heading towards Hell’s Gates. This is a spectacular spot for a photo before you curve back south, following the path around and down to the scenic Alexandria Bay beach. It’s easiest running on the firmer sand near the waterline. At the southern end of the beach, the path heads back up around the coastline, past some cliffs & blowholes and around to the top of the Sunshine Bay stairs. Spot the lifeguard tower a way off down the beach - this is where you are aiming for. Head down the stairs and along the beach. Keep a look out on your right for the lifeguard tower and the signposted beach access number 32. This is your route back up to the Sunshine Beach SLSC and the end of the loop.