NOOSA, QUEENSLAND

'Noosa' is located on the Sunshine Coast in South East Queensland, Australia. It is bounded by Maroochy Shire in the south, and Cooloola Shire in the North. The name Noosa comes from the Aboriginal word for shadow or shadey place.^[1][2] It is commonly used to describe a cluster of suburbs none of which are actually called Noosa. The main suburbs that could be considered to be within the Noosa ''town'' are:

★ Noosa Heads

★ Noosaville

★ Sunshine Beach

★ Sunrise Beach

★ Tewantin
The main surrounding towns that are within the Noosa Shire (local government boundary) are:

★ Boreen Point

★ Cooran

★ Cooroy

★ Kin Kin

★ Peregian Beach

★ Pomona
The current population of the Noosa Shire is approximately 50,000 permanent residents,^[3] although tourism based seasonal fluctuations can boost that number by perhaps 20,000+ visitors. As such, the Noosa economy is primarily driven by tourism.
From March 2008, Noosa will be merged with two other Sunshine Coast councils; Maroochydore & Caloundra.

Contents

Ancient history

White Settlement

See also

Sources

References

Ancient history

The Noosa area was originally home to many Aboriginal tribes. These primarily include the ''Undumbi'' tribe to the south, the ''Dulingbara'' to the north, and the ''Gabbi Gabbi'' to the west.
Although much of the culture and presence of the traditional owners of the Noosa district has been lost during the short period of white settlement, there still exists many subtle reminders. These include:

★ ''bora rings'', used during rituals.

★ ''canoe trees'', marks on trees where bark was removed for canoes.

★ ''border/navigation trees'', marks on trees used to mark paths and/or tribal borders.

★ ''stone carvings''

★ ''burial trees''

★ ''middens'', shell mound created by thousands of years of discarded shells.

★ ''stone axes''

★ ''spoken legends'', many local legends which were traditionally passed through the generations survive today.

★ ''place names'', many local names are versions of the original aboriginal names. 'Noosa' is said to be a western interpretation of the aboriginal name for the area 'Noothera', meaning a place of shade and harmony.

White Settlement

Although Captain Cook passed the Noosa coastline during May 1770 it really wasn't until the mid 1800s that it could be said that modern 'white' settlement of the Noosa district really began. This early settlement was primarily driven firstly by timber logging and then secondly a gold rush in the Gympie area, north of Noosa.
In the last 50 years Noosa has been transformed from an isolated fishing village to a popular tourist destination. Although this has had its costs the shire is known for its generally ''greener'' approach to development. Most development in Noosa has been restrained. Noosa has no high rise buildings and much remaining native forest. Almost 35 per cent of Noosa shire comprises National Parks, Conservation Parks, State Forests, and other generally protected land. The local government has implemented a controversial ''population cap'' of 65,000 permanent residents for the shire.

See also

★ Noosa National Park

Sources

★ In the Tracks of a Rainbow: Indigenous Culture and Legends of the Sunshine Coast, Wells, Robin A., , , Gullirae Books, 2003, ISBN 0-9580854-0-4

★ The Noosa Story: a study in unplanned development, Cato, Nancy, , , John Wiley & Sons, 1979, ISBN 0-7016-2635-6

★ Tom Petrie's reminiscences of Early Queensland, Petrie, Tom, , , Angus & Robertson Publishers, 1904, ISBN 0-207-14629-2

★ (2005). Noosa Shire Council Home. Retrieved May 4, 2005.

References

1. South East Queensland - Place Names 19 December 2006
2. Noosa Community Guide 2005 Part D 19 December 2006
3. Australia Bureau of Statistics