Suggested Drive - Central Loop
Central Loop (91 km day trip) Pomona – Cooroy – Lake Macdonald
Morning: Pomona
For a relaxed, scenic drive from Noosa to Pomona – the original headquarters for the Shire of Noosa – head into the stunning hinterland scenery of McKinnon Drive then turn left on to Louis Bazzo Drive, passing lush rainforest, open grassland and farms. A left turn on to Pound Road will take you directly into the historic town of Pomona. Turn left on to Hill Street and enjoy the impressive sight of magnificent Mt Cooroora that looks over the town and is known for the annual King of the Mountain Festival on the 4th Sunday in July every year.
Enjoy a unique experience when you sit back, relax and watch a silent movie in the world’s oldest authentic silent movie theatre – the iconic Majestic Theatre in Pomona. Make sure to check timetables on the theatre’s website.
If you want to test your fitness and feel like the King of the Mountain, climb the 439m high volcanic rock of Mt Cooroora – it’s a challenging climb but you will be rewarded with exceptional views across coastal lakes towards the Cooloola Sand Patch and Great Sandy National Park. Make sure you bring your walking shoes and allow yourself 2-3 hours for the climb including a long break at the peak.
Stop in to your choice of the many quaint cafes for morning tea including Hollyhock Cottage and Noosa Namaste or pick something up from the Pomona Fruit and Vegie store which stocks locally grown seasonal fruit and vegies. Make sure to visit one of the amazing antique stores in town selling vintage, second-hand and retro items and furniture before driving on to Cooroy which is just 10 minutes away.
Indigenous Name:
Lieutenant Bligh took up land in this area in 1860 and called it Caroora. The nearby mountain is still called Cooroora Mountain while the town’s name was changed to Pomona in 1906, after the Roman goddess of fruit and fruit trees.Midday/early afternoon: Cooroy
After an adventurous morning head to the beautiful township of Cooroy, known as the Heart of the Hinterland. Turn right on to Yurol Forest Road, weaving through lush State forest and continue your journey on to Elm Street, the railway overpass and into Maple Street. Enjoy lunch at one of the many quirky and welcoming cafes in Cooroy and take your time to stroll along the streets and discover cupcake stores, breweries, gifts shops and boutiques.
Walk through the Mill Place Precinct in the heart of Cooroy, a creative and interactive indoor and outdoor hub that honours the town's heritage past as a thriving timber town. It includes the innovative Cooroy Library; historic Butter Factory Arts Centre which hosts exhibitions, workshops and family days; a ceramics workshop; and The Lower Mill Site which houses a restored boilerhouse and kilns, Log Maze, Cooroora Woodworkers and the Sunshine Coast Camphor Laurel Initiative - you can even hear from Peppers Ghost about the town's history. If you’d like to grab some supplies for the next leg in your adventure, perhaps some nibbles and bubbles, stock up before you leave Cooroy.
A few minutes along Lake Macdonald Drive, stretch your legs and stroll through the beautiful Noosa Botanic Gardens on the shores of Lake Macdonald – there’s a myriad of native and exotic plants, wildlife and a stunning lakefront Greek-style amphitheatre. Drive back towards Cooroy turn left on to Swift Drive and left again on to Cooroy-Noosa Road.

Late afternoon: Mt Tinbeerwah Lookout
Make sure to enjoy the country scenery on your way back to Noosa along Cooroy-Noosa Road. To visit Mt Tinbeerwah turn left on to Tinbeerwah Road, park your car at the end of the road and take your supplies along the sealed track leading to a viewing area where you will be rewarded with sensational 360 degree views from coast to hinterland – you might even catch a great sunset photo with the Noosa hinterland mountains as a backdrop.
Return along Cooroy-Noosa Road driving through the riverside village of Tewantin, where the Noosa Shire Council is now based.

Indigenous Name:
Tinbeerwah - place of grass trees or high hill climbing up. Cooroy - Mt Cooroy’s original name was Coorooey, from the Aboriginal woRoad kurui, meaning possum. The town is named after the nearbyHighlights
- Mountain climbing
- Lookouts
- Silent theatre
- Historic sites
- Scenic hinterland backdrops
- Second-hand treasures
- Sunset at Mt Tinbeerwah
- Noosa Botanic Gardens
- Quaint cafes
Tips
Planning your trip on a weekend? Make sure to visit Pomona’s Country Markets held on the second and fourth Saturday of every month, 6.30am-noon.Keep your eyes open for ‘honesty boxes‘on your way– you can’t find fresher produce anywhere else than straight from a farm’s gate.
For more information and exact locations of restaurants, shops and attractions on this drive check the business listings on our website.
Get and print directions
Enter your start and end destination below and click to view your directions. You will be directed to a custom Google Map page to see the full route where you can view, plan and print this Central Loop Drive.
Planning on using your mobile? Please print both this page and your Google Map Directions before you leave as mobile coverage is limited. Print Drive
- child_care
- wc
- money_off
- attach_money
- directions_bus
- directions_walk
- directions_bike
Legend
1. McKinnon Drive and Louis Bazzo Drive scenic route
- child_care
- directions_walk
- directions_bike
2. Mt Cooroora
- directions_walk
3. Noosa Namaste
- wc
4. Pomona Fruit & Vegie Market
Small unique fruit and vegetable shop supporting local farmers and producers. Stocking seasonal fresh...
5. Noosa Museum
- child_care
- money_off
- attach_money
6. Hollyhock Cottage Home & Garden
In a lovely Queenslander cottage (remnants of the old historic hotel) we are Hollyhock...
- child_care
- directions_bus
7. Majestic Theatre
- wc
- attach_money
8. A Little Shop of Soul
A Little Shop of Soul is a cute little bookshop, selling new and second-hand...
- child_care
- wc
9. Buttercups Cupcakes
Buttercups Cupcakes offer a selection of delicious cakes and cupcakes along with cake decorating...
- child_care
10. Cooroy Library & Noosa Mobile Library
- money_off
- attach_money
11. Butter Factory Arts Centre
12. Mill Place Precinct (Lower Mill Site)
- child_care
- wc
- money_off
13. Cooroora Woodworkers
- attach_money
14. Lake Macdonald
15. Noosa Botanic Gardens
- wc
- money_off
- directions_bike
16. Mt Tinbeerwah
- child_care
- wc
- money_off
- directions_walk
- directions_bike
- child_care
- wc
- money_off
- attach_money
- directions_bus
- directions_walk
- directions_bike