“Fantastic“ was how hikers described the Great Noosa Trail Walk (GNTW) held for the 11th year over the long weekend.
Even a broken leg didn’t stop Melbourne trekker Marylane Douglas from describing the event as one of the loveliest walks she and her three girlfriends had ever done.
“It’s the people who make it so lovely,“ she said.
Marylane and her girlfriends spent six months preparing for the three-day walk and after a 26km trek from Cooroy to Kin Kin on day one Marylane tripped walking down some steps.
Thinking it was just a bad strain she camped with her friends overnight but with increased pain in the morning, an ambulance was called which took her to Gympie Hospital and a fracture diagnosed.
Unable to find alternate accommodation in Noosa over the busy long weekend and with no family or friends in the area Marylane had no option but to return to the trail camp.
“It was fine. Everyone was so kind,“ she said. “[GNTW team leader] Kym [Neaylon] came to pick me up from hospital. Sean [Walsh] got a stretcher bed for me. Some people offered accommodation in their own homes. I said now that I’m here it’s easier to stay here. I got so much more attention.“
Other trekkers echoed Marylane’s sentiments that the people had been the highlight of the walk, along with the scenery.
“They’re such friendly and helpful people. They always made sure we had good coffee in the morning,“ one walker said.
Kym Neaylon who is also Cooroy Futures Group president agreed it had been a fantastic event, and the perfect weather had added to the enjoyment.
“Everybody is just so happy. People are impressed with the community spirit. Volunteers have been so helpful, they’ve been willing to go out of their way to help,“ he said.
Kym praised the volunteers and community groups including Cutter Football Club for putting on breakfast Monday morning, the Eumundi Noosa Lions Club for organising an “amazing tea stop with all homemade cakes“ and the exceptional work of Kin Kin Community Group.
“We’ve had great support from the Kin Kin Community group. They got us out of a tight spot when the pub shut and Black Ant cafe didn’t open. They managed to put on dinner for 250 people and put on a show,“ he said.
Kin Kin Community Group secretary Jann Bonsall said it was an enormous undertaking for the community group, but everyone seemed to enjoy it.
Jann said the group set up the whole hall for guests and The Dots theatre group put on a special show with material specific to the walk.
Noosa celebrity chef Matt Golinski took the lead in the kitchen cooking the trekkers a barbecue dinner and the community contributed with lots of salads, and the group also supplied wraps for lunches and breakfast for the following day.
Marylane said they’d expected basic food on the walk but their meals were like “a gourmet smorgasbord“.
Noosa MP Sandy Bolton described the GNTW as “an amazing way to showcase our community – not only the incredible natural beauty but the people who are amazing, so welcoming and fantastic.
“It showcases everything about us. It’s the perfect way to meet and share stories,“ she said.
This year organises launched a new GNTW Trail Map and Information guide, lovingly curated by the team, it includes tips and highlights of the area, local places to visit, supporters of the event and some history of the trails.
Setting a record attendance this year, the event hosted about 250 walkers from across the country and including 23 guides, over the three days.
“This is the only walk in Australia that connects all the little towns together like European walks,“ Kym said.
“It’s as much a glimpse into the community here as the bush they walk through. It takes them through all the villages and all the communities along the way, it generates income for their towns. You find by involving community groups it puts money back into the community groups.“
More information about the event is at greatnoosatrailwalk.com
