By JONATHON HOWARD
FOR the first time in more than eight years Cooroy Mountain was opened to the general public on Sunday, 19 October.
The trek up was made possible by Noosa District State High School interact students who assisted the Rotary Club of Cooroy to clear the track leading up to the summit of Cooroy Mountain.
The clearing was part of a one-off opportunity for the local community to access and climb the mountain and permission was granted by property owners Cooroy Mountain Water to enter the property on Cooroy Mountain Road and Duke Street.
The mountain trail was believed to have been closed due to liability concerns from Cooroy Mountain Water who are considering whether to host regular open walking days, although nothing has yet been confirmed.
Cooroy Rotarian Carol Johnston described the views from the summit as “breathtaking”.
“To the west and south all of the Glasshouse Mountains can be seen and to the east all of Rainbow Beach and Noosa is in plain view,” Ms Johnston said
“The views tower over Tinbeerwah and Mt Coolum to the south.”
A number of activities were planned at the base of the walk including helicopter flights, food stalls, free blood pressure checks, a 12″ telescope with filters, available for punters to safely look at the surface of the sun, poetry recitals, buskers, bands and face painting.
There was also a “Paint the Cooroy Mountain” and a digital photography competition.
All profits from the event will go to the Sunshine Butterflies Group in Noosa, who support people with mental or physical disabilities.
