The Big Pelican is a activities & tours in Nooville QLD, NSW, Australia. It has a 4.5/5 rating from 382 Google reviews. Contact: +61 7 5449 7239. Website: http://pelicanboathire.com.au/.Listed on thegood.guide, the local's guide to Byron Bay.
The Big Pelican
Nooville QLD · Activities & Tours
(382 reviews)
He's been standing watch on the Noosa River foreshore since the 1990s, a giant fibreglass pelican with a grin that somehow lands. The Big Pelican is less a destination than a landmark, the kind of thing you walk past on your way to something else and end up photographing anyway. The surrounding strip on Gympie Terrace does the heavy lifting: a riverside park with a pirate playground, coffee shops, sunset bars, and a flat walking path along the water that earns its own afternoon. Pelican Boat Hire, the family-run operation that's kept this corner of Noosaville going for over 60 years, hires out boats, kayaks, SUPs, and jetskis from the same spot. The pelican himself is not climbable. The sunset cruise, however, is worth booking.
Opening Hours
- MondayClosed
- Tuesday7am – 5pm
- Wednesday7am – 5pm
- Thursday7am – 5pm
- Friday7am – 5pm
- Saturday7am – 5pm
- Sunday7am – 5pm
Contact
- +61 7 5449 7239
- pelicanboathire.com.au
- 180 Gympie Terrace, Nooville QLD SA 4565
- View on Google Maps →
What People Say
"Old mate" has been in this position since the 90s, thanks to the Pelican Boat Hire. He's a happy looking chap, and brings a smile to my face, as I pass by. He certainly brightens up the place! I'm sure you will agree!
it’s a nice place with plenty beautiful coffee shop. enjoy weekend with family.
The pelican itself has an interesting story, but isn't worth a long drive to visit. The nice thing, is walking around the area the pelican is in. Plenty of parking & eateries nearby.
Giant statue of a pelican. It was hilarious. Bands were playing, nice sunset bar nearby, nice beach (be careful of sharks), and lovely playground plus small playgrounds on the way (swings) to the big one (pirate playground). Great walk along the water. You cannot climb the pelican. We went on the sunset cruise and it was lovely.
Fun iconic attraction by the water! Family friendly, and there’s usually plenty of parking. Lovely park nearby with plenty of space for the kids, and close enough for a nice walk along the river.
More Activities & Tours in Noosa
Noosa Visitor Information Centre
Noo Heads QLD
Margo once called a sold-out K'gari tour back until a spot opened, then rang the visitor to tell them. The beach wheelchair loan programme gets people into the surf who thought that wasn't possible anymore. Staffed by volunteers who actually know Noosa. Start here.
Wooroi Day Use Area
Tentin QLD
A solid MTB network out in Tentin with trails for all levels and terrain that holds up in most conditions. Weekdays are reliably quiet. The signage is patchy, so download a trail map before you go. No bins, no toilets — pack everything in, pack everything out.
Tea Tree Bay Beach
Noo Heads QLD
Squeaky white sand, clear water, and a ten-minute walk from the Noosa main beach crowds. Tea Tree Bay sits inside Noosa National Park on Track 4, protected enough for easy swimming, quiet enough to actually hear the waves. Parking is limited, so arrive early or walk from town.
Hell's Gates
Noo Heads QLD
The clifftop at the end of Noosa National Park's coastal trail, where humpback whales, dolphins, and turtles make regular appearances below. About 8km return via the Tanglewood loop. Park on Hastings Street and walk the boardwalk in — the main car park fills before 8am.