Lake Cootharaba, lake in Queensland, Australia

Lake Cootharaba is a large, shallow reservoir in Queensland that stretches about 10 kilometers long and averages 1.5 meters deep. The water takes on a brownish tint from tannin in surrounding plants, while the lake connects to the sea through the Noosa River system.

The area around the lake was used for thousands of years by local communities for fishing and gathering food from the water. In 1869, a sawmill started at Elandra Point, leading to a small settlement that is now recognized as a heritage site for its historical value.

Boreen Point, the main village on the western shore, holds about 150 dwellings in a grid, with several art galleries, lakeside beaches, parkland and the historic Apollonian Hotel. The Lake Cootharaba Sailing Club is based there, and regattas are held on the lake each year.

The lake area offers several camping sites and beaches for swimming and boating, with some spots accessible only by boat or canoe. Visitors should note that natural waters are not patrolled, so be cautious when swimming and protect yourself from sun and weather exposure.

Lake Cootharaba is the northern entry point to the Everglades, a wetland area reached by way of the Noosa River, which flows in from the north and leaves through a navigable channel in the south. The lake lies about 12 kilometres from Noosa Heads and is separated from the Pacific Ocean by a strip of land up to 1.5 kilometres wide at its narrowest.