View of the Maroochy River from the summit of Mount Ninderry. Connecting the forested slopes of the Blackall Ranges to the glittering coastline at Maroochydore, the Maroochy River is an important part of the Sunshine Coast’s natural heritage. Named after an Aboriginal legend , the river has also lent its name to a rural and low-density residential suburb that straddles either side of its shores in the upper estuary area. To avoid confusion for the rest of this article, the name ‘Maroochy River’ will refer to the suburb specifically. Featured areas: (1) Suburban Maroochy River, (2) Highlands Hill Reserve, (3) Dunethin Rock, (4) Mount Ninderry Bushland Conservation Park, (5) River Road; Image courtesy of Google Maps. Originally the cherished homeland of the Kabi Kabi people, the Maroochy River area was quickly recognised by European settlers as a place of great fertility, and to this day it is still used largely for farming purposes, particularly sugar cane (Saccharum offic