Noosa, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, is a family favourite that we recommend to all our visitors. Find out why Noosa is the best place for rest, relaxation and fun activities.
Each year we spend a long weekend (maybe two!) in Noosaville with Dan’s family. It is a very special spot for Dan and his family as they have spent many enjoyable family holidays here for many years.
When we visited during Australia’s winter, we found it too cold to swim every day. So we enjoyed fun activities that the Noosa region has to offer instead
Check out his video (above) of our Noosa holiday in 2014.
Where is Noosa?
The beautiful region of Noosa lies 130 kilometres (81 mi) north of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast region of South East Queensland.
Discover the Noosa region
Noosa Heads
Noosa Heads is one of the most popular tourist spots in the region. The accommodation here is slightly more expensive and the vibe is slightly busier, but for good reason. World-renowned Noosa Heads boasts:
- an array of boutique shopping experiences along the renowned Hastings Street
- a patrolled, north-facing Main Beach
- a newly renovated Surf Life Saving Club
- many restaurants and cafes – try Bistro C for great views and food, Mrs Moneypennies for cocktails, and Rococo for breakfast and people watching
- a number of secluded sandy beaches that can only be accessed via walking the bush tracks through the Noosa National Park.
Noosa Junction
Only 25 minutes walk from Hasting Street at Noosa Heads is Noosa Junction. I get the vibe that this is where the young people hang. This is where I would go for:
- a music gig (check out #noosajuctiongigguide) or uber cool event
- cocktails at Mr Drifter
- delicious Thai and Middle Eastern restaurants
- cafes with vibe
- the bus junction – this is where the buses from Brisbane (and beyond) will drop off and pick up. Check out Grey Hound buses for more information and time tables.
Check out https://www.visitnoosajunction.com/ for more.
Noosaville
Only a 6 minute drive away from Noosa Heads, Noosaville is slightly less busy and has a more relaxed vibe about it. Situated along the Noosa River, Noosaville offers self contained apartments and holiday houses that help you feel at home in this laid-back river-side town. Things to do along the picturesque river are:
- catch the Noosa ferry to Noosa Heads or Tewantin (or both!)
- running, cycling and walking alongside river
- fishing, paddle boarding and kayaking (most things you can hire)
- meet the lovely locals
- pick up some fish and chips and grab a picnic table to watch the sunset
- hire a boat or jetski and navigate yourself up and down the waterways (boat licence usually required) – book at T Boats or O Boats along the river.
- enjoy food and a cocktail at The Noosa BoatHouse and Noosa Marina.
Tewantin
Further up the Noosa River is the slightly smaller settlement of Tewantin. This small and historic town is the gateway and launching point for the vehicluar ferry to Noosa North Shore, the Great Sandy National Park and Fraser Island. Tewantin has a lot to offer, including:
- a 40-berth marina has specialty shops, art galleries, Sunday markets and docking for deep sea and river fishing charters, cruise and tour boats, self-drive hire boats, the Noosa Ferry and houseboats.
- the pedestrian-friendly Poinciana Avenue with a range of shops, banks and restaurants
- Tewantin National Park, with picnic areas, walking and bike-riding tracks, horse-riding trails
- an easily accessible track to the top of Mt Tinbeerwah, with magnificent ocean, lake and hinterland views.
Top 8 things to see and do in Noosa:
- Relax on the white sandy beaches and enjoy a swim in the beautiful crystal blue waters. Always slip, slop, slap (protect yourself from the harsh sun) and swim between the flags!
- Go on a shopping spree in Hastings Street, Noosa Heads
- Visit the Noosa Marina located between Noosaville and Tewantin. Enjoy the markets. And, if you want to book a boat or cruise from the marina, ask at the Visitor Information Centre in the marina.
- Catch the Noosa Ferry. The Noosa Ferry offers a classic cruise which operates along the beautiful waterways between Noosa Heads and Tewantin, every day of the week. An all day pass is valid for all 7 stops on the 90 minute round trip and will set you back about $20 per adult, $16 per senior and $6 per child. And there’s a Sunset Cruise (Tuesday – Sunday) and an Eco Cruise (Tuesday & Thursday). Tickets can be purchased on board.
- Visit Noosa National Park or Tewantin National Park for picnic areas, easily accessible walking, hiking and bike-riding tracks, and horse-riding trails.
- Visit the Boathouse, Noosaville, for award winning fine dining and cocktails on the scenic Noosa River.
- Go fishing. There are numerous bait and tackle shops that are full of lovely locals who will help you get set up for a spot of fishing. If you are extra nice to them, they might even give away some of their secret fishing locations! Some hire boats will also offer fishing gear.
- Hire a boat. There are numerous boat hire companies at the marina and along Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, that can help you with any small sized boat for personal use. Prices vary depending on the type/speed of the boat and whether you hire by the hour or by the day.
What’s on in Noosa?
It doesn’t matte what time of the year it is, there is something always happening in Noosa.
March: Noosa Festival of Surfing
April: Noosa Ultimate Sports Fest
May: Australian Body Art Carnival
May: Noosa International Food & Wine Festival
July: Noosa Long Weekend Festival
September: Noosa Jazz Festival
October: Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival
November – March: summer activities!
Want more travel inspiration? Check out some more travel guides here.
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