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Backpacking Travel Tips

The best thing about a holiday in Noosa is that there really is so much to do, you will need to come back again and again to make sure you experience everything.

From its stunning natural beauty, brilliant weather, amazing shopping, top restaurants, bars and eateries to the many fantastic outdoor activities and tours - there really is so much to explore and discover in Noosa and its surrounds. Suggested activities include:

Catch a ferry and discover the delights of the Noosa River

Buy an all-day pass and catch the Noosa Ferry between Noosa Marina and Hastings Street. Meander down the beautiful Noosa River, stopping off along the way to discover the delights of Noosa - a perfect way to get to your favourite Noosa restaurant.

Day on the beach

One of the most difficult decisions on a holiday to Noosa is which beach to lay down your towel and pop up your beach umbrella. With some beaches only accessible by foot and of course beautiful Main Beach, there are endless choices. See our Beaches page here.

Dine along Gympie Terrace

Gympie Terrace runs along the Noosa River at Noosaville and is a hive of activity during the day and evenings as award-winning restaurants,bars and cafes tempt you for a drink or relaxed meal. The great dining continues around the corner in Thomas Street.

Dine on Hastings Street

Hastings Street has an exquisite range of restaurants, bars and cafes offering a choice of dining options. Choose beachfront or on the street, perfect for watching passers-by.

Discover the Everglades

Enjoy a cruise to the Noosa Everglades and discover an ancient system of waterways with clear lakes, dark tannin waters and stunning wildlife surrounds. Or take yourself on a kayaking adventure.

Drive to the hinterland

Take a day or more to immerse yourself in the Noosa Hinterland experience. In the spectacular hills and valleys just a short drive from the coast is a hidden world of arts, crafts, locally produced foods and incredible natural beauty. Discover the towns of Cooroy, Pomona, Cooran, Kin Kin, Boreen Point and surrounding villages. Visit wineries, cheese makers, tea rooms or buy fresh produce at 'honesty boxes' at farm gates. See our Country Drives to plan your journey or pick up a map from the Noosa Visitor Information Centre.

Enjoy a barbecue on the Noosa River

The foreshore along Gympie Terrace offers a choice of free BBQs which line the park along the river. Bring your picnic and enjoy a day in the sun.

Enjoy a horse ride on the beach

Enjoy a horse ride along the beach or the gentle shallow waters of Lake Weyba. Fun for all ages and the experienced and inexperienced rider.

Enjoy some old-fashioned hospitality

Fancy a good old-fashioned pub meal? There are plenty of pubs in the region from the Noosa North Shore, to Eumundi, Kin Kin, Cooroy and Boreen Point.

Golf

Pack the golf clubs on any trip to Noosa and improve your handicap on some of Australia’s best greens with a choice of public and private courses - there is even a Par 3 course that welcomes families.

Hire a bike

Noosa is the perfect location to discover on bike with a host of bike paths and dedicated cycle lanes on mostly flat areas.

Hire a boat

With several boat hiring facilities along Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, you can spend your day cruising up and down the Noosa River. Some boats have onboard BBQs so bring the sausages for lunch - or take some fishing gear and catch your own!

Hire water equipment

There are many amazing water sports and activities you can do on the Noosa River - stand-up paddling, kayaking, jet-skiing etc. Or for something completely out of the ordinary, hire a catamaran in Laguna Bay.

Lookout at Noosa

To understand the complexity and beauty of Noosa, a visit to Mt Tinbeerwah Lookout is a must. Offering spectacular 360 degree views of Noosa and the surrounding hinterland, it's just a short 15-minute drive from Hastings Street, along Noosa-Cooroy Road.

Relax in a day spa

Noosa offers a multitude of day spas and beauty salons - perhaps just a week of pampering is all you need to feel all the wonders of Noosa!

Shop like a local and explore markets

The Peregian Markets offer an eclectic array of products on the first and third Sunday of the month. Noosa Marina Markets every Sunday are a fun mix of art, craft, fashion, homewares and entertainment. Or try the Noosa Farmers Markets every Sunday at the AFL Grounds in Noosaville. Be early for the Pomona Markets every second and fourth Sunday. Kin Kin village markets are the first Sunday of the month, with unique, locally made products. The Original Eumundi Markets are every Wednesday and Saturday, and Eumundi Square Markets are every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday.

Shop on Hastings Street

Regarded as the style hub of Noosa, this bustling beachside strip is home to an exciting range of fashion labels, unique jewellery, homewares, art and beauty products. Hastings Street is the perfect destination for shoppers.

Step back in time; watch a silent movie

Discover the world's only continuously run silent movie theatre, The Majestic Theatre in Pomona and enjoy a movie from a bygone era. From the historic Majestic Theatre, it's a short stroll to the award-winning Noosa Museum, the keeping place of our region's European and indigenous heritage.

Surfing

With some of the best surfing spots and breaks in Australia, and a National Park as your view from the water, this is truly a sensational place to wax up your board and relax in the waves - from beginner waves to point breaks and open beaches.

Take a walk on the wild side

Peaceful and scenic walking trails include coastal and heritage walks and hinterland hikes. The Noosa Trail Network is a series of beautiful hinterland walking, horse riding and mountain biking trails through National Park, rainforest, country lanes, farms and forest. If your time is limited, visit the Noosa Botanic Gardens beside Lake Macdonald. The Cooloola Recreational Area in the Great Sandy National Park also has walks through the Noosa Everglades.


Visit Fraser Island

Noosa is the perfect base to visit the World Heritage Listed Fraser Island (the largest sand island in the world) with day tours available for pick up and drop off to your hotel.

Visit the world-famous Eumundi Markets

With an international reputation as Australia's premier art, craft and produce market, and set in the delightful township of Eumundi only 20 minutes from Noosa Heads, the Eumundi Markets are a wonderful way to spend your Wednesday or Saturday morning.

Walk in the Noosa National Park

Make sure you bring your walking shoes on any visit to Noosa. The Noosa National Park is at the end of Hastings Street and features spectacular coastal scenery and provides a home for many national animals including koalas and birds.

Watch the sunset at Noosa River

For a spectacular view, set up a picnic along the Noosa River and watch as the sun sets over the Noosa Hinterland.

Whale watching

From August to November, you can see pods of whales frolicking as they make their way up the Queensland coastline and return back to the Antarctic. Get your vantage point and keep an eye out from the shores of Main Beach, the cliffs of Noosa National Park, along the eastern beaches or the boardwalk at Coolum Beach. Whale watching tours leave from Noosa, as well as Mooloolaba, Brisbane and Hervey Bay - all within an easy day's drive of your Noosa accommodation.