Immerse yourself in the Noosa UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Nature is at every turn, with Noosa designated as a World Surfing Reserve, home to one of only two everglades systems in the world and a place you can see over 700 species of native wildlife (in the wild!) and 44% of Australia’s birdlife. With beautiful azure beaches, coastal and national park walks, year-round warm temperatures, and foodie haunts at every turn, finished off with spectacular sunsets.
No visit to Noosa is complete without a walk in the spectacular Noosa National Park. Follow the timber boardwalk from Noosa Main Beach, around the coastline at Little Cove, until you reach the Noosa National Park entrance. From this starting point, you can access a network of signposted trails, from the popular coastal walk that takes you past the famous National Park Bays, or head inland to the peaceful, undulating trails that lead to the village of Sunshine Beach. Keep a look out for koalas and wallabies, and dolphins, turtles and whales. Go Ride A Wave offer learn to surf lessons in Noosa, a World Surfing Reserve. Distance: 10.8km return
Drive the coast road from Noosa to Peregian Beach for stunning expansive views of the ocean. Spot whales breaching (July – October), as you cruise past the village towns of Sunshine, Sunrise or Peregian Beach. Discover where the locals live, with fantastic restaurants, cafés and boutique shopping, and the Sunshine Beach Surf Club a must visit for stunning ocean views. Peregian Beach fortnightly Sunday markets are home to a collection of locally made wares and treasures.
Jump on the Noosa Ferry for a sunset cruise with a glass of bubbles in hand. This must-do Noosa experience delights with vibrant colours as the day turns to dusk. Pass millionaire mansions, stunning National Park and be in awe of the variety of birdlife. Disembark at one of the river jetties and walk to dinner to one of Noosa’s river or beachfront restaurants.
Join your transfer or self-drive from Noosa Heads, for the 40-minute drive to the Noosa Everglades – one of only two everglades systems on Earth. Here you will board a tour to explore the wilderness of the Noosa Everglades on an Everglades Eco Safari tour or a more energetic kayaking tour with Kanu Kapers Australia, both advanced eco certified businesses. Cruise through the subtropical rainforest and unforgettable, reflective waterways. Learn about the local Kabi Kabi people and the magnificent variety of fauna and flora.
Arrive back mid-afternoon from your Everglades tour, and self-drive to the quaint town of Pomona. Visit the Pomona Distillery Co for a small-batch gin tasting flight and scrumptious local produce lunch, often with live background music. For the adventurous, walk off lunch climbing Mt Cooroora, a 430-metre challenging, single-track climb providing 360-degree views, or explore the network of hiking, walking and horse-riding trails along the Noosa Biosphere Trails.
Finish the day at one of Noosaville’s divine restaurants located right by the tranquil Noosa River. Gusto is a long-time local favourite and serves up French cuisine, or try Noosa newcomer Lanai Noosa for sustainable seafood with indigenous ingredients.
Journey on a guided tour by four-wheel drive from Noosa along the Noosa North Shore beach and through the Great Sandy National Park. Epic Ocean Adventures will take you into one of the Noosa region’s secret spots where nature and wildlife collide. Jump in a kayak or on a stand-up paddleboard for an unforgettable experience with dolphins, whales (from June to October) and other marine life. Great Beach Drive 4WD Tours provides a slower pace and will show you the natural attractions such as the Coloured Sands and extraordinary 190-degree coastal views at Double Island Point Lighthouse. For the hikers, experience the Cooloola Great Walk, an 88km hike from Noosa to Rainbow Beach.
Lunch today is the way it always should be – alfresco style with your toes in the sand on Noosa Main Beach, or riverside listening to waves lapping the shore. Sit down to a luxury styled beach picnic, with grazing platters and locally-made gourmet produce to indulge in.
Lighten your environmental footprint by joining a Tread Lightly activity and offset the impact of your travels by signing up to give back to the Noosa community. Join a Plastic Free Noosa beach clean-up, plant a tree, grab your binoculars for an Enter the Flyosphere shorebird experience, Noosa oyster restoration tour or a bush care and weed control care.
Jump on the original fast and fun Noosa Oceanrider (12 pax per departure), and zip past Noosa Main Beach on an adventure ride or Dolphin Safari. You will cruise down the picturesque Noosa River before crossing the Noosa Bar, past Noosa Main Beach, Noosa National Park and around to stunning Sunshine Beach, home to the rich and famous. Everyone gets a window seat to this water wonderland where you’ll want to keep watch for resident dolphins, turtles and whales (June to October).
Enjoy a full day out exploring Noosa’s country towns, with Joel’s Journeys. Drive country roads with stunning vistas and stop along the way at picturesque lakes, panoramic lookouts, local breweries, Noosa’s own meadery, winery with a cheese platter and time to explore the quaint country towns of Cooroy, Kin Kin and Cooran. With expert commentary and knowledgeable local history, discover the stunning beauty of Noosa’s hinterland.
Expect to find funky bars, cafés and restaurants with chic fit-outs and creative menus. Cuisines here include Mexican, Spanish, Italian, Japanese and Australia’s first gut health bar. Finish the night at a wine or cocktail bar, watch a movie, listen to live music, or see a live show at The J Noosa.
Salt Air Aviation will create memories as you soar over breathtaking landscapes. Fly over iconic beaches, the Noosa Everglades, along the Noosa North Shore and all the way to K’gari (Fraser Island). Stop at Dingo Creek Vineyard to sample fine wines before flying back over the patchwork of the Noosa countryside.
Enjoy a round of golf on the 18-hole championship golf course at Noosa Springs Golf & Spa Resort. Surrounded by the Noosa National Park, the course is one of the finest in Australia with electric golf carts and home to kangaroos, koalas and other native animals.
Finish the day with pampering at one of Noosa’s many day spas. Noosa’s own Balinese Ikatan Day Spa, is nestled amongst tropical rainforest that provides serenity, seclusion and relaxation.
Croc Tours will pick you up from your accommodation in Noosa for a day tour to world famous Australia Zoo. The team of passionate conservationists at Australia Zoo have created an incredible world of interactive wildlife experiences like nowhere else on the planet. Laze with kangaroo’s, cuddle a koala, watch the Zoo Crew feed a crocodile and check out the African Savannah and majestic tigers and red pandas in the South-East Asia area.
Browse one of Australia’s most iconic shopping precincts, along the pretty stretch of Hastings Street. You will find boutiques offering unique Noosa-born labels, international designers, high-end designer jewellery, Noosa souvenirs, art galleries featuring local artists, eclectic gift stores, surfboards, and surf gear, organic beauty products, beautiful homewares and more. Hastings tree-lined street sparkles at night with fairy lights strung through the Jacarandas.
From beachfront to street-chic and casual takeaways, Hastings Street has a mouth-watering choice of upmarket cafés, coastal-cool bars, award-winning restaurants, tempting ice-cream shops, authentic pizzerias, and family-friendly burger joints. Try Bistro C, Season Restaurant and Bar or Sails, each perched on the beachfront.
