Noosa

The name Noosa is loosely applied to the following areas:

• Noosa Heads is the resort area that contains Hastings Street and the main tourist area behind Hastings Street. The main beach fronts onto Hastings Street. At the end of Hastings Street are the Noosa Woods and Noosa Spit. At the eastern end of Hastings Street is the Noosa National Park.
• Noosaville is alongside the river, a bit quieter
• Noosa Junction the business area
• Sunshine Beach is to the south of Noosa Headlands

The name Noosa comes from the local aboriginal Kabi Kabi language for "shadow". It also has a strange claim to fame as the largest Finnish speaking community in the southern hemisphere.

By plane

Fly to Sunshine Coast airport at Maroochydore, 30 km to the south. From the airport, take the 622 bus to Noosa Junction or Henry's airport transfer, or rent a car. A taxi from the airport can cost around $80.
Fly to Brisbane airport. The best way to reach Noosa is to use one of the transfer services. They will meet you at the baggage carousel for domestic arrivals and in the arrivals hall for international arrivals. Pre-booking is important. A taxi from Brisbane to Noosa is over $400.

By train

The nearest stations to Noosa are at Eumundi, Cooroy, Nambour, Pomona and Maryborough, with a connecting bus or taxi required.

By car

Drive north from Brisbane along the Bruce Highway for approximately 150km.

Discover Noosa’s natural environment. Watch whales, enjoy pristine beaches, explore the dramatic hinterland landscape, and visit the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island.

• Tewantin State Forest and Forest Reserve

  phone: +61 1300-130-372
  address: Tewantin Forest Reserve, Tewantin, Noosa Heads QLD 4565
  A rainforest with beautiful hilly views.

• Noosa National Park

• Noosa Marina

  phone: +61 7 5473 0166
  address: 2 Parkyn Ct, Tewantin
  A marina with shops, restaurants and ferry cruises on the Noosa river.

Tours

There are some excellent organised tours originating in Noosa. Most tour operators will pick you up from your accommodation.
The stunning unspoiled scenery that surrounds Noosa provides opportunities for a number of wildlife and eco tours. Most eco tours use a 4WD and provide a soft adventure that will give wonderful memories of your time in Noosa.
The hinterland behind Noosa has some wonderful villages and scenic spots. Most usually involve a trip to Montville and may continue south to the Glasshouse Mountains. Some of the tours combine the hinterland trip with visits to some of the main attractions that include the Ginger Factory at Yandina or the Big Pineapple. A popular one day tour is to the Australia Zoo which is offered as one tour or maybe in combination with a hinterland tour.

Cruises

Cruise along Noosa River to the Everglades. Tours travel the full length of the Noosa River taking in Lakes Cooroibah and Cootharaba and the Everglades which are part of the Great Sandy National Park. The dark still waters of the upper Noosa River provide stunning mirrored reflections. Most tours involve a BBQ or tea break at Harry’s Hut. All tours are led by enthusiastic guides who will bring to life all the varied wildlife and birds that will be seen. The tour is best done as a day trip but can be done as a half day tour.

• Noosa Cruising Restaurant If you like food, and enjoy a cruise on the river you can do all these by having a breakfast , lunch, or a sunset dinner on-board. The food is cooked freshly on board.

Walking

There are some nice walks in the National Park at Noosa Heads. Pick up a trail map from the information center in the park. Probably the best is to start along the coastal path (keep your eyes peeled for Koalas) and then cut back along Tanglewood Track. This will take about 2 hours. The National Park has several beaches at which to take a dip, however Alexandra Bay is only for experienced swimmers as there can be dangerous rips. Alexandra Beach is unofficially clothing optional.

Fishing

Fishing from Noosa is great year round, with seasonal changes in species, so there is always something to fish for. The reef and bait grounds off Noosa are close, so travel time is at a minimum. Beach fishing, and river fishing is fantastic too.

• Noosa's Laguna Charters +61 7 5449 7454. Sheraton Jetty Noosa Heads. Noosa's Laguna Charters can cater from the complete novice, to expert. Fully catered (by the Sheraton Noosa Resort) 1/2, 3/4 and Full day fishing trips are available. Noosa's Laguna Charters are the people to see for all river, and offshore fishing from Noosa.

Scuba diving

For more details see Scuba diving in Australia Scuba diving in Laguna bay.

• Blue Water Dive +61 7 5447 1300

Surf

Many surf schools operate in the area

• Merrick's Learn to Surf +61 418 787 577. Two-hour lessons take place twice a day for $55. They get almost everyone standing up on the first lesson and are Noosa's only licensed surf school. Classes 9AM and 1:30PM daily. Private lessons available at 11:15AM for $140.

Kite surfing

Noosa is one of the best kite surfing destinations in the world, as the prevailing wind directions are almost always favourable.
Australian Kitesurfing Academy - Martin Reeves IKO senior instructor and Codie Stephenson IKO level 2 conduct lessons 20 min north of Noosa at Lake Cootharaba. AKA has been training since 2001 on the Sunshine Coast and offers lessons where the student is in the water within 30 min of kite setup. Quality assured and fully insured. one-on-one student/instructor radio communication at all times.

• Noosa Kite Surfing Lessons Kitesurf Noosa conducts one-on-one kite surfing lessons, catering to all levels of experience.

Boating

Hire a sail or motor boat along the Noosa River.

• U-Drive Boat Hire 256 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville 5449 9248
• Noosa Beach Sailing Hire a catamaran to sail in Noosa's Laguna bay. Instruction available if necessary.

Noosa's most famous shopping strip is Hastings Street, a veritable paradise for the shopaholic. Just be careful to spend within your limits, which is not always easy to do.

• Jasper

  address: Hastings Street 42
  Excellent fish on barbecue. Pleasant terrace.
• Berardo's Restaurant and Bar, Hastings Street 07 5447 5666

• Maisie's Seafood & Steakhouse Restaurant Noosa

  phone: +61 7 5449 7497
  address: 247 Gympie Terrace Noosaville
  On the waterfront of the Noosa River. 20-year track record of serving seafood and steaks.
• Moondoggies in Noosaville is good for breakfast
• Cafe Le Monde on Hastings Street is good for breakfast

• Noosaville Fish Market

  phone: +61 7 54497127
  address: 90 Hilton Terrace, Tewantin
  Great calamari!

• Thomas Corner Eatery

  phone: +61 7 54702224
  address: 1/201 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville
  Bright restaurant with river views for modern Australian meals with a focus on seafood.

• Beloporto Noosa

  phone: +61 7 54705228
  address: 2/14 Thomas St, Noosaville
  Delicious burgers with fresh ingredients.

• Sushi Yah Man

  phone: +61 7 53241071
  address: 7 Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Heads
  Jamaican-themed sushi restaurant, friendly staff, and a sushi train. Authentic Japanese cuisine in a friendly environment with a reggae twist.

• Magic of India

  phone: +61 7 54497788
  address: The Islander Resort, 3/187 Thomas St
  An Indian restaurant with a rich outdoor terrace.

• Global Cafe

  address: William Street, Noosaville
  Noosa's best kept secret. Great value meals & relaxed atmosphere

Budget

• Nomads Noosa

  phone: +64 7 5447 3355
  address: 44 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads
  Backpackers can choose from dorm share, twin share and double rooms. The accommodation at Nomads Noosa (formerly known as Koala's Beach Resort Noosa) is surrounded by tropical gardens with direct access to the resort pool and volleyball court.

• Sandy Court Holiday Units

  address: 30 James Street
  Noosaville. Tucked down a quiet street, but still only a few minutes walk from the riverfront with its shops and restaurants. Has swimming pool. The owner is helpful. Quiet is enforced from 10PM till 7:30AM. From $65 per night.

• YHA Halse Lodge

  address: 2 Halse Lane
  I Noosa Heads. Very close to Hastings Street. Dorm beds from $26 per night with card.

Mid-range

• Wolngarin Holiday Resort offers clean, comfortable self-catering apartments from $120 per night. 2 bedroom townhouses or villas, swimming pool, hot tub, poolside BBQs, half size kids tennis court, opposite small park with playground, 2 minutes walk to the closest beach and fishing area on the Noosa River. 27 Munna Crescent, Noosaville. Tel: +61 7 5449 8755

Splurge

Noosa is famous for its upmarket and luxury hotels.

• Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, part of the global chain and with everything you would expect from a Accor hotel.
• NoosaRiviera Noosa Riviera is a small boutique resort located near the beach, Hastings Street, and Gympie TCE.

• Lookout NoosaA resort on Hastings Street, right near the beach itself.

• The Sebel Resort Noosa

  phone: +61 7 5474 6400
  address: 32 Hastings Street
  Between the Noosa River and Hastings Street and within easy walking distance of the Noosa National Park and Noosa's Main Beach.

• Quay West Resort & Spa Noosa

  phone: +61 7 5341 6300
  address: 94 Noosa Drive
  Luxury hotel, close to all Noosa attractions. Noosa resort-style apartment accommodation moments from Hastings Street, Noosa beach and National Park.

Noosa is a sheltered beach, and south of the groyne usually experiences waves of around half a metre forming a continuous wave across the entire beach. North of the groyne (less protected by the headland, and more influenced by the river currents) is more likely to experience larger waves and rips.
The red and yellow flags which mark the safest and patrolled part of the beach, and you can check the beach conditions located on a small blackboard near the surf club.
Don't leave valuables unattended on the beach when swimming. There are lockers located in front of the police station on Hastings St.