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Noosa
There's never been a better time to be in Noosa... whatever time of year you choose. Noosa has so much to offer visitors all year round. Blessed with a wonderful climate, a green and carefully protected environment, and a tourism industry that is committed to look after our visitors, Noosa has a fantastic range of activities and tours to offer. Much, much more than our greatly loved beaches and that famous shopping and dining!From Coast to CountryOne of Noosa's unique delights is the diversity of experience it offers through its coastal villages and country towns, each with its own character and all of them definitely worth discovering.
- Noosa Action
For some, Noosa is an all-action holiday. Just ask the regulars who sign on for such high profile events as the famous Noosa Triathlon, the Half Marathon, and the surfing and tennis festivals. These events bring thousands of keen participants and their supporters every year but, if you're not into competitive events, there's still plenty to keep you on the go.
Beaches & swimming: Noosa's coastal geography has created a unique series of beach experiences, offering safe swimming, legendary board riding, fishing and kayaking. Depending on the wind and swell conditions, beach goers have a choice between Main Beach at Noosa Heads and the eastern beaches of Sunshine, Sunrise, Castaways, Marcus and Peregian. All year lifeguard patrols keep an eye on you at Main Beach, Sunshine Beach and Peregian Beach, with additional school holiday patrols at Sunrise Beach and North Peregian. Main Beach provides calmer waters than the eastern beaches and is popular with families. The river side of Hastings Street and Noosa Woods and the river foreshore at Noosaville also offer calm waters.
Surfing: Noosa boasts some of the best learning beaches in the world with rolling white water waves and a minimum average water temperature of 18 degrees. For the experienced there are world class point breaks from First Point to Granite Bay and often challenging beach breaks at Sunshine Beach.
Fishing: Noosa's extensive reef system starts with Sunshine Reef around 3km offshore and extends 45 km to the Barwon Banks. Excellent opportunities exist for catches of quality reef species all year round, with Black Marlin, sailfish and mackerel a bonus in the summer. You can also chase bream, whiting, flathead and mangrove jack in season along stretches of the Noosa River and bass fishing in Lake McDonald.
Other Noosa activities include diving, kayaking/canoeing, golf, rock climbing, horse riding and biking, just to name a few.
Walking trails: Put your best foot forward and get walking but always be prepared with a hat, water, sunscreen and insect repellant. The boardwalk from Hastings Street out to Noosa National Park is a great experience whatever your level of fitness but why not challenge yourself and continue through the Park and along the coastline out to Hells Gates. Enjoy stunning scenery at Noosa Banks off McKinnon Drive, the starting point for a 6km circuit through the National Park along Cooroibah Creek out to the Noosa River and return. Check Cooroibah Creek jetty information board for trail directions. At the other extreme is the 3-4 day trek along the Wilderness Trail from Elanda Point or Harry's Hut camp site to Rainbow Beach in Cooloola National Park. Details of walks can be found in the National Parks Cooloola Visitor Information Sheet.
Noosa Nature
Noosa National Park: The Headlands section of Noosa National Park is the most famous of the region's parks and the most visited park in Australia. Easily accessible from the Hastings Street tourist precinct or from Sunshine Beach to the south, the park offers an impressive diversity of natural habitats. Within a small area you'll find rainforest, eucalypt forest, heath, beach and rocky headlands with, of course, equally diverse birdlife, goannas and koalas. Well-maintained walking tracks open up to spectacular views. The best known is the Coastal Track which passes Tea Tree Bay, Granite Bay, and Dolphin Point where you might also occasionally spot a whale.
For information stop by the National Parks Information Kiosk at the end of Park Road Noosa or the Moorindil Street Information Kiosk on route to Noosa North Shore. The Visitor Information Centres can also assist with information on guided and unguided walks.
Trails: Take a hike, mount your steed or hop on a mountain bike and get set for the newly developed Noosa Trail Network, an invitation to explore our spectacular hinterland countryside. Trail bike riders, 4WDs and dogs are not permitted. All trails are signposted and feature picnic shelters, water tanks, interpretive signs and scenic lookouts. Of various lengths, ranging from approximately 4km up to 26km, the trails can be completed individually or in combination. Before attempting to walk or ride the trail, please call Noosa Shire Council on tel 5449 5200 for a copy of the Noosa Trail Network brochure or visit http://www.noosa.qld.gov.au/trailnetwork.
Fraser Island: Noosa is the perfect departure point for World Heritage listed Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island. Driving your own or a hired 4WD, you can experience the magnificent beaches, crystal clear lakes and forests of this unique environment.
River exploration & everglades: Exploring the river system upstream from Tewantin takes you to a quiet, natural environment, with bush and nesting birds on either side contributing to the peaceful atmosphere. Journey through Lake Cooroibah and on to Lake Cootharabah, the pristine waters of the Everglades and the upper Noosa River system beyond. Harry's Hut is the serviced riverfront camping site and you'll find smaller campsites further upstream. Motor boats are prohibited beyond Campsite 3 so peace and quiet are preserved. The abstract beauty of tree reflections in the water have been captured by many a photographer.
Don't miss the Kinaba Information Centre, set on stilts in the river and approachable only by boat, with its unique interpretive display, boardwalk and ranger's station.
Noosa Cuisine
Dining: A holiday in Noosa is all about dining out. Famous for its restaurant culture, Noosa can offer some of the finest culinary experiences to be had in Australia, ranging from the freshest of fish & chips to an inexpensive brasserie style lunch and on up the scale to five star gourmet sensations. Hastings Street in Noosa Heads and Gympie Terrace in Noosaville are leading the pack for choice with a wide variety of culinary styles and a range of prices to suit just about everyone.
Heading out into the coastal villages and towns, the visitor finds plenty on offer. Dining out in Sunshine Beach and Peregian can range from gourmet to casual and there's always a welcome and a bite to eat at the local surf club. Cooroy has undergone an image change from sleepy hinterland town to trendy arts centre and its smart cafés and restaurants are drawing visitors and locals alike from around the Shire. If you're packing the gang into the car, check out our suggested Pubs and Heritage Drive for an introduction to hinterland pub food and great company.
Local food producers: Noosa Region boasts a large number of specialised local producers. Products include spices, native foods, organics, confectionery, red claw and other farmed fish and seafood, herbs, cheeses, preserves, breads, and wines. Many of these producers offer tours and outlet shopping. Check at the Visitor Information Centres for details and opening times. Under development is a new food trail, designed to help visitors locate the farms and producers while enjoying a day out exploring the Noosa countryside.
Markets: You'll also find local food products at the markets. The famous Eumundi Markets are held each Saturday and Wednesday mornings and offer visitors fresh produce and a huge selection of arts and crafts. Noosa Farmers Market is held every second and fourth Sunday at the AFL grounds with more than 100 stalls of locally grown produce. Pomona Market is also held every second and fourth Sunday and Pomona Organic Farmers Market is the third Sunday of the month. Drop by Noosa Harbour Marine Village on a Sunday morning - the market there usually includes some delicious edibles. Peregian Market, held the first, third and fifth Sunday on the beach foreshore, is primarily an arts and craft market but has some food produce also.
Noosa Culture, Health & Beauty
Theatre: Intimate, comfortable and air conditioned, Noosa Arts Theatre is the venue for notable productions and has staged a world premiere of a David Williamson play. Its highly acclaimed National One Act Play competition has been running for 25 years. Tel: 5449 9343 for program details of theatrical productions, concerts and other performances.
Major events & performances: The Noosa Long Weekend is a 10-day festival of culture including famous writers' talks, jazz, comedy, cinema and classical music. The famous annual Noosa Jazz Festival is now an institution and jazz and blues, latin rhythms and country music feature at local pubs, restaurants, nightclubs and on river cruises throughout the year. Classical music ranges from intimate performances by world class musicians in local halls to the breathtaking setting of the Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre in Cooroy. Check the Visitor Information Centres for current programs.
Galleries: You'll find artists' studios and galleries throughout Noosa. The Noosa Regional Gallery in Pelican Street, Tewantin, is a contemporary art space with ever-changing exhibitions, workshops, and innovative programs. Open 10am-4pm Tues to Sun with parking, a café and shop on site. Another not-to-be-missed venue is The Cooroy Butter Factory, host to a wide range of workshops, concerts and exhibitions. Open 10am-3pm Tues - Sun.
Heritage: Noosa's rich heritage begins with the traditional landowners, the Gubbi Gubbi. If you're a history buff, stop by the Tewantin Heritage and Historical Society's information centre at Parkyn Hut,Tewantin. Pomona is rich with heritage buildings. In Noosa admire the National Trust listed Halse Lodge midway up Noosa Hill. Need an excuse to visit the pub? History is alive at the Pomona Hotel, Tewantin's Royal Mail, The Apollonian at Boreen Point, and Kin Kin's Country Life Hotel.
Shopping: Where to start? Where else but Hastings Street, bliss for window shoppers and serious buyers alike. The Noosa shopping experience includes international label clothing, funky local designs, superbly crafted jewellery, and much more. Other popular shopping precincts include Noosa Junction; Noosa Village and the Gibson Road homewares stretch at Noosaville; Sunshine and Peregian Beaches. The hinterland towns are excellent for crafts and antiques.
Health & beauty: Luxurious day spas are a feature of Noosa life these days, as well as excellent hair stylists and beauty therapists. Feel like a few hours of pure bliss? Enjoy being pampered at one of Noosa's relaxing health spas or try a pilates or yoga class. All part of the stress-free Noosa holiday experience.
Take a Drive Around Noosa
Country ramble: Tewantin-Cooroy-Lake Macdonald-Botanical Gardens-Tewantin. Pack the picnic and set off for a peaceful half-day drive with shopping, culture, gardens and great views all built in. Start at Tewantin, drive out Noosa-Cooroy Rd, cross the railway line at Cooroy and browse through the shops, cafés, streetscape art and Cooroy Butter Factory. Head back over the railway line, north through the town to Lake Macdonald Drive on the right. Lake Macdonald and the Botanical Gardens offer great spots for a picnic lunch. Head back along Lake Macdonald Drive, left into Swift Drive, left into Noosa Cooroy Road and top off the tour with a detour to the Tinbeerwah Lookout. It's signposted on the left at the top of the hill before you descend to Tewantin. A view just made for a glass of champagne at sunset!
Pubs & heritage: Tewantin-Pomona-Cooran-Kin Kin-Boreen Point-Tewantin. A great day out discovering our fabulous hinterland and spectacular scenery. Drive out from Tewantin along Noosa Cooroy Road, turn left at Cooroy and follow the signs into Pomona. Options here include coffee at the Mountain Stop café, a visit to the Noosa Shire Museum, art at the Pomona Railway Gallery, and heritage buildings including the Majestic Theatre and Pomona pub. Continue on the Pomona-Kin Kin Road to Cooran, and drive up Tablelands Road on the right just before you get into town, arriving at the Tablelands Lookout. Back to the Pomona-Kin Kin Road and turn left to continue out to Kin Kin and the Country Life Hotel. Drive back along the Wahpunga Road, turn right to Boreen Point, follow the road all the way to Louis Bazzo Road where a left turn will take you into Boreen Point and the Apollonian Pub. Return to Louis Bazzo Road and take the McKinnon Drive left turn back to Tewantin.
Harry's Hut, Tewantin-Upper Noosa River: (rough road, 4WD only in wet weather) A wildlife paradise awaits! From Tewantin take McKinnon Drive, then Junction Road, Cootharabah Road, Galloways Lane, Dr. Pages Road, Wahpunga Road, and the Cooloola Way to Harry Springs Hut on the upper reaches of the Noosa River, the only point of this River section accessible by car. Definitely worth the visit but please note: the road is very rough for the last 20km and should be attempted by 4WD only in wet weather.
Noosa North Shore: 4WD enthusiasts will love this one. Noosa North Shore is 4WD territory and you can drive on the beach all the way up to Double Island Point and through to Rainbow Beach. The coloured sands are a must-see, and it is worth the effort to walk to the top of Double Island Point to see the lighthouse and keepers' cottages.
For more information on Noosa visit http://www.tourismnoosa.com.au.
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