An Insider’s Guide to Noosa
The classic beach favourite of Noosa has its mojo back, so we've rounded up the best things to do during your next visit.
What to do
No question, the beaches are great. But the Noosa River, with its boat shacks, jetties and watercraft, is just as popular. From chic coffee bars to perky pelicans, the river is a busy place. There are tables beneath shady trees, playgrounds for kids and barbecues. Have a paddleboard lesson with one of the operators along the river or work out on the free gym equipment.
Noosa National Park remains pristine despite the walkers and joggers treading its Coastal Track each day. Walk to Boiling Pot, Tea Tree Bay and Granite Bay and enjoy limitless sea views. Or head deep inside the park along the well-signed Tanglewood Track and trek its winding length back to the ocean trail.
Fashion boutiques on Hastings Street, at Noosa Junction and on Gympie Terrace sell local and international labels. There are few chain outlets on Hastings Street. Instead, you’ll find art galleries and jewellery stores wedged between homewares and gift shops.
Having a glass of wine at a window seat at Sofitel's Noosa Beach House, headed up by chef Bret Cameron, gives you a top view of the Hastings Street action, as does sipping coffee at Aromas, where the chairs face the pavement, European style. Ice-cream parlours abound but the chocolate-truffle flavour at Massimo’s Gelateria makes everything better.
It’s all about the water, though. Go deep-sea fishing with Deep Sea Fishing Co or stay closer to home on the river and nearby lakes with Noosa River Fishing Safaris. Depending on the spot, you may land a tuna, mackerel or reef fish. If you prefer to look at your fish rather than catch them, the crew at Kanu Kapers run guided kayak tours in the Noosa Everglades – one of only two everglades in the world and home to roughly 44% of Australia’s diverse bird species.
On Sundays, it’s a tale of two markets. Locals and visitors alike flock to Noosa Farmers Market at Noosaville’s football grounds for farm produce and homemade goodies. Or hop on the Noosa Ferry Cruise and head to Noosa Marina at Tewantin, where the markets showcase local art, craft and produce as live music plays. Fish and chips at the Noosa Harbour Fish Market tops off a visit. The original Eumundi Markets, held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, are a 20-minute drive into the hinterland. Stalls here brim with handmade products.
Discover the best of Noosa: vibrant local markets, thrilling deep-sea fishing, and unspoiled wilderness. Start planning your adventure today.
Where to eat
Stop by Noosa Yacht & Rowing Club for Coffin Bay Oysters and club classics like chicken schnitzel or a filet mignon.
Thomas Street, Noosaville’s eat street, is home to Magic of India, serving what locals like to say is the best butter chicken outside of Mumbai. For more international flavours, Bandita Mexican and 250 Grammi are delicious additions to the dining scene, while Raw Energy café on Gympie Terrace promises healthy options that look good, too.
After a morning swim, tuck into buttermilk pancakes with forest berry compote and mascarpone at Boardwalk Bistro on the beach in Hastings Street.
Back on Thomas Street, chef Ryan Fitzgerald has opened Lanai Noosa, plating up sustainably sourced seafood and native ingredients.
At nearby Sunshine Beach, Humble on Duke serves up Middle Eastern-inspired share plates spanning wagyu pastirma and tahini semi-freddo. A few doors down, Embassy XO has a South-East Asian/Chinese menu. Save room for the chocolate bao dessert.
Back in Noosaville, locals love Gusto Riverfront Restaurant for its hearty seafood chowder. For pan-Asian fusion celebrating Australian ingredients, make a pitstop at Sum Yung Guys for Hervey Bay scallops in jungle curry and Mooloolaba prawn toast with gochu mayo.
The beachfront dining at Season (above) on Hastings Street comes with smart service and modern-Australian fusion cuisine. The yellow curry overflows with local seafood. Miss Moneypenny’s, a super-stylish joint on the Hastings strip with its open-air stone-and-wood fit-out, has cutting-edge cocktails (Singapore Sling anyone?) and pizza.
Well-known restaurateur Rio Capurso will greet you effusively at Locale, a glamorous vision of dark wood and white linen on Hastings Street. The tagliatelle with Fraser Isle spanner crab, basil, chilli and lemon pangrattato will linger in the memory.
At Sails, the only thing between you and the ocean is sand and miso-glazed toothfish, prawn linguine and chocolate pavlova which is just as good as the killer wine list.
Where to stay
Noosa River Holiday Park has waterfront sites, a boat ramp and a million-dollar location. Hotel Laguna Holiday Apartments in Hastings Street is family- and wallet-friendly, with all the action at your door. Como Noosa Luxury Riverside Apartments in Noosaville has water views from apartments wrapped around the pool.
Indulge at Hastings Street’s Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort or The Sebel Noosa. Opt for beachfront at Tingirana Noosa or check into a penthouse at Netanya Noosa for the rooftop jacuzzi.
Pamper your senses and relax in style on your next Noosa getaway. Book your trip today.
