Endless Summer & Picturesque Scenery: Destination Noosa
Imagine waking up in a blissful town of floating palms, salty air and blue water that gives a summer vibe all year around! This piece of paradise exists in Queensland and it's called - Noosa.
Surrounded by beautiful beaches, lakes and nature, Noosa is the place to be for a beachfront getaway. For surfing enthusiasts, you may also recognise Noosa as one of the main locations for the Noosa Festival of Surfing held in March each year.
Here you'll find the top things to do in Noosa:
OVERVIEW
Top experiences in Noosa
1. Hire your own boat and sail down Noosaville at your own pace and observe the unique local ecosystems. U-Drive Boat Hire on Gympie Terrace was super helpful during our trip. You don't need a boat licence to hire one of these but it's definitely a worthwhile experience! The hire cost is upwards of AUD $60. You can even hire BBQ pontoons if you're going with a few mates.
2. Hit the beach - Noosa is renowned for their beautiful beaches. There are number of locations with beach access along the Noosa National Park trail where it is generally less busy. These are all marked so you just head down the trail where they are signed. Some of these are perfect surf spots too! Alternatively, if you're after the atmosphere, head down to Noosa Heads Main Beach for more action or just people watch.
3. Walk the scenic trails at Noosa National Park - There are a number of trails for you to choose from. One of walks you should do is the Coastal Walk to Hell's Gate. Throughout the trail, you get to see a number of beautiful lookout points. Be warned, you may see some baby snakes along the way during summer.
4. Yoga by the beach - If you're a yogi, head down to the beach and do your thing! If you're new, there are a few yoga schools that offer outdoor yoga classes for you to unwind and absorb the tranquility the ocean has to offer.
5. Join a surf lesson - Why not learn to surf in one of the most beautiful locations? There are a number of surf schools that offer lessons in the Noosa area with quality instructors and equipment included!
Foodie's guide
Alright foodies, this part is for you. You've spent a day out by the beach and now you want the best food to replenish your energy because: 1. if you're going to spend your calorie quota on food, it better be good and 2. you just appreciate good food full stop.
1. Oakberry - Acai and beach vibes go hand in hand really. Located in the heart of Noosa, Oakberry gives you the option to create your own Acai bowl with muesli, fresh fruits, coconut chia pudding and a range of nut butters. They also have a selection of smoothies for you to choose from.
2. Bistro C - You can't visit Noosa without dropping by a beachfront restaurant! Bistro C is opened for breakfast til late so you can make the most of the beachfront experience! It can get busy at times so we recommend making a reservation so you don't miss out.
3. Betty's Burgers - If you have burger cravings, this is still one of the favourites. The decor reminds us of an old school American diner with a beach twist.
4. Amo Gelato Caffe (Noosaville) - The owners have been handcrafting their gelato since 2008! This is slightly out of Noosa but if you're doing the boat hire above, you have to try out their gelato. The tiramisu gelato was absolutely divine. They're open everyday from 6am til late!
5. Fiona's Fancies (Noosa Heads) - These local bakers claim to be the best cakes on the Sunshine Coast - and we could see why! They have a range of specialty cakes such as Oreo cheesecakes, red velvet cakes, cupcakes and a number of savoury items such as baguette and quiches too! A slice of cake starts from about $6 which is quite reasonable in comparison to other bakeries on the east coast!
Safety
From a personal safety perspective, Noosa is quite safe. However, it is suggested that you lock your car and keep your eyes on your belongings at all times as you would anywhere else you go.
What to bring
Swimmers / bathers /budgie smugglers
Sunscreen - some locations can be quite exposed
Hat
Insect repellent (for the walk to Noosa National Park)
Towel (the Dock & Bay sand free towels are a must have!)
Phone (with a waterproof case) / camera / GoPro
How to get there
The easiest way to travel to Noosa is by car. Travel time by road to Noosa:
From Brisbane: 2 hrs
From Gold Coast: 3 hrs
From Sunshine Coast: 40 min
Although we haven't done this, but there are Greyhound buses available that travel from Brisbane (Roma Street Busway) to Noosa Junction. This takes about 3 hours. You can check this via Rome2Rio.
Once you're in Noosa, most places are within walking distance if you don't mind it. Otherwise you can drive around or rent a scooter. Parking can get VERY busy on the weekends so you may want to take that into consideration.
Another parking option is slightly outside of Noosa (such as on Eenie Creek Rd), where you can stroll towards Noosa. Make sure you spare some time for this option though!
I hope this has given you inspiration for your next day trip or weekend getaway. Make sure to tag us in your photos!
Happy travels and keep wandering.
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Wandonist