Looking for things to do in Noosa? This post will share our top 30 things to do in the beautiful place we call home.
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Introduction to Noosa
We moved to Noosa around six months ago, and we have absolutely fallen in love with this part of Queensland. From stunning beaches, pristine natural areas, amazing food and drink and so many activities on the water, you won’t be short of things to do in Noosa. The region is full of incredible things to do for people of all budgets, tastes, and ages. I could easily list 101 things to do. But in this post, I will highlight 30 of our favourite things to do in Noosa.
💡 Need more information about visiting Noosa? Check out our huuuuge Noosa Travel Guide for everything you need to know about travelling to Noosa!
Things to do in Noosa
Writing this post was so easy! I had no trouble at all coming up with 30 things to do in Noosa, and I probably could have kept going. It is such a special place, and I hope by reading this list you are inspired to visit. And I know once you’re here you’ll think so too. Let’s get into it!
1. Hike the Noosa National Park
Experience Australia’s most visited national park. Dramatic cliffs, coastal trails, beautiful bays, and lush hinterland tracks are just some of what you can expect on a walk in the Noosa National Park. If you’re lucky you might spot a furry koala, dolphins playing offshore, or even a humpback whale migrating along the coast in winter.
The 10.8km return ‘Coastal Walk’ encompasses all the highlights of the park, and is the most popular walk that hits all the highlights. This is number one on our list for a reason, and we think it’s undeniably the best thing to do in Noosa. Check out our full guide to the Coastal Walk and Noosa National Park here.
2. Hit the beach
The beaches in Noosa are top-notch, and you won’t be blamed if you flop on the sand and stay there for your whole holiday! There are so many beaches to choose from, depending on what you’re looking for. Main Beach is a popular choice being right on Hastings Street, with (usually) gentle waves and beautifully clear, warm water.
If you don’t love waves (like me!), head to the Noosa Spit at the river mouth. Or if you are chasing a big swell, the east coast beaches (Sunshine, Castaways, Peregian etc.) are open beaches with larger waves. For more information on the different beaches around Noosa, check out our post here.
3. Cruise through the Noosa Everglades
The Noosa Everglades are a pristine maze of waterways in the upper reaches of the Noosa River. Known as the ‘river of mirrors’ for the reflections on the still water, stained red by the tannins from tea trees growing on the banks. Taking a boat tour, or kayaking through the Everglades is one of the best things to do in Noosa. The Everglades is a truly special place, and paddling along the river surrounded by trees, listening to the sounds of birds is a wonderful experience in nature.
4. Catch a sunset
Sunsets in Noosa are something special, and I would advise everyone to plan their days around seeing the sunset! Being on the east coast, it’s not as easy as rocking up to any beach. But the Hastings Street and Main Beach area is orientated north, so you get a decent view from there! Some of our favourite places for sunset are by the river in Noosaville, the Noosa Spit and Little Cove beach. Read more about these spots and others in our post about sunsets in Noosa.
5. Explore Noosaville
Noosaville is one of our favourite places in Noosa and it is so worth venturing out of the Hastings Street area to explore it. Spend an afternoon wandering along the river foreshore, have a picnic, grab a coffee or cocktail at one of the many restaurants. Hit the water on a boat, kayak, paddleboard or simply for a swim. Hang around the front of Noosa Boathouse on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday afternoon to enjoy free live music, and do as the locals do and pack a cheese platter and a bottle of wine.
6. Find the freshest produce at Noosa Farmers Market
If you’re wondering where all the locals disappear to on a Sunday morning, it’s the Noosa Farmers Market. Held at the local Australian Rules Football ground in Noosaville, the market holds over 40 stalls and is a hive of activity each week. Mainly offering fresh produce, you can find anything from fresh fruit and vegetables to meat and seafood, dairy products, cheese, sauces and condiments, bread and more! All fresh from the local Sunshine Coast area.
Even if you’re on holiday and don’t need a week’s worth of groceries, a visit to the market is a must-do. Stock up on some fruits for snacks at the beach, some gourmet goodies for a sunset cheese platter, or grab some food and coffee for breaky from one of the many food stalls.
7. Ride a wave
Surfing is such a massive part of Noosa’s culture and identity. So much so that Noosa is actually recognised as a World Surfing Reserve. Whether you’re an old hand on the board, or just getting started, there is the right break for you here in Noosa. You can rent boards from plenty of places around Hastings Street, and also down the coast in Sunshine and Sunrise Beach.
And if you need a helping hand, you can take a surf lesson from one of the many surf schools. They will let you know the best place for your lesson based on the day’s conditions. Go Ride a Wave is a popular choice for board hire and lessons.
8. Rent a boat on the Noosa River
While you’re in Noosaville, hit the water and explore the Noosa River. You can choose from a kayak, stand up paddleboard, foil board or boat from one of many hire places situated on the foreshore. There are plenty of boats available for hire that don’t require boat licenses.
Some even have BBQs or pizza ovens on board, so you can spend an afternoon cruising the waterways! This is one of our favourite sunny day activities. Bring aboard some drinks, nibbles, a speaker and fishing gear for an enjoyable afternoon on the water. Some of the best rental places are O-Boat, U-Drive Boat Hire and Ready2Go Boat Hire.
9. Eat, eat and eat some more
Throw out any thoughts of a beachside holiday town with fish and chips, and a pub in the food department. Although Noosa has both great fish and chips and some good pubs, the food scene here has a lot more to offer than that! No matter your budget or cuisine preference, there will be a restaurant/bar/cafe/brewery for you.
Make sure eating is a big part of your Noosa itinerary, and plan out your must-eats! If you’re visiting in peak season, you should definitely try and book ahead at some of the more popular restaurants. We share our ten favourite restaurants here, as well as our best cheap eats for those on a budget here.
10. See Noosa from above at Laguna Lookout
Noosa is a pretty beautiful place from ground level. But getting some elevation and seeing it from above gives you another perspective on the maze of rivers, sandy coastline and lush forest making up the region. Laguna Lookout is within walking distance from Hastings Street and offers beautiful views over the river and surrounding mountains. It’s a great sunset spot too!
11. Catalina party boat cruise
The M.V. Catalina is a bit of an institution in Noosa. If you like being out on the water, and you don’t mind a cheeky beverage and a bit of a dance, this is the perfect thing for you! On Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons, you will see groups of dressed-up revellers ready to board the M.V. Catalina from its dock in Noosaville.
The Catalina cruises up and down the Noosa River for three and a half hours. With an onboard bar, DJ and stunning sunset views, this is the ultimate night out in Noosa (and in typical Noosa fashion it’s all done and dusted before 8 pm!). We have had a ball boogying on the top deck of the Catalina with a cocktail in hand!
12. Sunset at the top of Mount Tinbeerwah
A short drive from Noosa in the Tewantin National Park is Mount Tinbeerwah. This isn’t a mountain that requires a big climb, and you can drive up Tinbeerwah Road nearly all the way to the top. From there, it’s a short 550-metre walk on a paved path to a lookout tower. You get absolutely stunning 360° views all around the coastline and the hinterland.
This is an amazing spot for sunset, and the sun goes down behind the surrounding mountains. Bring up a picnic and a drink, and find a spot on the rocks to enjoy the sunset. We prefer not to go all the way to the top of the mountain. Instead, there are plenty of spots out on the rocks that face towards the sunset in the mountains (not the coast), that are perfect to lay down a picnic rug.
13. Drink at all the breweries and distilleries
Whether you like beer, cider, vodka or gin, there is a brewery or distillery for you in the Noosa area! And it’s not just drinks on offer. These venues serve up some great food, in a great setting. Most with a really cool, industrial vibe and often live music happening too. For beer lovers, there are a few options, all in Noosaville. Heads of Noosa, Land and Sea and Boiling Pot.
And if you prefer spirits, 2020 Distillery in Cooroy makes gin and some great cheese platters. Pomona Distilling Co is a great outdoor venue in the hinterland, making some delicious vodka and gin. And within the walls of Land & Sea is Noosa Heads Distillery, who make Fortune Gin.
14. Take a walk
There’s no shortage of stunning spots for a walk in Noosa. Combine that with the beautiful weather we have year-round, and it’s the perfect place to lace up your runners. From short strolls to more strenuous hikes and even mountain climbs there are plenty of different tracks to explore.
We love walking along the boardwalk from Noosa Main Beach to the entrance of the national park. The Noosa National Park itself, of course, is great for a walk. Wandering along the Noosa River foreshore in Noosaville and through the Noosa Woods are a few more of our favourites.
15. Go stand up paddleboarding
Paddleboarding is a popular activity in Noosa, and no matter which body of water you’re visiting you’re likely to see some SUP’ers. The Noosa River in Noosaville is a great spot to launch your stand up paddleboard. You can rent boards from one of the many boat hire places on the waterfront in Gympie Terrace, like Noosa Stand Up Paddle.
There are many different routes you can choose, paddling through the expensive mansions, around Goat Island or across to the Noosa North Shore. Wherever you rent your SUP from should show you a map and give you a rundown of possible routes. You can also head up to the Noosa Everglades, at Lake Cootharabara. There is board hire available here from Lake Escapades.
16. Explore the Noosa Woods
Past the end of the busy and bustling Hastings Street, you will find the Noosa Woods. This parkland fronts onto the Noosa River and is full of walking paths, open lawn areas, BBQs, sheltered areas, secret coves for swimming and a ton of wildlife. It is the antithesis of the busy and bustling Noosa Main Beach.
So if you’re looking for somewhere quiet to lay out your towel, read a book in the sun and go for a dip in the river this is a good bet. The water here is clean and calm, and on a windy day, it’s much nicer here than on the beach. Get lost wandering through the mangroves, and find the sandbags out on the point. It’s a peaceful spot to watch the sunset.
17. Hike the Noosa Trail Network
Criss-crossed around the Noosa Hinterland is a network of walking and biking trails known as the Noosa Trail Network. There are eight different trails to choose from, crossing countryside, rainforest, lakes and lookouts, through national park, private property and state forest. The trails are up to 25 km long, but there are smaller sections you can do if you’re not up for the whole trail.
We have done a portion of the Kin Kin Countryside Loop (Trail 4), and it was a stunning walk. We passed through rolling hills, paddocks of cows, rainforest streams and lush forest. You can find a map and information about all the trails on the Noosa Council website here.
18. Wander Hastings Street
Although there is more to Noosa than the infamous Hastings Street, you can’t visit the area and not explore Hastings Street. It really is a beautiful street, with trees lining the paths, fairy lights lit up at night, and turkeys wandering around. Cafes, restaurants and bars spill out onto the footpath, and most dining is open-air due to Noosa’s beautiful year-round weather. Our picks would be coffee from Cafe le Monde, a cheap Vietnamese bahn mi for lunch from Cach Song, an afternoon cocktail at Miss Moneypenny’s, and a fancy dinner at Bang Bang.
19. Find the hidden Noosa Fairy Pools
Hidden inside the Noosa National Park is the Insta-famous Noosa Fairy Pools. These tidal rockpools have blown up on social media, and I totally understand why. The pools are completely hidden from view on the coastal trail, and you need to head off the path and scramble down some rocks to find them. If you time your tides correctly, you can swim in a perfectly calm ocean pool, surrounded by fish and corals.
It feels like pure magic when you’re floating around in there. Definitely somewhere fairies would live! The pools are pretty popular now, so if you visit on the weekend you will be joined by many others. But if you can hack an early wake up, you will most likely be rewarded with the pools to yourself, which is a really special experience. Get instructions on how to find these hidden pools here.
20. Climb Mount Cooroora
If the Noosa National Park wasn’t tough enough for you, say hello to Mount Cooroora. This foreboding volcanic plug can be seen from Noosa and looms over the hinterland town of Pomona. The loop trail is only 2.5 km but climbs to an altitude of 439 m. The trail starts out as a walk, but as you get closer to the summit, it turns into more of a scramble.
There are chains to help you hoist yourself up the rock. The views at the top are completely worth it, with a 360° look around the hinterland and coast. You need decent, sturdy shoes for the rocky terrain and plenty of water. Head into Pomona afterwards for a coffee at Pomona Village Kitchen, or a drink at Pomona Distilling Co.
21. Swim at the Noosa Spit
This area is one of our favourite places in Noosa and is an absolutely essential thing to do in Noosa! The Spit is at the River Mouth, where the ocean flows into the Noosa River. Hidden away down the very end of Hastings Street, this (in our opinion) is the best spot to come for a swim.
The water here is crystal clear, so blue, and nice and calm without the waves you find on the coastal beaches. Plus, the Spit is one of the best spots to watch the sunset! So come for an arvo swim, and pack a drink and a picnic to stay for sunset.
22. Eat, drink and shop in Noosa Junction
Many tourists never venture up the hill away from Hastings Street to Noosa Junction. But it is well worth wandering up and checking out this area, which is more frequented by locals. Sunshine Beach Road is lined with cafes, restaurants, bars and boutiques. And some of the area’s best food and drink is found here!
Start your day with brunch at VanillaFood, grab a crepe for lunch from Flo’s Crêperie. Have a sunset drink at local favourite Village Bicycle, and dinner has to be at Light Years for the most amazing Asian fusion cuisine. Keep your eyes peeled for the cool street art around the area too!
23. Visit Peregian Beach
Peregian Beach is a lively little village that is well worth visiting. Centred around the Village Square, spend some time exploring the lovely little boutiques, cute cafes and restaurants. The Peregian Beach Markets are held in a park on the beachfront every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month, and if you can time your visit around that it’s worth it! The beach at Peregian is beautiful, so don’t forget to bring your swimmers and a towel.
24. See the sunrise on an eastern beach
Sunsets in Noosa are pretty amazing, and you’re probably more likely to be awake to see one of those on your holiday. But there’s something special about being up for the sunrise, especially on the east coast. It’s true, Queenslanders wake up pretty early. But if you head down to the beach before the sunrise, you won’t have to share it with too many others!
Any of the eastern beaches, like Sunshine, Sunrise (all in the name!), Castaways, or Peregian Beach are a great spot to see the sunrise up over the ocean. And there are plenty of cafes close by for your coffee afterwards! Try Chalet & Co in Sunrise Beach, Entity in Sunshine Beach or Skål Coffee in Peregian Beach.
25. Go fishing
Although I’m not an angler myself, Noosa is a great spot for fishing. The river, lakes and ocean are all at your doorstep. You can fish off a boat, in the river or out on a deep-sea charter. From the beach, or at one of many docks/bridges/marinas/rock walls around the area. There are many companies that offer deep-sea fishing charters. Or you can rent your own boat in Noosaville to fish in the river.
26. Head to the hinterland
The Noosa Hinterland (also referred to as Noosa Country) is just as scenic as the coast, in a different way. A short drive away from the beach and you won’t be blamed for feeling like you’re in a whole other world! Small country towns, bush tracks, mountains and lush rainforests can all be found in the hinterland.
There are some amazing farm-to-plate style restaurants, local arts and crafts, and markets around the area. Check out the towns of Cooroy, Cooran, Pomona and Kin Kin. Visit Noosa has some great Noosa Country drive itineraries you can follow to hit the highlights.
27. Relax at Lake Weyba
A saltwater tidal lake that flows from the Noosa River, Lake Weyba is a hidden gem tucked away behind Peregian Beach. The lake is very shallow, with warm calm waters. It’s a great spot for a swim or a paddleboard in the gentle waters. The lake is fringed by bush, which feels really peaceful.
There are plenty of spots for a picnic, and walking trails around the lake. There is a very famous tree here, that is featured by many local photographers in sunrise photos. You will see the ‘Weyba Tree’ on Google Maps. Check it out while you’re at the lake!
28. Visit the Noosa Botanic Gardens
About 20 minutes drive from Noosa, before the hinterland town of Cooroy, is the Noosa Botanic Gardens. On the shores of Lake Macdonald, these eight-hectare gardens are lovely to walk through. There are different sections to discover, and we particularly liked the cactus garden. But the star of the show is the Roman-style amphitheatre overlooking the lake. Pack a picnic or some snacks, as there are tables and chairs and plenty of lawn areas.
29. Check out Sunshine Beach
A little smaller than Peregian Beach, Sunshine Beach is one of the larger villages around the area. Centred around Duke Street, there are a lot of great restaurants and cafes. Entity is great for coffee, and we loved the Asian cuisine at O-Ren Brewhouse. The Sunshine Beach Surf Club is much nicer than the one in Hastings Street, with yummy food and amazing ocean views. The northern end of Sunshine Beach meets with the other side of the Noosa National Park. If you want a good view of the beach, climb the ‘Sunshine Beach stairs’, which is the entrance to the national park.
30. Shop at the Eumundi Markets
Whilst technically on the border of the Noosa Shire, Eumundi is a must-visit when in the area. Each Wednesday and Saturday, this town comes alive with hundreds of market stalls for the famous Eumundi Markets. From handicrafts to home decor, clothes to candles, food and even dog accessories, basically anything you can think of is for sale here! Even if you’re not looking to buy anything, it’s an experience to wander through the markets. There are plenty of food trucks, live music and it’s a great atmosphere.
While you’re in Eumundi, head to the Imperial Hotel. Home to the Eumundi Brewery, which makes some great local beers and ginger beer. And also the Eumundi Distillery, which makes gin. Their earl grey gin is the best gin I have ever had! The venue itself is stunning, with beautiful furniture, colourful wall art and plants everywhere.
Planning a trip to Noosa
🌞 Planning a trip to Noosa? Here are some quick tips to help you get organised!
Travel insurance: whether you’re an international visitor coming into Noosa from another country, or an Aussie visiting from another state, you should always travel with travel insurance. We swear by Covermore and have had nothing but positive experiences with them.
Renting a car: we highly recommend having a car to get around Noosa. You can browse and book rental cars here.
Airport transfers: if you aren’t picking up a rental car at the airport, the most affordable way to get to Noosa is via an airport transfer. Organise a transfer from Sunshine Coast Airport here, or from Brisbane Airport here.
Where to stay: there are so many great places to stay around Noosa for all budgets. Some of our top choices are listed below.
Hostel – Bounce Noosa
Caravan and camping – Noosa River Holiday Park
Mid-range – The Islander Noosa Resort
Splurge – Tingirana Noosa
Activities and tours: if you want to pre-book some tours and activities in and around Noosa, I recommend using Get Your Guide, which has a great range of options and allows free cancellation up to 24 hours prior. Browse Noosa tours here.
30 unmissable things to do in Noosa
I think I could probably come up with another 30 things to do in the Noosa region, but I hope this list gave you a good oversight of the highlights. Whether you want to have a jam-packed adventurous holiday, or kick back and relax, there is something for everyone here. If you are visiting and have any questions that I can help with, please just ask in the comments below! And if you’ve visited before, what do you think of the list? Have I missed anything?
💡 Don’t forget to read our Noosa Travel Guide for other great information to help plan your trip to Noosa
