The Complete Noosa Travel Guide – From a Local!

Planning a trip to Noosa? This Noosa travel guide will give you all you need to know about where to stay, what to do, where to eat and more!

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An introduction to Noosa

Noosa. A chic coastal resort-town, and iconic Aussie holiday destination. Best known for its stunning coastline, gourmet dining experiences, and luxe accommodation options. But there is more to Noosa than meets the eye.

It's true, Noosa is the place to see and be seen for the rich and famous. But outside of the cluster of elites, you are just as likely to be rubbing shoulders with surfer dudes, old hippy types who made Noosa their home before it blew up, and plenty of doggos.

We moved from Melbourne to Noosa in March 2021, after a shocking year of COVID lockdowns in Victoria. We had never been to Noosa before but were drawn by the beaches, river, pristine environment, and year-round warm weather. And boy did we make a good decision. We have been here for six months now, and it's safe to say we are never going back to Melbourne! Of all the other places we have visited in Queensland throughout this time, we consistently come to the same conclusion: it's not as good as Noosa.

In this post, I will attempt to share everything you need to know about visiting Noosa. It's going to be a big one, so use that table of contents if you need it! And be sure to click on the related posts mentioned throughout for more in-depth info.

Why visit Noosa

I think this post is going to do a good enough job of selling you on a visit to Noosa. The beaches, national parks, river, natural environment, hinterland gems, amazing dining, and laidback lifestyle are all great selling points. But I know Australia is full of beautiful beaches and coastal towns. And even in Queensland alone, Noosa has some tough competition as a holiday destination.

So what I will do in this section is share some reasons why you might choose Noosa over some of the other popular holiday spots on Australia's east coast. Now, I'm not saying these other destinations aren't amazing in their own right. And in some aspects, they could be even better than Noosa. These are just some of the factors we considered when we decided to move to Noosa, and many are applicable for a holiday too.

Year-round swimming

You won't find any stingers (jellyfish) in the ocean here in Noosa, so you can swim every month of the year. You also won't find any crocs. Sure there are sharks in the ocean (their home), but no more here than any other east coast beach.

Nature rules

This is something we have continually noticed about Noosa, in comparison to other areas of the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast in particular. Yes, it is a developed area. But there are no high-rise buildings, and there are trees everywhere. I know that seems trivial, but if you think about some other towns in the area, they don't feel natural. Noosa has managed to keep nature at the forefront and has done a great job of balancing development with nature.

The river

This was a massive drawcard for us. And we continue to be thankful we decided to live close to the river. I (Sally) am not a surfer, and I don't love going to the beach to be smashed by waves. But the Noosa River, which flows in from the ocean right in the centre of Noosa Heads, is beautiful, clean, and swimmable. Most of our mornings start with a stand-up paddleboard on the river and having both this, and the beach, is a dream.

Where is Noosa?

Noosa is located on the eastern coast of Australia, in the state of Queensland. It is part of a broader region known as the Sunshine Coast. It is in the southeast part of the state, about an hour and a half north of Queensland's capital Brisbane. ‘Noosa' is often mistaken as a specific town. But actually, Noosa is the name of the local government area, the Shire of Noosa, which encompasses a number of different towns. The Noosa area guide section below explains what most people are actually referring to when they say they are visiting ‘Noosa'.

Getting to Noosa

The most common way to get to Noosa would be to fly or drive, depending on where you are coming from.

Flying to Noosa

There is no airport in Noosa itself, but there are a couple of nearby airports you can choose from if you are arriving by plane.

• Sunshine Coast Airport
• Brisbane Airport

Sunshine Coast Airport

The closest airport to Noosa is the Sunshine Coast Airport (Maroochydore). The airport isn't a huge one, but there are direct flights from major cities around Australia such as Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, and Adelaide. There have also recently been direct flights from Auckland, New Zealand.

The airport is a short 30-minute drive from Noosa, and there are a number of ways you can make the trip.

Hire a car

More about this in a later section, but hiring a car is a great option and there are a number of rental car companies at the Sunshine Coast Airport. It is a good idea to organise car hire in advance, as there has been a high demand for rentals. Browse and book cars here.

Airport shuttle

If you just need transport to your accommodation in Noosa, booking an airport shuttle is an affordable option. Organise a shuttle here, from just $25 each way.

Get a taxi or Uber

If you haven't pre-booked a shuttle or hire car, you can grab a taxi or Uber on the spot. There will be taxis from Suncoast Cabs waiting outside the arrivals hall, or you can book an Uber, Didi, or Ola on your phone. You can expect fares to range from around $60 – $80 one way.

Public transport

Bus route 622 has a stop outside the arrivals area at the airport and makes multiple stops along the coast before finishing at the Noosa Junction bus station. This won't get you all the way to Hastings Street, but you can connect with another bus from Noosa Junction. Just check the bus is heading north to Noosa and not south to Maroochydore. For more information on fares and timetables, check the Translink website here.

Brisbane Airport

If you are coming from somewhere that doesn't have a direct flight to the Sunshine Coast, or you're just looking for a cheaper fare, you can fly into Brisbane Airport. Because there are more frequent flights to Brisbane, often you will find it is cheaper to fly here if you're happy to have a longer trip up to Noosa.

Brisbane Airport is about an hour and a half drive to Noosa, and you can make the trip in a couple of ways.

Hire a car

As above, renting a car can be a good way to get around. There is the usual range of rental companies at Brisbane Airport, and you can browse and pre-book your car here.

Airport shuttle

There are also shuttles available from Brisbane, but you're looking at higher prices, from $50 per adult. You can book your airport shuttle here.

Get a taxi or Uber

Longer trip = bigger cost. I would avoid getting a taxi or Uber all the way from Brisbane if you can, but like with all airports, the options will be there waiting for you when you arrive. You can expect fares to be upwards of $200 per way.

Public transport

Coming from Brisbane Airport, you will add a train to your trip if you're taking public transport. But it's definitely not a straightforward option. The train doesn't run right into Noosa, and you would need to get off at a train stop like Nambour and get a bus from there. Using public transport would take upwards of 3 to 4 hours, and the trains in Queensland are surprisingly not cheap. Booking an airport shuttle would be far quicker and more economical. If you want to use public transport, I'll leave the specifics of bus and train numbers, fares, and timetables up to you using info from the Translink website here.

Driving to Noosa

Noosa is a popular stop on bigger road trips on the east coast. Or you might be coming from somewhere close by and prefer to drive and avoid the need to hire a car. I'm not going to give specific directions (we all have Google Maps, right?). But here is a list of estimated driving times to give you an idea of how long the trip takes to Noosa from various parts of Australia.

• Cairns – 18 hours
• Airlie Beach – 11 hours
• Brisbane – 2 hours
• Gold Coast – 3 hours
• Sydney – 11 hours
• Canberra – 14 hours
• Melbourne – 20 hours

Best time to visit Noosa

All the time! Any time! Noosa is always beautiful. Well, I guess that depends on your preferred weather, so I will break down the seasons below.

Summer

Summer in Noosa runs from December – February. Temperatures are hot, and it's very humid (which we looooove!). It's not Tropical North Queensland style, but it is pretty warm and can be quite sticky if you don't like humid weather. Temperatures range from a blissful minimum of around 20ºC (hello warm mornings and balmy evenings!) to maximums of around 28 – 30ºC. January – March is considered the wettest time of the year, but it definitely doesn't rain all day every day. If you want the heat, you have to deal with a bit of rain. But we love a good tropical storm and find something so soothing about listening to the rain hammering down, and the palm trees swaying in the wind.

• Time: December – February
• Average minimum temperature: 20ºC
• Average maximum temperature: 28ºC

Autumn (Fall)

Autumn (fall) in Noosa runs from March – May. The start of autumn can still be quite wet, with March being one of the wettest months. But as in summer, it doesn't rain all day every day, the entire month. We often get rain overnight, and by the time you wake up, it is beautiful and sunny. There can be patches of rain that hang around for a few days, but besides that autumn is a beautiful time of the year in Noosa. The hottest weather is fading away, but it is still warm in the mornings and evenings, and swimming is definitely still possible. By May it is starting to cool down, and I (Sally, a cold water wuss) have finished my swimming for the season.

• Time: March – May
• Average minimum temperature: 16°C
• Average maximum temperature: 24°C

Winter

A Noosa winter is not your average winter. It runs from June – August, and you can expect dry conditions, beautiful sunshine and blue skies, with chilly mornings and evenings. We have spent most of our winters in Melbourne, and escaping the cold was one of the reasons we moved to Noosa. Unless you're really tough and don't feel the cold, you probably won't be swimming during winter, but you can still spend afternoons at the beach lying in the sun with most days cracking 20ºC or higher. Pack something warm for the cooler mornings and nights. If the temperature drops to single digits it is exceptionally cold, with minimums usually hovering around 10ºC or higher.

• Time: June – August
• Average minimum temperature: 11ºC
• Average maximum temperature: 21ºC

Spring

Spring is arguably the best time to visit Noosa if you want warm weather without the rain and humidity. Running from September – November, the days are clear and sunny, and the water is warming up. It's the perfect time to enjoy Noosa's many beaches, while still being cool enough to do some walking in the national parks and coastal trails. Average minimum temperatures are around 18ºC, with maximums averaging out at around 26ºC.

• Time: September – November
• Average minimum temperature: 18ºC
• Average maximum temperature: 26ºC

How long to stay in Noosa

This is a tricky one and totally depends on the amount of time you have available. If you live close by and are looking for a weekend away, Noosa is an amazing choice. Especially if you pick one particular area to stick to, and explore it well. But if you do have the option of a longer trip, I would suggest a minimum of 5 – 7 days here.

Put it this way, we have been living here for about 6 months now and we still haven't seen everything, aren't bored in the slightest, and have so many activities to choose from every weekend! If you want to factor in time to do nothing, which Noosa is great for, a two-week holiday here would allow you to see most of the highlights, and enjoy a few afternoons relaxing by the beach.

Noosa area guide

As I mentioned above, ‘Noosa' isn't a town. We didn't understand this when we first moved here, but as soon as we started navigating our way around we were so confused by all the different ‘Noosas'. What most people think of when they say ‘Noosa' is actually the town of Noosa Heads. But the Noosa area encompasses a ton of great towns. Each is different and appeals to different people. Below is a quick snippet of each of the areas.

Noosa Heads

This is usually what people are thinking of when they say Noosa. Noosa Heads is the suburb at the centre of the Noosa region and can be divided into two main parts – Hastings Street and Main Beach area and Noosa Junction. Hastings Street and Main Beach area is ‘Noosa' as most tourists know it. With Noosa Junction tucked back off the beach, usually frequented more by the locals.

Hastings Street & Main Beach area

Hastings Street, the Noosa Main Beach, and the Noosa National Park are the extent of what most tourists would see when they come to Noosa. The iconic Hastings Street is really as the name suggests, just a street. It runs parallel to the Noosa Main Beach and is full of accommodation options, restaurants, and bars. As well as a range of shops and boutiques of varying levels of affordability!

There is no doubt this is one of the most beautiful parts of Noosa (and I haven't even mentioned the Noosa Woods or Noosa Spit that are also in this area). And it's not hard to see why this is the centre of the tourist action. But, it shouldn't be your only stop in Noosa, and if you come here and only see Hastings Street – you're missing out!

Noosa Junction

Technically Noosa Junction isn't a suburb of its own. It is labelled as the ‘commercial centre of Noosa Heads'. But from a visitor's perspective, it's an area in its own right. Noosa Junction is close to the Hastings Street area. About a 5-minute drive, or a 20-minute walk away (which is easy on your way down to Hastings Street, but very steep on your way up to Noosa Junction!).

Noosa Junction is centred around Sunshine Beach Road and is full of amazing restaurants, cafes, shops, and supermarkets. If Hastings Street is the Upper East Side, then Noosa Junction is Brooklyn. It doesn't have beach frontage, and the closest beach would be Main Beach. But it is where the locals hang out, and head for a good feed or a drink or two. There is some accommodation around here that is usually more affordable than on Hastings Street.

Noosaville

The true gem of the Noosa region in our opinion! Noosaville can kind of be separated into two parts – the river area and the industrial area.

Noosaville – industrial area

Now bear with me, I know ‘industrial area' doesn't sound all that appealing, and in terms of scenery, it's not. But this part of Noosa is where all the new and funky coffee roasteries and breweries have sprung up in various warehouses. I wouldn't suggest staying here, but it is definitely worth hunting down places like First Batch Coffee Roasters, Rick's Artisan Pies and Sourdough, and Heads of Noosa Brewery. The ‘industrial' Noosaville centres around Eumundi-Noosa Road, and is where you will find Noosa's largest shopping centre, Noosa Civic, and handy places like Bunnings and Officeworks. Oh, and there is a ton of amazing op shops in the area if that's your thing.

Noosaville – river area

Centred around Gympie Terrace, this is Noosaville ‘proper'. Often referred to as the Noosa Foreshore or Noosa River area, the entire stretch of Gympie Terrace fronts the Noosa River. On one side of Gympie Terrace, you have a huge variety of all types of cafes, restaurants, and accommodation options. And on the other, you have kilometres of parkland along the river, with beaches, pathways, seats, BBQs, and gazebo areas.

This beautiful area is one of the best spots in Noosa in our opinion. Wandering along the palm-lined paths next to the river, passing countless dogs, families having picnics, and even live music on the weekend, this spot epitomises the Noosa lifestyle.

Tewantin

A natural extension of Noosaville, Tewantin feels like a couple of suburbs all in one. There is a section of Tewantin that fronts the Noosa River and is practically Noosaville. This is where we live, and it is an easy walk back into the centre of Noosaville, or to one of the main attractions in the area, the Noosa Marina. The Marina has a range of restaurants, bars, and shops and is a lovely spot for some waterfront dining without the tourists.

Continue a little further up the road and you will reach the main area of Tewantin, on Poinciana Avenue. This little strip has plenty of cafes, shops, restaurants, and a Woolworths supermarket. The outer edges of Tewantin contain a few attractions, such as the Tewantin National Park, Mount Tinbeerwah, and access to the ferry to the Noosa North Shore.

Noosa North Shore

Before we moved to Noosa, we had never heard of the North Shore. This area is on the other side of the Noosa River, and although it's not an island, it may as well be. To get there from Noosa, you need to take a car ferry across the river from Tewantin. The majority of this area is a protected national park, with just a handful of houses, a few accommodation options, and a pub.

The real drawcard of the North Shore is driving on the beach. One of only a few places around Australia where you can 4WD along the sand, the Noosa North Shore is the starting point for the Great Beach Drive, which follows the ‘beach highway' for over 50km north to Rainbow Beach. The North Shore is where all the locals head to camp, fish, surf, 4WD, and really unplug in nature. I wouldn't suggest staying here if you want to explore the rest of the Noosa region, but if you're looking for a few days of beach camping bliss, head to the Noosa North Shore.

Eastern Beaches

The Noosa region encompasses a handful of coastal towns running along the east coast, stretching from Sunshine Beach in the north, down to Peregian Beach in the south. Some of the towns in this area are not more than some houses and a beautiful stretch of beach. But some are decent-sized beach villages. From north to south, here is a quick overview of each town.

Sunshine Beach

Sunshine Beach is one of the biggest eastern beach towns and the closest to Noosa Heads. The village, centred around Duke Street, has a Surf Club (restaurant and bar), a general store, a handful of cafes and restaurants, and a few nice boutique shops. If you'd prefer to stay in a beach house vs a resort or hotel, Sunshine Beach is the place. There are some INSANE houses available as holiday rentals here. Think: infinity pools and ocean views. There are of course more humble beach shacks available, but Sunshine Beach definitely has some big money floating around.

Sunrise Beach

Smaller than its neighbour, Sunrise Beach has a great cafe, Chalet & Co, and as the name suggests, is a great place to watch the sunrise. Again, more house rentals or apartment-style accommodation here, and unless you want to read a book on the beach the entire time you'll probably need some wheels if you're staying here.

Castaways & Marcus Beach

I'm combining these two suburbs, because although being an incredibly beautiful place to live and some stunning beachfront – there isn't too much in the way of tourist amenities here. We absolutely love Castaways Beach, it is dog friendly and it is our go-to spot for a sunrise on the beach. If you find a beautiful beach house to rent here, it's a quiet and relaxing spot to stay, but you would be commuting to Peregian Beach, Sunshine Beach, or into Noosa Heads for food, drink, and groceries.

Peregian Beach

Peregian Beach is the largest of the eastern beach villages and has its own character and charm. The town is centred around the Village Square and is lined with really lovely boutique stores (far less pretentious than Hastings Street!) and some great cafes and restaurants. It has retained its small-town vibe and has a very local feel to it. If you don't stay here, it is well worth coming down to check it out. Try and time your visit with the Peregian Markets, which happen on certain Sundays throughout the month.

Hinterland

The hinterland area of the Noosa region is scattered with a number of small towns. Some with a rainforest feel, some in the mountains, and some around lakes in the upper reaches of the Noosa River. If you're looking for eco-accommodation, hiking, camping, kayaking, or mountain climbing the hinterland is a great place. Pomona has a great distillery, Kin Kin is a great place for a hike on one of the many Noosa Trails. Cooroy is a pretty large town worth wandering around, and Boreen Point is a very popular spot for camping on the banks of Lake Cootharabara. Drive for just 15 minutes outside of Noosaville or Noosa Heads, and you feel worlds away from the hustle and bustle in the beautiful, natural hinterland.

Best things to do in Noosa

There is so much to do in the Noosa region, we are still discovering hidden nooks and crannies after six months of living here! I have a post dedicated to all the best things to do in Noosa, but I will briefly highlight a few of the best, most popular things to do in this post.

Noosa National Park

The jewel in Noosa's crown, the Noosa National Park. This is without a doubt the star of the Noosa show and it deserves all the praise it gets. The stunning coastal tracks, rocky headlands, secluded beaches and hidden swimming holes really make this place special, and you can't visit Noosa without hitting the national park. Keep your eyes peeled for koalas in the trees, and dolphins, turtles, and whales on the coast.

The beaches

There are so many different beaches to choose from in Noosa, it's hard to not spend your entire trip swimming in beautiful blue waters and gazing at the stunning surroundings. There are beaches with waves, beaches without waves. Beaches for surfing, beaches for swimming, beaches for dogs and more! Noosa Main Beach is the most popular option being right on Hastings Street, but venture out to some of the other beaches too while you're here. We love Noosa Spit (calmer water with no waves), and some of the beaches inside the national park.

Noosa Everglades

Kayaking or doing a boat tour on the Noosa Everglades is a must-do in Noosa. This maze of waterways in the upper Noosa River is one of only two everglade systems in the world. It is 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. There is something very special about this place, out in the bush with nothing but the sounds of birds and the splash of your paddle.

Sunsets in Noosa

Sunsets in Noosa are something special, and you need to factor in time to see at least one! Whilst you can enjoy that soft glow in the sky from practically anywhere, the best spots to actually see the sun going down are by the river in Noosaville, the Noosa Spit and Mount Tinbeerwah.

Noosaville

As I already mentioned above, Noosaville is one of our favourite places in Noosa and it is a must-do when visiting the area. Frequented by more locals than tourists, you can get a really good feel for the Noosa lifestyle. Explore the Noosa River foreshore along Gympie Terrace. Have a meal or drink at one of the many restaurants, or pack a picnic to enjoy on the lawn along the river. There's even live music in the afternoons on the weekend!

Noosa Farmers Market

If you're wondering where all the locals disappear to on a Sunday morning, it's the Noosa Farmers Market. This Noosa institution hosts over 40 stalls each week, offering fresh produce from the local Sunny Coast area. There is also a ton of food and coffee stalls, so it's a great place for a Sunday breaky, and there are plenty of areas to sit down inside the market.

Surfing

Surfing and Noosa go hand in hand and it's really a big deal around here! More than just an activity, it has seeped into the very core of Noosa's identity. There are many different breaks and points to choose from based on your skill level and the conditions. Don't worry if you've never surfed before, Noosa is a great place to learn and there are a few different surf schools offering lessons.

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 (with or without a boat license) from one of many hire places situated on the foreshore along Gympie Terrace. There's no better way to experience the iconic Noosa River than getting right into the heart of it!

Noosa restaurants

Eating in Noosa is more than just a basic human need. There are so many amazing cafes, restaurants, and bars to choose from, and the food here is seriously top quality. From beachfront brunches to riverside restaurants and floating bars, there is something here for all tastes and budgets.

Laguna Lookout

Nestled behind Hastings Street, the Laguna Lookout is an incredible spot for sunset. You get a completely different perspective of the area, and its maze of waterways and surrounding mountains when you see it from above.

Accommodation in Noosa

Hopefully, the area guide above gave you a good idea of where you might like to stay. But now you have to figure out what you want to stay in! Well, the good news is Noosa has every kind of accommodation you could imagine, for all kinds of budgets. This being a budget travel blog and all, I can't really recommend anything too flashy, but below you will find some of the highlights for a range of different accommodation styles.

Hostels

• Nomads Noosa – Noosa Junction
• Halse Lodge – Hastings Street area
• Bounce Noosa – Noosaville just opened 2021
• Dolphins Beach House – Sunshine Beach
• Flashpackers Noosa – Sunshine Beach

Camping & Caravan Parks

• Noosa River Holiday Park – Noosaville (riverfront)
• Ingenia Holidays Noosa – Tewantin (near the Tewantin National Park)
• Noosa North Shore Beach Campground – Noosa North Shore (beachfront)
• Boreen Point Campground – Boreen Point (lakefront)
• Habitat Noosa – Boreen Point (glamping available)

Hotels & Resorts

• Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort – Hastings Street area
• On the Beach Noosa Resort – Hastings Street area
• Tingirana Noosa – Hastings Street area
• RACV Noosa Resort – Noosa Junction
• The Islander Noosa Resort – Noosaville

Holiday Houses

There are too many amazing holidays houses available for rent all over the Noosa region to even think about whittling it down to just a few. Instead, here is a list of some of the best places to search for and book these houses, once you know the area you want to base yourself in.

• Accom Noosa
• Noosa Luxury Holidays
• Holiday Homes @ Noosa
• Airbnb

Where to eat in Noosa

The food in Noosa is so good it becomes a ‘thing to do', not just an afterthought! I could write a whole post dedicated to food in Noosa (which I will do!), but I will list a few of our favourites here, broken down by area. We do most of our eating around the Noosa Heads and Noosaville area. So I haven't included the tons of amazing options outside of these areas, on the eastern beaches, and in the hinterland. Do some research and you'll be sure to discover some great spots for a feed.

Hastings Street & Main Beach Area

• Zachary's – for pizza
• Cach Song – for bahn mi and Vietnamese iced coffee
• Bang Bang – for Asian fusion
• Oakberry Acai – for acai bowls
• Sails – for a fancy meal with a view

Noosa Junction

• Light Years – for delicious Asian fusion
• Paradise Arcade – for Mexican
• Ze Pickle – for burgers
• VanillaFood – for breaky
• A Taste of Spice – for good, cheap Asian food

Noosaville

• Rick's Artisan Pies and Sourdough – for the best baked goods and pastries
• Maisie's Seafood and Steakhouse – for seafood
• Raw Energy – for smoothies and healthy bowls
• Heads of Noosa – for Aussie fusion and beer
• Sum Yung Guys – for Thai and Asian fusion

Where to drink in Noosa

Whether it's a morning coffee in a keep cup, a superfood smoothie, colourful cocktail, or locally-brewed beer you can find it in Noosa. And don't worry, Noosa oozes holiday vibes, so if you feel like replacing your morning coffee with a cocktail, you won't be judged!

Coffee

Coming from Melbourne, we are coffee snobs. We can admit it. And we were nervous about moving to Noosa! We were worried we wouldn't find anything Melbourne standard, and McCafe would be our best option… Boy, were we wrong. The standard of coffee in Noosa is on par with anything in Melbourne, and we have not been disappointed! Some of our favourite places for a cup of joe are:

• Moonstruck Coffee and Gin – Hastings Street & Main Beach Area
• Tanglewood Bakery – Hastings Street & Main Beach Area
• VanillaFood – Noosa Junction
• MOTO – Noosa Junction
• First Batch Coffee Roasters – Noosaville
• Belmondos Organic Market – Noosaville

Breweries & Distilleries

Hidden away in Noosaville's industrial area, and hinterland are some amazing breweries and distilleries, producing tasty tipples and serving up delicious food. They are all worth checking out, and the perfect spot for a boozy weekend lunch on a sunny day.

• Moonstruck Coffee & Gin – Hastings Street & Main Beach Area
• Heads of Noosa – Noosaville
• Land and Sea Brewery – Noosaville
• Boiling Pot Brewing Co. – Noosaville
• 2020 Distillery – Cooroy (hinterland)
• Pomona Distilling Co. – Pomona (hinterland)

Bars

Nightlife in Noosa could be described as more ‘day life'. Most things are closed by 10 pm, and (thankfully) partying until the early hours isn't really that common here. Or maybe we're just getting old and don't know about it! Outside of grabbing some beers and heading to the beach for a sunset bev, there are a couple of great spots for a drink (in addition to the breweries and distilleries above).

• Miss Moneypenny's – Hastings Street & Main Beach Area
• Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club – Hastings Street & Main Beach Area
• Village Bicycle – Noosa Junction
• Light Years – Noosa Junction (this is a restuarant primarily but their cocktails are AMAZING)
• Noosa Boathouse Sunset Bar – Noosaville
• Whisky Boy – Noosaville

Shopping in Noosa

I wouldn't say Noosa is the destination for shopping, but there are plenty of cute boutiques to browse, and stores to stock up on food and drinks.

Groceries and produce

The Noosa Farmers Market, as I mentioned above, is the best place to grab fresh food and produce. However, it only runs once per week on a Sunday morning. If you need food supplies outside of this time, there are some other options.

Coles in Noosa Junction is the closest supermarket to Hastings Street & Main Beach Area. There is a couple of convenience shops in Hastings Street for smaller purchases, but you wouldn't want to do a big food shop there ($$$). There is an Aldi in Noosaville, as well as two Woolworths. One is inside the Noosa Civic Shopping Centre, which is the largest shopping centre in the Noosa area. There are bottle shops attached to the Coles and Woolworths mentioned above, as well as a big Dan Murphy's in Noosaville if you need to stock up on drinks.

If you're looking for some artisan food, or fancy platter ingredients head to Belmondos Organic Market in Noosaville. It is foodie heaven, and you can get everything from duck pate to goats cheese. Most are sourced locally on the Sunshine Coast.

Clothes, homewares and souvenirs

Hastings Street is full of all kinds of shops, ranging from high-end clothing stores, bohemian boutiques, surf shops and tacky souvenirs. Boom Shankar and Jojo Bohemia are two local stores selling boho style clothing that I love.

Noosa Junction has a range of stores along Sunshine Beach Road, including some beautiful homeware and furniture stores. There is a K-Hub (a smaller version of Kmart) here too. Be sure to check out Sideways Surf Outlet for surfboards, wetsuits, swimwear and clothes at really affordable prices.

Noosa Civic Shopping Centre in the industrial area of Noosaville has a Big W and clothing chains like Cotton On, Ally Fashion, and City Beach. Gympie Terrace on the river in Noosaville has a few clothes and homewares stores to browse through too.

Peregian Beach has some lovely clothes and homewares stores in its village square. It is a great place to wander around and browse. Check out Bohemian Sundays too, it is one of my favourites.

Transport in Noosa

Depending on where you are staying, and what you are planning to do during your trip, you may or may not need to think about transport to get around. Some tourists choose to stay on Hastings Street and stick to that area only. But there are a lot of other great things to do around the Noosa region so it is worth considering the best option for you to get around.

I will run through a few different possible options for transport in and around the Noosa region.

Car

This is by far the easiest way to get around, and if you plan on doing some exploring you will probably want some wheels. If you're driving to Noosa, you're sorted! But if you're flying in, I would recommend organising a hire car from Sunshine Coast Airport which takes care of getting to and from Noosa, as well as getting around. If you don't need a car for your whole trip, you can hire one from Noosa Heads for just a day or two.

If you do have a car, make sure you enquire about parking with your accommodation. Most places outside of the Hastings Street & Main Beach area are likely to have on-street parking at the very least. But parking around Hastings Street can be tricky to find, and most parks are limited to 2 – 4 hours.

Moped

If you'd prefer to get around on two wheels, a moped (scooter) could be a good option. It's not uncommon to see locals whipping around on a moped with a surfboard on the side. It helps with the issue of parking, which in peak holiday periods can be a nightmare! And it's a fun way to cruise around on a summer day. Queensland is one of the only states in Australia where it is legal to ride a 50cc or less moped without a motorcycle license. You will just need to have a full Australian or international drivers license.

You can rent scooters from Scooter Mania, a short walk from the Hastings Street area on Noosa Parade.

Bicycle

If you prefer your two wheels non-motorised, you could hire a bicycle instead. It would be possible to travel easily travel between Hastings Street, Noosa Junction and Noosaville by bike (with moderate fitness levels). Bike On in Noosaville offers free bike delivery.

Uber or Taxi

Uber is available in the Noosa area, and taxis are provided by Suncoast Cabs by calling 131 008. If you just need to do a few short trips, this is a good alternative to hiring a car.

Ferry

For a more scenic way to get around, catch the Noosa Ferry. The ferry runs from the Noosa Marina in Tewantin to the Sofitel Jetty behind Hastings Street, with stops along the river in Noosaville and at Noosa Sound. It is a lovely way to travel and avoids the need to park in Hastings Street. You can get an unlimited daily pass from $25.

Public transport

There are a number of bus routes connecting towns around the Noosa region. To plan your journey, find routes and schedules check out the Translink website.

Local secrets

I have dished out a whole lot of inside info throughout this whole post, but I thought I would finish by sharing our five favourite Noosa moments, that we recreate week after week. These things always make us pinch ourselves, and feel so grateful that we call Noosa home. You might like to experience some of these moments on your own trip!

• A run on the beach at low tide, followed by a swim at Castaways Beach
• Sunset picnic at The Spit
• Afternoons in the sun on the grass at Hidden Grove
• Working on our laptops at Belmondos Organic Market
• Live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons on the Noosa River

Ultimate Noosa travel guide

I told you that was going to be big! As you can see, Noosa is full of exciting things to do, great places to stay, delicious food and drink outlets and a whole lot of natural beauty. I hope this post has given you a good feel for the area and will help you to plan your own Noosa adventure. We truly haven't visited anywhere else in Queensland that we love as much as Noosa, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do. Looking for more Noosa info? Check out our 30 things to do in Noosa post next.