Noosa

The Noosa region is famous for its bio-diversity from glistening, white sand beaches to pristine rainforest and untouched waterways. The Noosa National Park take pride of place atop Noosa Heads, and overlooks the South Pacific Ocean and Noosa’s chic Hastings Street. There is a network of well-signed tracks dissecting Noosa National Park that lead to Tea Tree Bay (popular spot amongst surfers), Granite Bay and Alexandria Bay.  

The Noosa National Park is one of two jewels in Noosa’s eco-crown, the other jewel being Noosa River and the everglades. The Noosa River is the only river system in Australia that has its entire upper catchment protected in National Park and more than 44 per cent of all Australia’s bird species reside within the region. Visitors can choose to explore this diverse wilderness area via an organised boat cruise, hire a houseboat, kayak or canoe. The Noosa everglades include Lake Cooroibah and Lake Cootharaba.

 

Lake Weyba is hidden behind the sand dunes of Noosa National Park and is popular for its fishing, canoeing, walks and bike tracks. 

Noosa is a mecca for world-class restaurants and is a foodie’s dream, where the selection of superb restaurants is so great it proves tough to choose where to eat next. Not only does the popular Hastings Street offer exceptional dining options but Gympie Terrace and Quamby Place also feature a handful of top-shelf restaurants and eateries. Some of Australia’s best chefs are at the helm of the restaurants that overlook the calming waters of Noosa River.

In terms of shopping precincts in Noosa, head to Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, Noosa Junction and Noosaville. Around every corner there is a savvy boutique or art gallery that will beckon you inside. Noosa Junction is a local haunt with cutting-edge fashion boutiques, cinema and groovy eateries that sprawl onto the pavements. 

The arty market town of Eumundi, situated in Noosa’s hinterland, is famous for its 600-stall strong markets that were established in 1979 and occur every Wednesday and Saturday of the week, attracting over 1.6 million visitors a year. Even though the markets dominate the hinterland town twice a week, it’s well worth a visit on non-market days to wander along the fig tree-lined main street, popping in and out of art galleries and boutiques and sampling the region’s produce at one of the eateries. 

The historic, rural town of Cooroy, founded in the 1800s, is bisected by a railway and is bathed in early-settler history from its timber logging days. From Cooroy visitors can explore the Noosa Botanic Gardens that sprawls across eight fertile hectares and is home to a range of native plants and wildlife including 94 native species of birds. Local Cooroy residents recommend Lake Macdonald, which can be traversed by canoe, horseback, mountain bike or foot. The lake was constructed in 1965 to supply the area with water and is a popular destination for fishermen ready to catch saratoga, yellowbelly, bass and Mary River cod. 

Pomona is another too-cute railway town in Noosa’s hinterland shadowed by Mount Cooroora and home to the gruelling King of the Mountain race. Runners from all over the world race up and down the 438-metre mountain to vie for the crown.  

PATROLLED BEACHES ALL YEAR ROUND

Noosa West, Noosa Heads, Sunshine Beach 

Check out the local surf conditions here 

SECRETS ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW

• The twitchers amongst you will love the Noosa Bird Trail. There are more than 32 sites throughout the Noosa region stretching from Woodland Drive at Peregian Beach to the Great Sandy National Park. The Fearnley Bird Hide, located at Jabiru Park, has reported 150 bird species have been seen around Lake Macdonald. Some of the birds spotted there were the white-throated gerygone and the comb-crested jacana. The bird hide is situated at Grange Road, Cooroy. 
• Learn to sail with help from those who love it with the Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club on the Noosa River. After school and holiday classes are offered for kids and courses for adults are available too. www.nyrc.com.au
• Cooroora Creek Park, located near the picturesque town of Pomona, is a superb spot for a picnic. With its main entry off Hill St, the park is a traditional meeting place for the Gubbi Gubbi people. A concrete circuit allows you to explore the extensive grounds by bike or foot with plenty of shaded picnic spots to choose from. There is also an abundance of open space to kick the footy or set up stumps and bowl your dad out.
• Go native at the clothes-optional beach at Alexandria Bay in Noosa’s National Park accessed via the Alexandria Bay track or the coastal track via Parkedge Road or the beach.
• Along Weyba Rd, Noosaville, located between Weyba creek and the AFL grounds, there is a platformed walk amongst the mangroves. It is a short, flat walk, making it accessible for strollers and wheelchairs whilst being adjacent to the Sunday farmers’ markets. The mangrove boardwalk is home to five different mangrove species and has handy information signs along the way. There are car parks and cafes nearby and offers an outdoor break if the kids are restless.
• One of the most beautiful parts of the coast is without a doubt the Noosa everglades – the scenic waterways of the Upper Noosa River and its tributaries. Often called the River of Mirrors, this is tranquil, unspoilt and unique scenery, which is best experienced by canoe, kayak or boat. Visit historic sites such as Harry’s Hut, and the Kinaba Information Centre, built on the boardwalk above the water. Part of the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park, the everglades are just 30 minutes from Noosa. 
• Walk, mountain bike or horse ride along one of the four Noosa trails that link to Cooroy. It’s a great way to be fit and healthy while taking in the natural beauty and history of Cooroy and its surrounding country. 
• If you own a kayak (or rent one from Gympie Terrace, Noosaville), you can launch into Weyba Creek from Creek Road, Noosaville. From here you can paddle north through the mangroves, observing the local flora and fauna all whilst getting some outdoor exercise. Your trip can finish back at Gympie Terrace and one of the cafes or do a loop back to Creek Rd and have a picnic on the shore. 
• There is a little clearing on the edge of the lake at the end of Lake Weyba Drive, Noosaville. A few picnic tables overlook the whole of Lake Weyba and are the perfect place to sit at dawn or dusk.  
• Settle in at the Majestic Theatre in Pomona and watch old silent films accompanied by live grand theatre organ music.
• There's something in the water at the Noosaville Marina. The kids will love the fish feeding box perched in front of the Boathouse Floating Restaurant, where you can buy $1 bags of fish food from the honesty tin. Hundreds of bream live just around the base of the jetty and these real Noosaville locals are always up for a feed (no fishing allowed). The packets of food are available seven days a week from the marina, whose foreshore includes a host of family friendly pursuits including parklands, walkways and leisure activities.194 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville. 
  
• Quiet, waterfront picnic spots are hard to come by, and that’s why salt loves the sandy shores of Lake Weyba. Pack a basket with fresh food, jump in the car and head for Eumarella Road, off Emu Mountain Road near Noosa. Here, you will find a handful of tiny beaches where you can unwind and spend a lazy day by the water. Splash in the shallows or explore the bushy shoreline. You might even come across the resident kangaroos. 
  
• Get a photo with the Big Pelican on Gympie Terrace. At more than three metres tall, this loveable mascot is hard to miss. A storyboard tells the story of 'Percy the Pelican', a remnant of the 1977 Festival of the Waters Parade that was restored by the owners of Pelican Boat Hire in the 1990s. 
• Don your walking shoes and follow the stunning river walk from Noosa Sound west along Gympie Terrace to Tewantin.
• Have your children always wanted to learn to sail? Sign them up for an after-school or holiday program at the Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club. The YouthSail program teaches more than 150 kids of all ages weekly.

TO MARKET TO MARKET

• Noosa Farmers’ Market – held every Sunday – AFL Grounds, Weyba Road, Noosaville
• Noosa Marina markets – held every Sunday – Parkyn Court, Tewantin
• Cooroy Country Market – held on the third Sunday of each month
• Pomona Markets – held every second and fourth Sunday
• Eumundi Markets – held every Wednesday and Saturday morning – Memorial Drive, Eumundi