Noosa is a catch-all name for a collection of neighbouring holiday resort towns—Noosa Heads, Noosaville and Noosa Junction. Noosa Heads is the glamour girl of the three, fronting Main Beach and home to Hastings Street, a strip of smart boutiques, cafes and restaurants. Noosa Junction is more functional, with supermarkets, takeaway joints, banks, a movie theatre (for rainy days) and other shops to provide necessities. Noosaville lies along the Noosa River, with a yacht club, soaring pelicans and plenty of restaurants. Noosa National Park sits at one end of Hastings Street via a lovely coastal boardwalk.
One of the most under-rated places in this region is the Noosa Everglades. Take a kayak or a boat tour to explore this wilderness area in the upper reaches of the Noosa River. This clear 60km stretch of water is renowned for its reflections, blooming water lilies and birdlife. It’s a photographer’s dream.
Catch the Noosa Ferry up the river to the village of Tewantin, for more shopping and gallery-hopping. This is also the entry point for Tewantin National Park, which is criss-crossed with mountain bike trails, and the Mt Tinbeerwah lookout.
Walk the coastal track through the Noosa National Park, starting on the boardwalk from Noosa Main Beach. Before heading off check out the treetops as koalas are frequently spotted here. Along the way, stop for a swim at any of the sandy beaches around the coast, or sit and watch the waves and the surfers in action. The coastal walking tracks in the national park take you to places like Boiling Pot, Dolphin Point, Tea Tree Bay and Winch Cove. The inland Tanglewood is a great place for wildflowers in spring.
An hour’s drive away in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, mountain villages such as Maleny, Montville and Mapleton give stunning views of the coastline and inland to the dramatic volcanic plugs of the Glass House Mountains. Walking trails abound.
December and January are the busiest months, but book as early as you can for any holiday periods as this is a popular spot for Australian families. The Sunshine Coast has a moderate climate but can be hot in summer despite the coastal breezes. The annual Noosa Festival of Surfing, the largest longboard gathering in the world, is held over a week in mid-May in Laguna Bay, off Main Beach, Noosa Heads.
- Camping is not allowed in Noosa National Park, but other commercial camping areas sit nearby. The best national park camping is in the Cooloola Recreation Area of Great Sandy National Park or in the upper reaches of the Noosa River.
- Wheelchair-accessible facilities are available in Cooloola Recreation Area, at Freshwater camping and day-use areas, Bymien picnic area, Fig Tree Point, and Harrys camping and day-use areas.
- Stay alert when on the beach in Great Sandy National Park, as parts are open to vehicle traffic. It can be difficult to hear over the sounds of wind and surf.
- Remember to pack sunscreen and a hat; the Queensland sun can be fierce.
- Camping permits for all Queensland parks, forest, and reserves must be booked online and paid for in advance. Make camping bookings as early as possible, especially for around Christmas.
