20 incredible things to do in Noosa

Kristie Lau-Adams Kristie Lau-Adams
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If you thought the best things to do in Noosa involved nothing more than a towel and your cozzies, think again. Slurp up that coffee and pop your book down – it’s time to discover all the extraordinary experiences Noosa has to offer.

From life-changing restaurants and one-of-a-kind handicrafts to world-renowned ecosystems and spectacular coastal walks, the best things to do in Noosa are worth leaving that infinity pool for. Momentarily, anyway.

1. Get dizzy exploring the Noosa wine bar scene

You’re all over its eateries, but have you ventured into the wine bars? Rivalling the ones found in major cities, Noosa’s emerging wine bar scene blends chic interiors with epic drops.

Atelier Wine Bar Exterior
It would be easy to mistake Atelier Wine Bar for a sleek fashion boutique.

Atelier Wine Bar is so sleek it feels like a fashion boutique, while Theo’s Social Club offers (oak) barrels of fun and warm hospitality.

Atelier Wine Bar
The food and wine is exceptional at Atelier Wine Bar.

2. Navigate the waterways with a Noosa boat hire

Get out on that crystal blue to channel the lives of the rich and famous. Pelican Boat Hire has been operating for more than 50 years and provides everything you need (including a detailed map) for a legendary day out on the Noosa River. Choose the Ultimate BBQ Pontoon for ample space, plush seating and envious stares. 

Noosa River
Spend a day out on the Noosa River.

3. Make time for self-care at a Noosa day spa

One of the best things to do in Noosa? Zeroing in on you. Noosa’s best day spas include Stephanies Ocean Spa, City Cave and Sensaura Day Spa, but our pick is Ikatan Day Spa in nearby Doonan. Featuring the Presana Massage conducted in an outdoor gazebo immersed in lush tropical gardens, the Balinese-inspired haven is extra special.

Ikatan Day Spa
Indulge at Ikatan Day Spa.

4. Soak up the sun at the best Noosa beaches

Ditch the pool for Mother Nature’s most sensational sand and surf. Main Beach is great for people-watching whereas quieter sunbaking can be secured at Sunrise Beach, Alexandria Bay and Little Cove Beach. For less populated surfing, head to Castaways, Marcus and Sunshine Beach (more on Sunshine later). 

an aerial view of Little Cove Beach, Noosa
Bask in the warm sea breeze at Little Cove Beach.

5. Unearth local treasures at Noosa markets

Beach-inspired homewares, fashion and jaw-dropping crafts dominate so many of Noosa’s popular markets.

kiosks selling organic farm goods at Eumundi Markets
Head to Eumundi Markets for organic farm goods.

We’ve rounded up the best markets right here, including the overwhelming Eumundi Markets, Noosa Marina Markets and the Peregian Beach Markets. Live music and mouth-watering food beckon, too.

6. Soak up culture with the Kabi Kabi Virtual Welcome To Country

Make sure you’re strolling past the Visitor Information Centre on Hastings Street at 7 pm because a wonderful six-minute audio-visual presentation celebrates the traditional owners, the Kabi Kabi people, and the land. Arrive curious, and leave utterly humbled.

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7. Throw a line off a Noosa fishing charter

Catch your dinner from a coastline filled with coral reef, snapper, mackerel, tuna and more. A Noosa fishing charter from the likes of Deep Sea Fishing Co., who offer five, seven and nine-hour charters, and Noosa Sportfishing Lodge, offering charters and even overnight stays, are designed to reel you in a win.

8. Splash some cash at Hastings Street’s boutiques and eateries

The scene to be seen, Hastings Street’s irresistible string of restaurants, retail boutiques and bars is a non-negotiable thing to do in Noosa. Spanning locally produced fashion, homewares, sporting goods and art, plus delicious treats for all tastes, the main strip is a non-stop melting pot of action.

Hastings Street Noosa
Hastings Street is the jewel in the Noosa crown on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

9. Forage fresh produce at the Noosa Farmers Market

Sundays in Noosa aren’t complete without dropping into the famous Noosa Farmers Market, located in laid-back Noosaville. Browse freshly sourced produce, excellent coffee, outstanding condiments and a sprinkling of arts and crafts from 6am until midday every weekend.

a couple shopping for fresh produce at Noosa Farmers Market
Head to Noosa Farmers Market for fresh produce and artsy crafts. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

10. Connect with nature on a walk through Noosa National Park

Escape the crowds and embrace natural wonders by pounding the pavement in Noosa National Park. Our comprehensive guide to its walking trails will help you whittle down a walk tailored to what you’re looking for. Enchanting wildlife? Tick. Soaring views? Double tick.

a couple walking along Noosa National Park
Stroll along the nature trails at Noosa National Park. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

11. Find a new favourite at Noosa’s breweries and distilleries

Much like its wine bar scene, the growing cluster of top-notch Noosa breweries and distilleries is pouring up pure genius.

a bartender filling a glass of beer on tap at Heads of Noosa Brewing Co.
Try signature tap beers at Heads of Noosa Brewing Co.

Don’t miss Seabourne Distillery for its masterful use of native ingredients in gin, Boiling Pot Brewery Co. for too-easy-to-drink brews and Heads of Noosa Brewing Co. for popular crowd-pleasers.

Boiling Pot Brewing Co.
Chill out with a beer in hand at Boiling Pot Brewery Co. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

12. Live like a laidback local at Sunshine Beach

The energy of Noosa Heads is intoxicating but the mellow vibes found at Sunshine Beach are the stuff of holiday dreams. It’s much hillier but has a distinct village feel, fantastic coffee and one helluva surf club, offering sweeping ocean views, winning hearts with every new visit.

Sunshine Beach Noosa
Embrace the mellow vibes at Sunshine Beach.

13. Dine like a celebrity at Noosa’s best restaurants

Eat, sleep, repeat – it’s a lifestyle holidaymakers travel the world in search of. While the list of best restaurants in Noosa is too long to conquer in one visit, don’t miss Somedays Pizza for a game-changing slice, Rickys River Bar & Restaurant for the ultimate riverside long lunch and Bistro C for an unbeatable beach party atmosphere.

Somedays Pizza Menu
Somedays Pizza is one of many top-notch places to eat in Noosa.

14. Get active with a range of Noosa watersports

Whether your heart races for jet skis, SUPs, kayaks or electric hydrofoils, calm waters and killer surf breaks offer ideal conditions for action-packed things to do in Noosa. Noosa Watersports offers a bunch of popular options, while Fliteschool Noosa provides guided lessons on those crazy, hovering, electric hydrofoils.

Stand up paddleboarding at Tea Tree Bay
Noosa Watersports offers a bunch of popular watersport options.

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15. Sink a cold one (or few) at Noosa’s best bars

Got a spare afternoon? Fill it discovering mouth-watering concoctions in the most sparkling of spaces.

Miss Moneypenny’s on Hastings Street is always pumping, Whisky Boy is a low-key local haunt and Sunset Bar at the Noosa Boathouse offers drinks with a side of picture-perfect views.

meal with cocktail drinks on the side at Whisky Boy, Noosa
Indulge in refreshing cocktails at Whisky Boy.

16. Delight in locally roasted coffee at Noosa’s best cafes

But first, coffee. Noosa is filled with incredible blends, boasting several stellar roasters throughout the region. We’ve rounded up the best coffee and cafes for your savouring pleasure, but don’t miss Entity Coffee in Sunshine Beach, and Clandestino Coffee and First Batch in Noosaville for truly local sips.

an array of coffee blend at First Batch Coffee Roasters, Noosa
Take your pick of coffee blends at First Batch Coffee Roasters.

17. Marvel in the beauty of the Noosa Everglades

Staggering sights beckon from the top end of the Noosa River where the Noosa Everglades begins. The 60-kilometre stretch of waterways, spellbinding plant life and amazing wildlife is best navigated with an expert tour.

Aerial shot of someone kayaking along Noosa River
Kayak along the Noosa River with Kanu Kapers.

Try Kanu Kapers, who offer kayaks, and Everglades Eco Safaris, who run boat tours.

guests during Everglades Eco Safaris, Noosa
Drift through the wilderness with Everglades Eco Safaris.

18. Sleep under the stars in style with Noosa’s best glamping

Sacrifice a solid roof for the night in the name of adventure with Noosa’s most luxurious glamping experiences. One of the best things to do in Noosa if it’s once-in-a-lifetime memories you’re chasing, glamping hot spots include Habitat Noosa Everglades EcoCamp and Noosa Eco Retreat.

guests watching the wallabies from the paperbark tent at Habitat Noosa Everglades EcoCamp
Get a well-deserved getaway at Habitat Noosa Everglades EcoCamp. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

19. Dive into riverside fish and chips in Noosaville

Often, it’s the simple things that make holiday memories last a lifetime, like grabbing fish and chips for a riverside picnic with the fam bam. Embrace quality time with your favourite people over excellent fish and chips from Noosa Boathouse’s takeaway menu. Best of all, there’s ample lawn space for the largest of clans.

the exterior of Sunset Bar at the Noosa Boathouse
Grab a takeaway feast from Noosa Boathouse.

20. Stay up all night at Village Bicycle

If a nightcap calls, say yes to Village Bicycle at Noosa Junction. With one of the latest closing times in Noosa (midnight), this is an unpretentious joint you’ll love. There’s a graffiti-clad beer garden and an extensive booze menu, plus delicious burgers, wings and more to line your stomach.

For more insider tips and travel advice, read our ultimate travel guide to Noosa.

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Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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5 of the best Sunshine Coast day trips

    Kate Bettes Kate Bettes
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    City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

    When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

    Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba, where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

    1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

    Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

    Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

    Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

    All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

    woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
    Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

    2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

    Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

    Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park. Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

    Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards. Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery.

    Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

    woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery
    Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

    3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

    Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

    Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

    Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores. Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

    aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek
    Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

    4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

    Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

    Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

    Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House, then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

    Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

    exterior of Husk Distillers
    Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

    5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

    Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

    Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

    Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

    Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

    End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

    view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland
    Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

    Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.

    The Very Best Things to Do in Noosa - Australian Traveller