With its pristine beaches, iconic surfing spots and abundance of native wildlife, Noosa is one of the most popular holiday destinations for international travellers and Aussies alike. If you’re someone who is considering visiting Noosa on your next holiday getaway, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we dive into the various sights and sounds that you’ll encounter on the Sunshine Coast and look into 6 reasons why Noosa should definitely be on your bucket list. Read on to find out more!
1. The World Class Surfing
Without a doubt, Noosa is one of the world’s top locations thanks to its crystal clear waters, incredible waves, magnificent views and abundance of marine/wildlife. For those who are new to the surfing game, we highly recommend heading to Little Cove (just a 10 minute walk from the Sofitel in Noosa), or First Point to enjoy gentle waves and protected breaks. For the surfing aficionado, both Tea Tree or Granite Bay are a dream come true thanks to waves that reach up to 12 ft tall! Even if you’re not the biggest fan of surfing, there are many other water activities that you can engage in ranging from swimming and snorkelling all the way to kayaking, paddle boarding or boogie boarding!
For more information on surfing in Noosa, be sure to check out this informative article.
2. The Noosa Everglades
Did you know that Noosa is one of the only two locations in the world with an everglades system? But first of all, what the heck is an everglade? In the words of Kanu Kapers, an everglade is “A tract of low, swampy land characterised by tall grass and branching waterways”.
Also referred to as the River of Mirrors because of the amazing reflections in the water, the Noosa Everglades cover a 60km stretch of breathtaking waterways which are best explored on a kayak which will allow you to take in the incredible scenery and sights at your own pace. You can also join a guided boat tour or explore the everglades on foot. Now, iIf that’s not a reason to add this amazing location to your bucket list, we don’t know what is!
3. The Vibrant Food And Bar Scene
We’re going to generalise here and assume that you’re a huge fan of delicious food, because well, who isn’t? Noosa is an absolute dream come true for foodies thanks to its abundance of award-winning restaurants, cafés and bars that serve up some of the country’s best eats. In fact, Noosa is also home to Australia’s biggest food and wine festival (the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival) that comprises over 80 amazing events showcasing some of the country’s best chefs, produce and beautiful locations. Aside from world class restaurants, you’ll also find Noosa no stranger to trendy bars, craft beer breweries and super hip coffee haunts that are guaranteed to leave you wanting more.
For a fun and lively atmosphere, head to Noosa Junction. Alternatively, make your way to Hastings Street for a touch of refinement. Thankfully, both precincts are a short 10 minute walk from each other!
4. The Noosa National Park
If you’re dying to spot some Koalas (and dolphins), the Noosa National Park is one location that you certainly shouldn’t miss out on. Just a short walking distance from the town centre, Noosa National Park features the spectacular coastal scenery of Noosa Headland and the nearby areas around Peregian, Coolum and Lake Weyba. While you’re exploring this vast slice of nature that spans 2883 verdant hectares, don’t forget to explore Emu Mountain and Peregian as well. For those who are looking to break a sweat, the 4 hour Coastal Walk that spans over 10km is a great way to take in the wonderful sights and sounds of Australian native plants and wildlife on foot.
Even if this incredible national park were to be the only reason for visiting Noosa, it would still be compelling enough.
5. The Rich Ecosystem
Did you know that Noosa was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2007? Over 30% of Noosa’s land is protected to protect its biodiversity that consists of over 60 unique ecosystems in a relatively small area.
Home to over 44% of Australia’s native bird species, some of the incredible bird-life you’ll see around Noosa include the glossy black cockatoo, eastern ground parrot, red goshawk and the swift parrot amongst many others. Many of these species of birds are at risk of going extinct, making their habitats in Noosa absolutely vital to their survival. Aside from birds, if you’re lucky, you may also spot humpback whales, koalas, bats, loggerhead turtles, tiger quoll, and even the endangered dugong located in the Noosa Biosphere Reserve. Besides wildlife, there are also over 1365 species of plants in Noosa and 711 species of native fauna.
6. The Incredible Markets
Last but not least, no visit to Noosa is complete without a trip (or three) to the local markets. Hosted every Sunday, the Noosa Farmers Market is world renowned for its quality organic product, freshly baked breads, world-class cheeses, marinades, sauces and even skincare.
If you’re a foodie, you also won’t want to miss out on a visit to the Eumundi Markets (only open on Wednesdays and Sundays) where you’ll be treated to some of the best street foot on the coast followed by an entire day of exploring the various stores selling sculptures, art, homemade soaps, candles, clothing, furniture, toys and basically anything you could dream of. You could even get your tarot cards read or simply enjoy a delicious brew whilst listening to music courtesy of the numerous buskers you’ll find around the markets.
Whether you spend a couple of days or even two weeks in Noosa, you’re guaranteed to never run out of amazing things to see, do and eat. We hope that this article has given you some insight into just a few reasons why Noosa should be on your bucket list.
Noosa is surrounded by stunning natural landscapes, from the turquoise waters of Noosa Main Beach to the lush greenery of the Noosa National Park. You can take a scenic hike through the park, enjoy a leisurely paddle down the Noosa River, or simply relax on the beach and soak up the sun.