Noosa Heads is a town at the northern tip of the tourist playground that is the Sunshine Coast.ButNoosa, just two hours’ drive north of Brisbane, is more than a brash seaside resort. It combines the convenience of great dining, accommodation and beach facilities with the option of escaping ‘off-grid’ into the watery wilderness of national parks just to the north.
Noosa’s main attraction is its sandy beaches. Surfing is extremely popular here, with several good beaches depending on the conditions. Noosa’s main beach is very family friendly and close to Hastings Street, a trendy thoroughfare, where you’ll find good restaurants and cafes along with some interesting shopping.
Providore on Hastings is one such shop, where you can buy locally produced groceries and stop in for a meal. Locale is a popular restaurant, as is surfers’ favourite Café Le Monde, where you can try some delicious CocoWhip ice cream.
There are several options if you want to escape the other tourists at Noosa. The Noosa Everglades is a heavenly wetland area. Hire a kayak or canoe at nearby Boreen Point on tranquil Lake Cootharaba and paddle into the everglades. There are campgrounds here and further upriver, but you’ll need to be self-sufficient.
