Long beaches, beautiful houses, an abundance of restaurants and boutiques and many surfers! Welcome to Noosa, a vibrant city on the Sunshine Coast of Australia.
This cosy town has many hotspots, is surrounded by beautiful nature (the popular Noosa National Park) and is the surf hotspot of the Sunshine Coast.
In this blog, I will tell you all about the 6 best activities, attractions and things to do for when you are traveling to Noosa! Including visiting the cute village of Eumundi!
6 cool things to do in hotspot Noosa, Australia
Noosa is a beautiful “resort” city located on the Sunshine Coast of East Australia. Meaning that many rich people own a second house in Noosa just for the weekends and holidays.
Noosa is about an hour and a half drive from Brisbane. Away from the crowds and with the perfect waves and beaches at your fingertips. The city itself is quite large but feels intimate, almost like a village.
In Noosa, people are generally well-dressed and there is no shortage of expensive designer shops and fancy restaurants.
Curious how much our trip through Australia cost? Then read our Australia travel budget blog!
In this travel blog about Noosa, you will find six fun attractions and activities to do in Noosa. Including some delicious food hotspots for this vibrant city!
1. Learn to surf on Noosa Main beach
The most popular beach in Noosa is Noosa Main beach. This beautiful wide beach, located on Hasting Street, is very popular with surfers due to the perfect waves you have here.
No surfboard with you? You already rent a board for $15 an hour and two hours of surf lessons cost $50 (click here to book). The water is safe to swim in here (no sharks here) and the lifeguard makes sure everyone is safe.
2. Shopping hotspots in Noosa: design boutiques on Hasting Street in Noosa Heads
Hasting Street is the centre of Noosa. You will find all kinds of nice shops, cafés and restaurants here in Noosa Heads. This is the place to stroll on a sunny day and indulge in all the designer shops.
Unfortunately, for us backpackers, most shops are above our budget. But well, window shopping is also fun! They have great surf shops too, including Deus Ex Machinea.
3. Make a beautiful hike in the Noosa National Park
Australia’s most visited national park is also located here: Noosa National Park. There are several well-maintained hiking trails that lead to Noosa Hill or over the sea cliffs.
Our favourite route is the Coastal Walk. This 10.5-kilometre route (one way and back) leads you past several beautiful bays, past the Fairy Pools (small pools that fill with water at high tide) and via Hell’s Gate.
The latter in particular is an impressive place, a kind of deep gorge where a river ran 160 million years ago. Now waves splashes up here meters high.
4. A river cruise through the Noosa Everglades
Noosa is located on one of the two Everglades in the world. These are beautiful lakes connected by rivers. The best way to explore this beautiful nature reserve is of course by boat.
During a six-hour river cruise, the guide will tell you more about the surrounding nature while you enjoy a glass of wine and dinner. Bird lovers, this certainly something for you! Click here for more information about this river cruise.
5. Food hotspots in Noosa: Enjoy an Australian brunch
Noosa is the place to be for good food. Here you have an abundance of nice restaurants where you eat delicious and healthy but especially local products. See our café and brunch recommendations below!
The surrounding area of Noosa is known for its fertile soil, so much of what you are served comes from the neighbourhood and is organic. No matter if you are vegan or a specific diet, in this place you find delicious food for everyone!
6. Visit the cute village of Eumundi, just outside Noosa
Rolling green hills, fields and cute little villages: the countryside of Noosa is a whole different world. Here you will find the cozy village of Eumundi, a place that you should visit if you are in Noosa for several days.
This hippie village is not only fun to see, but there is also plenty to do! The best days to visit Eumundi are Wednesday and Saturday. On these days, this sleepy village is flooded with vibrancy and visitors coming to the market.
What to do in Eumundi: 3 activities not to be missed in Eumundi!
In Eumundi, there are a lot of things to do. Eumundi is just a short drive from Noosa by car. If you visit this lovely small town, make sure you visit Eumundi on a Wednesday or Saturday. On these days, most attractions and things to do are open.
1. Walk along the Eumundi market and buy some locally handcrafted items
Every Wednesday and Saturday Eumundi fills up with visitors who come especially for the Eumundi market. Besides fresh fruit and vegetables, you can buy all kinds of craft products here.
From special candles, bags and coasters to stalls selling homemade swings, clothes and soap. You can have your future predicted, there are food trucks and the atmosphere is great with live music and the smell of fresh waffles.
Eumundi Market is held every Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and every Saturday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.
2. Visit Eumundi Coffee Co, a local coffee roaster for tastings!
Are you a real coffee fanatic? Then visit the awesome coffee roasting house of Eumundi Coffee Co. Owner Thomas has been roasting his own coffee together with his two partners for a few years.
The coffee is imported from Brazil, Central America, Sumatra and Africa. Eumundi Coffee is open every Wednesday and Saturday. Every Wednesday from 10:00 to 12:00 you can get a coffee roasting experience. Book in advance through this site.
You can also just walk in (on Wednesday or Saturday) for a cup of coffee. Thomas tells you all about the special preparation of filter coffee and why filter coffee is so good. Are you saying hello from us?
3. Join the free tour and beer tasting of Eumundi Brewery!
Eumundi Brewery is a relatively young brewery, but it is already a great success. The brewery belongs to the Imperial hotel restaurant (not a hotel), which is always full! It is a lively place where you can enjoy the freshly brewed beers.
Every Wednesday and Saturday you can participate in a free tour and tasting here. In half an hour, one of the brewers will tell you all about the brewing process. Afterwards, you can taste a beer of your choice! Try the Cranberry beer!
Best and tasty restaurants in Eumundi village (close to Noosa)
Nice restaurants for lunch and grabbing a café in Eumundi:
- Eats (all-day brunch, convenient outlets and fast wifi)
- The Store (nice setting and good coffee)
- The Bake House (bakery with delicious pieces of bread).
Where to sleep in Eumundi? Hotels and campgrounds near Eumundi!
There are only three hotels near Eumundi. Below you find the available accommodations of Eumundi.
- Joes Waterhole Hotel (budget)
- Gridley Homestead B&B (mid-range)
- Phoenix Eumundi Bed & Breakfast (luxury)
Are you camping just like us? Tip: we stayed at the free campground Belli Creek campsite.
Hotspots in Noosa: Our favourite restaurants, cafés and hotspots!
Looking for cool and tasty places to eat in Noosa? Below you see our hotspots for Noosa Heads based on our own experiences.
Noosa hotspots: Café le Monde
Café le Monde is a famous name in Noosa. This All-Day Brunch restaurant has been in the same spot for years and has a well-stocked menu of typical Australian dishes.
Noosa hotspots: Vanilla Food
Vanilla Food is a great hot spot just outside the center of Noosa. You drink good coffee here, eat healthy salads or try their waffle speciality. The design and furniture are beautiful! Need some inspiration for decoration? This is your place!
Noosa hotspots: Bistro C.
The hip Bistro C restaurant overlooks the boulevard. Looking for lunch with a view and a stylish interior? Then, this is your place.
Noosa hotspots: Canteen
At Canteen, you eat a nice lunch in a cozy, no-nonsense environment. An eatery where they serve good coffee and tasty cakes Somehow, this reminds us a bit of the Netherlands: You expect a large plate of chicken satay any time.
Noosa hotspots: Hastings 10
Part of Hastings 10 Boutique Motel, this cool restaurant serves healthy salads and American pancakes. My mouth is watering again when I think about this place! Wi-Fi works well and there are power outlets, handy place for digital nomads.
How many days do you need for Noosa?
In three days you have seen most of Noosa and her surroundings. Staying longer than 3 days is not bad at all, as long as the weather is good. However, keep in mind that Noosa is not a cheap destination for backpacking and for travellers on a budget.
Is Noosa part of your East Coast itinerary?
Noosa is surrounded by nature, with the Noosa Everglades and the Noosa National Park around the corner. The Glass House Mountains and Fraser Island are also not far away. In short, more than enough to see and things to do in the Sunshine Coast.
One week itinerary Sunshine Coast and Brisbane:
If you are going to travel and backpack through the Sunshine Coast, consider the following itinerary: Byron Bay – Brisbane – Glass House Mountains – Noosa – Fraser Island. You can do this route for the Sunshine Coast in a week.
Looking for a nice itinerary for the East Coast of Australia? Then read our Australia east coast itinerary blog!
Where to sleep in Noosa: The best (budget) hotels in Noosa!
Below are three good hotels for Noosa. The first two hotels are suitable if you are travelling through Australia on a budget and as a backpacker. Pick the last hotel options if you are in a need for more luxury and comfort.
Halse Lodge €
This cosy hostel is very close to Noosa Heads. There is a large communal kitchen, Wi-Fi and both dorms and private rooms. You sleep here from €64 in a private room.
Book now!Noosa Flashpackers €
This nice hostel with swimming pool and free breakfast is really worth every penny. The free shuttle bus takes you to the center of Noosa. You sleep here from €59 in a private room.
Book now!Sofitel Noosa €€€
You will find luxury and design in the beautiful Sofitel Noosa Resort. With a swimming pool, fitness centre and super central location, this hotel has everything! You sleep here from €181 per night.
Curious which hotels, hostels and accommodation we like in Australia? Then read our Australia hotels east coast blog!
Click here for more Australia blogs!
Like this post? Pin it!
