Known as one of the most beautiful beaches in Australia, Noosa is a must see. If you haven’t been, pop it on the bucket list! It is a great spot for families to holiday with plenty for everyone to do.
Noosa is located 90 mins drive north of Brisbane on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. Because of its beautiful safe beaches, a lot of the recreational activities tend to revolve around water. Hastings Street is the first street back from Noosa’s main beach and provides a plethora of eating and shopping options.
Here are 10 suggestions:
1. Visit Noosa Main Beach
As it suggests, Main Beach is right in the heart of Noosa. It is a gorgeous north facing, patrolled beach, nestled in behind a headland. It has moderate waves that are safe for swimming all year round. This is the perfect beach for your family. The kids can swim and build sandcastles ’til their hearts are content.
2. Walk Noosa National Park
Another must see is Noosa National Park. Leaving from Main Beach, a boardwalk leads you along to the start of the walk. The walk follows the coastline and takes in spectacular scenery. Take in sights such as Little Cove, Boiling Pot, Tea Tree Bay and Hells Gates, all the while keeping a look out for some wild life, including koalas.
3. Play on the Noosa River
The Noosa River is a gorgeous spot to spend a day. It has plenty of shady spots and sand along its banks for the kids to play in. There are bbq facilities, plenty of aqua sport options (such as jetskis, canoes, hobbycraft, SUP’s etc.), you can go fishing or just relax and watch the world go by.
4. Wander Hastings Street
I hesitate to say shop….because the majority of children don’t enjoy lots of shopping. BUT Hastings Street has a variety of shops and definitely ones that the kids will be interested in too.
For example, there is a cool bookshop off Hastings St called Mary Ryans that has a great kids’ section and also a fairly new shop called LaLa Land that has all your gorgeous, brightly coloured gift ware (think pink flamingos, light up rainbows!). At night Hastings St has beautiful fairy lights in the trees that line the street and it is a nice activity to just stroll along as a family.
There are lots of great eating spots on Hastings Street as well. Aromas Cafe provides a good spot to stop and do a bit of people watching. The Surf Club sits right on Main Beach and is iconic to Noosa. BUT the current favourite seems to be burgers and Noosa has some really good options, including Betty’s Burgers, Grill’d and Zac’s Gourmet Burger Bar.
6. Make Your Own Lollipop
On Hastings Street there is a store called “Candy Addictions” where your kids can make their own lollipops. They run fun classes for kids to make and design their own lollipop. For more details visit www.candyaddictions.com.au.
7. Visit the Eumundi Markets
From Noosa the Eumundi Markets are only a 20 minute drive away and there is something there for everyone. The Eumundi Markets are the biggest and best art and craft market in Australia. They are held every Wednesday and Saturday. If you can make it, bake it, grow it or sew it – you’ll probably find it at the Eumundi markets. They have an extensive and delicious range of food available also. The Eumundi Markets are well worth a family excursion.
* Also, Noosa has a Farmers Market on each Sunday morning at the local AFL grounds where you can buy a great range of fresh produce and organic products.
8. Have an Ice-Cream Every Day
When I think of treats on family holidays, I think of ice-creams and gelatis. On Hastings Street, you are spoiled for choice in this regard. There is Massimo’s Gelateria, Copenhagen (where the kids can put on their own sprinkles), Ben & Jerry’s and Gelatissmo all within a stones throw from each other! YUM!
9. Try SUP
Stand Up Paddle Boarding is a great way to see more of Noosa. You can start at the Noosa River and meander through the canals. There are various calm water spots in Noosa and plenty of places to hire SUP boards.
10. Relax At The Movies
Just over the hill from Noosa Heads is the Junction and you will find a great cinema here to watch the latest blockbusters. Beach in the day and movies at night – sounds perfect to me!
