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Australia’s first year-round beachfront cabana club opens soon

Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
One of Queensland’s most nostalgic island holiday destinations will soon welcome its first guests to the brand-new Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club.

A scenic 75-minute ferry-hop from Brisbane, Moreton Island has been a quintessential beach getaway among Queenslanders for generations. This wedge-shaped isle (that claims the title of world’s third-largest sand island, after Queensland’s K’gari and North Stradbroke Island) has whales to watch, shipwrecks to snorkel and towering desert dunes to sandboard down. But for those who prefer to kick back and take it easy, a brand-new cabana club is poised to bring a fresh dose of laid-back comfort to the shoreline. 

A resort that’s been in the Aussie holiday game for more than 60 years, Tangalooma Island Resort has unveiled Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club, a new beachfront venue created in partnership with Carnival Cruise Line. Available to cruise guests as well as those staying at or day-tripping with Tangalooma Island Resort, the 160-seater space provides front-row seats to the island’s biscuit-hued sand and pristine, mouthwash-blue shallows. 

For Carnival cruise guests, there’s not long left to wait, with the club available to book from 1 August 2026. For other guests, the precinct will open from early September.

What to expect at the Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club

tangalooma cabana club
Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club is arriving this spring for all guests.

Sandwiched between the resort’s pools and the beach, Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club is made for slow, sun-soaked days. The precinct promises a relaxed, lounge-like atmosphere where guests can while away the hours socialising, sipping perfectly chilled beverages and flitting between shady comfort and the crystal-clear ocean waters. Expect ambient beats that carry along the breeze and very little reason to check the time. 

Twenty cabanas, each hosting up to eight people, provide private bases with direct beach access. Inside, you’ll find all the bells and whistles needed to settle in for the day.

Comfy lounge seating is arranged around a central table, and each cabana features its own fridge to keep food and beverages cool throughout the day. Along with adjustable shutters for privacy and fans to beat Queensland’s no-joke heat, guests are also provided with lockable storage, towels and charging ports (keeping your phone alive for those envy-inducing beach snaps is naturally a priority). 

tangalooma cabana club
Enjoy laid-back sipping, lazing and socialising in your private beachfront base.

The space has also been designed with accessibility in mind. Select cabanas feature wheelchair-accessible design, while beach wheelchairs are available to hire, making it easier for more guests to enjoy Tangalooma’s spectacular stretch of sand. Guests with disabilities can also join in water-based activities such as dolphin feeding.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

AI Prompt

When does Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club open?

The cabana club is scheduled to open exclusively to Carnival Cruise Line guests from 1 August 2026, with the wider public launch scheduled for September. 

How much does Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club cost?

tangalooma cabana club
The 20 cabanas are south-facing.

For cruise guests, booking one of the cabanas at Tangalooma Dunes Cabana Club costs $399.99 for groups of up eight, for whole-day use. Food and beverage packages are available at an extra cost. Tangalooma Island Resort has not yet confirmed pricing for non-cruise day access.

Visitors can secure their spot through the Tangalooma booking portal, while cruise guests can book the experience directly through their cruise ship as an official shore excursion.  

The precinct will also be made available for exclusive hire or partial use, making it an ideal setting for private events and celebrations.

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Eleanor Edström
Eleanor Edström is Australian Traveller’s Associate Editor. Previously a staff writer at Signature Luxury Travel & Style and Vacations & Travel magazines, she's a curious wordsmith with a penchant for conservation, adventure, the arts and design. She discovered her knack for storytelling much earlier, however – penning mermaid sagas in glitter ink at age seven. Proof that her spelling has since improved, she holds an honours degree in English and philosophy, and a French diploma from the University of Sydney. Off duty, you’ll find her pirouetting between Pilates and ballet classes, or hunting down Sydney's cosiest cafes.
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9 experiences in and around Noosa you haven’t tried yet

    Lee Mylne Lee Mylne
    Continue
    Noosa’s magic extends beyond the sun and sand. Uncover this popular region’s natural charms and secret spots to get more from your visit.

    Wander through bushland and paperbark forests, linger on a curve of quiet beach, hit the water or hike up a mountain. Whether you’re seeking long languid lunches, savouring the region’s best food and wine, are ready to rejuvenate or are up for an active adventure, there are Noosa experiences for everyone.

    Winter is the perfect time to visit – it’s still warm enough to bask in Queensland’s sunshine and mild temperatures while discovering the natural beauty and sustainable experiences that make this region so popular. It’s easy to see why Australian Traveller readers voted Noosa Australia’s top town to visit.

    1. Explore the hinterland

    Two women kayaking during a Noosa experiences.
    Kayak through Noosa’s peaceful hinterland.

    Choose your Noosa experience – kayaking, abseiling, rock climbing, camping or hiking – with Noosa-based Adventure Tribe. They host guided experiences throughout the region, including in Rainbow Beach, Cooloola and the stunning Noosa Everglades.

    Small group tours with Joel’s Journeys combine hinterland villages with wine and cheese or chocolate tasting, a gourmet lunch, waterfalls, the Everglades and memorable views.

    Plan ahead for the Great Noosa Trail Walk. This 56-kilometre three-day trek into the Noosa Biosphere will help you reconnect with nature over the October long weekend.

    2. Accommodation to suit all budgets

    The bedroom at Elysium Noosa Resort noosa experiences.
    Book into Elysium Noosa Resort. (Image: Elise Hassey)

    Indulge in luxury at one of Noosa’s premium resorts or bring the family for a laidback beach-focused holiday. Anywhere you choose will mean you’re never far from the vacation vibes of Hastings Street.

    The recently rebranded Elysium Noosa Resort has given new life to one of the most central spots in Noosa Heads, while Number One in Hastings Street offers a range of luxury one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and exclusive penthouse suites, surrounded by the national park and boutique shopping.

    Families will love the space and pools of Mantra French Quarter Noosa. Over at RACV Noosa Resort, a water park and games room compete with the beach for the kids’ attention while adults indulge in the day spa or hit the tennis court or gym.

    For couples, Noosa Blue Resort’s studios and one-bedroom suites have sweeping river, bay and hinterland views from its perch atop Noosa Hill. With two outdoor heated pools, spa, steam room, yoga studio and more, it’s the complete package.

    Travelling on a budget? Halse Lodge offers heritage-listed colonial-style accommodation for backpackers and budget travellers without sacrificing style or comfort, and is just a few minutes’ walk from the beach. Family-friendly Ivory Palms has three pools, a children’s playground, jumping pillow, tennis courts and more.

    3. Reset and rejuvenate

    the massage bed at Sensaura Day Spa, Noosa experiences
    Unwind with spa treatments at Sensaura Day Spa.

    Banish stress, slow down and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of Noosa while indulging in pampering treatments. Reset and recalibrate with packages from one of the many day spas – try Sensaura Day Spa Noosa or Noosa Springs Spa.

    Noosa Bespoke offers three thoughtfully designed packages that focus on wellness, active adventures and fresh local produce, all with a focus on sustainability, allowing guests to choose their own way of discovering Noosa.

    For something different, try forest bathing and take a walk in Noosa National Park.

    4. New dining experiences

    Cibaria Noosa experiences
    Enjoy authentic Italian at Cibaria Noosa. (Image: Elise Hassey)

    Stroll Hastings Street to find your own dining vibe. For authentic Italian, head to Cibaria Noosa for everything from a coffee and pastry to amazing pasta and seafood platters.

    Over in Noosa Junction, try something lighter at Atelier Wine Bar. Taste a selection of bar food and platters including charcuterie, cheeses, oysters and more. Then finish off with ‘dessert in a glass’.

    Order out or dine in at Somedays Pizza, where all the ingredients for the organic, wood-fired pizzas are sourced from local farmers, artisans and winemakers.

    5. Where the locals eat

    Rickys River Bar And Restaurant noosa experiences
    Enjoy waterfront views at Rickys. (Credit: Manuel Freudenmann)

    Perennial favourites Bistro C, Season Restaurant Noosa and Sails are absolute beachfront dining options overlooking Laguna Bay. You can almost feel the sand between your toes as you enjoy some of the finest cuisine on offer.

    Locale Noosa’s seasonal Italian menu features handmade pasta, traditional antipasti and delectable desserts. On the riverfront, Rickys River Bar and Restaurant has been luring the locals for years; come for the elegant setting and fabulous food and wine, and stay for the sunsets.

    6. Spot humpback whales

    humpback whale sighting noosa experiences
    Spot whales from May to October. (Credit: The Edit Suite)

    There are plenty of great places to watch the gentle giants of the sea make their annual migration from Antarctica to the warm waters of the Queensland coast between May and October.

    To see whales at play and teaching their calves to breach and tail slap, head to Hell’s Gates or Dolphin Point in Noosa National Park, or to one of the many vantage points along the coast from Sunshine Beach to Peregian Beach. For closer encounters, book a whale-watching boat tour.

    7. Take a country drive

    Three people walking towards Pomona during a Noosa getaway.
    Sample craft spirits at local distilleries.

    Download the Noosa Country Drive map from the Visit Noosa website, or pop into the visitor information centre for a printed copy, then jump in the car to explore craft breweries, gin distilleries, bookshops, country pubs, scenic lookouts and cute cafes.

    Through the villages of Cooroy, Pomona, Eumundi, Cooran and Kin Kin, look out for local markets and galleries for that special souvenir. Want to stay longer? There are farm stays, boutique B&Bs and glamping tents to rest your head. Take time to go horse riding or mountain biking, ride a steam train or explore a small museum. And don’t forget to pick up some fresh produce from a roadside stall.

    8. Explore the eastern beaches

    Sunshine Beach near noosa
    Visit Sunshine Beach, just minutes from Noosa. (Credit: Amy Higg Photo)

    Noosa’s near neighbour beaches, Peregian and Sunshine, are just a short drive south. Peregian Square has boutique shopping, vintage finds, homewares, day spas and antiques, and weekend markets are held twice a month in the beachside park.

    Drop into the Peregian Beach Hotel for a meal and live music, or head to the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club for views of the patrolled beach. Grab a coffee or juice at plastic-free Sunshine Social and linger on the deck under the pandanus trees.

    9. Discover the Noosa River

    A scenic boat trip during a Noosa getaway.
    Discover Noosa from the water on a scenic boat trip.

    Taking time out on the Noosa River is a serene way of exploring more of this region. Whether by canoe or kayak, a small boat or scenic boat trip, being on the water gives a new perspective on Noosa.

    Head to Terrace Marina for small boats and great coffee, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks and jet skis to explore independently, or join Noosa River Cruise Co for a romantic gondola ride.

    At sunset, board the Noosa Queen to cruise along the river – cool drink in hand – to the shores of Lake Cooroibah.

    Start planning your Noosa getaway at visitnoosa.com.au.