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The best holiday rentals and Airbnbs in Noosa

Consider your Noosa accommodation sorted with these standout Airbnbs and holiday rentals.

Not all Noosa Airbnbs are created equal. So, we’ve done the research for you to uncover the full range of stand-out Sunshine Coast stays. Noosa’s upmarket hotels and ritzy resorts will always attract luxe-leaning travellers. But there is also an impeccable collection of laidback Airbnbs and holiday rentals in Noosa. Find the perfect places to stay for a dreamy beachside or hinterland holiday with our guide to 16 of the best Noosa Airbnbs and holiday rentals.

In short

If you only stay at one holiday rental or Airbnb in Noosa, make it Makepeace Island. This Noosa Airbnb is Australia’s ultimate stay for extended family accommodation.

The Queenslander

the pool area at The Queenslander, Noosa
Unwind by the lagoon-style pool.

Want to book a holiday for the extended family within walking distance of Noosa Main Beach? The Queenslander is part of the new Allawah Noosa portfolio of high-end holiday homes. The impeccably maintained coastal retreat sleeps eight and offers spacious, family-friendly living as well as generous entertaining areas and cool, coastal breezes. Explore nearby shops and beaches and then kick it beside your own private pool.

Address: Near Noosa Main Beach

Domic, Sunshine Beach

Domic graced the cover of Australian Traveller’s Spring 2021 issue dedicated to 100 Unique Stays. And it still leads our list of the best holiday rentals and Airbnbs in Noosa. Domic means ‘place of domes’ in Russian and serves as an elegant home for eco-friendly Hempcrete, which was invented by its owner Evgeny Skigin. The property fronts Sunshine Beach and features six suites, 10 bathrooms, an infinity pool, ‘day spa’, cinema, gym and personal concierge service. There’s also car parking for seven cars including two EVs.

Address: Seaview Terrace, Sunshine Beach

Eh Frame, Noosa National Park

an A Frame shack at Eh Frame, Noosa National Park
Settle into an A Frame shack in the middle of the forest.

Eh Frame is a mid-century-inspired A Frame named after the short phrase Canadians are known for ending their sentences with, eh? It’s the kind of Canadian love shack a bona fide lumberjack might stumble across while hiking the Rockies. The two-bedroom Noosa Airbnb features exposed timber beams and is kitted out with a fully equipped kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances and a dreamy loft bedroom. Although Eh Frame is in the middle of the forest, the only bears you are likely to see are koalas. Sleeps 4.

Address: Solway Drive, Sunshine Beach

Sabi Suite, Noosa Heads

A neutral toned bedroom with a bath
The apartment is swathed in calming neutral tones.

Love is in the Airbnb at Sabi Suite, a one-bedroom apartment ideal for romantics. The second-floor open-plan pad is a short walk from Noosa’s hip strip lined with cafes, restaurants and boutiques. In addition to the two-person spa bath, private balcony and king bed, this Noosa Airbnb also has a steam room, spa, gym and swimming pool onsite. The kitchenette fitted with a dishwasher and basic crockery will come in handy when you’re putting together a grazing platter for your gal. There’s also a cafe on the ground floor.

Address: Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads

Luxury Afloat Noosa

the Luxury Afloat Noosa houseboat
Traverse the Noosa River in style onboard a Luxury Afloat Noosa houseboat.

Enjoy the buttery break of a day onboard a Luxury Afloat Noosa houseboat chugging along Noosa’s network of watery highways. Choose between a six-berth, eight-berth and 10-berth Noosa holiday rental replete with kitchen, BBQ and all linen and towels. Drop anchor off Noosaville and ask the fisho cruising past in his tinnie for tips on how to hook a big one. What better way to get to know the curves of the Noosa River than by meandering through to Lake Cooroibah?

Address: Diyan Street Memorial Park Jetty, Tewantin

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The Shack

The Shack is an itty-bitty Noosa Airbnb fit together like a game of Tetris with a loft bedroom above a kitchenette. The owners honeymooned in Hanalei Bay and their love of Hawaii is evident with the hula girl figurines and pineapples dotted about the cosy space. The Shack has rattan rugs and earthy timber beams that contrast with the crisp, clean white-on-wood interiors. The outdoor deck overlooking a tropical garden provides a tranquil retreat away from the hubbub of Hastings Street.

Address: Sunshine Beach, Noosa

The Lodge, Noosa Heads

Enjoy a peaceful weekend with your family at The Lodge which is an advertisement for a sea change in Noosa. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom beach house is ridiculously idyllic with its sun-splashed deck and heated plunge pool. Enjoy breakfast on the deck or lounge in the sun in the back garden. If the day is damp and soggy, retreat indoors to the light-filled living room which vibes off the classic Aussie beach-chic blueprint. There’s also a laundry, fireplace, workspace and complimentary cruisers. It’s just 20 minutes to some of the Sunshine Coast’s best beaches.

Address:  Noosa Heads

Makepeace Island, Noosa River

the master villa at Makepeace Island, Noosa River
The master villa at Makepeace Island is a peaceful retreat on the Noosa River.

Makepeace Island is a small heart-shaped island on the Noosa River with a high-end sanctuary that sleeps up to 20, making it perfect for large get-togethers. The island retreat has three villas, a four-bedroom Island House, one-bedroom Boathouse, eight bathrooms, lagoon pool, 15-seater spa, tennis court and gym. It also offers access to walking trails and has a launching-off point for kayaks and SUPs. Those with extra cash to splash can arrange for a private chef. This Noosa Airbnb is one of Australia’s best holiday homes for a multigenerational stay.

Address: Noosa North Shore, Qld

Little Red Barn, Doonan

an aerial view of Little Red Barn, Doonan
Find a heated plunge pool right outside the Little Red Barn.

Little Red Barn is a three-bedroom Airbnb in Noosa that probs used America’s Midwest as its muse. This slice of hinterland heaven is near to multifaceted venue, The Doonan, easily one of the best restaurants near Noosa. The heated plunge pool makes this property a restorative getaway and is a top spot to catch the sunset, glass of wine in hand. A fireplace, freestanding cast-iron bathtub and comfortable bedrooms make this Noosa Airbnb one you’ll want to revisit again and again.

Address: Sunrise Road, Doonan

The Langville Estate

a bathroom with a tub at The Langville Estate, Noosa
Unwind in the freestanding bath.

Budding contestants on The Block will want to take style notes at The Langville Estate to use as design inspo. Pack your best mocha mousse pantsuit so you blend in with the colour schemes in this four-bedroom Airbnb just a 40-minute drive from Noosa. Invite your next of kin to the Kin Kin property, which sleeps 10 guests and features a swimming pool, sauna, media room and open-plan living room geared for relaxation. The secluded property has a pool table to keep teens happy and off screens.

Address: Kin Kin, Noosa Hinterland

Noa by the Beach

You won’t find this luxe Little Cove crash pad on Noosa Airbnb listings. Rather, it’s on the noosasecretdestinations.com.au website aimed at those who want to try the Noosa lifestyle on for size. Want to find the perfect holiday rental for your blended family? This beautifully furnished property sleeps 12 and has an expansive backyard with a trampoline, dedicated media room and a solar-powered swimming pool. There’s also an outdoor terrace and barbecue area where you can swan around in evening attire and keep up with the Joneses.

Address: Little Cove, Noosa

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The Hamptons Lake House

the pool area at The Hamptons Lake House, Noosa
This tranquil vacation home offers a private pool.

The owners have affectionately dubbed this spot The Hamptons Lake House, which speaks to the bright and airy design. The luxe lakehouse is a tranquil retreat with white-on-white interiors softened with earthy textures and views of the Noosa River framed like a watercolour from the wraparound deck. The three-bedroom renovated Queenslander is an ode to open-plan living with an undercover al fresco dining area, fully equipped kitchen and laundry. The lovely lakehouse is within walking distance of Noosa Marina and Noosaville.

Address: Noosa, Tewantin

Kurui Cabin

Noosa Hinterland views from Kurui Cabin
Soak up the Noosa Hinterland from Kurui Cabin.

This architecturally designed tiny home is one of the most popular Airbnbs in the Noosa Hinterland.  The two-bedroom eco-conscious Kurui Cabin is on a working farm at the base of Cooroy Mountain and that soundtrack of mowers, tractors and mooing cows adds to the charm. Curl up on cosy leather couches around the combustion stove in winter. In summer, you can walk from the private outdoor deck into the plunge pool set like a gem in the landscape.  Perfect for couples or families with older children.

Address: Cooroy, Noosa Hinterland

Beachfront Hideaway – Sunrise Beach

a suite with beach views at Beachfront Hideaway – Sunrise Beach, Noosa
Escape to a dreamy seaside retreat at Beachfront Hideaway overlooking Sunrise Beach.

Beachfront Hideaway is the luxe beach shack of your dreams. Call your nepo baby buddies and ask them to fork out a couple of hunge each for the privilege of staying in this East Coast retreat. Although it costs about $3250 a night to stay in the designer digs, you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck as the property sleeps up to 14. Bags one of the three bedrooms that have ocean views at the luxe property, which is listed on the Noosa Secret Destinations website. Family-friendly amenities at the seaside retreat include a waterslide, beach accessories, pool toys and large heated swimming pool.

Address: Sunshine Beach|

Thirlestone Farm Cottage and Barn

an outdoor tub at Thirlestone Farm Cottage and Barn
Relax in the outdoor tub at Thirlestone Farm Cottage and Barn.

Picture this: you’re sitting on the deck of Thirlestone Farm Cottage in the Noosa hinterland, the sky soft in the dusk light. Your tech-obsessed teen has set up the 8-foot projector and you’re about to settle in for family movie night under the stars. The renovated workers’ cottage and architecturally designed barn at Thirlestone is like a fantasy farm stay with everything from a rainfall shower to an outdoor fire pit and gear for playing competitive games like cricket and lawn bowls. There’s even an outdoor claw-foot bath to luxuriate in. Could this farm stay get any more family-friendly? Bonus points for being just a 20-minute drive to Noosa’s pristine beaches.

Address: Evans Road, Cooroy

Azure in Sunshine Beach

The rooftop spa at Azure looks like it could be used as a location shoot for Selling Sunset. Cashed-up travellers will appreciate that there is no line of demarcation between the infinity pool, sea and sky at this luxury Noosa holiday home. With accommodation for up to 10 guests, the five-bedroom seaside retreat spills onto a spacious terrace and features endless ocean views framed by floor-to-ceiling windows. This exceptionally elegant Noosa property also has a media room with a big screen and PS5. But the real theatre is outside with the surround-sound of waves peaking and crashing on the shore below.

Address: Sunshine Beach

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Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
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Why Hamilton Island is perfect for multi-gen travel

Consider this your cheat sheet to holidaying on Hamilton Island with the clan.

Keeping everyone in your crew happy on holidays is no small feat. Yet ask any parent who’s been and they’ll unanimously agree Hamilton Island multi-gen travel overdelivers – for many reasons.

Taking the family to this premier island destination is a rite of passage for many Aussie parents. Not only is Hamo stuffed to the brim with fun activities to suit all ages, but it’s accessible, safe and super easy to get around thanks to its relatively small size. And I suppose the fact that it’s undeniably stunning doesn’t hurt either.

Whether you’re spending time together creating magical memories or relaxing while giving the young ones some kids’ club time, this guide breaks down everything there is to know about holidaying on Hamilton Island for families.

Getting there, and around

Hamilton Island multi-gen travel on a buggy
Hire a buggy and explore at your own pace.

The easiest and most fuss-free way to get to Hamilton Island is to fly to Great Barrier Reef Airport, located on the island. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offer short, direct flights from most major Australian cities, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns. Alternatively, fly to Whitsunday Coast Airport (PPP) near Airlie Beach, then take a ferry from Shute Harbour with Cruise Whitsundays, which operates services daily.

Once you’re here, rental buggies make it easy to zip around from A to B (not to mention being a fun activity in themselves – the kids will love it).

Where to stay

Reef View Hotel Pool Terrace hamilton island multi-gen travel
Reef View Hotel offers pool and sea. (Credit: Kara Rosenlund)

Part of what makes Hamilton Island so appealing is its diverse range of family-friendly accommodation. Many include return airport or marina shuttles, along with complimentary use of non-motorised watersports equipment – making it easy to relax as soon as you step foot on the island.

Reef View Hotel is one of the most popular picks due to its spacious suites perfect for larger families and proximity to the island’s resort centre – a happening hub of restaurants, pools and water activities.

Meanwhile, families looking for something more self-contained can check into Palm Bungalows. Each modern bungalow is enveloped by lush tropical gardens and offers a kitchenette, bar fridge, microwave and coffee facilities – plus a private balcony for card games and evening drinks.

pool and sup boarders at The Sundays hamilton island
Take in pool and sea at The Sundays.

The Sundays is another fantastic option for families. The newest hotel on Hamilton Island, it has serious bragging rights thanks to its coastal chic design and stellar location at the end of Catseye Beach. Opt for one of the Family Connect Rooms for extra breathing room.

For that relaxed, home-away-from-home feeling, Hamilton Island Holiday Homes hit the nail on the head. Choose from more than 100 self-catering homes dotted around the island that accommodate both large groups and smaller families. From waterfront luxury to spacious villas, there’s something for everyone.

Family tip: Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows and The Sundays all participate in Hamilton Island’s Kids Stay Free program, earning themselves a reputation as some of the best family-friendly accommodation on Hamilton Island. No extra charge is added for up to one or two (dependent on the hotel) children under 12 who are sharing a room with parents and using existing bedding.

Where to eat

coca chu on hamilton island
Sit down to a feast at coca chu.

Hamilton Island’s foodie scene is seriously worth its salt. From just-caught seafood to family-friendly staples, even the fussiest of eaters will be satisfied.

Start at coca chu, one of the best Hamilton Island restaurants for families. Spotlighting vibrant Southeast Asian flavours, it offers a lively, high-ceiling setting overlooking Catseye Beach. Nearby is Catseye Pool Club, Josh and Julie Niland’s breezy coastal venue that’s at once elevated and laidback. Dishing up the likes of charcoal tiger prawns with lemongrass marinade and Greek-style lamb shoulder, it’s the perfect place to celebrate birthdays or milestone moments with older kids.

Got young ones who recoil at the sight of vegetables? Not to worry. Head straight to Romano’s for please-all pizza, or Marina Tavern for hearty pub classics in a relaxed atmosphere complete with an outdoor deck.

Catseye Pool Club hamilton island
Grab some tasty bites by the pool at Catseye Pool Club.

For brekkie or lunch, Bob’s Bakery is a family favourite for affordable pastries, sandwiches and pies, while Marina Cafe serves up bacon and egg rolls and salads with fresh smoothies. And Popeye’s does a mean fish and chips to go.

Sails Restaurant is the place to be for poolside bites with views of the Whitsundays’ famous turquoise waters. The kids can splash in the pool while parents sip spritzes and graze on mezze plates of za’atar pita, hummus and olives. The menu leans Mediterranean and Middle Eastern, though you’ll also find plenty of kid-friendly crowd favourites such as ham and cheese toasties. For something extra special, book in the Piper Package – expect exclusive access to a king-size sunbed with a shaded umbrella, plus a chilled bottle of Piper-Heidsieck NV Champagne and a showstopping seafood platter (I still have dreams about it).

Where to explore

hamilton island couple running on trail
Explore the island’s walking trails.

There are bucket loads of family-friendly activities on Hamilton Island that the whole clan can do together. First stop: hiring a buggy and taking your time to explore the island at your own pace. Next stop: getting active and creating memories together in the process.

One of the best activities on Hamilton Island for families is tackling one (or more) of its beautiful bush and walking trails, with the one-hour hike to Passage Peak a standout for panoramic views of the surrounding islands. Morning is a great time to go to beat the heat (and other walkers).

For the active and adventurous, the all-new E-mountain biking facilities make for an adrenaline-packed experience your teens won’t be able to stop talking about. It’s a self-guided trail taking riders to some of the island’s quietest and most scenic pockets, and the knowledgeable staff at Hamilton Island Trails HQ will fit you out with all the gear you need for a safe adventure.

E-mountain biking on hamilton island
Check out the all-new E-mountain biking facilities.

Come sunset, you’d be silly not to head up to One Tree Hill at least once during your stay. Offering breathtaking 360-degree views as the sun brushes the horizon with gold, it’s a popular place for groups and families to come together and enjoy a drink from the pop-up cocktail van.

Family tip: If you’re staying at the Sundays, Reef View Hotel, Palm Bungalows or Hamilton Island Holiday Homes, you’ll enjoy complimentary access to a range of water activities, including catamarans, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards and snorkel equipment at Catseye Beach. Keep an eye out for the turtles that love to hang around the shallow fringing reef.

Where to play

heart reef
Take the family on a day tour to places like Heart Reef.

Kids are sure to have a field trip thanks to the island’s abundance of child-centric offerings.

Parents in need of some ‘me time’ can drop little ones between six months and 12 years off at the Clownfish Club, located near the Resort Centre and Pool. Overseen by trained professionals, the nursery offers a calm space for toddlers and babies with a balance of gentle play and rest. Meanwhile, older kids can unleash their imaginations with age-appropriate craft, games and group activities.

Parents seeking a stress-free night out can also make use of Hamilton Island’s babysitting services, which start from $40 an hour.

Hamilton Island Wildlife is another must-visit stop. Fun for children of all ages (and adults too!), the centre provides up-close encounters with a variety of cute and fascinating Aussie animals. Think marsupials, snakes, lizards, koalas and kangaroos, along with a giant saltwater crocodile. Catch the 10am or 2pm daily tours (included with entry) guided by expert keepers, or opt for a 30-minute private or small-group VIP encounter with an animal of your choice.

More kid-friendly entertainment awaits at Palm Valley Activities, where you can race around the go-karting track and reach up to 45 kilometres per hour. Kids under 16 can ride as passengers in double go-karts. Or perhaps try your hand at mini golf at the HI Fitness Club, navigating palms, playful challenges and pathways that wind through lush tropical gardens.

Keen to explore further afield? A wide range of Hamilton Island day trips promise endless excitement, from snorkelling on a Great Barrier Reef tour and chartering a boat to marvelling at the swirling sands of Whitehaven Beach from a scenic plane.

To plan your family island escape, visit hamiltonisland.com.au.