Think Noosa beaches end with what’s in front of Hastings Street? You’re in for a surprise.
Found within a UNESCO Biosphere, with Noosa National Park abutting the sea, and waves that warrant the place being recognised as a World Surfing Reserve, Noosa beaches are the stuff of legend.
With golden sands, warm water and friendly dolphins who often pop by to say hello, the string of beaches from Double Island Point down to Peregian is a dream in summer but even better in winter when the crowds thin and the wind blows mostly offshore. Consider this your insider guide to the best Noosa beaches to lay your towel on, paddle out, or let your pup run free – it’s truly one of the best things to do in Noosa.
Noosa Main Beach
Starting with the headliner, you haven’t really been to Noosa unless you’ve rubbed shoulders with fellow CoolCabana owners on a packed summer’s day. With its beachfront promenade and cafes, a surf club offering the best vantage point for a post-swim beer, and gentle waves peeling into Laguna Bay that call to longboarders from around the world, Noosa Main Beach ticks all the boxes for a great day on the sand.
Take a surf lesson, bob between the flags, or just soak up the scene from your beach chair. With 50 metres of Mobi-Mat running from the boardwalk to the sea, and a beach wheelchair available for hire from the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club, it’s also one of the region’s most accessible beaches.
Little Cove
Just a short walk from Noosa Main Beach, Little Cove is like its petite, more secluded cousin and families love it. The 100-metre-long, north-west-facing swathe of sand provides the perfect natural playground for littlies and beginner surfers will find calm conditions here too.
With accommodation tucked up along the border of the national park here, if you’re staying in Little Cove, you can leave the car keys in your bag and enjoy walking to the beach, bar and everything in between.
Tea Tree Bay
If you ask a surfer their favourite Noosa beaches, chances are Tea Tree will top the list. Famed for its point break and crystal-clear water, the north-facing beach also provides a welcome respite from the southerlies that can whip up during summer. To get there, hike in from the Noosa National Park day-use area (about 20 mins).
Alexandria Bay
While it was a ‘clothing optional’ beach back in the day, A Bay, as locals call it, is now just all about a stripped-back nature experience. The east-facing beach is also where surfers head when the waves are too low at Noosa Main Beach. Tucked between Hells Gates and Devils Kitchen in Noosa National Park, the best way to reach it is to park at McAnally Drive, Sunshine Beach and hike in from there (about 20 mins).
Sunshine Beach
On the southern side of Noosa National Park, Sunshine Beach flies a little under the radar when it comes to Noosa beaches. As well as being patrolled and having an off-leash area for dog owners, this beach is a magnet for experienced surfers. Expect to see whales cruising past on their annual migration between July and October, too.
You can walk into Noosa National Park from here and parking is a lot less of a headache than at the main day-use area. No trip to the beach at Sunshine would be complete without a parmy or some spiced snapper tacos at the Sunshine Beach Surf Club – undoubtedly one of the best on the Sunshine Coast.
Sunrise Beach
Tucked between Marcus and Sunshine Beach (even though there are no natural border makers on this long stretch of sand), Sunrise is a favourite of dog owners and surfers. The beach attracts larger swell than further down the coast, and when the wind picks up, it’s a favourite of kite surfers.
You can park at Castaways Beach and hike north to here (about 40 mins each way), with a track running parallel to sand, and there are seasonal patrols on weekends (Oct-April) and during school holidays. Pooch in tow? Dogs can run free off leash from beach access 38 to 47 Tristania Drive, Marcus Beach.
Peregian Beach
Locals love Peregian Beach for its patrolled section (rips are ever-present along this long stretch of coast between Coolum and Sunshine Beach) and lack of crowds, but the village that abuts it seals the deal when it comes to deciding on the best Noosa beaches. The lawn in front of the Peregian Beach Surf Life Saving Club comes alive with market stalls on the first and third Sunday of the month, while great coffee, restaurants, ice cream and shopping can all be found in the village square.
Noosa Spit
Known to locals as Doggy Beach, the Spit is fresh from a sand replenishment project and provides a cracking spot to chill on the beach and dip into the Noosa River. Dogs can swim and play off leash all year round, but even if you’re not a dog lover this is a great alternative to Main Beach as there is plenty of room to find your own patch. It’s also one of the best spots to watch the sunset. To find it, head past Noosa Woods on Claude Batten Drive (starts at the northern end of Hastings Street) and hang a left into the parking area.
Teewah Beach
If you’ve got access to a 4WD and the conditions line up during your stay in Noosa, cross the river on the car ferry at Tewantin – it only takes five minutes – and drive up Teewah Beach. There’s the renowned surf break and lighthouse at Double Island Point, but this 40-kilometre stretch of beach is also the gateway to the Cooloola Great Walk, Rainbow Beach and K’gari. If you’re keen to stay on and explore, there’s camping behind the dunes for self-sufficient folks (book permits well in advance). Guided 4WD day tours are available through Great Beach Drive 4WD Tours or Epic Ocean Adventures and you can also go horse riding along the beach at Noosa North Shore with Equathon .
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