Dreamy Noosa Beaches To Visit Any Time Of Year

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.

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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 .

Discover the best things to do in Noosa.

The votes are in –there’s a new favourite town on top.

For Australian Traveller’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, we asked you to vote for your Aussie favourites, from the country’s top road trip to our most-loved wine region. But one of the most contested categories? The best town in Australia. And this year, an exciting newcomer has stolen hearts nationwide, beating another oft-lauded coastal town for the title.

Australia’s best town is…

Noosa, Queensland — Noosa is officially the best town to visit in Australia, as voted by you. (Image: David Wilcock)

Aussies, you’ve made your choice loud and clear. Leaving perennial favourites like Byron Bay and Margaret River in its wake, the sun-soaked haven of Noosa has officially taken the crown for best town in Australia this year – and it’s not hard to see why. Situated on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, around a two-hour drive from Brisbane, Noosa has it all.

Keen for a seaside summer escape? Its golden stretch of coastline boasts some of the best beaches in the world. After something slower? Noosa’s hinterland offers lush forests, wild swimming holes and cosy off-grid stays for lazy, unhurried days. Whatever part you choose to explore, you’ll find endless ways to relax, reset and recharge.

Your guide to the best of Noosa

Whether you’re a long-time fan or its new title has finally convinced you to go, there’s no denying Noosa deserves a spot on your holiday list. The coastal town is practically brimming with things to see and do, but if you’re limited on time, there are a few experiences you won’t want to miss. Lucky for you, we’ve got the itinerary sorted.

Start with a trip to the Noosa Everglades, about 30 minutes north of town. Alongside the USA’s Florida Everglades, it’s one of just two everglade systems in the world and among the oldest waterways on the planet. It also spans two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, the Noosa and Great Sandy.

Canoeing through the Noosa Everglades in Queensland — Join a canoe tour to see the Noosa Everglades up close. (Image: Tourism Australia)

A tour with Everglades Eco Safaris will take you deep into the heart of this natural wonder, where expert guides navigate the waterways and share fascinating insights into the flora and fauna that call it home.

Guests can choose between a tranquil river cruise and an immersive canoe adventure, both running for 4.5 hours. There are plenty of other outdoor nature experiences on offer, too – think whale-watching, hiking, surf lessons and even skydiving.

Noosaville Brewery in Noosa, Queensland — The coastal town is dotted with local breweries serving craft beer. (Image: Tourism Noosa/Amy Higg Photo)

Rather just sit back and relax? Noosa’s got you covered. Home to dreamy day spas designed to soothe even the most stressed-out souls, relaxation here is a non-negotiable. With the knots in your back a distant memory, you’re free to wander local markets touting handmade wares, dine at restaurants heroing fresh seafood and sip your way through Noosa’s hitlist of breweries and distilleries.

Seahaven Noosa in Noosa, Queensland — Soak up the sunshine during a stay at Seahaven Noosa.

You’ll find a range of accommodation options, too. Noosa welcomes everyone – families with little ones, couples on honeymoon and travellers going solo are all catered to.

If you’re travelling on a budget, book into one of Noosa’s comfy caravan parks. Nestled among the paperbarks, Habitat Noosa is a great option, offering both camping and glamping sites. Got holiday cash to splash? Seahaven Noosa is among the town’s hottest stays with its spacious suites, beachfront pool and proximity to Hastings Street.

The runners-up for Australia’s best town

While Noosa took out the top spot in 2025, it faced some fierce competition along the way. Consistent favourite, Byron Bay missed out on the top spot but still made it into the list as a runner-up, as well as claiming the title of best wellness destination in Australia.

Other contenders included Port Douglas in Queensland and WA’s Margaret River. Mudgee in NSW was also close behind, instead taking out best country escape thanks to its world-class wineries, destination diners and charming regional stays.

9 Noosa beaches worth visiting any time of year