9 Noosa beaches worth visiting any time of year

Celeste Mitchell Celeste Mitchell
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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

a couple walking on Noosa Main Beach
Make your way to the Main Beach for a short stroll. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

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

people swimming in the clear waters of Little Cove, Noosa
Little Cove is an idyllic spot for swimming or surfing. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

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.

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Tea Tree Bay

an aerial view of Tea Tree Bay, Noosa
Spend the day in Tea Tree Bay, where the beach meets the bushland. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

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

an aerial view of Alexandria Bay, Noosa
Alexandria Bay provides a surfing alternative other than Noosa Main Beach. (Image: Getty/Alizada Studios)

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

Sunshine Beach in Noosa National Park
Sunshine Beach spans 15 kilometres of coastline, perfect for long walks. (Image: Getty/Darren Tierney)

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.

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Peregian Beach

an aerial view of the Peregian Beach, Noosa
Peregian Beach offers a slice of paradise away from the crowds. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

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

the idyllic waters of Noosa Spit from above
Noosa Spit is teeming with pristine white sand and clear blue waters. (Image: Getty/Darren Tierney)

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

a 4WD driving along the shore of Teewah Beach
Drive up Teewah Beach in a 4WD. (Image: Getty/Jupiterimages)

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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Celeste Mitchell
With visions of hosting Getaway, Celeste Mitchell graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism and entered the hard-hitting world of boy bands, puberty, and fashion, writing for magazines like Girlfriend, Total Girl, CLEO and TV Hits in the early noughties (there was a lot of Twilight references). Since switching gears to full-time freelancer in 2013, focused exclusively on travel, she’s criss-crossed the globe, opened a co-working space, lived in Mexico, and co-founded slow and sustainable site, Life Unhurried. The Sunshine Coast-based author (Life Unhurried & Ultimate Beaches Australia, Hardie Grant) and mum of two regularly pinches herself that she gets to explore new places and ask all the nosy questions she wants in the name of work.
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Can’t handle the cold? Hamilton Island serves a slice of summer in winter

(Image: Hamilton Island)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
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    When the winter chill settles in, an escape to Hamilton Island’s year-round tropical shores is the only acceptable coping mechanism.

    As a heliophile with the cold tolerance of a Mediterranean house cat, the arrival of winter tends to spark a particular panic. How will I survive? Must I really start layering? What do you mean, Aperol season is over? But there are far better ways to spend the cooler months than sulking in the depths of your doona.

    Enter, Hamilton Island. With its year-round sunshine and permanent on-holiday atmosphere, this Whitsundays favourite promises a veritable slice of summer in winter.

    Think salt-stiff hair and the smug pleasure of devouring seafood beside the water while friends back home are defogging their windscreens. Here’s why Hamilton Island should figure into your winter plans.

    1. Year-round summer weather

    A woman hiking along the Passage Peak trail on Hamilton Island.
    Hike under sunny winter skies on Hamilton Island. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

    In the crisper months, Hamilton Island offers perfectly mild, sunny weather (17-24°C) that lends itself to morning swims and afternoon spritzes. Better still, you can enjoy the island’s outdoor adventures – from hiking to mountain biking – without the humidity or rain you’ll often find in summertime. With direct flights from most major Australian cities offering ease of access, Hamilton Island is the ideal place to flee the cold.

    2. Getting active without the humidity

    A buggy parked overlooking Hamilton Island’s golf course, with sweeping views of the sea at Whitsundays in winter.
    Zip around Hamilton Island by buggy. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Whether you’re hiking up to Passage Peak or exploring the island by buggy, tropical Queensland humidity is nobody’s friend. The one way to guarantee you will avoid the inevitable stickiness and fluffy hair? Visit during winter. There’s plenty to be enjoyed, from sunrise yoga at The Sundays (exclusive to guests of The Sundays) to playing golf on Dent Island.

    3. Hamilton Island Race Week

    Yachts racing across the sparkling Whitsundays during Hamilton Island Race Week.
    Feel the thrill of Hamilton Island Race Week. (Image: Salty Dingo)

    Taking place in August, Hamilton Island Race Week is a destination in its own right that attracts spectators and racers from around the globe. Boating enthusiasts and thrill-seeking holidaymakers flock to the island, which is palpably energetic as the first yachts set off for Dent Passage from Hamilton Island Yacht Club. The annual action-packed week, taking place from 15 to 22 August in 2026, offers an exciting calendar of on- and off-water events – spanning everything from celebrity chef dinners to golfing comps and wine tastings.

    4. Best time for snorkelling

    A woman snorkelling in the crystal-clear waters of the Great Barrier Reef.
    Explore Hamilton Island’s winter waters. (Image: Andrew Caitens)

    While the crowds on Hamilton Island may disperse with the cooler weather, the marine life certainly doesn’t. Winter is widely considered one of the best times to snorkel and dive in the Whitsundays.

    It’s down to a number of reasons: excellent water visibility, higher chances of seeing whales as they migrate north and – best of all – no nasty stingers. This means no need to wear those notoriously unflattering full-body wetsuits visitors have to wear in warmer months. On top of all this, you’ll find calm seas ideal for sailing and Great Barrier Reef tours.

    5. Fewer crowds

    People kayaking.
    Experience a quieter Hamilton Island on a kayaking adventure. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Winter is often the quietest time to visit Hamilton Island, with the peak season crowds thinned to a relaxed trickle. You can snorkel or dive straight off the reef-laced waters of Catseye Beach, then swap fins for a buggy and zip between One Tree Hill, the marina and sunset cocktails without the usual summer queues. Active days stretch from kayaking, sailing and jet skiing to hopping over to famous Whitehaven Beach to witness those breathtaking white swirls of silica sand. You won’t have to elbow your way to the front of the crowd to get a good snap.

    6. Delicious dining

    The interiors of Bommie Restaurant, featuring modern coastal design with warm lighting and elegant detailing.
    Treat yourself to Bommie Restaurant’s fine dining featuring fresh, seasonal Aussie produce. (Image: Nikki To)

    The food on Hamilton Island tastes just as good any time of year, and winter is still perfect weather for sundowners. Start with an iced tea Negroni at harbourside Bommie Deck, before transitioning to Bommie Restaurant for a fine-dining feast centering on seasonal Aussie ingredients. Or perhaps enjoy a more casual poolside evening at Sails Restaurant, where plates of chermoula chicken skewers, baked cauliflower steak and crispy sumac squid come served with ocean views. From family-friendly pub meals to elevated wine tastings, there’s something for everyone.

    5. Clear skies for idyllic views

    The golden hour across the Whitsundays in winter.
    End your day with golden Hamilton Island sunsets over the water. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    Never let a cloud rain on the parade of Hamilton Island’s spectacular scenery. Winter brings clearer skies and more stable weather to the Whitsundays, meaning your picture-perfect sunset at One Tree Hill is likely to remain that way. And after putting in the legwork to hike to a scenic lookout, the last thing you want is a vista hidden behind low cloud and haze.

    To learn more about travelling to the Whitsundays in winter, visit hamitlonisland.com.au.