If you thought the best things to do in Noosa involved nothing more than a towel and cozzies, think again. Slurp up that coffee and pop your book down – it’s time to discover this beach town’s magnetism.
From life-changing restaurants and one-of-a-kind handicrafts to world-renowned ecosystems and spectacular coastal walks, the best things to do in Noosa are worth leaving that infinity pool for. Momentarily, anyway. Here’s my pick of the best cup-filling capers in the glittering coastal hot spot.
In short
If you only have time for one of the best things to do in Noosa, make it a shop down Hastings Street. Sure, it’s cluttered with crowds but stickybeaking boutiques with an ice-cream in hand has got to be one of my most cherished Queensland holiday memories.
1. Lose yourself at Kin Kin Spring Bathhouses
Does lazy nothingness sum up your holiday speed? Cheers to that, and I wholly advise a visit to Kin Kin Spring Bathhouses on your to-do list. Opened in April 2025, this low-key wellness destination is a winner for its stunning hinterland location and chilled vibes. I journey into lush farmland to find my natural spring water-flowing tub overlooking rolling green hills. It’s about 45 minutes from the rush of Hastings Street, so I feel lightyears away from tourist town. Epsom salts melt my limbs for a whopping two hours inside a private shed of my own while coconut water arrives complimentary. If washing down uninterrupted hinterland views with a beer or wine sounds more appealing, BYO drinks as long as they’re in plastic, not glass. A session starts from $129 per person and there are two sheds with two baths in each, inviting remote romance if you’re coupled up.
2. Seize Noosa’s annual whale watching season
If you’re visiting the Sunshine Coast between June and November, Noosa offers several top-notch whale watching expeditions. I’ve spotted the big friendly giants, and even their playful calves, with Noosa Wave Boating Adventures in the past, and loved every second of the two-hour adventure. If you don’t spot a whale, the team gift you 50 per cent off another trip out, but the odds are typically in your favour given these skippers rub shoulders with the big guys annually. There’s also Whale Songs Noosa, another reputable tour company that runs a two-hour trip with a whale and dolphin researcher, so question time never ends.
3. Soar high above with Skydive Noosa
Tick off your bucket list with a freefall in the capable hands of Skydive Noosa. Flying out of Sunshine Coast Airport, this unforgettable thing to do in Noosa takes you 13,000 feet into that dazzling blue sky to be launched over the coastline with Coolum Beach locked in sight. Stomach-in-throat, you’ll glide down to the sand as views out to K’gari and even Brisbane paint a spectacular scene only few dare to spy.
4. Get dizzy exploring the Noosa cocktail bar scene
You’re all over its eateries, but have you ventured into the cocktail and wine bars? Rivalling those found in major cities, Noosa’s fancy tipples scene blends chic interiors with epic drops. Atelier Wine Bar is so sleek it feels like a fashion boutique, Theo’s Social Club offers (oak) barrels of fun and warm hospitality, and Yorkers Bar shakes cocktails so delicious it’s impossible to stop at one (most people, including myself, don’t).
5. Navigate the waterways with a Noosa boat hire
I love getting out on the water to channel the lives of the rich and famous. Pelican Boat Hire has been operating for more than 50 years and provides everything you need (including a detailed map) for a legendary day out on the Noosa River. I chose the Ultimate BBQ Pontoon during a recent Noosa visit for its plush seating and envious stares, and my kids and husband lapped up space as we dipped into the water between languid fishing attempts. An awesome day out as the captain of your own ship.
6. Make time for self-care at a Noosa day spa
One of my favourite things to do in Noosa? Zeroing in on me. Noosa’s best day spas include Stephanies Ocean Spa and Sensaura Day Spa, but my eternal go-to is Ikatan Day Spa in nearby Doonan. I adore the team’s 75-minute Prasanna Massage Package, conducted in an outdoor gazebo immersed in lush tropical gardens and spanning heavenly foot therapy, as well as massages of the head, arms and hands. The day spa is inspired by the tranquillity of Bali, so I find Zen the moment I enter.
7. Soak up the sun at the best Noosa beaches
Ditch the pool for Mother Nature’s most sensational sand and surf. Noosa’s best beaches include Main Beach for unrivalled people-watching, while quiet sunbaking is best secured at Sunrise Beach, Alexandria Bay and Little Cove Beach. For less populated surfing, head to Castaways, Marcus and Sunshine Beach (more on standout Sunshine later).
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8. Unearth local treasures at Noosa markets
Beach-inspired homewares, fashion and jaw-dropping crafts dominate so many of Noosa’s popular markets. I’ve rounded up the best markets right here, including the overwhelmingly awesome Eumundi Markets and the Peregian Beach Markets. Live music and mouth-watering food always get me out of bed early, too.
9. Be enlightened with the Kabi Kabi Virtual Welcome to Country
Make sure you’re strolling past the Visitor Information Centre on Hastings Street at 7 pm every night because a wonderful six-minute audio-visual presentation celebrates the traditional owners, the Kabi Kabi people, and this magnificent land. Arrive curious and leave utterly humbled — my entire family loved it last visit, and that includes the restless preschooler.
10. Throw a line off a Noosa fishing charter
Catch your dinner from a coastline filled with coral reef, snapper, mackerel and tuna. A Noosa fishing charter from the likes of Deep Sea Fishing Co., who offer five, seven and nine-hour charters, and Noosa Sport Fishing, offering charters designed to reel you in a win, will sort you out.
11. Splash cash at Hastings Street’s boutiques and eateries
The scene to be seen, Hastings Street’s irresistible string of restaurants, retail boutiques and bars is a non-negotiable thing to do in Noosa. Spanning locally produced fashion, homewares, sporting goods and art, plus delicious treats for all tastes, the main strip is a non-stop melting pot of action.
12. Forage fresh produce at the Noosa Farmers Market
Sundays in Noosa aren’t complete without dropping into the famous Noosa Farmers Market, located in laid-back Noosaville. It’s a wonderland for freshly sourced produce, excellent coffee, outstanding condiments and a sprinkling of arts and crafts from 7am until midday every Sunday.
13. Connect with nature on a walk through Noosa National Park
Escape the crowds and embrace natural wonders by pounding the pavement in Noosa National Park. My comprehensive guide to its walking trails will help you whittle down a walk tailored to what you’re looking for. Enchanting wildlife? Tick. Soaring views? Double tick.
14. Find a new favourite at Noosa’s breweries and distilleries
Much like its wine and cocktail bar scene, the growing cluster of top-notch Noosa breweries and distilleries is pouring pure genius. My all-time favourite is Seabourne Distillery for its masterful use of native ingredients in well-balanced spirits, while Boiling Pot Brewery Co is epic for too-easy-to-drink brews, and the taproom at Heads of Noosa is always a great vibe.
15. Live like a laidback local at Sunshine Beach
The energy of Noosa Heads is intoxicating but Sunshine Beach is the mellow winner of my holiday dreams. It’s much hillier so getting around isn’t as seamless, but a distinct village feel, fantastic coffee and one helluva surf club with sweeping ocean views, steals my heart every revisit.
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16. Dine like a celebrity at Noosa’s best restaurants
Eat, sleep, repeat – it’s a lifestyle holidaymakers travel the world in search of. While my list of best restaurants in Noosa is too long to conquer in one visit, don’t miss Somedays Pizza for a game-changing slice, Rickys River Bar & Restaurant for an ultimate long lunch with the girls, and Bistro C for unbeatable beach party atmosphere.
17. Get active with a range of Noosa water sports
Whether your heart races for jet skis, SUPs, kayaks or electric hydrofoils, calm waters and killer surf breaks offer ideal conditions for action-packed things to do in Noosa. Noosa Watersports is a one-stop shop for most options, while Fliteschool Noosa provides guided lessons on those crazy, hovering, electric hydrofoils.
18. Sink a cold one (or few) at Noosa’s best bars
Got a spare afternoon? Fill it with discovering mouth-watering concoctions in the most sparkling of spaces. Miss Moneypenny’s on Hastings Street is always pumping, YoYo Bar & Restaurant is a low-key Noosaville superstar, and Sunset Bar at the Noosa Boathouse offers drinks with a side of picture-perfect views.
19. Delight in locally roasted coffee at Noosa’s best cafes
But first, coffee. Noosa is filled with incredible blends, boasting several stellar roasters throughout the region. I’ve rounded up the best coffee and cafes for your savouring pleasure, but just head straight to Sunshine Social in Sunshine Beach if you’re staying there, and if you’re in Noosaville, go for the industrial zone’s Clandestino Coffee.
20. Marvel in the beauty of the Noosa Everglades
Staggering sights beckon from the top end of the Noosa River where the Noosa Everglades begins. The 60-kilometre stretch of waterways, spellbinding plant life and amazing wildlife is best navigated with an expert tour like Kanu Kapers, who offer kayaks, and Everglades Eco Safaris, who run a 2.5-hour ‘Serenity’ boat tour (with bubbles) that I couldn’t stop (and evidently still can’t) raving about afterwards.
21. Sleep under the stars with Noosa’s best glamping
Sacrifice a solid roof for the night in the name of adventure with Noosa’s most luxurious glamping experiences. One of the best things to do in Noosa if it’s once-in-a-lifetime memories you’re chasing, my picks are Habitat Noosa Everglades EcoCamp and Noosa Eco Retreat.
22. Dive into riverside fish and chips in Noosaville
It’s often the simple things that make my holiday memories last, like grabbing fish and chips for a riverside picnic with the fam. Embrace quality time with your favourite people over excellent fish and chips from Noosa Boathouse’s takeaway window. Best of all, there’s ample lawn space for the largest of clans.
23. Stay up all night at Village Bicycle
When a nightcap calls, I never say no to Village Bicycle at Noosa Junction. With one of the latest closing times in Noosa (midnight), this is an unpretentious joint that’s never disappointed. Expect a graffiti-clad beer garden and extensive booze menu, plus delicious burgers, wings and more to line your stomach.
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