So first of all. I have no idea how I knew about Noosa since no one seem to go there who I met during my travels, but I had decided to go there somehow, only to stop over for a few days before heading to Fraser island (which I hadn't luckily even booked yet).
I arrived in the Noosa Junction bus station at 6pm just before it was about to get dark, took my google maps and navigated myself to the hostel I had booked 3 nights in. It was only 500 meters away. To get there I had to walk through the Noosa Junction area which had a few boutique type of shops, restaurants, cafés, atms and even a Subway and KFC.
I thought Noosa would be a tiny "village" where's nothing! Even though I was walking the empty streets where everything was closed down already, I had really good feeling this time. This feels like a place I want to stay longer!
The next day we (as we I mean me and Mirka who I went there with) woke up very early and went to explore the Hasting's street area which is apparently one of the most expensive areas in Australia. It had really good looking restaurants (and well priced), bars, cafés, boutique shops. I don't know how many times that day we said "I LOVE THIS PLACE!". The street had amazing atmosphere. Everyone sipping their cappuccinos with their family or friends. Sun was shining and everyone seem to have no problems or worries. This is not all. Once we left the Hastings street we found the beach. It reminded me of Asia a lot! The sand was white and squeaking underneath my feet when I was walking. The ocean was calm. No waves that day so you could see how clear the water was. The clearest water I had seen in Australia. Not to mention that there was barely no one on the beach! Paradise, I was thinking.
After that amazing day exploring we went back to the hostel and saw these ads that they are looking for volunteers to work for accommodation. That was perfect, just what we wanted.
The next day we talked to the managers and I managed to get a full-time paid job, which I didn't really want in that point but later on realized how lucky I was. I started working as a barista. I was pretty much running a tiny cafe by myself for the first 2 months and then later on started working as a receptionist.
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| This is the café shack I was working at! |
WHAT TO DO IN NOOSA?
Many people come to Noosa to stay overnight before heading to Fraser Island. That is in every way just wrong! That is not enough time to see the most beautiful place in Australia. I would say that you need at least 4 full days to explore the beautiful Noosa.
NOOSA NATIONAL PARK
This is probably the most famous spot in Noosa and most of the people seem to have read about it before even coming to Noosa. The national park has 5 different tracks you can choose from. The most popular one is the coastal track. You have chance to see wild koalas, dolphins, whales, snakes, lizards, sea turtles and much more. You walk pass beautiful small beaches and bays, look outs and rock pools. It is just amazing.
FAIRY POOLS
These two rock pools are in Noosa National Park. This place is a hidden gem. There is no signs to find them and even though you had a good map you still have a chance to miss them. If you ever go there you will find these pools after the Granite bay, before Hells Gates there is a bench facing towards the sea. In front of that you can see a tiny track going down. You will find the first pool. On the right side, go over the rocks and you will find the 2nd and the best pool. The best time to go there is on a low tide when the waves are not coming in.
BEACHES
Main beach is the most popular beach which is located just behind the Hasting's street. You can take a surf lesson there from one of the world champion surfers. If you are already experienced surfer you can rent a surfboard, do some standup paddle boarding or kayaking.
On the other end of the national park you find Sunshine beach which is kilometers long and has no people on it. It is also a good spot for surfers!
If you like smaller beaches better there is 'Little Cove' only a few minutes walk away from the Main beach towards the national park.
In the national park 'Tea tree bay' is popular amongst the surfers and it's not a bad place to do sunbathing either.
If you want to do topless sunbathing there's a nudist beach in the national park called Alexandra Bay.
The Noosa River area has amazing white sand beaches by the river too. Doggy beach is beautiful but has pretty strong currents and on low tide it's very shallow and not the best place to swim.
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| Main beach |
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| Main beach |
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| Main beach |
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| Main beach |
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| Granite Bay |
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| Noosa River |
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| Little Cove beach |
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| Main beach |
NOOSA RIVER
One of the most popular things to do in Noosa is the Everglades trip. There are 2 operators 'Discovery' and 'Kanu Kapers'. I did it with Discovery. It is little more expensive but they take you to the actual Everglades where you do some kayaking when Kanu Kapers is little cheaper but the kayaking starts before the Everglades and many people never even get to the actual area. With Discovery you also get really nice Aussie style BBQ. The trip takes a whole day.
You can also go to Noosaville which is one of the neighbor hoods in Noosa and rent a kayak or a paddle board and just go around the beautiful river. By the river you will find amazing million-dollar-houses, pelicans, maybe even bull sharks and stingrays.
You can also rent a boat with a grill and cruise around the river for a few hours while having BBQ food.
They organize sunset cruises on the river too. (10 dollars per person)
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| The Everglades trip |
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| Me and my friend Evie going to the Everglades |
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| Everglades |
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| Noosa River |
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| Rented a boat for 2 hours (90dollars) |
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| Nomads Noosa Staff party |
LAGUNA LOOKOUT
This is a perfect place to see the sunset and maybe enjoy a few beers. It's only 20 minute walk away from the Noosa Junction. I do warn you though it's 20 minute up hill ;)
HASTING'S STREET
The famous Hasting's street. It's only couple of hundreds meters long and has really nice boutique shops which sell fashion clothes, surf clothes and everything in between. There are some very nice restaurants, bars and cafés. Not all of them are that expensive, but prepare to pay more than you think :) If you are seeking for nice views with a meal, I recommend the Surf Club on the beach. They have a nice terrace with sea views. The best burgers are served in Betty's Burger and very good steaks at Laguna Jacks.
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| Surf club, Noosa Heads |
FARMERS MARKET
Every sunday there is a farmers market where you can find some farm fresh fruits and vegetables, local food ingredients and also cooked food!
NEAR NOOSA
EUMUNDI MARKETS
Edmund Markets are every wednesday and saturday. You can take bus 630 or 631 and it goes straight to the markets. It's about 30-40 minute bus ride away. There are hundreds of tents selling everything between clothes and food. The markets open around 7 am and lasts till 1pm. You can find some really good street artists playing their music too.
MT. COOLUM
You can take a bus 620 to Mt. Coolum. It takes around 40 minutes. The hike up the mountain takes around 30 minutes, depending on your pace. The way up isn't too hard even though the signs at the bottom make you feel that you have to be extremely fit to do it :D
The view is amazing. You can see all the way to Mooloolaba and Noosa!
Sorry about the long post. At least you now know where to go and what to do once you get there ;)
Below you can see my time in Noosa in 3 minutes!
Hope you got some tips! Enjoy x
Jasmin
