Things to do in Noosa

The Noosa Coastal Walk

There are very few places where you will find a National park within easy walking distance of a town centre, and Noosa is one of these places. Just a 30 minute walk from Hastings Street, you will find the start of one of the most popular walks, the Coastal Walk, which is a must do if you don’t do any of the other 5 trails. It follows the coastline and the tip is to make sure you keep the ocean on the left. It’s estimated to take about 4 hours in total return, and you come back the same way that you walk in. However you can choose to do how much of it you want. You can always turn back earlier. The ocean views as you walk along the track is spectacular, with many opportunities to spot wildlife such as koalas, dolphins turtles and even whales during migration season, between June and November.

Beaches you will come across include Tea Tree Bay, Alexandria Bay, where you may be tempted to stop for a swimming opportunity. The magical Noosa Fairy Pools are along the coastal track, and at the end of the walk, you are rewarded with Sunshine Beach

Noosa Everglades

There are only two everglades in the world, one in Florida and the other in Noosa. Both are networks of low, wet swampy lands with branching waterways, home to an abundance wildlife and bird species. The Noosa Everglades is in the Cooloola section of the Great Sandy National Park, the gateway to the world’s largest sand island, Fraser Island. Its waterways and wetlands connect the Northern Noosa River system on the Sunshine Coast. Although it’s a hidden spot, it’s only 40 minutes drive from Noosa Heads and Lake Cootharaba is the destination to head to, to start exploring the everglades.

The Noosa Everglade stretches 65km and has been described by The Lonely Planet as one of the most pristine wetlands in the world. It’s also known as “The River of Mirrors” because of the brilliant reflections, to give you an idea of how clear and calm the waters are. You can experience the everglades in half a day or you may take more time on a full day trip or overnight camping. 

You will be immersed in one of the most peaceful and pristine environments, with 65% of the Noosa Everglades’ catchment set within national parks, and more than 40% of Australia’s bird species found here.

The sounds of the birds may be the only sounds you will hear, that’s how serene it can be here, as you sit back, admire the stunning natural beauty around you, while you glide through on a tranquil canoe ride through the Noosa Everglade, providing you a much welcome break for all your senses.

A few companies renowned for their tours of this spectacular natural wonder are Ecoglades Eco Safari and Kanu Kapers. 

Whale Watching

The best way to catch views of these majestic whales is by boat, though you might be lucky to spot them off shore in locations like Little Cove Beach, Point Perry in Coolum, Noosa National Park’s Headland Section, Dolphin Point in Noosa Heads or Moffat Beach Headland.

The best time to spot them is between July to late October every year, so it’s something to look forward to if you are visiting during the cooler months. Later in the season, you might even see calves, with their mothers!

There are numerous tour companies that offer whale watching boat tours in Noosa including Whale One, Noosa Oceanrider and Sunshine Coast Afloat

Laneway Noosa

This cute hole in the wall coffee shop serves you with coffee, doughnuts and flowers with an onsite florist to give you not only a morning coffee boost but some flower power for the day.

With two locations, the one in Noosaville is particularly great to pass by before continuing for a pleasant morning stroll with your coffee along the wide paths along the river, a great start to the day.

Nauticycling in Noosa River

Try something new, where you get to combine an adventure with nature, water sports and some cycling fitness, with what Eco Noosa claims is the world’s most efficient water bike. Go for an easy ride on one of these for a self guided tour around the amazing water way of Noosa River, and you can choose between 30 minutes, 60 minutes or 2 hour duration. It’s easy enough for kids to jump on for the ride. It’s a great way to spot wildlife, where a big pelican population live, you’ll pass by Noosaville’s iconic jetty strip as well as the national parks, waterfront houses and beaches. You won’t even need swimwear unless you would like to stop for a swim at one of the beaches before heading back to the jetty.

Available through Eco Noosa River Adventures, this company also offer other water adventures to explore Noosa River including an Electric Picnic Boat, Stand-Up Paddle Board Hire and Kayak Hire.

Nauticycling in Noosa River

Over many decades, Noosa has taken great care of its coasts, protecting it from pollution and development, providing us with one of the world’s great surfing zones and pristine beaches. So much so, Noosa was recognised as the 10th World Surfing Reserve in 2020.  So you may take this chance while you’re here, to surf or learn to surf at Noosa Learn to Surf, run by former World Pro-Am Surfing Champion Merrick Davis.

Day Trip to Double Island Point

Go off the beaten track, on a day trip to Double Island where you can simply relax, explore or surf in crystal clear waters and have the chance to have some close encounters with whales. 

You can only get to this hidden gem by 4WD vehicles along the Great Beach Drive in which you will pass the Rainbow Beach’s coloured sand cliffs & Fraser Island views. 

Then you will reach the pristine Double Island Point, with access to the Great Sandy Marine Park .  Double Island Point boasts the easiest, longest wave in Australia, so that even beginners can ride waves 100’s of meters long. It’s a great chance to experience a great surf away from the crowds of other surfing locations. The beauty of surfing in a marine park is the chance to spot such wildlife as whales, dolphins and turtles. 

Epic Ocean Adventures is one company that runs this tour.