Australian Holiday Destinations – Noosa
One of the Sunshine Coasts Most Beautiful Areas
Jun 12, 2009
Noosa is a region on the northern tip of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. It lies about 160 kilometres north of Brisbane, the state capital. The coastal region has wonderful beaches which attract visitors all through the year, while the surrounding hinterland has a rural character and lends itself to day trips.
The first white explorers of the region went there in the early 1840s searching for timber and grazing country. In 1879 the Noosa Headland was declared a Town Reserve and is now known as the Noosa National Park and remains a wonderful untouched forest. It wasn’t until the 1940s that the area began to be recognised as a popular holiday destination with breathtaking ocean views, wide sandy north facing beaches and perfect waves.
Facts About Noosa
The Noosa region has a population of over 50,000 people in an area covering about 875 square kilometres. Around one third of the area is dedicated to National Parks, State Forests and other protected and conserved areas. There is a sustainable approach to development, and buildings above four storeys high, around the height of the tree line, are not allowed.
The climate is sub-tropical and is moderated by the ocean, so there are never extremes of hot or cold. Summer temperatures range from 17-28°C while winter temperatures ranges from 13-22°C. The temperatures are suitable for outdoor activities and swimming year long, and the water temperatures range from 25°C in summer to 19°C in winter.
Noosa Accommodation and Dining
Throughout the Noosa region there are a range of accommodation options including luxury resorts, apartments, units, bed and breakfast accommodation, motels backpacker hostels and more. The hinterland also offers homestead stays, country cottages and camping sites and caravan parks. The traditional centre of Noosa accommodation is Hastings Street, bordering Laguna Bay, and much of the top-end accommodation is found here.
Dining tends to be casual and there are plenty of places to eat on Hastings Street. Just along the Noosa River from Munna Point is Noosaville, which has plenty of restaurants and cafes along Gympie Terrace by the riverside. The Thomas Street area of Noosaville is developing as a boutique restaurant area for Noosa with a wide range of cuisines on offer. Picnics and barbecues are popular in the various parks.
Things to Do in Noosa
Many people visit Noosa for the surf and great beaches but there are plenty of other activities including whale watching tours, and cruises on the Noosa River. There are local markets that sell arts and crafts as well as local produce, and you can hike along sub-tropical forest trails and see native Australian wildlife.
There are tours around the region or you can drive yourself and visit local vineyards or the hinterland villages of Cooroy, Pomona, Eumundi, Boreen Point and Kin Kin. You can play golf or participate in adventure sports. Most times of year there are also special events of all types held in the region, and because of the consistently mild climate you can find plenty to do at any time of year.
Other popular Australian holiday destinations include Cairns.
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