About Noosa

Noosa is generally the name used to describe the area which encompasses Noosaville and Noosa Heads.

Noosa is surrounded by the Pacific ocean, the Noosa river, rainforest the Noosa National Park, making Noosa the ideal destination resort for all types of outdoor activities including Scuba diving, camel riding, surfing, fishing, swimming and much more.

Over the past 50 years Noosa has transformed from a fishing village into a booming tourist resort. 35% of the Noosa area is covered by National Parks, State Forests and Conservation Parks.

Australia Zoo
Located at Beerwah 55km from from Noosa Heads, Australia Zoo is known world wide for its owners Steve and Terri Irwin, also known as the “crocodile hunters”.

Beaches
The Noosa area is world renowned for it’s numerous pristine beaches. The Sunshine Beach area and Peregian Beach is popular with surfers. Coloured Sands beach is the main attraction of the Noosa North Shore. Four wheel drive vehicles are allowed on Coloured Sands beach and it can be reached by a car ferry from Tewantin. 4WD vehicles can be hired at Noosa.

Botanical Gardens
Located on Lake Macdonald Drive, 20kms west of Noosa Heads the Botanical Gardens were founded by Ida Duncan in 1987 and cover 20 acres. About 80% of the plants in the garden are native species and the gardens provide a home to tortoises and 40 native birds species.

Cooroy
This traditional country town started as a camp for timber workers in 1863. Today Cooroy relies on tourism and the Cooroy Butter Factory hosts local and interstate art exhibits and the Noosa Alpaca Shop and Information Centre.

Eumundi
Eumundi was settled in 1873 and offers a blend of old and new with art galleries, restaurants and shops. It is known for the famous Eumundi markets which operate every Saturday and Wednesday morning. There are more than 250 stalls offering everything from local art and crafts to fresh farm produce.

Great Sandy National Park
The Great Sandy National Park, also known as Cooloola, extends North from Noosa up to Rainbow Beach and covers an area of 64,000 hectares. The park contains an area of Everglades. The dark water in the everglades is created by dye from the tea trees. Try exploring the everglades and river by canoe.

Noosa Harbour and Marine Village
The Noosa Harbour Marine Village is located at Tewantin on the Noosa River. Several restaurants overlook the marina. There is also a number of specialty shops, including an art gallery which features exhibitions by well known regional artists. A variety of boating activities are available departing from the Harbour, including deep sea and river fishing, boat hire and cruises.

Noosaville
Noosaville borders the Noosa River and has a beautiful riverfront precinct and restaurants. Noosaville is the departure point for cruises along the Noosa River to Lake Cootharaba and the Everglades as well as a central point for aquatic sports and boat hire.

Peregian Village
A cycle path links Peregian Village with Noosa Heads. There is an ocean front market held on the 1sr, 3rd and 5th Sunday mornings of the year, and a beautiful surf beach.

Underwater World
The largest oceanarium in the Southern Hemisphere, Underwater World, is located at The Wharf at Mooloolaba 11kms south of Noosa Heads. There are approximately 20,000 sea creatures and it contains an 80 metre walk through tunnel.

Valley Rattler Railway
An 80km steam train journey takes you on an adventure along the Mary Valley with stops at Kandanga, Imbil and Dagun. It departs on Sunday and Wednesday mornings from Old Gympie Station 65km south of Noosa. For more information see their web site www.thevalleyrattler.com

Many talented artists and performers from around Australia and the world are attracted to Noosa. There are several art galleries that exhibit both local and non local artists and craft artisans.

The Noosa area is home to ceramicists and potters, painters, leather workers, glass artisans, timber and stone carvers and jewellers.

Numerous performing arts festivals and events are also held throughout the year.

May
Noosa Blue Water Swim: this famous annual event takes advantage of Noosa’s sub tropical temperatures and beautiful beaches. The “Swim” has 3 categories: 2km, 1km or 500m

June
Noosa Long weekend: the event celebrates drama, literature, film, music, visual arts, food and wine, the environment and the community.
It runs for 10 days in the middle of June.

August
Noosa Half Marathon: a 21km run through scenic Noosa, also incorporating 10km & 5km distances.

Late August/early September
Noosa Jazz Festival: this music festival attracts top artists from around Australia as well as some international performers. All Jazz styles are represented in venues ranging from restaurants, halls and parks.

October/November
Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival: a week of world class events culminating in the Noosa Triathlon.

Noosa International Street Performers Festival: this unique event is part of the International Street Performers circuit. Events range from fire shows on the beach, kids entertainment, and a food festival.

November
Historic Motorcycle Rally: held at Pomona Show Grounds.

Noosa Historic Racing Car Climb: A race up the twisting road on Mt Tinbeerwah.

December
Pomona Carols by Candlelight and Carols on the river at Noosa.

The Noosa area features numerous parks and wildlife sanctuaries. A recent study found 626 native vertebrate species within Noosa Shire including 30 amphibians, 75 reptiles, 304 birds, 63 mammals, 33 fresh water fish and 121 salt water fish species, 79 butterflies and 9 freshwater crustaceans.

The main vegetation in the area is Eucalypt Forest followed by Melaleucas and Rainforest.

Noosa National Park
The National Park located on the Noosa headland includes a rocky coastline with several sheltered beaches, tranquil rainforest, open forest, wallum headlands, scrubland and grass lands.

Noosa enjoys a sub tropical climate and averages seven hours of sunshine daily.

The temperature ranges from 17 to 28 degrees Celsius in Summer and in Winter from 7 to 22 degrees Celsius. The wettest period is January to March although rain can be expected throughout the year.

Getting there