Noosa Beach by Raffi Kojian

Noosa Qld 4567
(Pop 10 000 including Tewantin region)

Noosa is a chic, upmarket Sunshine Coast holiday resort town 178 km north of Brisbane. It is bounded by the Noosa River & Noosa NP (est 1930) and has been described as an exclusive city suburb having grown from a sleepy little seaside village. Original inhabitants were the Gubbi Gubbi Aborigines and early European settlement began with timber cutters around 1865 and later goldminers. Serious tourism began mid 20^th century and hasn’t stopped since. Cosmopolitan yet relaxed, best describes the town.  Half Marathon (Aug), Jazz Festival (Sept), Beach Car Classic (Oct), Triathlon Multi Sport Festival (Oct/Nov).

Tourist Attractions & Info:
Noosa’s Hastings St is awash with cafes, shops & restaurants. Aquatic activities abound here (surfing, swimming, parasailing, scuba diving, fishing, windsurfing etc). Markets at Noosa Harbour, Peregian, Tewantin & Eumundi. Noosa Regional Gallery, Pelican St.

Nearby:
Noosa NP (Park Rd) spectacular coastline park covering 2 280 ha in three sections (Noosa Headland, Peregian, Weyba). The park features, rocky cliffs, rainforests, heathlands & five walking tracks including the 8.4 km Tanglewood Track to Hells Gate, an unusual rock formation. Wildlife, particularly koalas and birdlife abound here. Cooloola NP (access via Tewantin vehicle ferry) magnificent 56 600 ha coastal park that forms the southern part of the Great Sandy NP featuring huge coloured sand dunes & cliffs, paperbark swamps, heathlands, surfing beaches and freshwater lakes. There are 21 walking tracks and numerous camping sites. Laguna Lookout (Noosa Hill) superb river & lake views. Noosa River and Everglades extends 40 km into the Great Sandy NP. Tewantin State Forest (10 km west via Tewantin) areas of hilly rainforests and a 10 min walk to Mt Tinbeerwah for panoramic views of the area.

Accommodation:
Noosa has 7 motels, 4 hotels, 6 resorts and many holiday apartments/cabins & 4 caravan parks. Visitor Information Centre: Hastings St. Tel (07) 5447 4988 or 1800 448 833.