A Weekend Guide to Noosa: Where to Stay, What to Do + Where to Eat & Drink

Are you looking to plan a fun getaway weekend in Noosa? Or perhaps you want a week-long Noosa romantic getaway itinerary for you and your loved one? 

Noosa is one of our favourite couples holiday destinations in Queensland, and one of the most bucket list-worthy places to visit in Australia. It’s also the perfect spot for couples looking for a weekend getaway from Brisbane.

Noosa’s stunning beaches are arguably the best on the Sunshine Coast and comparable to those on Queensland’s famed island destinations. And its holiday vibe is similar to the likes of destinations like Port Douglas, Hamilton Island, Moreton Island, and The Whitsundays.

We live in Brisbane, which is 2 hours drive away, and we regularly head up the coast for a sneaky Noosa weekend away (at least a couple of times per year). 

In fact, we love it so much that we actually got married there a few years ago!

We might not be fully-fledged Noosa locals, but it’s safe to say that we know the place pretty well. So, we decided to put together a little travel guide to Noosa. 

If you’re after a luxury romantic Noosa getaway, we’ve got you covered on where to stay, where to eat and drink, and what to do in Noosa.

But a word of warning, there are so many great places to eat and things to do, spending one weekend in Noosa simply might not be long enough! You may want to go back again and again (like we do)!

Whether you plan to spend 2 days in Noosa, or longer, we/ve got the perfect Noosa Itinerary for your trip!

Planning a holiday in Australia right now? Here are 150 Australia Bucket List experiences to tick off!

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Planning the Perfect Weekend in Noosa Getaway

Spending a weekend in Noosa is the perfect answer to a quick romantic getaway!

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Where to Stay in Noosa

Best Hotels in Noosa

Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort – Located right on Hastings Street and backs onto the Noosa River. The rooms at the Sofitel are enormous and the offerings at the onsite restaurant, Noosa Beach House, are top-notch. This is the perfect place to stay for a Noosa romantic getaway or family-friendly trip.

Seahaven Beachfront Resort – Located right on Noosa beachfront, overlooking Laguna Bay, the Seahaven offers modern apartment-style accommodation. Perfect for those who love the added flexibility of having their own kitchen.

Tingirana Noosa – Gorgeous self-contained accommodation with French-inspired décor and an infinity pool with views over Laguna Bay. This is a popular hotspot for couples looking for a romantic weekend in Noosa!

Netanya Noosa – One, Two, and Three-bedroom apartments with kitchenettes located right on Noosa Main Beach. Some apartments even have a rooftop spa!

Fairshore Apartments – Another popular place to stay in Noosa with a prime location right on Main Beach. Offering family-friendly apartment-style accommodation, complete with a rooftop terrace, a games room, and direct access to the beach!

Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas – Located a little further up the hill, backing onto Noosa National Park, Peppers offers a gorgeous leafy outlook. It also offers a quieter respite from bustling Hastings Street, yet is only a 10-minute stroll away.

Best Airbnbs in Noosa

Chic Coastal Escape – A beautifully renovated Noosa Airbnb with coastal boho-style décor, just 5 minutes walk to Hastings Street. Perfect for a party or 2-4.

Boutique Loft in Munna Crescent – A beautiful Noosa-style retreat with a pool, located halfway between Main Beach and Gympie Terrace.

Poinciana House – A beautifully-styled Noosa Villa with a pool and alfresco entertaining area under a beautiful Poinciana tree. Perfect for larger groups and families.

The Peninsula – A luxurious vacation rental, perfectly located on the Noosa canals with its own private jetty. Great for groups and week-long getaways!

Racquet Retreat – The ultimate award-winning luxe Noosa holiday home, just 5 minutes walk from Hastings Street. This place has everything – a games room, alfresco BBQ area, designer pool, home theatre room, tennis court, and its own private beach with jetty! Sleeps 12.

Read Next: 15 Incredible Queensland Island Holidays & Resorts for Your Next Vacay

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Where to Eat in Noosa

There’s an abundance of great cafes and restaurants in Noosa – it’s considered a bit of a foodie’s Mecca. Here are some of our favourites:

Best Places for Breakfast

Bistro C – One of only a handful of Noosa restaurants on the beach. Bistro C is somewhat of a local institution and does the best breakfast Noosa! Their menus are changing all the time, so even if you come back again and again, you’re likely to find something new and good. In fact, you will probably have a hard to pick just one dish! Bistro C is also a great spot for lunch or dinner.

Aromas – Aromas is like a little slice of Paris right on Hastings Street. With Parisian-style café tables and chairs that face the street, Aromas is the perfect place for brunching and people-watching. Oh, and did I mention they have the best coffee in Noosa?

Boardwalk Bistro on Hastings – Another great Noosa restaurant located on the beach. Stop in at this relaxed beachside spot after a long walk in the Noosa National Park. Boardwalk Bistro is a great place for breakfast and coffee while watching the ocean glistening in the morning sun and the SUP surfers rocking their stuff on Laguna Bay.

Best Casual Eats

Betty’s Burgers & Concrete Co. – A name that’s well known all over the country, but did you know their Noosa venue was the first-ever? Betty’s Burgers is one of the more affordable, casual places to eat on Hastings Street, and the food is consistently good!

Massimo’s Gelateria – Mouthwatering gelato made in the traditional Italian way. Massimo’s is the perfect afternoon treat after a day at the beach!

Nosh Express – A hidden beachside gem located in the arcade between Bistro C and The Boardwalk Bistro on Hastings, Nosh Express does takeaway salads, burgers, and seafood. Grab a bite and head down to the beach for a casual picnic lunch.

Thomas Corner Eatery – With Noosa River views and consistently amazing food, Thomas Corner Eatery has been a Noosa staple for as long as I can remember. I’ve dined here time and time again and the food is always good!

Village Bicycle – With a graffiti-covered beer garden and laid-back approach, the guys at Village Bicycle must be doing something right – it’s always packed. Serving comfort food staples such as buffalo wings, fish tacos, and poutine, with wine and craft beers – what’s not to love about this place!

Best Restaurants in Noosa

Locale – Hands down the best Italian restaurant in Noosa! We make a booking here every time we visit Noosa. Tucked away in a hidden corner at the eastern end of Hastings Street, Locale specializes in Italian classics made from local Australian produce and has a fabulous cocktail list! 

Ricky’s River Bar & Restaurant – This is where my husband and I had our wedding reception all those years ago, and it’s still one of the best restaurants in Noosa! Ricky’s River Bar is located on the Noosa River with views out to the water and is the perfect place for a long lunch. Catch the Noosa River Ferry from The Sofitel Jetty or Noosaville, so you don’t have to drive. Check the ferry timetable here.

250 Grammi – Funny name, but there’s a cute story behind it – 250 grams is the weight of the dough in each pizza. A casual pizzeria and wine bar, 250 Grammi is one of the best restaurants in Noosaville. Located along the Gympie Terrace, you’ll have to venture a short distance from Hastings Street to get there, but you won’t be disappointed.

Sails Restaurant – It’s hard to say no to dining right on Noosa Main Beach. With its own extensive wine cellar, private dining area, and an evolving seasonal menu of modern Australian cuisine, Sails Restaurant is the perfect spot for a romantic dining experience. Just be sure you make a booking – it’s that popular!

Sum Yung Guys – An uber-trendy restaurant and the brainchild of four local boys, including a MasterChef runner-up. Sum Yung Guys serves amazing modern Asian cuisine and fabulous cocktails.

Expert Tip: Weekends in Noosa can get quite busy, so I would highly recommend making a booking at most of these restaurants.

Where to Drink in Noosa

Once you’re done with spending most of your Noosa weekend away relaxing around the pool (or shopping on Hastings Street), head to one of these great bars for sunset cocktails before continuing onto your evening dinner reservation.

Noosa Beach House – Located on Hastings Street in front of The Sofitel Hotel, Noosa Beach House is one of the best bars in Noosa. From Moët & Chandon lunches to live music every weekend. The Noosa Beach House is a must-do spot for afternoon champers after a day of shopping the boutiques on Hastings Street.

Miss Moneypenny’s – An iconic world-renowned bar and casual dining venue that’s popular amongst the young hipster crowd. Miss Moneypenny’s has a fabulously extensive cocktail menu – you’ll have a difficult time choosing just one!

Noosa Heads Surf Club – Beers and prawns while watching the surf… need I say more? Prime beachfront locations and possibly the best views in Noosa. The place to go for a casual drink, and some good ol’ pub grub.

Noosa Social Espresso & Wine Bar – A cute little café and wine bar located behind Noosa Heads Surf Club. Drop-in for an Aperitivo before wandering a few doors down to Locale for dinner.

Land & Sea Brewery – Noosa’s first-ever craft brewery. Come for the beer, stay for lunch. The food at Land & Sea Brewery is enough to appease any foodie, and the beer is brewed in an (as close as possible to) carbon-neutral, industrial-style facility.

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What to Do in Noosa

Here is a list of all my favourite things to do in Noosa. If you are only spending one weekend in Noosa, you probably won’t get the time to do all of these activities. I recommend picking a few and creating your own weekend Noosa itinerary. 

Noosa National Park Coastal Walk – An absolute must-do when in Noosa, is an early morning walk along the National Park. Start at Hastings Street and head along the boardwalk, past Little Cove, and up the headland to Tea Tree Bay, where you’ll find one of the best secluded Sunshine Coast beaches. If you continue along about 6 km, you’ll come to the fairy pools, an Insta-famous spot where you can float in the aqua waters and snap a dreamy photo for your feed.

Cocktails & Cruising Aboard the M.V. Catalina Noosa – M.V. Catalina is a luxurious floating event space with two bars, a lounge area, sumptuous Japanese-inspired food, live DJs, and entertainment. Enjoy signature cocktails on a Friday evening, Saturday Lunch on the Water, or a Sunday session under the sun while cruising along the Noosa River. Bookings are essential – purchase tickets here.

Noosa Dreamboats – If you’d rather a cruise with a little more privacy – just you and your loved one, check out Noosa Dreamboats! You’ll be whisked away on a romantic Venetian-style cruiser for a beautiful river cruise, followed by a romantic sandbar picnic. Fun fact: we actually booked a cruise on Noosa Dreamboats for our wedding and arrived (in style) at our reception at Ricky’s River Bar. This is hands down one of the most romantic things to do in Noosa!

Go shopping along Hastings Street – Hitting the boutiques on Hastings Street is one of the best things to do in Noosa! You’ll find a plethora of swimwear or resort wear boutiques, as well as designer threads from local Aussie and International labels. I love Alterior Motif, Waterlilly, or Parallel Culture for special pieces to add to my wardrobe, Signature on Hastings for homewares, and Orlebar Brown for stylish threads for my hubby!

Picnic in Noosa Woods – At the western end of Hastings Street you’ll find one of the best Noosa hidden gems. Noosa Woods is the perfect place to watch the sun go down with plenty of waterfront barbeque areas and walking paths. There’s even a dog-friendly beach at the mouth of the Noosa River.

Browse the Eumundi Markets – Easily some of the best arts and craft markets in Australia! People come from far and wide just for these markets.

Relax at AQUA Day Spa – A beautiful Roman-style day spa and baths located at The Sofitel Hotel. Don’t forget to book some extra time in the magnesium water therapy after your treatment.

Stand-Up Paddle Boarding – Noosa Main Beach is one of the best beaches on the Sunshine Coast and easily one of the most popular Noosa attractions is stand-up paddle boarding on Laguna Bay. Hire a SUP from Noosa Surf Hire located right on Noosa Main Beach. Look out for the BEACH HIRE sign located at the southern end of Main Beach.

Whale Watching – If you happen to be visiting Noosa between August and November, then the timing is perfect to see the humpback whales migrating south with their newborn calves. Noosa Whale Watching Tours is a small jetboat operator (up to 12 people) offering day tours that depart from the Boathouse Marina at Noosaville. 

Related Post: 50+ Famous Landmarks in Australia to Add to Your Bucket List

Day Tours from Noosa

Most of the activities listed in this travel guide are located around Noosa Heads. If you’re planning a Noosa weekend away, then chances are you probably won’t want to venture too far from the Noosa Heads area. 

However, if you happen to have more than 2 days in Noosa (lucky you!), and are looking to organize a day trip somewhere nearby, I highly recommend these great day tours:

• Noosa Heads 2-hour surf lesson with Instructor
• SUP Lesson at the secluded Double Island Point
• Dolphin Kayaking Adventure
• Noosa Everglades Safari Cruise

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Noosa Romantic Getaway Wrap Up

Spending a weekend in Noosa truly is the perfect way to plan a quick romantic getaway for you and your other half. We hope this guide has given you some great suggestions on what to do in Noosa, as well as restaurant and hotel recommendations to add to your Noosa itinerary. 

Be sure to check out what’s on in Noosa for your weekend away by visiting Tourism Noosa. If you’re looking for more luxury travel guides and weekend getaways in the sunshine state, check out our other Australia travel blog articles.

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