Your guide to 48 hours of world-class surfing in Noosa

Itinerary

By Jess Pridmore

Whether you’re a born surfer or keen to learn the basics, surfing in Noosa is a quintessential pastime of locals and tourists alike.

Boasting a rich surfing heritage—dating right back to the 1960s—there’s nothing more relaxing than taking a long weekend on this iconic part of the Sunshine Coast. Catch a few waves, a few rays, and acquaint yourself with Queensland’s famous Sunshine Coast. Here’s your ultimate 48-hour Noosa surfing itinerary.

Day One

PM: Settle in

Great surf aside, as a dining destination Noosa sits top of its class. Kick off 48 hours of surf and sand with sunset beers on the deck of the Noosa Surf Life Saving Club (with views of the last sets rolling in) before heading into Hastings Street at Noosa Heads for dinner beachside. Fine dining to casual eateries; the choice is yours. Here’s 8 Noosa bars and restaurants to try while you’re there.

There are plenty of places to stay in Noosa, especially along Hastings Street that’ll give you prime surf check vantages from the balcony, like Bella Casa, and for proximity to Main Beach you can’t go past Fairshore Noosa.

Day Two

5:30am: Rise with the sun

Surfing Noosa Sunshine Coast — Photo by @tonynoosa

Set that alarm for an early start; the best breaks won’t wait—and you’ll ensure a prime spot on that perfect wave. Noosa is an ever-popular surfing location, so it’s first in, best dressed.

Get that AM energy with a hit of caffeine; grab yours from the coffee cart at Sails, which also offers uninterrupted views of First Point.

6:30am: Take in those world-class surrounds

One of only 10 World Surfing Reserves and with five world-class point breaks, Noosa’s surf sites are also blessed with the backdrop of beautiful coastal national park. It’s why you’re here, after all.

Ticking all the first day boxes is First Point. While one of the more popular spots, its consistent surf and partial protection from those unpredictable southerly winds make for an idyllic start to a surfing weekend in Noosa.

If the conditions are right, take the coastal walk on the eastern edge of Hastings St through Noosa National Park to Tea Tree Bay. Just past Boiling Point Lookout, the relatively easy 15-minute walk rewards you with excellent swell (even when First Point is flat) and is far less busy. Bonus points for the views out over Laguna and Little Bay and early morning koala sightings.

9:30am: Now, for breakfast

Cafe Le Monde Noosa — Photo by @cafelemonde

For a well-deserved breakfast head back to Hastings Street to Café le Monde, known for its bacon egg rolls and local Clandestino coffee roast. Vegan? Head to Noosa Junction’s Jungle and Co for some of the best plant-based food on the coast.

11am: Eye up some custom made boards

After some threads or have your eye on a new board? Hastings Street has you covered with all the major surf brands but take a 10-minute drive to Captain Sip Sops where you’ll find Thomas Bexon, owner of Thomas Surfboards. Out the back of this barber-slash-surf store, Thomas and his team design and shape in-house boards as well as custom designed pieces for something extra special.

This is also Laguna Surfboards and Shotgun Surfboards neighbourhood, all of which have been shaped locally since 1980. Head to Noosa Surfworks to watch them in action.

2pm: Brush up on your surfing skills

Check the tides, then it’s time to get back out there.

If you’ve got access to four wheels, there’s a whole coastline of beaches and surf spots waiting to be discovered. Start with the north corner of Sunshine Beach; it offers a variety of beach breaks over the sand and is protected from the north-east winds.

Wanting to brush up on your board skills? Hit up one of the local surf schools for a group or private lesson on one of the friendliest beach breaks going.

5pm: Sunset session

Village Bicycle Noosaville — Photo by @visitnoosa

After a full day of surf and sand it’s time to brush up and hit town for a post-dip drink and a feed. Sundowners at Halse Lodge are a must; Noosa’s only heritage building on Hack’s Hill, just behind Hastings Street, has character in spades—and a fairy-lit beer garden that rivals the best bars in town.

Another spot beloved by the locals is Village Bicycle in Noosa Junction. Head here for local brews and towering burgers.

Day Three

7am: Fuel your body and mind

SUP Yoga | Surfing Noosa — Photo by @yogakiss

Mastering the waves requires a strong core and a clear head, so put in some extra ‘you’ time on your Noosa surfing holiday with a fitness class to sooth the soul. Start the day out with a Pilates class at Noosa Flow in Noosaville, a power flow yoga class at Zenko Yoga, or head to the Noosa River for a SUP yoga class with Kat Harding Yoga.

9am: Noosa surf safari

Double Island Point | Surfing Noosa — Photo by @earthoffthegrid

If you’ve got access to a 4WD and the swell is working, venture over to Noosa North Shore and drive up the beach to Double Island Point for long rights near the lighthouse.

Looking for a few hidden gems while surfing in Noosa? Tropic Surf can help you out if you’re keen for a local’s take; they’ll show you the lesser known hot spots and can also hook you up with gear if you’ve flown in without your board.

3pm: Vintage finds

Noosa Longboards | Surfing Noosa — Photo by @abg_betty

No surfing trip to Noosa is complete without checking out Noosa Longboards’ store on Hastings Street. As well as branded merch and surfing gear, check out their incredible vintage surf wear collection and classic memorabilia, including original artworks, local photography prints and highly sought-after collectables.

When to go surfing in Noosa

The Coral Sea cyclone season (February to May) is your best window, as it provides the perfect combination of east swell and south-east trade winds. Contrary to conventional wisdom though, Noosa gets quality surf year-round; Queensland winters are enviably mild and perfect for a long weekend with your board. Throw into the mix a year-round calendar of world-class surfing events and you’ve got yourself a 365 window.

For the ultimate festival feeling, visit during the annual Noosa Festival of Surfing. Held in the last weekend of February, the town comes alive with nine-days of surfing events, bringing together thousands of surfers from around the world.

Another icon of the Noosa surfing set is Noosa Malibu Club’s Wrecks and Relics during the winter months. A “stoke B4 stroke” over 50s longboard competition and get-together, this long weekend of surfing events is a reminder of Noosa’s rich surfing culture.

Come October, the Noosa Surf Film Festival celebrates the surf culture and independent filmmaking and photography in the region. Essential viewing for anyone hooked on the feeling.