Noosa Festival of Surfing: Your guide to Australia’s largest longboard surfing event

After starting life as the Noosa Malibu Classic in 1992, the first Noosa Festival of Surfing was held in 1996, bringing a festival inspired by the famed Biarritz Surf Festival in southern France to Noosa's golden beaches.

Since then, it’s grown into Australia’s largest longboard surfing event, attracting 450 competitors and 50,000 attendees each year.

The 2025 edition will bring surfing divisions including juniors, teams and family challenges, Logger Pro, HPFC (High-Performance Freestyle Championship), Longboard, Old Mal, Twin Fin and Noserider.

It all takes place in the Noosa World Surfing Reserve (a globally recognised reserve combining world-class waves, surf zones and pristine natural environments) around Noosa National Park headland.

Surfers to watch this year include stylish Brazilian Augusto Olinto and the ever-smiling Hiroka Yoshikawa from Japan, along with a strong Aussie contingent including Noosa-regular Jayce Pioli and surfing’s next big thing, Dallas Rogers.

You don’t have to be Stephanie Gilmour to enjoy the festival, with a whole program of activities to enjoy, from the Surfing Dog Championship (the largest of its kind in the world), through to live music, brewery experiences, cinema screenings, guided walks and yoga.

How do I get to the Noosa Festival of Surfing?

Noosa is a two-hour drive from Brisbane, or 30 minutes from the Sunshine Coast.

Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Australia and Bonza operate regular services into Sunshine Coast Airport from most of Australia’s eastern capitals and selected regional centres. Car hire and airport transfers to Noosa are available—see the Sunshine Coast Airport website for details.

Plan your day at the Noosa Festival of Surfing

The surfing is set to take place at First Point near the Headland, with the main festival activities in and around Noosa Main Beach (fun fact—it’s one of the East Coast’s only north-facing beaches).

The competition kicks off from 14 March 2025, running daily from 7am – 4pm, leading up to the Logger Pro, HPFC, Twin Fin & Old Mal, and Divisional finals.

Other events to look out for include the Surfing Dog Championship and Mixing of the Waters, and Brewfest Noosa, a celebration of independent craft beer.

Throughout the event, unwind with a schooner or a glass of wine and watch the surf-roll in at the ever-popular Beach Bar, open from 12-8pm each day.

To plan out your day, check out the festival’s website for schedule and event information.

Accessibility at the Noosa Festival of Surfing

A 50-metre mobi-mat provides access to Noosa Main Beach for people who use wheelchairs, have mobility issues, or have difficulties walking on sand. It’s located in front of the Noosa Surf Club, where there are also accessible changerooms, toilets, showers and parking available.

What to do in Noosa

Looking for more things to do during in Noosa? Explore beaches by horseback, browse Australia’s largest art and craft market, or make acquaintance between your towel and the sand—however you like to reset, there’s a way to do it here.

Connect with nature in Noosa, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and surround yourself with the outdoors, from the tea-tree infused waters of the Noosa Everglades (one of the only two everglades' systems in the world) to Noosa National Park, where the rainforest meets the sea.

Paddle the Everglades with Kanu Kapers, SUP the Noosa River with Noosa Stand Up Paddle, or ride Noosa’s beaches with Equathon Horse Riding Adventures.

Of course, no visit to Noosa is complete without wandering down ultra-trendy Hastings Street, where laidback sophistication meets a coastal boulevard lined with boutiques, cafes and restaurants.

While it might be famous for its beaches, don’t ignore Noosa’s best kept secret—it’s Hinterland. Amongst the rolling green hills, you’ll find art galleries, farm stalls, craft breweries, and the famous Eumundi Markets, home to 500 stalls showcasing some of the Sunshine Coast’s best artists, producers, buskers and other creatives.

Want to channel your inner Kelly Slater? Hit Noosa’s world-class waves, from the World Surfing Reserve waters of Laguna Bay to the point breaks of Tea Tree Bay and the surfer’s paradise of the easy day trip of Double Island Point.

First timer? Try Go Ride a Wave Noosa. They’ll get you standing up in no-time, with daily two-hour sessions.

Where to eat and drink in Noosa

In Noosa, you’re never far away from swell eats. With an abundance of local produce and world-class chefs, it’s a wonderland for foodies.

Don’t want to venture too far from the festival? You’re in luck. You’ll find some of Noosa’s best restaurants along the Noosa Main Beach boardwalk. From sand crab lasagna at Sails to caramelised pork belly at Bistro C, the only thing better than the food is the view.

Elsewhere, enjoy oysters and Mooloolaba King Prawns at the waterfront Noosa Boathouse, fine fare by the Noosa River at Rickys River Bar & Restaurant, Hiramasa Kingfish and chargrilled chicken at Sum Yung Guys, or the Euro-flavours of Frenchies Brasserie (try the duck leg confit—you’ll thank us later).

For more Noosa food options, check out our guide to Noosa’s best restaurants and bars here, or our Noosa and Hinterland foodie itinerary here.

Where to stay in Noosa 

While Noosa is a popular day-trip destination from Brisbane, to really make the most of the Festival of Surfing you’re going to want to spend a night (or five) in Noosa.

For luxe options just a stone’s throw away from First Point, try the 5 star Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, the Hamptons-by-the-beachside style Sebel Noosa, or apartment living at Fairshore Noosa, all located on Hastings Street.

Wish you could stay in a rainforest, right near the beach and Hastings Street? You can, at Pepper’s Noosa Resort and Villas, located on the edge of Noosa National Park.

If that’s not secluded enough for you, camp or glamp at Habitat Noosa Everglades Eco Camp, situated on the edge of the Noosa River, or stay in one of six Mongolian-style yurts at Noosa Eco Retreat, set on 100 acres of private conservation land.

For more accommodation options including camping, pet-friendly accommodation, and budget options, check out our guide to Noosa accommodation here.

Queensland’s Surfing Calendar

Haven’t got your fix after the Festival of Surfing? From February’s Gold Coast Open World Surf League qualifying event through to the Kirra Longboard Klassic in July, there’s a whole calendar of surfing on offer. Find out more here.

For more competition in the waves, check out these epic surfing events in Queensland.