Coastal connection: the couples’ guide to Noosa

Noosa on the Sunshine Coast is the perfect spot for a romantic getaway. This beautiful destination combines natural beauty and urban sophistication with everything you need for an idyllic couple’s escape.

With superb drinking and dining options, accommodation to suit every taste and budget, and activities that will surprise and delight, Noosa is guaranteed to make you and your partner swoon. Plan the perfect long weekend (or a longer stay) with this couple’s guide to Noosa.

Stay

Noosa has four main places to stay: along Main Beach, near Hastings Street, Noosa Junction, and in and around Noosaville. The most highly coveted (and the most expensive) option is an ocean view room at a resort overlooking Main Beach, but the other spots are equally lovely in their own way.

On the Beach Noosa

As the name implies, this modern and stylish self-contained accommodation is located right on Main Beach. On the Beach Noosa even has a ‘secret door’ that takes guests straight from the pool area onto the Noosa boardwalk. The One Bedroom Open Plan Penthouses are ideal for couples and span two levels with a private rooftop terrace that has a spa tub, barbecue, and small entertaining area.

Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas

This accommodation option is located next to Noosa National Park, just a five minute walk from Hastings Street. Ocean glimpses are available from many of the rooms at Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas but a National Park view is even better as it feels like you’re surrounded by rainforest. Golf buggy transfers are available to and from Hastings Street if you don’t feel like walking.

Noosa Blue Resort

Love boutique digs? This pocket-sized Noosa Heads resort is small but sensational, boasting 65 spacious one-bedroom apartments with everything you'd need for a romantic beach escape - and most suites include their own private spas. End your days exploring poolside, or up the ante and book a penthouse - each has a 40 square metre rooftop terrace with hot tub and barbecue facilities (and great views!).

RACV Resort Noosa

Set amongst Australian bushland with superb mountain views, this luxury resort near Noosa Junction is a 15 minute walk from the dining precinct known as The Junction. RACV Resort Noosa has some of the largest apartments in town and offers courtesy bus transfers to and from Hastings Street.

Eumarella Shores Noosa Lake Retreat

Located on Lake Weyba, this eco certified lakeside retreat is made for romance with cottages and lakehouses offering views over the lake, a fireplace for cosy winter nights, and activities including kayaking, bush walking, and fishing available onsite. It is a 10 minute drive from Eumarella Shores Noosa Lake Retreat to Hastings Street.

Drink

Bistro C

This beachfront restaurant and bar is one of Noosa’s most romantic spots to watch the sun go down. It’s worth getting to Bistro C early to score a prime front table. Even if these have reserved signs, ask if you can sit down for a quick sunset drink before the dinner crowd arrives.

Moonstruck

Moonstruck on Hastings Street serves coffee and light meals during the day and cocktails when the sun goes down. Gin is a specialty with an impressive range from around Australia. The cheese plates  feature local produce and make for a great starter before dinner at one of Noosa’s restaurants.

Miss Moneypenny’s

Funky chill-out tunes and a hip clientele come together to create an exciting vibe at Miss Moneypenny’s, a cocktail lounge and restaurant that embraces Noosa’s tropical lifestyle. It’s the place to come to see and be seen, the bar snacks are tasty, and cocktails are a speciality.

The Junction

Noosa Junction is a popular local’s hangout and has some excellent options for a pre- or post-dinner drink. Slip into Theo's Social Club for a little fine wine, cheese and vinyl, or slink up to the bar at Muse for a signature cocktail. On a sunny afternoon, you can't go wrong at Village Bicycle's art-sprawled beer garden. 

Dine

Season Restaurant

While Season Restaurant is open all day it is hard to go past the breakfast menu. Start with a glass of freshly squeezed juice followed by buttermilk banana pancakes topped with choc chip ice-cream and maple syrup. With stunning views over Laguna Bay, it’s tempting to linger over a second coffee.

Bay Village

For something quick to takeaway and eat on the beach, the food court at Bay Village on Hastings Street has outlets selling freshly squeezed juices, sandwiches, sushi, pies, wraps, and poke bowls. Kick back on one of the benches along the boardwalk overlooking the beach and enjoy.

Rickys River Bar and Restaurant

Craving a long lunch? Rickys is an iconic Noosa restaurant, with riverfront views that will entice you to order that extra round of drinks after dessert just to stay a while longer. The Modern Euro menu celebrates the coastal lifestyle: try the char grilled Mooloolaba swordfish with remoulade, roasted Queensland scallops, and be sure to get the passionfruit souffle to finish.

Sails Restaurant Noosa

Whether you are seeking classic fish and chips or something more sophisticated, the regionally inspired food, sparkling ocean views, and equally sparkling service at Sails Restaurant Noosa will have you smiling. Local produce is a feature with the likes of Mooloolaba tuna and flavoursome Noosa Reds tomatoes playing a starring role on the menu.

Somedays Pizza

Noosa Junction also has some terrific dining options. Somedays Pizza has a chef from Naples, excellent pizzas, and a tiramisu that will change your life. Even if you don’t usually order dessert, you should definitely try this one. It’s big enough to share so ask for two spoons.

Play

Dolphin and whale spotting

Noosa Oceanrider offers tours around Noosa National Park’s coastal headland with the chance to spot playful dolphins throughout the year and whales during the winter months as they swim past Noosa on their way to and from Hervey Bay.

Horse riding at Noosa North Shore

Breathe in the fresh tang of salt water and listen to the waves as you ride along Teewah Beach on an Equathon horse riding adventure. Highlights include riding through the waves like a star in a Hollywood movie and a gallop along the beach for more confident riders.

Explore Noosa Everglades

Get back to nature on a kayak tour of the Noosa Everglades with Kanu Kapers Australia. When you're gliding through the crystal clear waters of Lake Cootharaba and marvelling at the mighty square-tailed kites wheeling overhead, it's hard to believe that Hastings Street is only a short drive away.

Browse the Eumundi Markets

Visit the Original Eumundi Markets on Wednesdays and Saturdays for fresh produce and whimsical arts and crafts. It's easy to spend a whole morning browsing at this eclectic outdoor market where everything is locally made. Eumundi is the perfect spot to pick up supplies for a picnic lunch.

Recharge at Ikatan Spa

Connect with nature at this Balinese-inspired oasis which is reminiscent of a traditional village with freestanding treatment rooms set amongst gardens filled with birdsong. Ikatan Spa offers a complete escape for mind, body, and soul, and couple’s treatments are a speciality. Allow time before or after your treatment to relax in the gardens with a complimentary glass of champagne.

Need to know

One of the best things about staying at Noosa is you can walk pretty much everywhere. If you do want to venture further afield, it’s easy to call an Uber, catch the public bus which runs every 15 minutes or so, or take a scenic ride up the river on the Noosa Ferry.

Travelling outside peak holiday periods will give you more choice and greater flexibility when it comes to booking accommodation. It’s also the best way to avoid the pitter patter of little feet as Noosa is extremely popular with families during the school holidays.

Winter offers bargain prices, fewer crowds, and plenty of accommodation deals, especially if you stay mid week. It’s the perfect time to enjoy a relaxing break with a focus on pampering, wining and dining, walking in the National Park, and spending quality time together.

Need more Noosa? Find out how the locals live with this guide.