The perfect itinerary to see the best of Noosa in a long weekend

Kick off your long weekend with an early mark from work and get to Noosa before the sun sets. After checking into your accommodation, waste no time unwinding and exploring.

Wander to the southern end of Noosa’s main beach and continue past the Surf Club to join the pathway into Noosa National Park. A stroll around to Little Cove takes only 10 minutes or so, but you’ll instantly feel like you’ve uncovered a secluded paradise. Continue on as far as your legs (and the sunlight) will take you.

Tonight, settle in and begin your introduction to local flavours. You'll find plenty of places worthy of dinner along the main street, or take your pick from hotspots in Noosa Junction. 

Friday

9am: Start fresh

Start your morning out right with a trip to Belmondos Organic Market in Noosaville to fuel up for the day and stock up on snack supplies for the weekend.

There's an industrial market space which houses all manner of local and organic pantry goods, fresh fruit and veg, a deli counter, locally baked breads and cold-pressed juices. Grab a cuppa from Clandestino Roasters (the beans are roasted on site) then tuck into an organic breakfast at wholefood cafe VanillaFood. With a menu made up of organic and locally sourced produce with a strong focus on sustainability, you won’t find any preservatives, refined sugars or artificial flavours here. Instead, expect practically guilt-free waffles, and poached eggs and avocado with cashew cream served on top of charcoal sourdough.

11am: Find a beach and stay awhile

It’s easy to see why Main Beach at Noosa Heads draws the most crowds, but it’s not the only beautiful beach close by. The area is home to a handful of sandy stretches, including patrolled Sunshine Beach, peaceful Tea Tree Bay in the heart of Noosa National Park, and the idyllic Peregian Beach.

1pm: Enjoy a lazy lunch

The views don’t get much better than those at Bistro C, Noosa’s iconic beachfront restaurant. The food is equally impressive, which is no wonder given most of the produce is sourced locally. Try one of Bistro C’s own in-house wines, which are harvested from sustainably irrigated vineyards near the Murray River in southern New South Wales.

If you’re in the mood for something more low-key, wander straight off Main Beach into the original Betty’s Burgers for exceptional fuss-free burgers and their signature concretes (frozen custard ice-cream).

4.30pm: Cruise into the sunset

Not your typical sailing-into-the-sunset experience, Noosa Dreamboats classic wooden speed boats has the old-world charm you thought only existed in movies. Departing in the late afternoon (times vary depending on the time of year), jet off through Noosa Sound and out into the ocean for a new perspective of the hamlet. 

Taking you past Sir Richard Branson’s heart-shaped Makepeace Island for a sticky-beak, your next stop is Lake Cooroibah for BYO bubbles as the sun goes down.

7pm: Cocktail hour

There are few better places for sundowners in Noosa than Miss Moneypenny’s. Try the Istanbul Old Iced Tea – gin and quince liqueur shaken with elderflower cordial juice and cucumber topped with Turkish apple tea  - it's a refreshing hit on a balmy Queensland evening. Bar bites like suckling pig spring rolls and truffle honey chicken wings will help line your stomach, or stay for dinner and feast on modern Mediterranean dishes.

Saturday

9am: Take the country road to coffee

If you can hold off for a mere 30 minutes, drive into the Noosa Hinterland to pick up a stellar cup of coffee from Fox and Hound in Cooroy, This little hole in the wall is a hidden gem where coffee isn’t just a passion, it’s a way of life.

10am: Explore the Noosa Botanic Gardens

You could easily fill your day getting your fill from around these hills, and with so much to do in the hinterland, it's worth a trip in itself.

Stretch your legs at Noosa Botanic Gardens. The eight-acre garden sits on the shores of Lake Macdonald and can easily occupy an hour or two of your time. For the best view overlooking the water, go to the Greek-style amphitheatre.

12pm: Take a good look, then take it easy

It's time to take things up a notch. A quick 15-minute drive into Tewantin National Park and up Mount Tinbeerwah will reward you with a bird’s eye view of the Sunshine Coast, without a strenuous hike. The first lookout is an easy 150m walk along a paved path from the car park. The next section of track is more rugged yet not difficult, and takes you a further 300m to the fire tower for 360 degree views.

Take it all in, then make your way back into town for more surf, sand or pamper the afternoon away at a day spa.

6.30pm: Dine at a hatted restaurant

A local icon for good reason, Noosa Beach House is a must on any Noosa long weekend trip. SBS cooking show chef Peter Kuruvita is behind the A-class menu and this is one of those dining experiences you’ll salivate over long after dessert ends.

The Sri Lankan snapper curry is a signature at this hatted restaurant, although the beetroot curry with pickled red onion and goats cheese is a winner if you’re looking to surprise your tastebuds. 

Sunday

10am: Hit the farmers market

Make your way to Sunday's Noosa Farmers Market and you'll meet a lot of the producers who filled your plate the night before at Noosa Beach House. There's locally made cheese, produce, seafood and small goods - and plenty to start your day, from acai bowls to pies and crepes.

2pm: Paddle the Noosa Everglades

Spend your afternoon exploring Noosa Everglades – among the Sunshine Coast’s best kept secrets. One of only two everglades in the world (the other being in Florida), the tranquility and natural beauty will win you over at first stroke.

Run by world champion kayaker Vivienne Golding, Kanu Kapers offers eco-kayaking tours along the 60km stretch of tree-lined pristine waters (this is an all-day tour so clear your schedule). Or, if you prefer to sit back and just take it all in, Everglades Eco Safaris’ serenity cruise takes you on a three-hour tour of the everglades - with an option to canoe through the 'river of mirrors'. 

7pm: Feast the night away

The warm energy inside the dimly lit Sum Yung Guys is the perfect way to wrap up your long weekend in paradise. MasterChef runner-up and acclaimed chef Matt Sinclair teamed up with mates Dylan Campbell, Jeremiah Jones and Michael Rickard to open the pan-Asian, casual eatery that’s all about sharing. The king prawn toast with gochu mayo and sesame has been a firm favourite since day one, and the handmade roti is so good you’ll want to order all three kinds of curry so you don’t run out of things to dip it in.

On the drinks front, Sum Yung Guys teamed up with fellow locals Fortune Distillery to create their own selection of gins – try SYG’s unique Pho gin mixed with dry vermouth, pineapple, lime, Thai basil and chilli in the Phö Shö cocktail.

Monday

9am: Sleep in, swim, and caffeinate

Make your last day a leisurely one. Wake up with a morning swim  followed by a cup of coffee. If you haven’t already fallen for a local haunt, then do yourself a favour and check out Moonstruck at the Noosa Woods end of the strip. If you’re willing to travel for a great coffee, Noosaville has two standouts: Little Cove Coffee Co and Padre.

11am: Do a spot of shopping

Hastings Street undoubtedly impresses on the shopping front,like Cloth & Hide, where the slow fashion motto equals forever pieces made mostly from sustainable plant-based textiles. Peregian Beach also has a few local gems that are worth checking out. The Romantic has a bit of everything – gorgeous homewares, beauty with a conscience, keepsake accessories and a curated collection of leading eco-friendly Australian designers like Silk Laundry, Bassike, Nobody Denim and Auguste The Label.

1pm: One last lunch

Before you begin your journey home and back to reality, make room for one last meal. Those wanting to leave on a healthy high should swing by Noosa Junction's Larder & Baked for one of their fresh salads or poke bowls.

Where to stay in Noosa

With everything in Noosa within easy walking or driving distance, you only need to unpack your bags once during your Noosa long weekend. Staying in and around Hastings Street will place you in the hub, while Noosaville trades the beach for the river (and is kinder on the budget).

Beachfront resorts

If it’s absolute beachfront you want, Noosa has it. Netanya Noosa is so close to the beach that its pool is practically on it. Tingirana Noosa combines Hamptons luxury with the Sunshine Coast's laid-back vibes to make you feel at home in the heart of Hastings Street.

Seahaven is directly off Laguna Bay, but surrounded by lush gardens for ultimate privacy. You have your pick of three pools and a spa here, or the luxury of beach access just a few short steps from your outdoor sun lounge.

Family-friendly accommodation

Located in Peregian Beach with large, spacious townhouses, Glen Eden Beach Resort ticks the box for a resort-style getaway with tropical gardens and a heated outdoor pool. Alternatively, Bali Hai Noosa has fully self-contained one, two and three bedroom apartments to easily fit (and feed) the whole family.

For a more budget-friendly option, Coral Beach Noosa Resort in Noosaville is great for kids, with three lagoon pools and a tennis court, as well as townhouse apartments for a comfortable family vacation. It’s also within walking distance to shops, cafes, and the Noosa River. Use this guide to plan Noosa activities for kids.