Revised 5/2/20
Want to know how to spend three days in Noosa Australia for an awesome get-away? Check out my recommendations on how best to spend time in this resort region on the Sunshine Coast known for great coastal trails, strong ocean waves for surfing, water activities, Noosa Everglades, outdoor markets, boutique shops, restaurants and nearby wine tasting. If you have more time in Australia, consider visiting Cairns and Brisbane to round out your vacation.
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Visiting Noosa
Early October is the end of winter in Australia making this shoulder travel season a perfect time to avoid higher costs and more tourist in Noosa, while enjoying some amazing weather as I mention in my Australia travel guide. Noosa’s October weather, not to mention terrain and scenery, reminded me much of California – warm, sunny, no humidity and nice breezes. Day temperatures ranged from the high 70’s/low 80’s F (25 – 28 C), with fair evenings in the 60’s F (16 – 18 C). However, two days before we left the weatherman was calling for a heatwave of 91 F (33 C). I’m glad we missed that.
Like Cairns, Australia, Noosa is a great family, couple or solo destination. Depending on where you are staying, much of Noosa can be done without renting a car. However, if you want to try some of the fun things to do Noosa I mention, I would recommend having a vehicle.
To reach Noosa you can fly into the Noosa Airport or fly into Brisbane, which is just under a two hour’s drive away. It can be hard to find parking in Downtown Noosa so being flexible and mixing up your transportation in Noosa, like walking, biking, Ubering, or using the Noosa TRANSLink bus system – easy and inexpensive (a bit more expensive than Cairns) – can be part of fun in enjoying your stay.
I love to promote public transportation because it is budget-friendly, not to mention environmentally-friendly.
How to Spend Three Days in Noosa
My three days in Noosa were full yet relaxing, so I highly recommend checking out these seven amazing, and sometimes FREE, activities for when you spend three days in Noosa, Australia.
1 – Noosa National Park
Nothing can make you truly appreciate the beauty of this area than walking the trails of Noosa National Park – a must when in Noosa. Very easy to access, take a right on Park Avenue at the downtown roundabout and follow the seaside walking path to the park trailhead. Entrance to the park is FREE. There are some hills, but the walk is easy. Do as little or as much as you like. Picnic areas and beach shower heads are available. The Coastal Walk provides many picturesque views of the ocean and great overlooks, like Hell’s Gate or Boiling Pot, ideal for coastal photo ops. You may also get to see some of the local wildlife. Work your way to Laguna Lookout for a scenic coastal view of the Noosa Laguna before ending your park experience.
2 – Sunbathe on the Noosa Beaches
Working your way back from Lagoona Lookout, why not take a break on the Coastal Walk and sunbathe on Noosa’s white, sandy beaches? The park provides some more secluded, smaller beaches, like Tea Tree Bay or Little Cove Beach.
If you want to be closer to town, head out of the park to town and absorb the sun on the Noosa Heads Main Beach.Noosa Heads Main Beach can get crowded in higher tourist seasons, so if you visit Noosa at that time, you may want to get there early.
Heck, you could spend three days in Noosa, Australia on the beaches alone, so why not mix up the beach scene? All of the beaches are public and the beaches are known to be safe for swimming all year round.
3 – Hastings Street
Sunning and swimming have made you hungry? Head back to town and grab a bite on one of the many restaurants that line Hastings Street in Noosa Heads. Hastings Street, a short, tree-lined street offering open air restaurants and shops. The area can be touristy and get crowded so eating here or elsewhere is up to you. If shopping is your thing, stroll down the street to see what the town has to offer.
Note: if you want to be in the height of Noosa action, this is the place to stay. If you want something quieter, I recommend staying West of downtown. I would also try to avoid driving here as parking can be hard to find, so walking or other transportation to downtown Noosa is recommended.
4 – Paddle Boarding Noosa
Noosa is fabulous for outdoor and water activities, and paddle boarding is very popular here. This is fun for anyone to do, novice or experienced. I had never done it before but found it very easy. And inexpensive. You can find many rental shops renting paddle boards by the half hour ($10AU) or hour ($15AU). For the best experience, paddle board the Noosa River in the morning when the water is calmer (and the sun not so hot).
5 – Kayaking Noosa
Kayaking the Noosa Everglades in the Great Sandy National Park is another great outdoor activity providing a chance to see one of only two everglades systems in the world and 40% of the country’s bird species.
However, if you can’t make your way to the everglades, don’t worry because kayaking is also available on the Noosa River – same rental costs as the paddle boards. If you have never tried kayaking, I highly recommend it.
6 – Eumundi Market
Want a day out of Noosa, why not check out the Eumundi Market? A half hour drive southwest of Noosa, the expansive, outdoor Eumundi Market happens every Wednesday (8am – 1:30pm) and Saturday (7am – 2pm) and is not to be missed. You’ll enjoy an array of food and produce vendors as well as local artist tents ranging from jewelry and clothing to handcrafted furniture. This market is great for “window” shopping, buying those unique Australia gifts to bring back to friends and family, or just sinful snacking.
7 – Wine Tasting
Love to go wine tasting? The Sunshine Coast has that, too! After you’ve filled up at the Eumundi Market, drive just a half hour North to Dingo Creek Vineyard in Traveston (or 45 minutes from Noosa). They offer lovely whites, reds, bubbly and port. Open regular hours Thursdays to Saturdays, you’ll get 5 tastings for $12 and you get to keep the Dingo Creek wine glass! Lounge on their covered porch or soak in the sun on the gravel path. I highly enjoy the wine selection. I even purchased a bottle of bubbly. Dingo Creek is definitely worth the visit.
Have more time for wine? Try Flame Hill Vineyard, a 50-minute drive from Dingo Creek Vineyard (same distance from Noosa)? Also nice in quality, but with a slightly larger selection, wine tastings are $14 for six selections between whites, rosé’s and reds. Flame Hill sits high on a hill offering stunning views of the hills and ocean in the distance. You can also lounge on their outdoor patio with a bottle of wine or stop into their restaurant.
Have More Than Three Days in Noosa?
If you have more than three days in Noosa, other options abound. Rent a boat for the day, visit the Noosa Botanical Gardens or Australia Zoo, or even take surfing lessons. Being bored is unlikely when visiting Noosa with all it has to offer.
Let Me Hear From You
I would love to hear if this was helpful to you. Post me your thoughts or questions in the Comments section below. Thank you!
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