Explore Australia

Noosa Main Beach: safe family swimming; beginners’ surfing lessons available, 0418 787 577. Boutique shopping: browse clothing stores, gift shops and art galleries on stylish Hastings St. Adventure sports: on spectacular coastal waters of the Coral Sea and inland waterways. Activities include kite surfing, high-speed boating, surfing lessons and kayaking; book at the visitor centre. Camel and horse safaris: beach and bushland safari on Noosa's North Shore; book at visitor centre. Scenic flights: contact visitor centre for details.

Noosa National Park, Headland section This largely untouched rocky coastline park offers walks of varying length through rainforest and heathland. Escape the summer crowds of Noosa by taking the Tanglewood Track across the headland to Hells Gate, a popular lookout and whale-viewing spot. Return via the coastal track for scenic ocean views. Access the park via Park Rd in Noosa Heads, the coastal boardwalk from Hastings St, or Sunshine Beach; info and maps from the visitor centre .

Great Sandy National Park, Cooloola section This park has stunning coloured sands, beaches, lakes, forests and sand dunes, all of which are protected. Many rare and threatened species call it home. There are walks for all ranges of fitness and stamina from short circuit walks to overnight hikes. For the serious walker, there is the 2–4-day Cooloola Wilderness Trail with bush camping. For less strenuous activity, picnic in the rainforest at Bymien or see the Teewah Coloured Sands, which rise in 40 000-year-old cliffs. It is thought that oxidisation or decaying vegetation has caused the colouring; Aboriginal legend attributes it to the slaying of a rainbow serpent. The park is separated from Noosa by the Noosa River and is accessed via vehicle ferry from Tewantin. Access from the north is via Rainbow Beach; 4WD recommended. (07) 5449 7792; 14 km N. Tours combining the coastline  sights with the mirrored waterways of the Noosa Everglades are operated by Noosa Everglades Discovery; (07) 5449 0393.

Laguna Lookout: views of Noosa River, lakes and hinterland; on Noosa Hill, access via Viewland Dr. Sunshine Beach: golden beach popular for surfing; 3 km SE. Noosaville: family-style area with Noosa River as focal point; departure point for river cruises; 5 km SW. Peregian Beach: beachside village with alfresco cafes, restaurants and boutique shops; 13 km S. Lake Cooroibah: ideal for boating, sailing and windsurfing; access by car or boat from Noosaville. Tewantin: Noosa Marina in Parkyn Court has restaurants, boat hire and cruises. The Big Shell and the House of Bottles are nearby; 7 km W. Tewantin State Forest: hilly rainforest and eucalypt forest reserve with 10 min walk to Mt Tinbeerwah Lookout offering a panoramic view over Noosa River, lakes and hinterland; 10 km W via Tewantin. Noosa River and the Everglades: the river extends over 40 km north into Great Sandy National Park. Take a cruise into the mirrowed Everglades and to Harry's Hut, a relic of timber-cutting days. Kayak and canoe hire on offer, as well as camping facilities; contact visitor centre for details. Gondolas of Noosa: cruise the Noosa River in the style and comfort of a traditional European gondola; 3 km NW. Eumundi: famed markets; Wed 8am–1.30pm and Sat 6.30am–2pm (also Thurs evening Dec/Jan); see Yandina; (07) 5442 7106; 21 km SW.

Mooloolaba 33 km

It’s 6am on the Mooloolaba waterfront behind Kawana Waters Hotel. The temperature is mild enough to be wearing shorts and a shirt. All is quiet amid the moored boats except for the eager anglers sitting around the... Find out more

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Bjelke Petersen Dam 107 km

Lake Barambah is a 22 sq km water about 15 km south-east of Murgon. It is regarded as one of the state’s best waters for big bass, but also has yellowbelly, silver perch and saratoga. It is relatively shallow for a... Find out more

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Lake Wivenhoe 115 km

Impoundment fishing for native species in southern Queensland has enjoyed phenomenal growth and it all began at Lake Wivenhoe. Situated about 80 km west of Brisbane on the Brisbane Valley Highway, Wivenhoe has a surface... Find out more

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Lake Lenthall 123 km

Anyone who has read about the barramundi boom in Queensland’s impoundments will know about lakes like Awoonga, Faust and Callide. But there are many, less- known waters that also offer excellent fishing, and one of... Find out more

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Hervey Bay 123 km

Hervey Bay and Fraser Island are inseparably linked to each other and to fishing. Variety and quality of species is a true measure of a fishing destination and here you can catch longtails (northern bluefin tuna),... Find out more

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Fraser Island 146 km

The world’s biggest sand island, Fraser Island is 123 km long and has become Australia’s most famous beach-fishing venue, albeit one that also offers rock- and offshore fishing. The list of inshore species... Find out more

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Lake Boondooma 168 km

Situated on the Boyne River to the west of Bjelke Petersen Dam, this lake is about 15 km from Proston. Since its construction in 1983, a variety of species have been stocked here. Australian bass, silver perch and... Find out more

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Lake Monduran 211 km

Lake Monduran is near Gin Gin, a four-hour drive north of Brisbane on the Bruce Highway. Although it appears narrow, it has a surface area of 53 sq km and a holding capacity of 585 900 ML of water, which is about 1.6... Find out more

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Clarrie Hall Dam - Fishing Sub-region 229 km

Angling is a buzz when you are into a hot bite. It is also a buzz when discovering new territory or out hooking with other anglers, observing their methods and techniques on their home waters. So it was when I fished... Find out more

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Cycling the Sunshine Coast and hinterland 47 km

Join a half-day or longer guided bike tour with Bicycle Tours of Queensland, particularly the popular Sunshine Coast ride or Maleny to Glass House Mountains. A back-up bus is included if it all gets too much.... Find out more

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Hiking on Fraser Island 88 km

Fraser Island, with its 1653 square kilometres encompassing 200-metre-high sand dunes, 80 beautiful lakes and pockets of rainforest, is a delight for those prepared to put on a pack. Hikers can camp beside some of the... Find out more

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Westlander 119 km

Take the overnight train ride from Brisbane to Charleville or Quilpie, travelling over the Great Dividing Range and through some of Queensland’s rich farming areas.... Find out more

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Cycling and mountain-biking around Brisbane 120 km

Brisbane has a growing network of great cycling trails and some excellent rides for tourists – a five-to-20-kilometre ride along the shores of the Brisbane River comes highly recommended. There is also a great ride... Find out more

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Mount Coot-tha Forest 120 km

The largest natural area in Brisbane, this 1500 hectares of open eucalypt forest holds more than 18 kilometres of walking tracks, 12 kilometres of mountain-biking tracks and a further 31 kilometres of multi-use tracks.... Find out more

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Rock climbing around Brisbane 120 km

Brisbane’s Kangaroo Point is perhaps the friendliest city rock-climbing spot in the country, with views over the Brisbane River, a range of climbs for absolute beginners and upwards, and established anchor points... Find out more

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Dolphin tours around Hervey Bay 124 km

All year-round Blue Dolphin Marine Tours runs eco-tours to see the two species of dolphin in the area – the bottlenose, and the rare Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin. You have a 95 per cent chance of seeing the... Find out more

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Tamborine Mountain Distillery 170 km

There is a multitude of chemical-free schnapps, gins and vodkas to try here, many of which come from the fruits grown on the farm. Try lemon myrtle vodka, the multifaceted choc’n’chili liqueur, forest... Find out more

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Noosa Springs Resort 3 km

Laid out across 50 hectares of bushland on the shore of beautiful Lake Weyba, Noosa Springs takes you on a gently rolling journey between rainforest pockets, along the edges of lakes and through bloodwood forest,... Find out more

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Hyatt Regency Coolum Resort 18 km

Resort courses are sometimes labelled, perhaps unfairly, as all being similar to one another: wide fairways, big undulating greens, large bunker schemes, the obligatory drinks cart. Some might even say a round of golf... Find out more

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Twin Waters Golf Club 26 km

By the end of the 1980s, Queensland’s Sunshine Coast had a handful of good member clubs. In the ’90s, as the region became home to Australia’s fastest growing population, more golf courses and more... Find out more

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Pelican Waters Golf Club 49 km

It took 54 years for his dream to be realised, but when Pelican Waters Golf Club finally opened for play in 2000, not even the visionary behind the original idea could have imagined it would turn out as good as it... Find out more

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Pacific Harbour Golf & Country Club 71 km

Challenging the best players without alienating casual and beginner golfers is the fine line every course designer treads in coming up with a new creation. One designer who does it better than most is Ross Watson. His... Find out more

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North Lakes Resort Golf Club 92 km

Good course designers have tricks up their sleeves when it comes to spurring golfers to rise to the challenge. They can visually intimidate you with large schemes of bunkers or water hazards encroaching on the best... Find out more

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Royal Queensland Golf Club 116 km

Of all the golf courses in this book, Royal Queensland has undergone the most dramatic changes in recent years. Originally opened in 1920, on reclaimed mangrove swampland on the north bank of the Brisbane River, ... Find out more

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Brookwater Golf & Country Club 142 km

Brookwater opened to considerable fanfare in 2002, with many observers quick to draw comparisons with Augusta National, venerable home of the US Masters. The varied terrain, inventive bunkering and undulating putting... Find out more

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Sanctuary Cove Golf & Country Club (Pines course) 165 km

Sanctuary Cove’s Pines layout, designed by Arnold Palmer, has reigned for more than two decades as one of the Gold Coast’s best courses. At various stages during that time it has also ranked among the... Find out more

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The Links, Hope Island 166 km

When Hope Island opened for play in 1993 it was a unique addition to Australia’s golfing landscape. Here was a links-style layout seemingly uprooted from Scotland and transplanted on to the sunny northern... Find out more

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Berardo’s Bistro 
on the Beach

Jim Berardo and Greg O’Brien say the style of this bistro, a separate operation to Berardo’s Restaurant and Bar, is inspired by the French Riviera’s traditional le bistro du coin (‘the cafe at the... Find out more

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Sails

Follow the beach boardwalk to the Little Cove end of Hastings Street and join the locals to enjoy fine seasonal food, including plenty of fresh fish. Begin at the bar and take some time to check out the amazing wine list... Find out more

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Wasabi

Chef Shinichi Maeda knows his fish as only a Japanese chef can. After training extensively in his home country, he moved to Australia in 2003 at the age of 24 as Wasabi’s executive chef, and is now a partner in the... Find out more

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Ricky's River Bar and Restaurant

Located on the riverfront, Ricky's epitomises Noosa's laid-back, luxurious lifestyle. Stunning water views can be observed through the dining room's large windows which, weather permitting, can be opened to let the cool... Find out more

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Mondo Organics, West End 121 km

Australia’s first organic restaurant when it opened in 2000, Mondo Organics serves a range of organic meats, including beef, chicken, duck and lamb, and the fish is chosen for the sustainability of the catch. The... Find out more

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Sunshine Coast Brewery 31 km

Queensland’s longest-running microbrewery has been operating from an industrial estate on the outskirts of Maroochydore since 1998. It was established by Jim Robinson and Queensland craft-beer pioneer Graham Howard... Find out more

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Castlemaine Perkins (Fourex) Brewery 119 km

The pages of Australian brewing history are littered with take-overs and acquisitions, and while Castlemaine Perkins sounds like a merger, it was, in reality, yet another buy-out. As the name suggests, the Castlemaine... Find out more

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Foster's Group (Yatala Brewery) 151 km

This brewery site, located at Yatala, midway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, was established by the Power Brewing Company, which launched Powers Bitter in 1988. Four years later a joint venture between Powers and... Find out more

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Mt Tamborine Brewery 170 km

As we went to press, one of Queensland’s more ambitious craft-brewing operations was about to come to fruition at Mount Tamborine, in the Gold Coast hinterland. The 24-hectolitre microbrewery is the original plant... Find out more

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Burleigh Brewing Company 192 km

Queensland has generally suffered from a dearth of craft breweries so the Burleigh Brewing Company is a welcome and relatively recent addition. Co-owner/brewer Brennan Fielding boasts considerable experience as a... Find out more

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Fig Tree Point camping area 20 km

This campground beside Lake Cootharaba has basic facilities and a maximum capacity of 25 campers. It can be reached by boat or canoe from the Noosa River, 2 km north of Kinaba, or a 10 km walk from Elanda Point. Boil or... Find out more

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Harrys Hut camping area 23 km

This is the only campground on the Upper Noosa River with vehicle (4WD only) and river access. It is 10 km east of Cooloola Way on Harrys Hut Rd. Campers should be aware that goannas and brush turkeys often scrounge for... Find out more

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Noosa River campsites – nos 1, 2 and 3 (boat-based camping) 26 km

Take a paddle down the Noosa River to this remote campsite accessed only by boat or canoe. There is a maximum of 8 people for each of the 3 campsites. If drinking water from the Noosa River, remember to boil or treat it... Find out more

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Teewah Beach camping 26 km

You can camp on Teewah Beach in the 15 km zone between Noosa Shire boundary and Little Freshwater Creek, but there are no facilities provided and you need to prebook. Access is 4WD only. Beach camping is not permitted... Find out more

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Noosa River campsites – nos 4, 5, 8, 9, 13 and 15 (boat-based camping) 27 km

If you’re seeking peace and quiet, these isolated waterside campsites are in a gorgeous spot on the Noosa River. Accessed only by canoe (no motorised boats), there are no facilities on-site and a maximum of 8... Find out more

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Wandi Waterhole camping area (bush camping) 31 km

Wandi has clearings for bush camping suitable for self-sufficient campers, around 12.5 km south of Neebs. Access is walk-in only from the Cooloola Wilderness Trail. Carry in drinking water and a gas/fuel stove (no fires... Find out more

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Gheerulla camping and trail-bike area 36 km

The Gheerulla creekside camping area is 8 km north-east of Kenilworth, accessed 6 km north-east of Kenilworth along the Eumundi–Kenilworth Rd. It is illegal to collect firewood from the forest, so bring your own... Find out more

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Neebs Waterhole camping area (bush camping) 39 km

Bush camping for self-sufficient campers is permitted at Neebs Waterhole, 8.1 km (3 hr walk) south of Mullens carpark on Rainbow Beach Rd. It is around 12.5 km north of the Wandi Waterhole camping area. Access is walk-in... Find out more

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Freshwater Campground 44 km

Accessed by 4WD only, this campground with 55 sites is 8 km south of Double Island Point off Teewah Beach. The camping area is 500 m from the beach in scribbly gum woodland. Travel here via Teewah Beach or Freshwater Rd... Find out more

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Poverty Point camping area 48 km

This campground overlooking Tin Can Bay is 13 km south of Rainbow Beach off Rainbow Beach Rd. Follow the 4WD access road a further 6 km to reach the site. There are no facilities on-site. ... Find out more

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BIG4 Noosa Bougainvillia Holiday Park 8 km

With good facilities, this is a quality park opposite the Noosa golf course. It is very popular year-round and a great base for spending a holiday in the Noosa area. Bookings are required in peak periods and a... Find out more

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Coolum Beach Caravan Park 15 km

This is a popular beachfront holiday park just across the road from the centre of Coolum. Walk to the shops and restaurants, swim at the patrolled beach or soak up the sunshine, or do all three! Bookings are required in... Find out more

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Mudjimba Beach Caravan Park 25 km

A quality council-operated establishment, this is a neat and well-laid out park in a quieter area just a short stroll from the beach. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies.... Find out more

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Maroochy Palms Holiday Village 28 km

Across the road from the Maroochy River, this very good quality park has much to offer. Book in here and enjoy the facilities, including the kids club, tennis court and pool, or relax and enjoy a cappuccino from the park... Find out more

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Cotton Tree Caravan Park 29 km

Located along the waters edge at the mouth of the Maroochy River, this large council park has more than 400 tourist sites. It has a selection of eateries and shops immediately opposite the park entrance and is within... Find out more

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Mooloolaba Beach Caravan Park 32 km

This park is split over two locations. The main section is in Parkyn Parade, while the smaller section is at Mooloolaba Beach. We think the beachside section has the best outlook of any park in Australia: it overlooks... Find out more

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BIG4 Forest Glen Holiday Resort 34 km

This award-winning park is set on over 19 ha of parkland. There is a large pool, tennis court, squash court, minigolf and a licensed restaurant. The Bruce Highway is close by and the Sunshine Coast beaches are just 15... Find out more

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Dicky Beach Family Holiday Park 43 km

This is a popular beachside park adjoining a busy patrolled swimming beach. The park is across the road from a small shopping strip and a few minutes from the centre of Caloundra. For us, this is a great beachside base... Find out more

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Ocean View Caravan Park 47 km

High above the coastal plain with views to the sea, this park is being improved and further developed. Situated midway between Maleny and Landsborough, it is well located for those exploring the hinterland. Bookings are... Find out more

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Tin Can Bay Tourist Park 53 km

In a quiet area of Tin Can Bay, this is a good quality park with facilities to suit the discerning tourist. Good value here. Bookings are required in peak periods and a minimum-length stay applies at Christmas and... Find out more

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Eumarella Shores

These two-bedroom traditional Queensland-style cottages are right beside Lake Weyba, 4 kilometres south of Noosaville, with private lake access and beach platform. They can accommodate up to seven people so are suitable... Find out more

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Lake Weyba Cottages

Cottages and pavilions are set on 8 hectares beside the southern reaches of Lake Weyba. You can order in-house dinners served in your cottage from an interesting à la carte menu, self-cater using the kitchen... Find out more

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Netanya Noosa

Netanya was one of the first five-star boutique hotels in Noosa and it’s still one of the best. Its design makes the most of its location right on the beach, particularly with the penthouse suites with private... Find out more

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Sheraton Noosa 
Resort & Spa

This elegant yet relaxed five-star full-service holiday hotel provides the ultimate seaside break, with seven spa studios, 29 suites and 175 large rooms, a luxurious day spa and a swim-up pool bar. Its location is a... Find out more

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Villa Alba

This ideal couples retreat with four luxury villas is set in 1.5 hectares of subtropical gardens and native rainforest. Located just south-west of Noosaville, Hastings Street and Noosaville restaurants are within a... Find out more

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Glass House Mountains Eco-Lodge 60 km

The simple, down-market rooms here include the use of old train carriages for a communal kitchen and group area. An old church has also been recycled, and all greywater and blackwater is used on site to irrigate the... Find out more

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Kingfisher Bay Resort, Fraser Island 111 km

With 1000 beds, and a choice of pools, restaurants and bars, this is the largest accommodation place mentioned in this book, but it has a longstanding reputation as being a positive role model for large ecotourism... Find out more

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Brisbane Marriott Hotel 119 km

By no means the greenest accommodation in this book, the Marriott still deserves inclusion as one of the better options in large hotels. It gained the Green Globe Benchmarked Bronze status and is AAA-rated for its water-... Find out more

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Emeraldene Inn and Eco-Lodge, Hervey Bay 124 km

The 14 hotel-style rooms here, including two disabled rooms, have solar hot water and an envirocycle treatment system so that all sewage and greywater is treated and reused on site. The lodge has a solid environmental... Find out more

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Destiny Boonah 189 km

Set on 80 hectares of Land for Wildlife property, this self-contained three-bedroom cottage is solar- and wind-powered. You are encouraged to bring a mountain bike or go bushwalking on the property, which is located near... Find out more

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The Mouses House, Springbrook 204 km

Set in a beautiful rainforest at more than 800 metres above sea level, this luxury resort has 11 self-contained chalets, hot tub, sauna, tennis court and bikes, a sensible environmental policy and eco-accreditation. It... Find out more

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Cottages on the Creek 204 km

This 2-hectare establishment is managed as a Land for Wildlife property and the two, onebedroom spa cottages have composting toilets, protecting Currumbin Creek with its turtles, catfish, platypus and yabbies.... Find out more

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Crystal Creek Rainforest Retreat 207 km

Located near Murwillumbah and surrounded on three sides by World Heritage–listed national parks, this secluded couples-only resort on the Queensland border has minimal-impact, self-contained bungalows and cabins.... Find out more

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Emerald Valley Villa 249 km

Nestled in the hinterland some 25 minutes drive from Byron Bay, this is way up the high end of ecotourism in this country. You can rent your own five-star palace (they call it a villa), complete with pool, courtyard,... Find out more

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Landsborough Park Area 42 km

83 km N of Brisbane (L) or 85 km S of Gympie (R) Small area located 500 metres off the highway via Landsborough exit. Good shade. GPS: S26 46.409 E153 02.252... Find out more

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Six Mile Creek Rest Area 43 km

162 km N of Brisbane (L) or 6 km S of Gympie (R) Large grassed area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S26 13.901 E152 41.849... Find out more

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Chatsworth Rest Area 53 km

6 km N of Gympie (L) or 55 km S of Tiaro (R) Large grassed area just off the highway. Good facilities and shade. GPS: S26 09.01 E152 37.47  ... Find out more

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Coochin Creek Camp Area 54 km

T/O 73 km N of Brisbane (R) or 95 km S of Gympie (L) Coochin Creek campground is located 5 kilometres east of the highway (via Bells Creek Road and Roys Road) in a pleasant forest setting in Beerburrum State Forest.... Find out more

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Gunalda Rest Area 69 km

29 km N of Gympie (R) or 32 km S of Tiaro (L) Large area just off the highway. Good facilities. Limited shade. GPS: S25 59.184 E152 34.259... Find out more

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Tiaro Camp Area 90 km

Middle of town Small area just east of the highway via Inman Street. Limited shade. Toilets at adjacent town park. GPS: S25 43.722 E152 35.059... Find out more

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Petrie Rest Area 91 km

T/O 1 km N of Tiaro (L) or 81 km S of Childers (R) Small secluded area 1 kilometre west of the highway in a pleasant setting on the riverbank. Good shade and facilities. GPS: S25 42.905 E152 34.533... Find out more

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Wongi Camp Area 119 km

T/O 36 km N of Tiaro (L) or 42 km S of Childers (R) Large secluded campground located 10 kilometres west of the highway in a native bush setting in Wongi State Forest. Good facilities and shade. NOTE: Unsealed... Find out more

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