Queensland’s stunning Sunshine Coast spans the glittering coastline from Caloundra up to the Great Sandy National Park. The picturesque region is the perfect base for a weekend getaway sure to inspire fun, rest and relaxation. To help you plan the perfect Noosa and Sunshine Coast trip here’s our itinerary from three nights and four days spent exploring the region. From fantastic food and vibrant local culture to the very best ways to reconnect with nature, where to stay and so much more. This is the perfect Noosa and Sunshine Coast itinerary!
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Hotels, I use Agoda
Rentals: Discover Cars
RVs: Motorhome Republic
Transfers: Welcome Pickups
Insurance: Cover-More
SIM Cards: Simify
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Day One
11 am Wild Horse Mountain Scenic Lookout
Start your adventure with the stunning views from the Wild Horse Mountain Scenic Lookout, located around an hour drive from the heart of Brisbane. Here, you can soak in the majestic Glasshouse Mountains which have stood near the Beerburrum State Forest for over 26 million years.
12 pm Lunch on the beach in Mooloolaba
Rather than driving straight to Noosa, slow the pace down by stopping in at Mooloolaba for lunch by the beach. Stop in at Fisheries on the Spit for perfectly cooked, fresh barramundi served with delectably crunchy chips or duck into Acai Brothers for a tasty acai bowl or smoothie. Enjoy your lunch overlooking Mooloolaba main beach while breathing in the fresh ocean air.
1:30 pm Coastal drive
Skip the freeway and take the coastal route instead, winding your way through gorgeous towns like Coolum and Peregian. There’s plenty to see and do along the way including a stroll along the Coolum Boardwalk or a wander through Peregian’s beachside village where you’ll find boutiques, cafes and restaurants.
3 pm Check-in at the accommodation
Noosa is one of the Sunshine Coast’s most beloved holiday destinations and the perfect base for a weekend getaway. You’ll find Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas located at the Noosa National Park, offering a range of room types from apartments through to penthouses. Fully self-contained, your room has everything you need for your stay including a kitchenette, washer and dryer, huge bathroom, lounge and living area and a cosy deck with forest views. Get settled in your room, taking a moment to breathe in the relaxation. Find more Noosa accommodation options here.
Find and book your Noosa and Sunshine Coast accommodation using the Agoda website or app. Check out their GoLocal deals to save up to 25% on hotels!
4:30 pm Sunset at The Laguna Lookout
Walk or drive up to the Laguna Lookout for the ultimate, panoramic views of Noosa and the Sunshine Coast. It’s the perfect spot to watch the sunset turn the blue sky brilliant shades of orange and pink.
7 pm Dinner at Paradise Arcade Noosa
Indulge your tastebuds with a delicious dinner at Paradise Arcade, located a short drive away in Noosa Heads. Get cosy beneath festival lights and colourful neon signs as you tuck into a refreshing house margarita, crunchy tostadas with homemade guacamole and flavoursome, spicy and downright delicious Cali-Mex cuisine.
Day Two
7 am Breakfast at the hotel
Wake feeling rested and refreshed, ready for a day of great food and adventure. Start your day with a nourishing breakfast and coffee at your hotel. At Pepper’s Noosa Resort & Villas, you’ll experience the new era of travel with an a la carte, three-course menu boasting familiar favourites and local bites.
8 am Explore the Noosa National Park
The stunning Noosa National Park features the spectacular scenery of Noosa Headland with winding trails leading you along the pristine Queensland coastline. Make your way through the forest as you follow the Coastal Track to Dolphin Point. Take some time for yourself, grabbing a seat on the rocks overlooking the waves below. Spend a while, reconnecting with nature as you watch surfers expertly catch waves and dolphins popping up to the surface. Visit during migration season and you may just be treated to a pod of whales gliding gently by. Find a map to Noosa National Park headland walking trails here.
If you have the time, you may like to follow the Coastal Track towards Hell’s Gate to visit the stunning Fairy Pools.
12 pm Lunch at Piccolino
Wander back toward Hastings Street via the Noosa Main Beach Boardwalk, soaking in the glorious Queensland sunshine as you make your way to Piccolino. Grab a seat upstairs, overlooking Hastings Street and tuck into a well-deserved lunch of wood-fired pizza, delectable arancini balls and delicious pasta all washed down with an ice-cold beer or glass of wine.
1:30 pm Explore Hastings Street
Hastings Street is the glamorous heart of Noosa Heads, renowned for luxury beachfront accommodations, boutiques, galleries, day spas and a wonderful array of bars, restaurants and cafes. Take your time exploring the area, ducking into stores to peruse their wares. Pick-up a few new garments, keepsakes or just treat yourself to something special! You deserve it!
3:30 pm Drinks at the Noosa Surf Life Saving Club
Make your way down to the Noosa Surf Life Saving Club for a much-needed refreshment after all that shopping. Here, you’ll be able to enjoy the very best beachfront views of Noosa Main Beach while sipping on an ice-cold drink.
5 pm Noosa Junction Twilight Markets
Once the sun goes down it’s time to head out to the Noosa Junction Twilight Markets, held on the third Friday of every month from 5pm to 9pm in Noosa Junction. Spend a few hours exploring a wide range of art, culture, design and great food picking up jewellery, clothes, accessories and so much more. Grab a bite to eat at the markets or a nearby restaurant for dinner.
7 pm Dinner at Light Years
If you find yourself visiting on a night when the markets aren’t on or just want to treat yourself to a fantastic dinner, head directly to Light Years. Located in Noosa Junction, the menu here is designed to be shared with a selection of Asian-inspired bites just bursting with bold flavours.
Day Three
7 am Breakfast at Bistro C
Start your day with a delicious breakfast overlooking the sparkling waters of Noosa Main Beach at iconic local spot, Bistro C. Tuck into familiar breakfast favourites or sample something unique like their corn and chive waffle accompanied with avocado salsa, bacon and roasted tomato. Be sure to fuel-up with a coffee or two.
8 am Drive to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland
It should take around an hour to drive from Noosa Heads to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, a road trip which will take you through rolling, lush, green scenery. You may like to make a stop at the famous Eumundi Markets, home to a huge array of stalls selling everything under the sun! Start your hinterland adventure at Gerrard Lookout for picturesque views then make your way to Maleny. Explore the main street, ducking into boutiques, quaint stores and Sweets on Maple to stock up on fudge!
Your next stop is at Maleny Cheese for a cheese tasting and to stock up on a whole lotta local goodies (don’t worry, they have special packs available to keep your haul cold!) Then, take a short drive to Spicers Clovelly Estate and soak in the calm, serenity and cool mountain air as you tuck into freshly baked scones lavished with jam and cream. Your afternoon tea is perfectly accompanied by freshly prepared coffee.
The last stop on your hinterland adventure will take you to the quaint town of Montville. Wander along the local stores lining the streets, perusing thrift stores, boutiques and galleries and, most likely, stocking up on more sweet goodies for later. Be sure to leave yourself an hour or so to drive back to Noosa and get changed for your next adventure.
2 pm Noosa Oceanrider Thrill Ride
You’ll meet your tour operator, Nathan, at the Noosa Marina for a pre-departure safety briefing ahead of your Noosa Oceanrider Thrill Ride. Then, you’ll climb aboard and head out along the Noosa River, over the sand bar and out into the waves. Hold on tight as the boat leaps over the crest of each wave, catching a moment or two of hang time followed by a whole lot of cheering and laughter. Along the way, you’ll learn all about the local area and glimpse more of the National Park, including Hell’s Gate. If you get queasy from boat rides (me!) be sure to take some sea sickness medication before you head out.
Find and book more great things to do in Noosa and the Sunshine Coast using Agoda’s ‘Things to do’ resource online or using the app.
4 pm Relax and unwind at the hotel
Trust me, you’re going to be all tuckered out after so much great food, fun and adventure. Head back to your hotel for a shower, change of clothes and some time to relax and unwind at the hotel. Take a dip in the pool, sit out on the balcony of your hotel room with a good book or cosy up on the couch and watch a movie.
7 pm Dinner at El Capitano
When the hunger starts to grow, make your way down to El Capitano Pizzeria and Bar, located on Hastings Street. The menu here is so good it makes it hard to choose but the wood-fired pizzas, made on 72-hour fermented, organic sourdough base are a must-try! Dine-in or get your feast to-go, making the most of your room’s fully self-contained facilities.
Day Four
7 am Breakfast at the hotel
The sun is up for a final day of fun so get started with a nourishing breakfast at the hotel. There’s no rush, of course, but after breakfast, you may like to pack your bags and check-out so you can set off for the day without a worry about time.
8:30 am Noosa Farmers Market
Nestled among the gum trees, the Noosa Farmers Market takes place each and every Sunday. Entry and parking are free but donations are happily welcomed! Take a reusable bag with you as you’re going to want to stock up on incredible local produce, including organic fresh fruit and vegetables and delicious goodies like freshly baked bread, cheese, marinades and sauces.
10 am Stand up paddleboard
Noosa boasts some spectacular waterways so you’ll want to make your way over to Eco Noosa River Adventures for a spot of paddleboarding. Glide gently across the cool water, the warm sunshine on your shoulders, as you take in views of the area from a different perspective. There’s a place to dry off and get changed so don’t be shy about diving in for a dip!
12 pm Lunch along the waterfront
Just in case you haven’t quite had your fill of good food just yet, grab one final bite to eat along the waterfront in Noosaville. There are quite a few to choose from, including the Noosa Boathouse, Mr Jones & Me and Noosa Waterfront Restaurant & Bar, just to name a few. Afterwards, it’s time to head back home, refreshed, energised and well-rested after a fun-filled weekend in Noosa and the Sunshine Coast.
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A huge thank you to the amazing team at Agoda for supporting us and Australian Tourism by sponsoring this post and our trip. We truly appreciate it! As always, all opinions are authentically our own and this itinerary was put together by us with Agoda’s full support.
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Hotels, I useĀ Agoda
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Rentals:Ā Discover Cars
RVs: Motorhome Republic
Transfers:Ā Welcome Pickups
Rideshare: DiDi
Insurance:Ā Cover-More
Tours: TourRadar
SIM Cards:Ā Simify
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