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BACKPACKERS GUIDE TO AUSTRALIA
NOOSA AND SUNSHINE COAST
AUSTRALIA > QUEENSLAND >SUNSHINE COAST
INDEX 
Noosa 
Introduction 
Information Centre 
Attractions 
  • Adventure Sports
  • Four Wheel Driving
  • Watersports
  • Organised Tours 
    Accommodation 
    Places to Eat 
    Entertainment 
    Getting There and Away 
    Getting Around Town
    Glass House Mountains 

    Nambour 

    Where to Go Next

     
    Noosa (population 17000) 

    Noosa Heads (pictured) is the most sophisticated beach resort along the sunshine coast. Strict building codes mean there is no highrise here and the town retains a village atmosphere unlike the Gold Coast and other parts of the Sunshine Coast. Noosa is a beautiful place with surf beaches, river and rainforest in the small Noosa Heads National Park. The narrow main street of Noosa is Hastings St. It is lined with classy restaurants and hotel apartments. Those on the north side of the road have absolute beach frontages. The town does not just attract the wealthy and there is also budget accomodation available.

    Noosa Heads 
    Picture: Noosa Heads
    Information Centre 
    Hastings St. Open 9am to 5pm. Phone 5447 4988

    Attractions 

    The prime attraction is lazing on the beach (pictured) and in the town's stylish cafes and restaurants. 

    Noosa Heads National Park 

    The small park of short rainforest walks and great views along the coast. 

    Cooloolah National Park 

    The park, north of Noosa, features sandy beaches. Coloured sandhills, mangroves and lakes. The Noosa River runs through the park. You can hire a boat from Tewantin or Noosaville or get an organised cruise.

    Noosa Main Beach 
    Picture: Noosa Main Beach
     

    Adventure Sports 

    Four Wheel Driving 

    If you have a 4WD you can drive north along the beach of the Cooloola Coast to Rainbow Beach. Catch the carferry from Tewantin to the north bank of the Noosa River ($4 per vehicle, operates 6am to 10pm, midnight Friday and Saturday). From Rainbow Beach there is a vehcular ferry to Fraser Island, one of the worlds most unique wilderness areas. 4WD hire is available from Sunshine 4WD Rentals. Next to Noosa Junction post office. Phone 54473702. Suzuki Sierra 4 seater is $80 per day, Nissan Patrol 7seater is $135 per day. 

    Watersports 

    Most surf shops rent surfboards and boogie boards. 

    There are several places along the Noosa River in Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, to rent fishing dinghies, jetskis, surfskis, canoes and catamarans. 

    Catamarans and surfskis can be hired from Noosa Main Beach. 

    Sea Winds Charters, 10 Cooloosa St, Sunshine Beach, rents yachts, jetskis. Phone 54473042. 

    Other Adventure Sports 

    Total Adventures at the Noosa Leisure Centre, Wallace Drive, Noosaville has rockclimbing, mountain bike and canoe and. Phone 54740177. 

    Camel Comapny Australia offers camel safaris and Clip Clop Treks offers horse riding. 
     


    Organised Tours 

    Tours to the sandy and spectacular Fraser Island are also made from Noosa. Fraser Explorer Tours runs day trips for $90. Phone 54498647. Trailblazer Tours runs three day camping safaris ($165, includes meals and tent). Phone 54498151. 
     


    Accommodation 

    Youth Hostels 

    Koala Beach Resort, Noosa Junction, has lots partying. Phone 54473355. Dorm $14, double $30. Motel units are $50 for a double plus $7.50 for each extra person (they accomodate 5). Pool, bar. 

    Noosa Backpackers’ Resort 9 William St, Noosaville. Phone 54498151. Dorm $15, double $32. Pool, courtyard, small bar, cheap meals. Free surf board and free boogie board hire. 

    Backpackers on the Beach 26 Stevens St, Sunshine Beach. Phone 54474739. $14. 

    Halse Lodge is in town in a heritage building with wide verandahs and polished wooden floors. Phone 1800 242567. Dorm $16-$18. Doubles for $44 are not good value. 
     
    Major National Youth Hostel Chains 

    YHA - Youth Hostels Australia (Hostelling International) http://www.yha.org.au 
    VIP Backpackers http://www.vip-backpackers.com 
    Nomads Backpackers. Phone 1800 819883 or http://www.nomads-backpackers.com 
     


    Places to Eat 

    There are numerous restaurants and cafes on Hastings St. 

    Non-tourist shops and the supermarket are at Noosa Junction. 
     


    Entertainment 

    Rolling Rock nightclub, upstairs in Bay Village Plaza, Hastings St. Open every night till 3am. 

    Reef Nightclub at the Noosa Reef Hotel, Noosa Drive. 

    Beach Chalet 1 Tingira Cresent is a ber with live music. 

    Noosa 5 Cinemas Noosa Junction. Phone 54475300. Cheaper before 6pm and Tueday. Movie marathon Sunday night for $10. 
     


    Getting There and Away 

    The long distance bus stop is near the corner of Noosa Drive and Noosa Parade. Buy advance tickets from Avis rent a car opposite the bus stop. Suncoast Pacific run frequent bus servives to Brisbane $19. Greyhound Pioneer and McCafferty’s run to Brisbane once a day each. The trip takes three hours. 
     


    Getting Around 

    Tewantin Bus Company runs local services and frequent services down the Sunshine Coast. 
     

    .
    Glass House Mountains 

    Lush forests with wierdl rocky pillars protruding up which are popular for hiking to the top. Each is about 4 to 6 hours to the summit and down. Scenic drives with spectacular views are in the area, especially from higher in the mountains.

    .
    Nambour (population 23 000) 

    6km south of town is the very popular Big Pineapple. All tourists passing through stop. Here there is a big fibreglass pinapple you can climb, train through the pinapple plantation and rainforest, tractor train through a macadamia nut orchard, boat through a hydroponics greenhouse, huge souvenior shop and eatery selling the most delicious tropical icecream parfaits! Eat on the wide shady verandahs overlooking the pineapple plantation.

    Big Pineapple 
    Picture: Big Pineapple
     
    .
    Where to Go Next 

    Hervey Bay and unique Fraser Island to the north. 

    Travel north to Cairns 
    The Bruce Hwy north passes near Hervey Bay, Fraser Island, the Great Barrier Reef to Cairns. Beyond is the remote Cape York Peninsula

    Brisbane and the Gold Coast surf party mecca are to the south.

    Copyright (c) 2000 Graham Warren.
    Backpackers Guide to Australia (TM) is a trademark.
     
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