Picturesque views, paddock-to-plate goodness and plenty to see – enjoy a scenic escape to Noosa Hinterland
Winding around Doonan all the way to Eumundi and traversing out to Pomona, Cooran and Kin Kin, Noosa Hinterland is the pot of gold behind Noosa Heads’ rainbow. Charming towns, farm-to-plate goodness and some top-notch nature experiences are just waiting to be discovered at this scenic escape. So that all you have to do is pack your bags and fill up on petrol, we have curated a list of must-visit local gems and must-do activities for your Noosa Hinterland trip including craft brewery tours, strawberry-picking experiences, farm-fresh feasts and luxe glamping spots.
Enjoy a beer and some bites with breathtaking views
Start your roadtrip into Noosa Hinterland on the right note – by exploring the unique natural wonders of the Noosa Everglades, Lake Cootharaba and the National Park walking trails. After you’ve worked up a sweat, treat yourself to an ice-cold beer and some culinary delights at the nearby CootharaBAR & Bistro. Nestled amongst the tranquil surrounds of Habitat Noosa Everglades Ecocamp,CootharaBAR & Bistro boasts serene views that extend across the lush lawns and roll down towards the lake. You can take it all in whilst tucking into a menu of bites made from fresh local ingredients such as flash-fried salt-and-pepper calamari, wild mushroom potato gnocchi with herbed ricotta and spinach, and roast pumpkin falafels topped with green tahini and toasted pepitas.
Have your pick of the bunch
Make a pit-stop at Cooloola Berries where you can take a hands-on approach to the farm-to-plate experience. Grab a basket and take your pick of fresh strawberries from the field or buy from the farm gate if you’re in a hurry. If you do have time to spare, stop in at the farm cafe and taste test a few locally inspired picks from the delicious menu. There are mouth-watering macadamia pancakes topped with salted-caramel sauce and ice-cream (yes, please), a local cheese board with seasonal fruits, a farmers’ breakfast packed with locally sourced sausage, bacon, poached eggs and haloumi, and much more. If you’re feeling thirsty, be sure to wash down your meal with a refreshing Cooloola Berries lemonade.
Indulge in paddock-to-plate goodness
After some more free-range food to snack on? The quaint Noosa country town of Kin Kin (about 40 minutes from Noosa Heads), is home to Kin Kin General Store, a restaurant and shop full to the brim with farm-fresh produce and home to Black Ant Gourmet, a family-run catering business that knows how to cook up a storm. Relax on the wrap-around verandah and tuck into an ethically farmed and sourced menu of eats from chef Jodie Williams and her team, or grab an organic coffee to go if you want to continue sightseeing!
Spend the weekend in style
If you’re searching for somewhere to rest your weary head, look no further than Alaya Verde Luxury Nature Bed & Breakfast. A short 15-minute drive from Noosa (so you can still pop down for a quick ocean dip), this luxe B&B has everything you need and more – lavish rooms with patios overlooking the property’s picturesque grounds, a huge lap pool, a cozy woodfire, breakfast that can be delivered to your bed, a three-course dinner experience and a whole heap of lavish wellness facilities to take advantage of. We think you deserve to holiday in style.
Get into the spirit of things
Get to know Noosa Hinterland and its green rolling hills in arguably the best way – a local booze tour. The Noosa Drinks tour will take you to a local winery, distillery and craft brewery, as well as behind the scenes of the small towns in the Noosa Hinterland to meet the makers and sample a range of drinks to suit everyone’s tastes. After taking off at Noosa, the tour drives a scenic route north to Dingo Creek Vineyard, where you can sip on wine and snack on a local cheese platter. Then it’s off to the quaint town of Pomona to visit small-batch boutique distillery Pomona Distilling Co. This rustic-yet-cosy venue is a perfect place to continue tipple tasting with your choice of gin, wine or beer whilst you indulge in a tantalising feast of Asian-inspired eats – think beef-brisket bao, crispy duck pancakes and Thai beef salad. You’ll finish off the trip in Cooroy, which is home to one of the smallest breweries on the Sunshine Coast, Copperhead Brewery. It’s at this elegant hinterland destination where you’ll sample from a tasting paddle of its unique range of beers and take a look at its micro-brewery, before finishing up with a drive back to the coastline.
Return to nature
For those who are seeking adventure, there’s nothing quite like a climb up Mount Cooroora at the edge of the hinterland village of Pomona. Lots of stairs will test your stamina but trust us, the view from the top is well worth the challenge. If cycling is more your thing, lace up your trainers and explore the hinterland roads and trails on two wheels. Explore the Noosa Trail Network, 100 km of out-of-this-world cross-country trails winding through country villages, mountain lookouts and national parks, as well as pubs and breweries along the way (when you feel like a cheeky cheers to your efforts). If you’re eager to ride your way through the hinterland, peep the Noosa Cycling and Walking Map for inspiration
Glamp it up
If you really want to experience Noosa’s gorgeous natural landscape first-hand (with the added bonus of world-class facilities), try out glamping instead! Noosa Tablelands Escape is a couples-only glamping site nestled on 20 acres of natural bushland 300 m above sea level in the Noosa Hinterland. With glorious views of the countryside from your eco-tent, you can relax on your private viewing deck above the clouds or have a soak (with a glass of bubbles, of course) in your free-standing bath while you watch the sun set. To get your steps up, take a long walk through nearby Woondum National Park. If you want to rest your legs, go kayaking at the nearby Lake Cootharaba or test your driving skills with a quad bike tour to the Mothar Mountain rock pools – now that’s something to tick off your bucket list.
