Noosa is a paradise for family holidays, with a laidback way of life and long, slow beach days on the horizon. But Noosa is also a haven for outdoor adventure and eco wilderness experiences, and with some of the best adventure providers in the business, there is a world of incredible and unique experiences for families that will keep even the most city-bound kids entertained while on holidays in Noosa.
Read on for our guide to unique Noosa adventures, for the best ways to entertain kids and teenagers while on holiday in Noosa.
Stay
Home to an array of family-friendly accommodation options, it will be narrowing down your Noosa accommodation choices that is tricky! We're here to help, with a selection of the best Noosa hotels and resorts, all designed with families in mind.
RACV Noosa Resort
RACV Noosa Resort is a family haven in central Noosa with spacious villa-style rooms, a giant lagoon swimming pool with a maze of twisty water slides and colourful splash park, and a little shuttle bus to transport you around town. The on-site restaurant will satisfy even the pickiest eaters and the kids club takes little guests (between 4 -14 years) during the adult-pleasing hours of 4:30 – 8:30pm each evening (hello kid-free dinners).
Ivory Palms Resort
Ivory Palms Resort is a sprawling budget-friendly Noosa accommodation option, with comfortable family-sized villas, close to the foreshore in Noosaville. Designed with families in mind, it’s hard to beat this spot for the little and big members of the family; with spacious grounds for little ones to roam, tennis courts, three different swimming pools, outdoor BBQ areas, games room, a giant jumping pillow and a wood-fired pizza restaurant- your kids will hardly want to leave.
Get back to nature
There’s no better place for little nature lovers than the spectacular Noosa National Park. The trails are dotted with walkers, runners and surfers heading for the coves in the mornings and become filled with beachgoers and serious hikers as the day unfolds. Walk the boardwalk from Main Beach all the way to National Park Headquarters, where kids can soak up some local history. A read of the timber information boards will enlighten little minds on local wildlife and indigenous history, and they can even sit in a Kabi Kabi yarning circle. There is a small café for supplies and emergency milkshakes, and a public toilet block close by. As you head into the trails, hug the rocky slopes of the coastal track, and look for whales from the Boiling Pot Lookout, before dropping down to Tea Tree Bay. With a wide stretch of sand, rock pools for fossicking, shaded spots under the giant tea trees and a beloved little break that draws surfers from far and wide, this stunning natural cove is hard to beat (take a board or stand-up paddle if you can). If little legs are able, there is also good dolphin and turtle spotting from the lookouts at Granite Bay and Hell’s Gates. The sealed pathway ends at Granite Bay- so pram access beyond this point gets difficult.
Visit a World Heritage listed site
K’gari Fraser Island is a true natural wonder and sits just within reach of Noosa, in the nearby Great Sandy Biosphere Reserve. A UNESCO protected and World Heritage-listed site, it is the largest natural sand island in the world, with towering kauri pine forests, spectacular freshwater dune lakes and swathes of tall sand-grown rainforest; and it can all be explored from your Noosa base with local tour company Fraser Explorer Tours. There is a one-day tour on offer, but if you have time to spare, they also offer longer tours of between two and five days, which give you a true insight into the depth of wilderness experiences on offer; there really is no limit to how much there is to see on this incredible island. Bucket-list worthy in every way, this is an adventure opportunity not to be missed while on holiday in Noosa.
Explore the Noosa Everglades
Did you know, Noosa is home to one of only two everglades systems in the world? This little-known jewel is just a hop from the bustle of Noosa Heads and as one of Australia’s most diverse eco-systems, boasts over 40 per cent of the country’s bird species. It is also the only everglades system in which you can safely swim (without threat of alligators!) Known as the River of Mirrors, this is a true wilderness experience, and can be explored by kayak or boat from the Noosa River. Local sustainable tour company, Kanu Kapers, offers guided and self-guided kayak tours of the everglades, with kayaks and safety gear that are suitable for small children.
Head for the hills (The Noosa Hills Par 3)
The Noosa country is the stunning backdrop to the entire Noosa region, with quaint rural towns offering a slower way of life and picturesque hinterland scenery. The Noosa Hills Par 3 Golf Course is a welcoming little place at the border of Noosaville and Doonan, with epic views over Noosa from their perfectly manicured greens and a policy of welcoming golfers of all ages and skill levels at their challenging yet fun par 3 course. With a relaxed dress code and accessible green fees, you can plan to spend a morning or an entire day of your holiday here, depending on your love for the game, and round out your green time with a cold one in the outdoor beer garden, or linger over lunch in the newly updated clubhouse.
