Renowned for its stunning landscapes, and luxury waterfront stays dotted along the shorelines, it’s little wonder that Noosa is an iconic, favourite holiday destination for travellers. But beyond the bright sundrenched beaches, and luxe hotels, there is a world of unique stays and foodie delights, that create unparalleled, off-the-beaten-track experiences for intrepid travellers ready to explore the lesser-known gems of Noosa.
From eco-friendly retreats nestled in the rolling hills of the Noosa Hinterland to boutique floating eco villas with unrivalled waterfront views, Noosa provides an eclectic mix of unique stays that cater to conscious travellers. The vibrant and thriving foodie scene that exists throughout the Noosa villages runs in parallel, with local gourmet treasures serving farm-to-table goodness, beachside cafes offering a culinary journey to match the abundant nature of Noosa, and guided tours that do all the hard work for you, so you can sit back and take in the best of the Noosa foodie scene.
Come along on this journey with us, as we uncover some of Noosa’s most unique stays and incredible foodie experiences!
This luxury floating eco villa is the perfect symbol of the harmonious blend of nature and tourism in the Noosa Biosphere Reserve, and is also one of Noosa's most incredible, standout stays. Nestled in a quiet nook of the Noosa River, amidst the lush greenery of the nearby Noosa Woods, Oasis Noosa is more than just a place to stay; it’s an invitation to indulge in luxury while treading lightly on the planet. From the energy-efficient design to the locally sourced materials, and eco-friendly amenities and waste practices, this tiny home on the water is committed to minimising their environmental footprint, without compromising on the quality of your stay. Fall asleep to the gentle sound of the river waters lapping at your doorstep, take the villa’s kayak for a tour around the Noosa River, hop off on the mainland where you’re just a 5-minute walk to Hastings St, and finish the day with a drink in hand, watching the sunset over the river and hinterland, from the deck of your very own, private luxury villa, and you have indulged in one of Noosa’s most bespoke, unique stays.
In the backblocks of Noosaville, the thriving industrial estate is home to a burgeoning scene of local craft breweries and distilleries; among them, Heads of Noosa Brewing Co, which crafts a selection of award-winning ales and lagers and serves the devoted clientele from their taproom. You’ll find the Heads of Noosa Japanese Lager on just about every decent drinks menu in Noosa, and for good reason. The Japanese-style rice-based brew is the brand’s signature lager, which is brewed, fermented, and filtered onsite - the result is a clean, crisp lager that pairs perfectly with Noosa’s balmy climate and the fresh local dishes served up around town. In the taproom, you can choose your beer on tap, and order from a selection of pub-style classics to go along with it. As well as making exceptional beer, these sustainability legends employ a range of environmentally friendly practices in the production of their craft beers, including offsetting carbon using solar power, using a nitrogen generator for carbonisation, recycling through the Containers for Change program, and donating spent grain to feed livestock.
Unique, handcrafted, and sustainable Noosa journeys don’t come much more bespoke or more fabulous than with Joel’s Journeys. Embark on one of Joel’s curated tour experiences in the Noosa region and beyond, and you’ll experience unrivalled passion for eco-travel and discovery, with a selection of curated tours to choose from that go beyond the ordinary and reveal the authentic soul of Noosa. Explore gastronomic delights and world-class foodie destinations, where you can sample true local produce farmed or made with ethically sourced ingredients and eco-friendly practices, or uncover the region’s true hidden gems, where you’ll get off the tourist track and experience Noosa like the locals do. The Secrets of Noosa Tour includes lunch with ocean views, a trip on the quaint Noosa Ferry, and stops at some of the best hidden art, history, and cultural sites in the Noosa region. Or the Noosa Hinterland Tour takes you beyond the well-trodden Noosa sites, into the stunning hinterland, where you will experience a gourmet lunch in the historical township of Pomona, a visit to the largest lake system in the Noosa Everglades, mead tasting at the hinterland Meadery, and a scenic drive through the Kin Kin ranges, before you explore this cute hinterland town and shop for arts, crafts, and locally-farmed goods.
Beyond Noosa, but just within reach, Lady Musgrave Experience beckons travellers to venture north, and explore the immense wonders of the Great Barrier Reef, in an eco-conscious and responsible way. As a long-timer champion of environmentally friendly tourism, the award-winning excursions with Lady Musgrave Experience take you off the beaten track, on an adventure into the pristine beauty of Lady Musgrave Island and the surrounding reef. With low-impact tourism practices, and educational initiatives that help raise awareness about the fragility of the marine ecosystems in the region, choosing Lady Musgrave Experience means you are not only embarking on a unique adventure, but also contributing to the preservation of this marine wonderland. Dive into the turquoise waters, witness incredible coral formations, and encounter diverse marine life when you take this sustainable voyage, where adventure and conservation coexist harmoniously. If you’re a certified scuba diver looking for a truly unique weekend stay, hop aboard the purpose-built vessel Underworld for three days of remote diving. After the idyllic days spent exploring the reefs, retreat to the Lady Musgrave ‘sleep on the reef’ luxury pontoon accommodation, nestled in the calm waters of Lady Musgrave Lagoon. Here, you’ll indulge in a three-course dinner with incredible views, followed by a night of deep sleep in the underwater observatory or private glamping bed, and experience one of Queensland’s most unique eco stays.
