In the idyllic beachside haven of Noosa, where bright blue waters meet the lush greens of the surrounding National Park and bushlands, a silent revolution is underway. Beyond the beloved sun-soaked beaches, and the world of luxury stays, the community is embracing responsible tourism, and inviting travellers to form a more harmonious connection with the town’s iconic natural surrounds.
As well as the groundswell of community support for environmentally friendly tourism, a change is in the air with tourists and travellers alike. In a world where every footprint counts, travellers are increasingly looking for ways to minimise their environmental impact while on holiday, and even give back to the community they are visiting. With the growing number of eco-minded sustainable sanctuaries in Noosa, that champion the benefits of responsible hospitality, there is now more choice than ever for discerning travellers searching for tangible ways to travel responsibly.
Come along with us on a journey through the heart of the region, as we discover the eco-conscious gems that are breathing life into the idea of regenerative travel and redefining the meaning of responsible tourism in Noosa!
Perched in an idyllic nook overlooking a quiet bend of the Noosa River, Lucio’s Marina is the second-generation iteration of the famed Sydney restaurant Lucio’s. Now operated by the original owner’s son, Matteo, the space has the breezy feel of a chic Mediterranean dining destination, and serves afternoon aperitivo from the waterfront River Lounge, as well as interesting Northern Italian-inspired, seafood-centric dishes in the beautiful interior restaurant space, which boasts river views from every nook. Not just a world-class dining destination, Lucio's Marina is also a local champion of sustainable hospitality practices. On the nearby pier adjoining the Marina, a local initiative is quietly regenerating the marine ecosystem, with the Noosa River Oyster Regeneration Project, which creates multiple environmental benefits like building a refuge habitat for fish and invertebrates, improving water clarity and biodiversity, and providing an extra feeding habitat for threatened migratory shorebirds. Lucio’s supports the project by donating the restaurant’s empty oyster shells, which are then used the create new oyster reefs in the riverbeds.
One of the most prominent eco-minded businesses in Noosa, Pottery for the Planet has been leading the way in sustainable hospitality practices for years, from their thriving flagship store located deep in the industrial area of Noosaville. Their stunning, handmade ceramic coffee cups come in all the earthy and vibrant hues of the rainbow and are so popular the team has expanded into new pottery studios to keep up with demand. Beyond the iconic ceramic cups, Pottery for the Planet also make a full range of stunning, handmade tableware from teapots to salad bowls, reusable lunch bowls and sets, and platters. Outside of the workshop, they are also prominent supporters of sustainability around the Noosa region, where they are proudly Plastic Free Noosa champions, and have used their ceramic coffee mugs and cups to set up cute mug libraries in many local cafes across the Noosa villages, to reduce single-use coffee cups and minimise landfill in the region.
One of the best kept secrets in Noosa, the Wooroi Trails that crisscross the forestry deep in the heart of the Tewantin National Park, are some of the most premium mountain biking terrain in Australia, and local mountain biking adventure specialists Spoke N Trail are the perfect people to get you out there exploring. Embark on an adventure through this natural green sanctuary and explore the stunning trails of the Tewantin National Park, with its subtropical rainforest sections, eucalypt forest, and spectacular views over the coastal lowlands and hinterland, in the expanse of forestry that connects the villages of Tewantin and Cooroy. The trails are a mixture of gravel, single track, and forest trails, and Spoke N Trail offer three different guided tour packages, with the option of hiring a mountain bike, e-bike, or bringing along your own bike, for groups of between one and six riders, on an adventure that promises thrilling trails and stunning backdrops. Beyond their expertise in navigating the web of hinterland trails, Spoke N Trail integrate sustainable practices into their mountain biking expeditions, to ensure the adventures leave a minimal footprint on the delicate ecosystems around them, offering a responsible and immersive journey through the pristine forestry of Tewantin.
