Get involved in the 40th-anniversary celebration of the iconic Noosa Triathlon - the largest Olympic distance triathlon in the world - with our guide to the very best of the Noosa Triathlon Festival 2023!
This year, the Noosa Triathlon roars into town for the celebration of the 40th edition of this world-class event. What started as a club-level race all the way back in 1983 with just 180 participants, has grown wildly over the years to become the largest triathlon of its kind in the world, and one of the most beloved among competitors and spectators. While 'Triathlon Sunday' is the pinnacle in the five-day long festival of events, there is an incredible line-up of fun participation events across the week to get involved with, no matter your age or fitness level. Or schedule some time to spectate from the beach or roadside, and soak up the electric energy and buzzing festival atmosphere that takes over the town of Noosa during Tri Week.
It's the place to be this November!
Read more about the 40-year history of the Noosa Triathlon.
Take your pick from the line-up of fantastic events to enjoy as a competitor or spectator, including:
Take the free event shuttle bus, operating across the festival weekend from Friday until Sunday. There's free parking available at the hop-on point at the Noosa Junction bus interchange, and you will be delivered to and from the bottom of Noosa Hill at Noosa Drive (adjacent to Avis). Or hop on the Noosa Ferry, with extra services operating all week, and special early morning race-day transfers available on triathlon Sunday, leaving from Pelican Boat Hire along the Noosa River Foreshore (pre-booking required).
Although the marquee event is Sunday's Garmin Noosa Triathlon, exceptional spectating can be experienced during the 'Super Saturday' afternoon line-up of world-class events. Cycling events in Australia don't get much more exciting than the Australian Open Criterium, which attracts a top field of domestic cycling talent and a handful of WorldTour-level European pros in the men's and women's super fast hotdog-course races. The criterium is bookended by the ASICS Noosa Bolt, an exciting 5km multi-lap race that attracts some of Australia's best middle-distance runners, and the Legends Tri, which pits an array of ex-professional athletes from varied sports against each other in a hotly contested short-format relay tri. Saturday 4 November.
Across the festival weekend, discover some of the best sporting brands and equipment at the festival expo, set up in the festival village at the Noosa Woods. Take a stroll around the expo tents of over 50 exhibitors, and pick up some last-minute tri essentials like bike equipment, racewear, and nutrition. The expo opens from 9am Friday, until 5pm on Saturday.
One of the festival's most beloved events is also one of the most fun to get involved with as a participant, or a spectator! Dress in your best pink attire and raise money for breast cancer research and The McGrath Foundation at the ASICS Noosa Breakfast Fun Run - also known simply as The Pink Run! It's a leisurely 5km loop along the Noosa boardwalk to the National Park headquarters, looping back to the Noosa Spit, and finishing with some sand running (or walking) along Noosa Main Beach to the Surf Club finish line. You can enter here, or arrive early and enter on the day. Friday 3 November.
Up-level your tri experience and spectating with the Noosa Tri app, and have event info like the event schedule, interactive course maps, personal athlete tracker, and timing results at your fingertips! This is your guide for everything event-related and will help ensure you know where you need to be when and have a fantastic weekend to remember! Apple: go to your App Store and search Noosa Triathlon / Android: go to your Google Play Store and search NoosaTriathlon.
If you plan on getting a good spot to watch the colourful spectacle of the triathlon roll by or catch a glimpse of your loved ones racing on Sunday, you'll want to get organised in advance. Road closures and large crowds can make movement difficult, so check out the course maps to find your ideal spectating spot, and plan your transport in advance. Noosa Parade offers some of the best spectating vantage points, where you can find a roadside spot to watch both the cycling and running legs, and head to Noosa Main Beach early to see the swim leg. If you're located in the Noosa Hinterland, take advantage of the thinner crowds to check out the exciting racing along the cycling course, as competitors tackle 'Garmin Hill' - also known as the old Noosa Range Road.
The Noosa Triathlon is a sustainable event, as supported by Tourism Noosa. In 2021 alone, over 89.5% of waste created at the event was redirected from landfill, 120,000 compostable cups were used, and $1 from every participant was donated to Trees for Tourism, to plant new tree forests in the Noosa Hinterland. Read more here.
Some park and road closures are in place in order for the Noosa Triathlon to take place. For all road conditions and closures, please check the Noosa Triathlon information page. Patience and understanding are urged for motorists throughout the region during the Noosa Triathlon and consider leaving your car at home and taking public transport where possible.
