Noosa’s kaleidoscope of colours, landscapes, textures and relaxed spaces inspires a dynamic community of artists and performers whose work is showcased in galleries, studios, bars, shops, markets, laneways, parks and events across the region.
See creations by well known and emerging painters, photographers, sculptors, jewellery and furniture designers, glass blowers, printers, ceramicists, wood and metal workers, textile and print makers and others. Meet the makers or join a masterclass or workshop – learn something new and take home a unique memento of Noosa. And our live music scene has something for all tastes.
Take a seat and take in some wonderful live music, theatre, comedy, dance and magic from Noosa’s own talented locals and national touring performers. Noosa’s premier entertainment venue, The J, in Noosa Junction, has a year-round program of top performances; the intimate Noosa Arts Theatre in Noosaville will amaze you with the high quality of plays and pantomimes; and local community theatre groups present vibrant and spirited shows for all ages. There’s even a venue at the Greek-style amphitheatre on the shores of Lake Macdonald in the Noosa Botanic Gardens!
Hear live music almost every night of the week in Noosa’s restaurants and bars, with music from jazz to tribal, and country to hip-hop – you can even step up to the mic yourself! Regular concerts bring visiting artists to Noosa alongside our own talented musicians.
See local and touring exhibitions at Noosa’s major public art space, the Noosa Regional Gallery on the riverfront at Tewantin (catch the ferry to Noosa Marina), and the Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre. Other public spaces include Noosa Arts and Crafts Association in Noosaville and Pomona Railway Station Gallery. These all feature regularly changing exhibitions and beautiful handcrafted gifts at their artisan stores.
Also visit private art studios and retail showrooms dotted throughout the Noosa region – from Hastings Street to country towns and private sculpture gardens where you can meet artists in their studios and see their creations.
The historic Noosa Museum in Pomona, just 25 minutes from Noosa Heads, houses an impressive collection of items from Noosa’s past. Find out about Noosa’s indigenous Kabi Kabi people at the Gubbi Gubbi Keeping Place and tranquil Island of Reconciliation.
Step back in time at the beautifully restored Majestic Theatre in Pomona, originally built in 1921 and now the world’s oldest continuously running silent movie theatre! The Discover Eumundi Heritage and Visitor Centre, originally built in 1911, has a significant collection from the town’s indigenous and early pioneer days, and houses the Wan'din'in Arts Space (‘a gathering of people’ in the indigenous Kabi Kabi language) with its arts and heritage exhibitions.
Festivals bring national and international artists to Noosa, performing and exhibiting alongside Noosa’s own talent at special events. NOOSA Alive! has a program of theatre, literature, music, dance, visual arts, cuisine and thought-provoking forums. The Noosa Open Studios Art Trail is a unique chance to meet artists in their studios once a year, while the Australian Body Art Festival brings local and national body artists to the hinterland town of Cooroy. The biennial Floating Land event celebrates our connection to the environment, while the Horizon Festival is a celebration of the arts on the Sunshine Coast.
OUR TIP: Catch the Noosa Ferry from Noosa Heads or Noosaville to Noosa Marina and enjoy a short stroll along the river to the Noosa Regional Gallery.