PLACES TO STAY
Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort
If you’d like to relax in total luxury, have not a care in the world and be right in centre of everything Noosa has to offer, then Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort (pictured) is the place for you.
Located on Hastings Street, you can’t get anymore central than this. Walk straight out the hotel doors onto Hastings Street, and the Main Beach beyond. However, if you never wanted to leave the five-star French-inspired resort, relaxing under the poolside cabanas with your own personal butler is a delightful way to spend the day.
“Waternest” Floating Home
For a truly unique honeymoon experience, tuck yourselves away in a little love nest on the water. Waternest will be your very own houseboat for your honeymoon! I feel like staying on a houseboat should be a bucket list item.
Waternest is docked to its own private jetty on the Noosa River within walking distance of restaurants, cafes, and parks. There are barbecues in the park nearby as well as a kitchen on board, so cooking up a feast for two is easy. Although, if you’re anything like me on holiday, you’ll live on platters at sunset overlooking the river and take advantage of the incredible local dining options.
Tiny House
If you’ve ever been curious what it would be like to reside in a Tiny House, this cute little bungalow will give you a good taste of the tiny home life.
The tiny home is charming and has absolutely everything you could need, only on a smaller scale. You and your new husband or wife will feel nothing if not cosy as you embark on your married life together. As you scale the ladder to your bedroom, you’ll get some distinct cubby house vibes!
Noosa Springs Golf Resort & Spa
Tucked just slightly out of the way, yet still convenient to Noosa’s highlights, is Noosa Springs Golf Resort & Spa. The resort boasts a championship golf course, award-winning spa, first class dining and spacious self-contained accommodation.
A stone’s throw from Noosaville, as well as Sunshine Beach and Marcus Beach, Noosa Springs Golf Resort & Spa is ideally located.
WHERE TO EAT
Noosa Waterfront Restaurant & Bar
There’s very good reason why Noosa Waterfront Restaurant & Bar (pictured) has such a strong reputation with both locals and regular holiday makers. The chefs focus on fresh seasonal produce, and the location and ambience together create an elegantly casual dining experience.
Something I love to do when the restaurant offers it is a degustation, especially when you know quality is guaranteed. I love sitting back and allowing the chefs to send out the dishes they do best.
Noosa Boathouse
You could head to Noosa Boathouse every day of your honeymoon as never repeat the same dining experience. Along with the main lunch and dinner menu, the restaurant offers their “feast” menu, but they also have a bar dining option, the cutest little fish & chip shop you ever did see, and a cafe.
Aside from great food, it’s the location you come here for. Sit in the comfort of the dining room with the best view of the Noosa River, or grab your takeaway and sit on the beach watching the pelicans at sunset.
Noosa Beach House Peter Kuruvita
Acclaimed chef Peter Kuruvita takes inspiration from his travels and heritage in creating his modern cuisine. His signature Sri Lankan fish is a must-order.
Located on Hastings Street, Noosa Beach House Peter Kuruvita is part of the Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, but open and accessible to the public.
Sum Yung Guys
Make sure you make a booking well in advance, as Sum Yung Guys is an extremely sought-after dining experience. Both the food and the dining room are an expression of the local owners’ passion for Asian cuisine and culture.
Mooshka
Come Sunday afternoon, you’ll be just about ready for some chill vibes. Mooshka in Sunshine Beach is where many locals congregate to have a chat and a few drinks with their share plates. Theirs is an affordable and tasty menu, and between you and me, the friendly bar staff make a mean Lychee Martini.
Betty’s Burgers & Concrete Co.
After a morning at the beach, tucking into Betty’s Burgers is seriously satisfying. Although it’s a burger joint, there are vegan and gluten free options. However, for the meat eaters, you won’t find a juicier, more delicious burger in all the land. Make sure you order the special sauce for your shoestring fries.
Locale
For the Italian food lovers, you can’t go past Locale. A few steps from Noosa Main Beach, it’s both central and a firm favourite with locals, making it a winner in our book.
Open for lunch and dinner, you’ll go for the fresh pasta dishes, and stay for the irresistible desserts and extensive list of cocktails.
THE BEST BARS
Noosa Boathouse
After you’ve enjoyed a delicious dinner in the Noosa Boathouse restaurant, head for the bar where, just quietly, you’ll find a very extensive cocktail list. Bet you five bucks you can’t make your way through the whole thing before your honeymoon is over!
Miss Moneypenny’s
Shaken, stirred, you’ll get the whole kit and caboodle at Miss Moneypenny’s. Renowned for its diverse range of cocktails, the bar is a hotspot for locals and holidaymakers. If you love a long lunch with free-flowing drinks, book in for their bottomless lunch. Choose from two set menus and enjoy cocktails, spritzers, beer and wine in a 2-hour drinks package.
Whisky Boy
I spent the first quarter of this year in the UK, with a couple of stints in Edinburgh. So I’m no stranger to whisky by this stage. As a firm cocktail drinker (don’t know if you could tell by this article thus far?), it was a surprise to me how much I enjoyed a belly-warming whisky.
For newbies like me, or those who have long been convinced on whisky, there’s 75+ whisky on offer at Whisky Boy at any given time, and bottles being added often at every price point.
THINGS TO DO
M.V. Catalina
Set sail for lunch or supper aboard the M.V. Catalina (pictured) – there’s nothing more peaceful (or boujie) than cruising the Noosa River.
Land & Sea Brewery
If you’re a craft beer enthusiast, you have to check out Noosa’s first distillery, Land & Sea Brewery. Book in for a 90-minute tour, or simply head out for lunch to try some local, and might I say highly Instagrammable, Land & Sea brews.
Cocktail Class at Miss Moneypenny’s
They’ve well and truly made a name for themselves as the place to go for cocktails on Hastings Street. Learning from multi-award winning mixologist, Ben Walsh, you’ll take some serious skills into your new married life after your cocktail-making class. Get ready to be the hosts with the most for your next party!
Go Shopping!
Amble along Noosa’s Hastings Street, or go on a mission to find some of the boutiques and creative nooks.
There are a couple of book stores you must check out – Sandy Pages and The River Read, where you can also pick up a good coffee.
Noosa is the birthplace of some of Australia’s best brands in fashion and beauty. Discover local brands, like Lou Lou Australia, Travelling Kimono, Saya Skincare, and Granite Rays.
Head off on a Hike
Noosa National Park is obviously the must-do when you’re in Noosa. However, there are plenty of other sweet spots barely more than a stone’s throw from the heart of Noosa. Mt. Coolum never disappoints with stunning views, while Emu Mountain at Peregian is more of a slightly inclined hill meander if you’re after an easier adventure.
Noosa Everglades
If the moment comes when you’re sick and tired of all the luxury Noosa has to offer… or you just happen to be an outdoorsy couple, who loves adventure, you should absolutely make your way through the Noosa Everglades.
Take off from Boreen Point on a self-guided kayak through the everglades – one of only two everglades ecosystems in the world. Stop along the way for a well-earned break and a bite to eat, then continue on to one of the camping spots and pitch your own tent… or even book a glamping experience back at Habitat Noosa Everglades Eco Camp.
WAYS TO RELAX
The Cabanas
Say bonjour to the the most relaxing fun of your life with Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort‘s Cabanas.
When you hire a Cabana for the day, you don’t only get the French Riviera style luxury space, but service to match. Bookings include a butler service, French still or sparkling water, and a fresh fruit platter.
Your butler will bring you a selection of magazines and an iPad to place your lunch – or cocktails – order… lady’s choice. This has honeymoon written all over it.
Ikatan Day Spa
You may have hoped to jet off to Bali for your honeymoon, so what if I told you there’s a place close to Noosa that will make you feel like you did? Ikatan Day Spa is a balinese-inspired day spa that has all the tranquil vibes and treatments that will have you in a state of ultimate relaxation.
You can even try one of their packages for two to keep the romance top of the agenda for your honeymoon in Noosa.
