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Reasons to Visit Noosa

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Noosa is undoubtedly one of Australia’s favourite youth traveller destinations. With its pristine beaches, iconic surf culture, subtropical climate & world renowned natural environment, Noosa is an adventure lovers playground. If you’re a fan of nature, adventure activities and spectacular landscapes, you can’t go wrong in this laidback wonderland. Be sure to allow enough time to experience all this vibrant and diverse region has to offer because there’s a lot to see and do. Here are just 10 of many very good reasons to visit Noosa!

Why You Should Visit Noosa!

1. The Surfing is excellent

Noosa is world famous for surfing. There’s a very good reason that an international Festival of Surfing is held in Noosa every year and that’s because the waves are perfect for all levels of surfer. Read all about surfing in Noosa!

noosa festival of surfing

2. Noosa National Park is beautiful and one of the best places to spot wild koalas

If you’re an international visitor you’ll probably want to see a koala in the wild. Make sure you head to Noosa National Park and explore the pathways to see if you can spot one. Check the parks information hut near the entrance as they note recent koala sightings on the chalkboard. You’ll also find several viewing spots where you might see dolphins out in the water.

noosa national park
Noosa National Park pathways

3. Noosa was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2007

What does it mean to have been declared a Biosphere Reserve?

Noosa Biosphere Reserve is an internationally protected area covering the region of Noosa in Queensland, Australia. It is formally recognised as a Biosphere Reserve by the United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and Man and the Biosphere (MAB) program for its highly diverse ecosystem over a relatively small space. It was the first Biosphere Reserve for the state of Queensland, established in September 2007.

Noosa Biosphere Reserve is located in the Macpherson-Macleay overlap, where tropical and temperate zones overlap. The landscape has an extensive composition of rainforests, beaches, woodlands, wetlands, lakes, rivers, forests, and mountains. The Noosa region provides an extremely accommodating landscape for both flora and fauna due to its location in the intersection of the Torresian and Bassian biogeographic regions. It is a major centre of species richness” – Wikipedia

4. Rich Ecosystems

Noosa is home to 44% of all Australian bird species – Some of the native Australian birds you could see in and around Noosa include the glossy black cockatoo, the black breasted button quail, the eastern ground parrot, the red goshawk, the swift parrot and coxen’s fig parrot amongst many others. Some of these birds are vulnerable to extinction so the habitat in Noosa is a vital place for them.

35% of Noosa’s land is protected – Because of Noosa’s incredible biodiversity much of the land is protected so that these important ecosystems can’t be damaged. This means, hopefully, that no massive hotels will be built which would spoil the area for everyone and the wildlife.

60 distinct ecosystems are found in Noosa – “An ecosystem is all the plants and animals that live in a particular area together with the complex relationship that exists between them and their environment.” – Collins Dictionary

It’s pretty remarkable that in such a relatively small area that Noosa supports 60 different ecosystems. This is why the area is so good for biodiversity and why it’s protected.

There are 1365 species of plants in Noosa – That’s a lot of plants! When you consider how diverse the landscapes are in Noosa, with rainforests, beaches, woodlands, wetlands, lakes, rivers, forests, and mountains all present, it becomes clear how there are so many.

There are 711 species of native fauna – As well as the birds mentioned above, you could also spot humpback whales, loggerhead turtles, koala’s, tiger quoll, bats and even the endangered dugong in the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.

noosa national park
Birdspotting in Noosa National Park

5. Noosa is one of only two places in the world with an everglades system

Sounds good, but what exactly is an everglade? The definition of an Everglade is: A tract of low, swampy land characterized by tall grass and branching waterways.” – Kanu Kapers

The best way to explore the Noosa Everglades is by kayak, where you can take in the scenery at your own pace peacefully.

kanu kapers noosa everglades
See the Noosa Everglades by Kayak with Kanu Kapers

6. Adventure Junkies Playground

  • See Noosa from above, free falling up to 15,000ft as you skydive, with stunning views over Noosa & the Sunshine Coast.
  • Take to the sky on a scenic helicopter flight over Fraser Island or enjoy the thrill of an ocean jet boat and wave jumping ride.
  • Swim with the whales or wonder at their size and grace from the safety of a boat (in season).
  • Catch dinner on a deep sea game fishing adventure or jet ski, stand-up paddle board, or kite-surf on the calm waters of the Noosa river or over the perfect waves of the bays fringing the Noosa National Park.
  • Kayak through the narrow waterways of the Everglades or out to sea with the dolphins in Laguna Bay.
  • Explore the Noosa Trail Network that offers a multitude of trails for bushwalkers, nature lovers & mountain bike riders.
  • Ride horses along the beach and into the pristine waters of Noosa’s north shore or spot native wildlife while trotting along one of the many hinterland forest tracks.
  • For breathtaking views, hike up one of the many mountains in the region or let gravity do the work and try abseiling instead.
  • Scuba dive on the wreck of the HMAS Brisbane or just go for a swim in the waters of one of the near deserted bays and beaches.

I haven’t even mentioned the world class surf breaks or the fact that Noosa is a gateway to the unique & heritage listed Fraser Island (K’gari). The adventure options in Noosa are endless.

7. Gateway to Fraser Island

One of the absolute must-dos in Australia is a visit to Fraser Island. Head to Nomads Noosa and store your luggage before going on a 2 day or 3 day tour that you’ll never forget. At the end of your trip you’ll be back in Noosa having the best after party with your new friends at the famous KB’s Bar. Find out more about our 2 day, 1 night Fraser Island tour, perfect those who don’t have as much time to explore the island as those who want to do a 3 day, 2 night tour!

fraser island aussie bucketlist
Fraser Island is on everyones Aussie bucketlist

8. Lush Hinterland and Quaint Aussie Towns

Hire yourself a car and explore the local area. Take a short drive, only about 20-30 minutes inland, and explore the rolling hills, lakes and mountains of the stunning Noosa Hinterland. Make sure you stop off in a few of the little towns you’ll stumble across like Cooran, Doonan, Kin Kin, Cooroy, Pomona or Eumundi where you’ll find the famous (and excellent) Eumundi Markets.

9. Vibrant Food & Bar Scene

Noosa is home to a fast-evolving food & bar scene that combines innovative value for money restaurants, energetic bars, cool coffee haunts, waterfront eateries, plus a distillery and a raft of funky new craft breweries. Noosa’s bars & restaurants are in prime locations, providing stunning water, sunset and countryside views. For a lively atmosphere head to where the locals go at Noosa Junction, or Hastings St for a touch of class. Both precincts are within walking distance from each other. Alternatively take a 5 minute Uber ride and enjoy 3 of Queensland’s best craft brewery experiences in Noosaville. For nightlife, Noosa has everything covered from live local music, vibrant & cruisy bars to all night dancing.

10. It’s almost always a sunny day in Noosa

When there’s so much to do and see in Noosa, it’s fortunate that most of the time it’s sunny! Just make sure you wear sunscreen and a hat, especially at the hottest part of the day, and keep yourself hydrated with water.

Spend a week or more in Noosa, you won’t regret it!

Stay at Nomads Noosa Youth Resort, home to Nomads Fraser Island 4×4 tours.

One thought on “Reasons to Visit Noosa

  1. Wonderful blog. I am in love with all these beautiful photographs. Enough reasons to make me visit the place once. Thanks for sharing this informative blog.

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