5 Great Day Trips from Noosa You Should Take

Best Day Trips from Noosa

 

If you’re lucky enough to be visiting the beautiful coastal town of Noosa in Australia, then this post is for you!

As one of the country’s most coveted holiday spots, Noosa boasts sun, sea, sand and surf all year round.

However, there’s also a huge amount of stuff going on besides the beach, that you’d be crazy to miss out on.

Having lived in Noosa for a year, I definitely know a thing or 2 about the best things to do and see in this part of the world.

This list of 5 great day trips from Noosa you should take, has been written just for that purpose – to get you out and about, discovering and exploring some of the other things this wonderful part of southeast Queensland has to offer.

Perfect for shoestring travellers, day trips are a cheap way of seeing more of an area without having to incur additional accommodation costs.

With many in this list being easily accessible by car or bus, there really is no excuse not to see a little more of what the Sunshine Coast has to offer whatever what your budget.

So here we are …

 

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#1 Explore Fraser Island

Fraser Island

One of Queensland most popular and famous National Parks, Fraser Island is the world’s largest sandbar and probably its most stunning too.

Filled full of colourful lakes, rainforest trails, natural jacuzzis and lazy-rivers, it’s essentially a massive adventure park for adults.

Photo opportunities abound here with the island’s picturesque setting and its incredible array of wildlife including dolphins, whales, turtles and some of Australia’s last remaining pure dingo populations.

Find out more by checking out the post about my camping adventure on Fraser Island and see why I still maintain this is one of my favourite places in the whole of Australia!

One of the best ways to see Fraser Island is to drive your own 4wd there and stay overnight either by booking camping through Queensland National Parks or enjoying a bit of luxury and booking a night or two in one of the Fraser Island resorts.

 

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#2 Hike the Glass House Mountains

Glass House Mountains Lookout

Situated about an hour south of Noosa, the Glass House Mountains are a collection of small peaks that jut abruptly up into the sky, seemingly from nowhere.

It is possible to climb to the top of a few of the summits, from where you will be rewarded with stunning views of the southern Sunshine Coast and its beaches.

The mountains and immediate surrounding areas are under-protected under National Park status, so facilities are low – make sure you bring sunscreen, water, hat and a camera if you are attempting any climbs!

If you prefer a more sedate viewing, there are also a number of lookout spots that you can drive to and enjoy the vistas of the mountains without really having to leave the comfort of your vehicle.

You can get more information about which peaks you are able to climb, as well as directions to the various lookouts, from the friendly folk at the Tourist Office in the Glass House Mountains township.

This is also a great little village to stop at and enjoy a coffee or a picnic lunch.

The Glass House Mountains are a little spread out, which probably means it’s best to drive between the various peaks and lookouts. I recommend hiring a car, as this will give you the flexibility to determine your own itinerary and route of exploration.

 

5 ESSENTIAL PACKING ITEMS FOR AUSTRALIA

#1 Good Camera – You will be pretty much snapping non-stop in Australia and will need a good camera to do this gorgeous country justice. I highly recommend the Sony A6000, which I use for all my travels and love, not least because it’s light, compact and robust!

#2 Good Walking Shoes – There will be a lot of walking in Australia – from cities to national park! Make sure your feet are comfortable therefore with a pair of New Balance Trainers. Perfect for stylish strollling, I love mine

#3 Good Guidebook – I’m still a massive fan of the Lonely Planet Guidebooks and do think their Australia edition is well put together

#4 Good Water Bottle – Travelling in hot old Australia can be thirsty work, so make sure you have a metal water bottle that you can refill as you go, because tap water is drinkable… and free!

#5 Good Sun Hat – And there’s no denying you’ll need a good sun hat for protection in Australia too. In my opinion you can’t go past this Hello Sunshine one, which is both gorgeous and ideal for keeping the rays off your face.

 

#3 Scuba Dive at Mooloolaba

Mooloolaba

One of Australia’s top 10 dives can be found right in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, making it an easy and super day trip from Noosa. The

The ex-HMS Brisbane has been sunk off the coast of Mooloolaba and can easily be experienced as part of a one-day, two-dive package of the wreck. Check out Scuba World for more details.

If you’re feeling more sedate, but still keen for some underwater adventure, then look no further than Underwater World Sea Life, also in Mooloolaba.

Great for kids, this super attraction boasts some great conservation research credentials and hosts 14 talks / presentations every day, which shed light on the seals, fish, molluscs, jellyfish, otters and rays of Australia’s oceans.

 

#4 Lunch in Maleny

Kondalilla Falls

My favourite hinterland town, Maleny, sits up in the hills behind Noosa.

It’s around a 45 minute drive to get here, but is well worth it thanks to the stunning views as you make your way up the range.

Maleny boasts a fabulous array of eating possibilities for lunch with lots of little cafes dotted around town.

There is also a fabulous health store, the Maple Street Co-op, to check out and the wonderful Maleny Bookshop that you can easily spend a few hours in.

A number of artisan food produces also inhabit this town and its surrounding areas, making Maleny a real foodie hotspot.

Maleny Dairies are one of the most popular to visit and you are able to take a tour of the farm, as well enjoy some of the great ice cream they produce.

Maleny Mountain Winery is another great place to stop off, learn about the vineyard and taste some superb local wines.

Why not make a whole day of your trip to Maleny and stop by the nearby Kondalilla Waterfall as well.

Well-marked trails make this a nice place to burn off a bit of lunch and your efforts can be rewarded with a refreshing dunk in the pools of the falls at the end.

It really is one of the best day trips from Noosa.

 

#5 Visit Australia Zoo

Me at Australia Zoo

Australia Zoo, the Sunshine Coast’s most visited attraction, is Steve Irwin’s (aka the Crocodile Hunter’s) lasting legacy.

A great family day out, the place has a fantastic conservation foundation to its work and is an educational experience made fun.

Get up close with an array of Australian animals, watch them feeding and learn more about them in series of daily talks – there is an endless amount of activities here that can easily fill a day trip.

Check out my post when is a zoo not a zoo? to learn more about the ecological work Australia Zoo does and to read about the day trip from Noosa I took there.

Buy your tickets for Australia Zoo here.

 

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So that’s my list of the 5 great day trips from Noosa you should take.

Do you have any other suggestions?

Please let me know in the comments box below…

 

4 thoughts on “5 Great Day Trips from Noosa You Should Take

    • Steph says:

      Hi Eloise, great to hear you’re a fan of Noosa too and yes, kayaking in the beautiful everglades is a lovely day trip. We highly recommend the dive, hope you get to enjoy it sometime soon! 🙂

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