NOOSA - QUEENSLAND

Noosa is from the Aboriginal word "Noothera" meaning "shaded place". Noosa is a place of natural beauty, a cosmopolitan village of restaurants, shopping boutiques and sidewalk cafes. It is minutes from some of the best of Australia's unspoilt environment: beaches, rainforest. bushland, everglades and lakes - couple that with world class food, at some of Australia's best restaurants, shopping and accommodation - there is nothing like it.

Walk the relaxing coves and beaches of Noosa Heads and Noosa Heads National Park, and enjoy swimming or surfing in the clear  and safe warm waters of Noosa Heads, year round.  Hastings Street is a famous stop for visitors to Noosa Heads and provides excellent world class shopping, restaurants and outdoor cafes with on street dining. Noosa Sound is just around the corner from Noosa Heads and if your in the mood is an easy walk or bicycle ride in the warm sunny weather of Noosa. Visitors love walking the recently constructed boardwalk from Hastings Street to beautiful Noosa Heads National Park. Stroll past peaceful coves, spectacular cliffs and natural heathland to the secluded beaches of Alexandria Bay. Many make a morning or afternoon of it and continue through the Park to Sunshine Beach. The forests and wetlands of the Noosa region provide a natural habitat for a diverse range of native wildlife - koalas, kangaroos, and a huge variety of bird species.

Noosa Sound is great for a family holiday with the Noosa River the focus of the area. Enjoy swimming, sailing, fishing kayaking or take a tour on the Riverboat cruise. There is a great campground for caravans, tents and cabins on the river. Try a peaceful houseboat holiday meandering up the river to Lake Cooroibah and Lake Cootharaba. The Noosa River is a hive of excitement with catamarans, sailboards, jet-skis and "tinnies", whilst the fishing is sensational.

Another destination near Noosa Heads, away from the bustle, is the magnificent Great Sandy National Park (Cooloola Section) which is accessed by four wheel drives from Tewantin. This gem of the coast provides visitors with excellent fishing, surfing, nature experiences, camping and wonderful seascapes. You can visit the coloured sands on Teewah Beach, have a bbq at rainbow bay, or climb to the lighthouse at Double Island point for endless views of the Sunshine Coast coastline. This area of the Noosa region is the perfect getaway for friends and family.

Also close to Noosa Heads is the famous Eumundi Markets. With over 300 stalls offering a range of local produce, including artworks, craft, food, fresh organic fruit and vegetables, rides for the kids and the friendly charm of a country town atmosphere. Inland are the towns of Cooroy, Cooran, Kin Kin, Pomona and Boreen Point. These peaceful hamlets with old-fashioned pubs and marketplaces, are a world away from high-rise jungles, pollution and traffic jams.