Gold Coast Travel: Getting a new angle on Noosa

BY looking a little further afield for your next Noosa break, you could discover a whole new playground.

A view from Noosa Shores Resort.

LIKE many Aussies, I’ve got my share of sun-soaked Noosa memories.

Most of them centre around Hastings Street — racing the sun to devour an ice cream on the beachfront boardwalk, floating between the flags at Main Beach and watching the dolphins from a private perch at Little Cove.

But there’s another side of Noosa that should be on your radar.

Within a short stroll of the tourism epicentre, Noosaville is where the locals prefer to play — and there are plenty of reasons to make it the focus of your next holiday memory.

Not only is there more to explore, luxury waterfront accommodation is available at a fraction of the price of its beachfront equivalent.

Noosa Shores Resort.

That means you can stay twice as long — and you can spend most of that time in swimwear.

It’s all about the water at the close-as-it-gets Noosa Shores Resort.

The self-contained apartments boast priceless views of the Noosa Sound inlet and they’re spacious enough for families.

Perch your chin on the heated pool and watch yachts sail by, or get out among them on one of the free kayaks.

There are myriad ways to explore the endless aquatic expanse.

While you could sit back and enjoy one of the Noosa Ferry’s regular voyages, you will have to lift a finger — but only one — to try the latest mode of transport.

Noosa beach.

Jetty 17 Boat and Kayak Hire is the exclusive Australian hire service for a particularly decadent breed of funcat — a chaise-style lounge fitted with Esky and cupholders powered by duel electric engines.

From the recline position, rookie sailors can take advantage of the fingertip steering to manoeuvre the sheltered waters.

We overtake paddleboarders to explore islands seething with soldier crabs and sandbars staffed by seabirds, occasionally abandoning the sunbake setting for a cooling dip.

The water is so clear.

If you prefer to keep your feet dry, jump on-board one of Malu Os electric bikes for a power-pedal tour of the waterfront.

When you need to refuel, take your pick of pandanus-shaded picnic spots or choose from a smorgasbord of eateries.

Noosa’s famous food culture continues in Noosaville’s eat streets, Gympie Terrace and Thomas Street.

Thomas Corner Eatery for Gold Coast Eye Noosa travel story

Thomas Corner Eatery, the home of acclaimed chef David Rayner, captures the essence of laid-back luxury.

Set yourself up on the breezy terrace with a crisp wine and plate of local figs and watch the world go by.

While Noosaville days have a habit of melting away, you can set your schedule by the sunset.

The colourful skies are extra impressive against the region’s distinctive mountain backdrop.

You’ll find a setting devoted to the spectacle on the top deck of the Noosa Boathouse.

Pull up a bar stool at the fairylight-wrapped Sunset Bar, where a wall of windows captures the sun as it sinks into the water.

It’s a panorama best appreciated with an Aperol spritz (or Dark & Stormy) in hand.

STAY

Noosa Shores Resort, 86-88 Noosa Parade, Noosa Heads, noosashores.com.au

PLAY

Jetty 17 Boat and Kayak Hire, 248 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, jetty17.com.au

Electric bike hire at Malu Os, 172 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, malu-os.com.au

SAVOUR

Thomas Corner Eatery, Corner of Thomas Street and Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, thomascorner.com.au

The Sunset Bar at Noosa Boathouse, 195 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, noosaboathouse.com.au

The food plan

Sirocco at Noosaville

BREAKFAST

Noosaville’s dawn brigade are up and at ‘em early and you can’t blame them — they’ve got one of the country’s best breakfast restaurants in their midst.

Sirocco picked up the honour at the Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence.

It’s the kind of spot where you’ll find locals congregating for a chat and one of the stout Ethiopian brews, papers spread on the table as they ease into the day.

Sip watermelon juice infused with rosewater and mint while lapping up the pandanus-filtered view of the Noosa River.

The morning menu covers classics with an exotic edge — eggs benedict drizzled with a house-made tahini and yoghurt sauce, or vanilla waffles swimming in dark cherry compote.

You’ll probably be back for lunch. And dinner.

Sirocco: 2/257 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, sirocconoosa.com.au

Fare at Noosa Waterfront Restaurant.

LUNCH

Tucked away at the end of Gympie Terrace, Noosa Waterfront Restaurant rewards those who explore a little further afield.

Duck through a shady grotto of Moreton Bay fig trees to discover a private paradise for foodies that’s tailor made for long, luxurious lunches.

White-clothed tables line the restaurant’s open front, capturing canvas-worthy views across the canal to an arched bridge framing parklands.

Noosa Waterfront Restaurant.

Sophisticated plating and local produce bring a modern appeal to soul-satisfying Italian flavour.

Imagine Queensland blue swimmer crab ravioli swimming in a delicate butter sauce, or the smoothest of fresh cream buffalo mozzarellas with prosciutto and lush grilled peaches.

Noosa Waterfront Restaurant: 42 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, noosawaterfrontrestaurant.com.au

Fare at Noosa Boathouse.

DINNER

Noosa Boathouse’s second-storey sunset bar serves up more than its fair share of pinch-me moments, but prepare for round two if you’ve got a table booked downstairs.

Jutting out over the Noosa River, we’re led to a romantic candlelit table wrapped by glass.

Lulled by the lap of water, we’re close enough to catch the silvery flash of fish in the spot-lit river.

Noosa Boathouse fare for Gold Coast Eye Noosa travel story

While the towering seafood platters are in theme, my tip is to splash out on the shared feast.

And they really mean feast — prosciutto-wrapped local figs with clouds of goat’s curd; chilled Moreton Bay bugs with grapefruit and salmon pearls; oyster mushroom gnocchi; grilled barra with a zesty green mango Asian salad; Nolan’s Private Selection sirloin; and banana, chocolate and walnut cake with a generous scoop of salted caramel ice cream.

It’s top-notch produce with expert treatment, but we’re told the chef is a country boy and can’t be convinced to cut back on his serving sizes

It makes for surprisingly good value, especially considering the unparalleled setting.

Noosa Boathouse: 195 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, noosaboathouse.com.au

Leilani Ashford practices her gymnast moves at Noosaville as the Noosa River does its best Whitsundays impersonation. Photo Lachie Millard

BUBBLE

If you’re in town May 18-21, make sure you sample the Noosa Food and Wine Festival. Highlights include a sand-between-the-toes French feast on the beach with Ian Curley and the Hastings Street Long Table Lunch. Details at noosafoodandwine.com.au

The writer was a guest of Noosa Tourism. visitnoosa.com.au