Ekka public holiday and Noosa Triathlon to bring large crowds to region after tough 18 months during pandemic
Accommodation prices in Noosa have hit eye-watering highs with the combination of the triathlon and Ekka long weekend pushing the cost of a bed into the thousands.
Sunshine Coast
Don't miss out on the headlines from Sunshine Coast. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Holiday-makers seeking a Noosa escape for the Ekka long weekend should have their eye teeth ready, as accommodation prices skyrocket ahead of the Noosa Triathlon.
The popular Noosa Triathlon is scheduled to go ahead on Sunday, October 31, where thousands of athletes will take to the streets in a bid to be crowned the winner of the weekend’s event.
A single room for two people for two nights in Noosa Heads was set to come at a whack of up to $3000 to the hip pocket this weekend.
Booking.com showed prices currently ranged from $1000-$3000 for a two-night stay.
Rooms at backpacker hotels were priced from $200 to $550 for two nights.
With the triathlon locked in every year, many people already have their accommodation booked in advance but for those still looking for a last-minute deal they might struggle to find one.
The triathlon weekend coincided this year with the rescheduled Ekka public holiday, which was pushed back after south east Queensland was plunged into a snap lockdown in August.
Tourism Noosa CEO Melanie Anderson said visitors looking to enjoy the region this weekend still had time to book accommodation.
“We're excited to welcome the Noosa Tri back this weekend after missing out last year due to Covid restrictions,” Ms Anderson said.
“It’s also Brisbane’s Ekka long weekend and forward bookings for the weekend across the Noosa Shire are at about 73 per cent, which is a little above what we were expecting for the tri two years ago, so that’s great to see.”
Only three Airbnb homes remained available in the heart of Noosa this weekend at the time of publication, with the cheapest costing $1499 for a one-bedroom home for two nights and the most expensive setting you back $3406 for five bedrooms.
Meanwhile, people looking to book their holiday a week later from November 5-7 won’t have to pay anything higher than $1500, according to Booking.com.
Most rooms were selling for anywhere from $600 to $1100 for the two nights in the first weekend of November.
The uptake in bookings was a welcome relief for many accommodation providers who were left financially impacted after the Noosa Triathlon was cancelled in 2020 when Noosa Council rejected organisers’ Covid safe plan.
Ocean Breeze Resort manager Gareth Doran said demand was so high for accommodation this weekend that he was able to fill a last-minute cancellation within an hour of it being advertised online.
“There’s all these nice, perfect factors coming into play – the long weekend, good weather and the tri,” Mr Doran said.
“It’s just the sort of pep we needed to get back into our step because the last three months have been very challenging.”
Mr Doran said the next six weeks would be a “roller coaster” in the lead-up to the Queensland border reopening on December 17.
“It’s been quite good on weekends with full occupancy but then the weekdays have been particularly quiet,” he said.
Ms Anderson said the triathlon would give the region a massive economic boost after a tumultuous year marred by border closures and snap lockdowns.
“We're expecting about 9000 entrants, which is fantastic given the current border restrictions, along with 20,000 spectators,” she said.
“They love to get out there and spend and the event brings about $25 million into the Noosa region, so it’s going to be an incredibly welcome boost for our operators.
“There’s plenty happening right around town over the Tri Festival, including the colourful Breakfast Fun Run which turns the town pink on Friday morning for a good cause.”
The Ekka public holiday will apply to 1.8 million residents in the Brisbane, Moreton Bay and Scenic Rim areas.
More Coverage
Originally published as Ekka public holiday and Noosa Triathlon to bring large crowds to region after tough 18 months during pandemic
Man fighting for life after head-on crash on stretch that killed devoted mum
A man is fighting for life after a head-on collision on the Sunshine Motorway near Coolum just a day after the funeral for another victim of a crash on the same stretch. UPDATES
50+ photos: Fun and fashion at the Big Pineapple Music Festival
Partygoers showed of their glamorous, outrageous outfits and dance moves at the first Big Pineapple Music Festival in three years. See all the looks here.
The Palaszczuk supporters who have abandoned Steven Miles
An exclusive Courier-Mail poll reveals many of the voters who helped an Annastacia Palaszczuk-led Labor secure victory at the last state election have returned to the LNP.
‘Disappeared’: Qld family fears for young brother missing in Spain
A Queensland family is desperate for answers as international police investigate the disappearance of their little brother.
Who won week three? Watch most BRUTAL Voter Verdict yet
The Courier-Mail’s Voter Verdict have weighed in on the third week of the election campaign with a brutal assessment of both leaders. But who won the week?
Premier vows to open 10 new police beats despite 42 closing
Steven Miles will attempt to open 10 new police beats if elected, despite 42 beats closing since Labor has been in power, something the Premier says was a police service decision.