Is Noosa worth a stop, and what can you do from there?
Yes, and it is the best base on the Sunshine Coast. The national park headland walk is free and one of the best coastal walks in the country, the beach faces north so the water is calm, and K'gari day trips leave from here at $299.
Checked on 6 October 2026.
Noosa sits at the top of the Sunshine Coast, two hours north of Brisbane. It is more polished than most of the east coast stops and the national park on its doorstep is the reason to stay rather than pass through.
Why it's worth a stop
- Noosa National Park.A headland walk past a string of bays to Hell's Gates, free, flat and about two hours. Koalas in the trees along the way and dolphins in the water below.
- The main beach faces northwhich is unusual on this coast and means calm, swimmable water almost every day.
- The Evergladesbehind the town — one of only two everglade systems in the world, done by kayak or boat.
- It is the southern departure point for K'gari.Day trips and multi-day trips both leave from here.
- Hastings Streetis the polished end of it, and the rest of the town is not.
K'gari from Noosa
| Trip | Length | Starts | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Day Fraser Island | 1 day | Noosa / Noosa, or Rainbow Beach / Rainbow Beach | $301 |
| 2 Day Fraser Island Safari | 2 days, 1 night | Noosa / Noosa | $804 |
| 3 Day Fraser Island | 3 days, 2 nights | Rainbow Beach or Noosa / same | $703 |
| 3 Day Fraser Island Self Drive Tour | 3 days, 2 nights | Noosa / Noosa, or Rainbow Beach | $703 |
Pick-ups from Noosa start early — from about 5:25am on the day trip, because of the drive to the crossing. Prices update on their own.
Noosa on the east coast run
Most of the longer trips north from Brisbane stop here for a night or two. It is usually the first proper beach stop of the run.
| Trip | Length | Route | From |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 Day Brisbane to Cairns Highlights | 10 days, 9 nights | Brisbane / Cairns | $2011 |
| 10 Day Cairns to Brisbane Highlights | 10 days, 9 nights | Cairns / Brisbane | $2011 |
| 14 Days Sydney to Cairns Budget | 14 days, 13 nights | Sydney / Cairns | $2011 |
How do you get to Noosa?
Most people arrive on a trip that does the getting there for them, either an east coast run or a K'gari trip.
- On an east coast trip, the bus is booked for you.The 10 Day Brisbane to Cairns Highlights books its bus passes before you travel, so the Brisbane to Noosa leg is sorted, and you get two nights in Noosa either side of K'gari. The 10 Day Cairns to Brisbane Highlights does the same heading south.
- On a K'gari trip, Noosa is the pick-up.The 1 Day Fraser Island collects in Noosa from 5:25am, from $299, and the 2 Day Fraser Island Safari from 5:20am, from $799.
- The two 3 day self-drive tripsstart and finish in Noosa or Rainbow Beach, both from $699: the 3 Day Fraser Island in beach cabins with pick-up at your accommodation, and the 3 Day Fraser Island Self Drive Tour camping, with an optional night at Nomads Noosa before and after.
The honest version
- It is the expensive end of the coast.Noosa is where Australians holiday and the prices reflect it.
- A day or two is enoughunless you are surfing or walking.
- The K'gari pick-ups are earlyaround 5:25am from Noosa. Rainbow Beach is closer to the crossing if that matters.
- The weather is at its best August to Novemberwhich is the driest stretch on this coast.
The trips
1 Day Fraser Islandfrom $3011 dayView trip
2 Day Fraser Island Safarifrom $8042 days, 1 nightSafari TentView trip
10 Day Brisbane to Cairns Highlightsfrom $201110 days, 9 nightsHostel, Boat, CampingView trip
14 Days Sydney to Cairns Budgetfrom $201114 days, 13 nightsHostel, Boat, CampingView trip
3 Day Fraser Islandfrom $7033 days, 2 nightsBeach CabinsView trip
3 Day Fraser Island Self Drive Tourfrom $7033 days, 2 nightsCampingView trip
10 Day Cairns to Brisbane Highlightsfrom $201110 days, 9 nightsHostel, Boat, CampingView tripPeople also ask
- Can you do K'gari (Fraser Island) in a day?
- How do I get to K'gari (Fraser Island)?
- What is the best way to travel the east coast of Australia?
- When is the best time to visit Brisbane, Byron Bay and K'gari?
Where this comes from. Each trip's own itinerary, departure point and inclusions sheet, as held on its page here. Prices are the current from price and update on their own.