Blog By Noosa

Noosa Biosphere Day this weekend

If you're going to be in Noosa this weekend, the annual Noosa Biosphere Day is on Sunday the 18th from 10am to 3pm, in Noosa Woods at the far end of Hastings Street.

The free event is a celebration of the Noosa community, sustainability and creativity and there are lots of performances and free activities, especially for kids. All the information on how to get there and what's on is on the Noosa Biosphere website, so I don't know what else I need to tell you, other than that the weather forecast is for sunny and 26 degrees. Yay!

Noosa Qld

Noosa - voted 3rd 'best beach in the South Pacific'

Some great news for Noosa and our visitors, Noosa has just been voted the 3rd 'Best beach in the South Pacific' on Trip Advisor. Click here for all the details and for the top activities to do whilst here.

 

Noosa iPhone App out now

Juanita says...

Everything you need to know about your next Noosa holiday is now at your fingertips 24/7, with today's launch of the ByNoosa iPhone App. And if you download the App before the end of March, you could win an Apple iPad!

No matter where you are, you can receive up-to-the-minute information and inspiration about all locations and villages, from Coolum to Hastings Street, Noosaville, Eumundi and the Noosa North Shore, with categories across accommodation, tours, restaurants and bars, shopping, events, spas, attractions, transport services and more.

You might want to know where to stay, where’s the nearest Italian restaurant, how to book a surf lesson or spa treatment, or who’s playing at the local surf club tonight.

There are even interactive maps with GPS capabilities so you can easily find your way here and find your way around once you’re in the region.

Download the ByNoosa App FREE from www.visitnoosa.com.au before March 31 and register your details for a chance to win one of five Apple iPads.

Noosa Qld

Rayner's new eatery in business

Be one of the first to try out David Rayner's new eatery, the Thomas Corner Eatery on the corner of Thomas Street and Gympie Terrace in Noosaville. It has just opened and ought to draw instant crowds, based on Rayner's reputation for producing first class food.

David Rayner founded one of one of Noosa's favourite dining spots, the River House Restaurant on Weyba Road, Noosaville, and since selling it has spent a year travelling and researching concepts for his latest project.

Thomas Corner Eatery features recycled timbers from a ship's wharf and comfortable banquettes, so you can settle in and chill out, and food is served all day. "You can sit up at the bar inside or on the terrace and look at the river and all the happenings out there," Rayner says. "We want our patrons to be relaxed... people can bring their laptops, or read the national papers and magazines, it's up to them."

Noosa Qld

Food and wine, Noosa style

I had so much good food and wine at the Noosa Food & Wine Festival yesterday, I don't think I'll need to eat again for a week.  It was a beautiful day - you can't complain when you're wearing a summer dress and ducking for shade in May! - and there was a huge crowd there, eating and drinking its way through thousands of plates of food and thousands of glasses of wine.

My husband insisted on queuing up for Matt Preston's Wagyu beef (they have a food critics' cooking competition, where top food critics from around the country have to prepare their own dishes) and I had to admit it was worth it. I don't watch Masterchef so I wasn't that fussed about trying his food, but it was so good. I drew the line at suggestions of queuing up for a second round though!

I also really enjoyed the entertainment by Emma Pask and the Dan Barnett Big Band, who were on the main stage through the afternoon - a perfect choice for a day like that.

 

Noosa Queensland
 

Noosa Food and Wine Festival nearly here

Yikes, this year is going fast. I've just been salivating over the program for the Noosa Food and Wine Festival, which is somehow only a month away, even though I thought we were still in February!

The festival, which runs from April 30 to May 2, is going to be bigger than ever, with a very impressive line-up of guest chefs (I suspect most of them don't take much convincing to come to Noosa!), lunches, concerts, demonstrations, exhibitions and food and wine tastings. You'll probably find me in the cheese room or at the Margarita masterclass!

If you're on Twitter, one of the best ways to keep track of news and promotions for the festival is to follow @queensland or @noosa - there should be some tempting tweets over the next few weeks.

Noosa Queensland

Romance on the river

Did you know Noosa has its own gondola? A funny place to find a Venetian-style gondola, perhaps, but it's very popular. It's ideal for a Noosa wedding, an anniversary, romantic night out or even for a group of friends. Check it out.

Noosa Qld

Chocolate, chocolate, chocolate

Forget any New Year's resolutions you might have made (if you haven't already) because you absolutely have to check out this new chocolate shop when you come to Noosa. Cocoa Chocolat is based in Eumundi, about 15 minutes from Noosa, and has just opened a shop in Hastings Street... which I happened to walk pass the other day!

They make boutique chocolates using Belgian couverture chocolate, King Island cream and local produce, and they're absolutely divine. You'll find them on Etheridge Street in Eumundi or in the Sheraton Noosa on Hastings Street (walk up the side of Cato's Bar, past the bottle shop). Enjoy!

Noosa Queensland

Christmas in Noosa

I'm so excited I get to spend Christmas at home in Noosa this year. Not that I have any complaints about going to visit family elsewhere, but it's such a great time of year to just hang out, relax and soak up the summer holiday atmosphere.

If you're coming to Noosa for Christmas, check out this guide that lists all the restaurant opening times and Christmas events, such as the summer night markets in Eumundi, Santa's Workshop at The Ginger Factory and 'Santa Shuttles' on the Mary Valley Railway.

It also gives details for New Year's Eve events, including the annual party at the Noosa Marina and a Masquerade Party at the restaurant Parque Mexico at Noosa Sound.

If you're going to be in Noosa from Boxing Day to January 3, it's also important to know about the free holiday buses - there will be a lot more people than parking spaces! The free buses run all over Noosa, including the hinterland, and are the best way to get into town. Click here for all the details.

Noosa Queensland

Recommended: Ricky's River Bar & Restaurant

I know it must seem that all I ever do is go to lunch, but it's important that all these famed Noosa restaurants are tried and tested, don't you think?

This time it was Ricky's River Bar & Restaurant, which overlooks the water at Noosa Wharf (Quamby Place). Ricky's is an institution of the Noosa restaurant scene, but I hadn't been for ages, so I was keen to see if it still lives up to its reputation.

Short answer: yes. The setting is fabulous and the open design of the building really does it justice, with views of the Noosa River from anywhere you sit, inside or out. I had grilled snapper, which was perfectly cooked, followed by a cheese platter with some really gutsy cheeses. Washed down with a few glasses of champagne, it really wasn't too hard to take.

Noosa Queensland