Blog By Noosa

Noosa's newest spa

While I was visiting Outrigger the other day, I dutifully went and tested out the very glamorous Stephanies Ocean Spa - oh, the sacrifice!

I went with high expectations, having had an incredible experience in one of Stephanie Shepherd's other Queensland spas a while ago, and I certainly wasn't disappointed. The spa is classy, peaceful and very 'Noosa', with its focus on natural finishes and its treatment rooms looking out into the trees.

One of the spa's points of difference is a large mineral flotation pool, which allows you to float effortlessly in warm water - Stephanie says an hour in there is equivalent to six hours' sleep. There's also a vinotherapy room, which has a gorgeous timber bathtub, plus there's a Geisha bath suite and a 'rain therapy' suite.

For me the big selling point of the spa (which is open to day visitors as well as hotel guests) is its emphasis on rituals in the treatments. It will never be just a massage or just a facial - most of the treatments incorporate several different elements and are intended as a journey for the body and the mind.

I spent half an hour soaking in the Geisha bath with a glass of wine (probably shouldn't mention it was only 11am!) then had the Signature Skin Treatment, which included a customised facial, a hot stone back and neck massage, a foot massage and a scalp massage, over 100 blissful minutes.

I came out absolutely glowing - but rendered completely useless for the rest of the day!

Noosa Qld

Big wow factor at Outrigger

I've just returned from checking out Noosa's newest resort, the five-star Outrigger Little Hastings Street Resort & Spa Noosa, which has opened a few weeks ahead of schedule (the builders will surely be thrown out of the industry for that!)

Noosa has gone from one five-star resort to three over the course of this year (the other two being the Sheraton and Quay West), so travellers in that market are really spoilt for choice now.

The Outrigger will take a lot of beating, with its location on the hill above Hastings Street, its quality accommodation and its spectacular views over Laguna Bay. It sits next to the national park and it's been designed so it really blends into its surrounds - you'd hardly know it was there until you drive in and many of the rooms look out into the trees.

The accommodation includes one and two-bedroom suites as well as larger villas that would be perfect for extended families or friends travelling together, and you have kitchen facilities as well as the resort restaurant - and dozens more restaurants if you go down the boardwalk to Hastings Street.

The resort also has extensive conference facilities, beautiful spots for weddings and a first-class spa - stay tuned for a review of that.

Noosa Qld

Last chance to win a $10,000 trip to Noosa

Brad says...

Only two days left to enter the Noosa Mayfiesta competition, for a chance to win a $10,000 trip to Noosa. The prize includes flights, accommodation, tours, activities, restaurant vouchers, day spa visits and even spending money, so it would be an awesome holiday.

To enter, just go to the Noosa Mayfiesta website and enter your details.

And don't forget everybody can get 25 per cent off selected accomodation and activities in Noosa during the month of May, which is full of events and festivals. You'll find all the details on the website.

Noosa Qld

Noosa Mayfiesta $10,000 holiday giveaway

Brad says...

Thought I'd give you a bit more detail about the Noosa Mayfiesta holiday giveaway that Jane mentioned - not that you probably need much convincing to enter!

The prize not only includes flights to the Sunshine Coast from your nearest Australian capital city but 10 nights' accommodation, with seven nights at Karalee (left), a holiday house managed by Zinc Properties, and three nights at the five-star Quay West Resort & Spa Noosa (below), which only opened last month.

Add on spending money, tours, activities, restaurant vouchers and spa treatments and it's a pretty awesome prize. You even get a week's surfboard hire from Classic Malibu, so you can try out some of our famous waves.

Noosa Qld

Come to Noosa in May

In all my excitement about the Mayfiesta competition (a $10,000 trip to Noosa, in case you missed it), I failed to actually tell you anything about the event.

You've probably already gathered that Mayfiesta is a festival in May, but to give you a quick overview, the events include the Noosa Food & Wine Festival, the Australian Body Art Carnivale, the Noosa River Festival, the Noosa Winter Festival, the Noosa Wedding Expo and the music festival Ripe Noosa (pictured). Did you get all that?!

Throughout the month, you can also get 25 per cent off a range of accommodation, restaurants, day spas, tours and shopping, which is pretty cool.

For more information, go to www.mayfiesta.com.au. And don't forget to enter the competition!

Noosa Queensland

Win a $10,000 trip to Noosa

You heard it here first... so you have to share the prize with me if you win!

I've just seen the program for the Noosa Mayfiesta and they're giving away a $10,000 trip to Noosa, including flights, accommodation, tours, restaurant vouchers, spa treatments, cruises and all sorts of other stuff, along with $1000 spending money. How good does that sound?

To enter, go to www.mayfiesta.com.au, where you'll also find all the details of the prize. Obviously, you'll be wanting the flights and accommodation, but I'd be very happy to take the skydiving voucher and spa treatments off your hands!

Noosa Qld

If everybody had an ocean...

Thought I'd just post a few pics from the Noosa Festival of Surfing, which runs through to this Sunday. The weather's been a bit wild, so there have been plenty of waves!

(Images courtesy Phill Jackson Photography)

 

 

 

 

What's with all the fit people?

Oh great, another event designed to highlight how unfit and unsporting I am!

USM Events has announced details of the Noosa Winter Festival, which will be held on the weekend of May 22-23. Incorporating popular events such as the Noosa Blue Water Swim and the Noosa Half Marathon, the festival joins the annual Noosa Triathlon in bringing thousands of athletes into Noosa.

Entries are now open if you want to participate, but it should also be good for spectators, given that it will take place on the beaches, waterways and hinterland surrounds of Noosa.

Noosa Queensland

Surfing champions headed for Noosa

I saw Layne Beachley wandering around the Noosa Farmers' Market yesterday, which reminded me that the Noosa Festival of Surfing is not that far away. (How did we get into February already?!)

The festival, held in March, is looking like being a huge event this year, with an impressive list of events, competitors and big-name sponsors. Apart from numerous different surfing competitions, including stand-up paddle surfing and family challenges, there are concerts, an expo and other land-based events.

There will also be a celebrity surf and golf challenge, hosted by Noosa resident and former tennis champion Pat Rafter and including Beachley and other world champion surfers. It should be a good week - even for those of us who can't surf!

Noosa Qld

The day spa that comes to you

In my (valiant) bid to test out all the Noosa spas, it would be remiss of me to overlook Ripple Massage and Beauty, which comes to you at your hotel, holiday apartment or home. It's a lot more than a mobile massage service - packages can include everything from body scrubs and massage to anti-ageing facials. It really is like going to a day spa without having to leave your room, and it's generally cheaper than going to a day spa, so it's affordable pampering.

People rave about their chocolate massage (pictured), but I opted for Russian massage, which is a deep-tissue style. It was a three-hour package, which sounds a bit over the top, but I could have easily coped with more!

It started with a foot soak and went on to a fully body exfoliation and full body massage including Indian head massage and foot reflexology, and finished with a clay face mask and collagen face mask. The therapist was fantastic and I didn't even have to drive home afterwards! Highly recommended. 

I'm ready to face Christmas now!

Noosa Qld