Blog By Noosa

Noosa Biosphere Day

If you're going to be in Noosa later this month, Sunday the 19th is Noosa Biosphere Day, a free day of music, cultural performances, food, film and information about local plants and sustainability. There will be things for kids as well as adults, and it's going to be held in the Noosa Woods (at the end of Hastings Street), so you can just sit and chill out by the water, too.

It starts at 10am and will go through until about 4pm. For more information, go to the Noosa Biosphere website.

Noosa Queensland

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

Noosa's new look, part two

I just thought I'd show you a bit more of the new brand, cos the stupid computer would only let me upload one image last night. I'm really interested to hear what you think (you can click on the image to enlarge it).

Loving Noosa's new look

I've just come from a party to launch Noosa's new brand, 'By Noosa'. The new look is the work of George Patterson Y&R, and the launch was hosted by Russel Howcroft from 'The Gruen Transfer'.

It gets my vote, what do you think? (click on the image for a larger version)

 

Bye bye bitumen

Some friends from Brisbane have just bought a new four wheel drive, so my husband took them over to the North Shore on the weekend, to help them get it dirty (well, at least full of sand, like our cars always are!)  It was a beautiful sunny day, just perfect for driving up the beach.

I wasn't able to go, unfortunately, but they came back with some nice piccies, so I thought I'd share a couple.

Noosa Jazz Festival around the corner

Oops, I've just realised it's only three weeks until the Noosa Jazz Festival - I was thinking it was ages away. Yes, it would have been helpful if I'd mentioned it earlier, but there are still tickets available and it's not too late to find accommodation if you want to be here for it.

The festival runs for four days, from September 2 to 5, and includes big name performers, jam sessions, twilight jazz sessions, cruises, the 'Tastings on Hastings' lunch and the free Jazz in the Woods concert in Noosa Woods.

If your Dad is into music, it would make a great Fathers Day gift, being on the Fathers Day weekend.

Noosa Qld

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

They're giving away money on Hastings St

If you’re heading to Noosa between now and the end of August, restaurants and retailers in Hastings Street are giving away ‘Hastings Street Dollars’ that you can use at other businesses along the famous strip. You get $5 if you spend $45, $10 if you spend $95 and so on, and you can use the ‘money’ towards a purchase at another participating eatery or shop.

 

If you’re staying in accommodation on Hastings Street, you’ll be given $100 Hastings Street Dollars when you check in and the Westpac on Hastings Street is also giving away free Hastings Street notes. The Hastings Street traders have also managed to convince the council to extend parking on the street from one hour to three hours, so you won’t get a ticket while you’re out spending.

 

Hang on, this is starting to sound a bit like an April Fool’s joke. Banks giving away money and councils giving away parking revenue? That's ridiculous.

 

Noosa Queensland

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

Recommended: XO Sunshine Beach

We had a great night out with friends at the new XO Bistro Wine Bar in Sunshine Beach the other night.

We started in the bar with cocktails (try the Margarita Lemoni, it's divine!), wandered into the cellars to choose some wine, sat down for a casual but good quality dinner and then meandered back to the bar for some more drinks. It was such a relaxed way to eat out - nobody rushed us and the staff were super friendly (even when they threw us out because they had to close!)

Some other friends tried the upstairs restaurant, Embassy XO, the other week and they have been raving about the food there, so I'll have to try that one too. The upstairs restaurant is Asian, while downstairs is a bit of a mix of Italian, tapas and other things.

If you're familiar with Sunshine Beach, you'll find the XO restaurants on the corner where Wasabi (which has moved to Noosa Sound) used to be.

Noosa Queensland