16 August 2024
8 mins Read
With so many areas and accommodation options to choose from, you might need a holiday just to prepare for your holiday. But there truly is a place for every vibe and budget, so we’ve done the hard part for you by scoping out some of the best.
After a multimillion-dollar refurbishment, Sir Richard Branson’s magnificent heart-shaped Makepeace Island reopened in 2024 looking slicker than ever. The luxurious Noosa resort, which caters for groups of up to 22 guests, has it all — three two-bedroom villas, a four-bedroom house with four ensuites, the very private Boathouse which contains its own bedroom and waterfront balcony, a tennis court, a 15-person spa, a gym, unlimited access to paddleboards and kayaks, your very own private chef to prepare every meal of the day and so much more. Splash out to the max with spa treatments and scenic tours of the sparkling region led by experienced guides. A once-in-a-lifetime group stay.
Address: Noosa River, Noosa
If you’re looking for comfortable luxury in the thick of it, then the Sofitel Noosa will surely deliver. With French greetings and royal treatment, the Sofitel goes above and beyond to make sure guests feel completely taken care of.
So you can sit back and enjoy a cocktail at the pool bar or an indulgent session at the day spa. It’s true – you may not want to leave the resort, but you’re just a stone’s throw from Noosa’s boutique shops and bustling beach should you so desire.
In the evening, let the tiki torches light the way as you wander down to the swimming pool and enjoy a soak in the spa under the moonlight. The wi-fi isn’t free, nor is the parking, but that’s the price you pay for a 12pm check-out. Rates vary, starting from $360 per night, mid-week.
Address: 14-16 Hastings St, Noosa Heads
If you’re looking for luxury, the Sofitel is your answer.
Not quite on the coast (it’s about an hour south-west of Noosa), this Hinterland gem is worth every penny for the ultimate luxury in the most peaceful pocket of nature. A wall of windows facing Mt Coonowrin welcomes you into your quiet, luxurious cabin decked out with all the mod cons in serious style. While away the hours in the spa bath overlooking expansive views or simply enjoy the opportunity to connect in romantic surrounds, away from the hustle and bustle of life.
They don’t skimp on the details, including a fully stocked fridge with country style breakfast and fruits, so you won’t even need to leave the comfort of your cabin. Meticulously designed, you may be left wondering about some of the practicalities (like how the plumbing on a bath whose water comes from the ceiling actually works), but you’ll still fantasise about living here forever. From $325 per night for two people.
Address: 182 Glass House Woodford Rd, Glass House Mountains
Located in the quaint Sunny Coast Hinterland town of Maleny, Spicers Tamarind Retreat is the ultimate destination for a romantic weekend away or an indulgent getaway with friends. There’s an on-site day spa that overlooks the valley so you can soak whilst taking in the serene surrounds.
The chic yet cosy (and outrageously luxurious) cabins are immersed in perfectly manicured nature, and as you step inside your eyes are instantly drawn to the inviting living room’s fireplace. If simply being here isn’t quite relaxing enough, why not enjoy a soak in the relaxing bathtub overlooking your private garden? From $599 per night.
Address: 88 Obi Ln S, Maleny
Fine dining at Spicers Tamarind Retreat is a bucket-list experience.
There’s more to the Sunny Coast than Noosa. Peregian Beach is the up-and-coming Sunshine Coast tourist hang, offering excellent dining, pristine sand and surf and an easy-going ambience. Glen Eden Beach Resort is the place to check it all out thanks to its two-level townhouses situated in the thick of it all. Featuring direct beach access, the one, two or three-bedroom apartments are fitted with spacious living and dining areas and fully equipped kitchens, plus there’s a heated swimming pool and spa, barbecues, kids’ games room, free-flowing wi-fi and a sauna to explore. The most deluxe pick of the lot is their three-bedroom Coastal Premium townhouse which features a timber-clad, Instagram-perfect open-plan kitchen and dining area.
Address: 388 David Low Way, Peregian Beach
Clean, comfortable and endlessly convenient, Meridian Alex Beach is a great self-contained apartment option just up the road from Mooloolaba. You’re also mere seconds away from the natural wonders of Alexandra Headland, a beautiful spot right in the centre of the Sunshine Coast. Expect fully equipped kitchens, private balconies with soaring views of the ocean, a heated swimming pool, covered barbecue facilities, a secure car park and roomy living spaces.
Address: 122 Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland
Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas is perfectly perched atop a hill overlooking Noosa’s stunning beaches. Whilst just a short walk from all the main attractions, you’ll feel like you’re worlds away in this little rainforest sanctuary. It’s the kind of place you want to invite your friends over to for dinner or an afternoon drink on the balcony – comfortable, stylish and homely, with everything you need for a family getaway or a romantic escape.
There are two pools, a sauna, free wi-fi and parking, a buggy that takes you to town if you can’t manage the six-minute walk, and a lovely restaurant, headed by a celebrity chef, with a superb view over the ocean – just make sure you book in and ask for a table by the window to enjoy it. Rates vary depending on season and room. Starting at around $200 per night mid-week for a studio.
Address: 33A Viewland Dr, Noosa Heads
Peppers perfectly overlooks Noosa’s pristine beaches.
Located in Twin Waters on the Sunshine Coast, about half an hour from Noosa is Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort. The luxury village faces a peaceful man-made lagoon surrounded by palms and can cater for intimate getaways as well as family holidays.
Choose between a variety of accommodation options, from resort rooms and suites to stunning overwater bungalows that eminate luxurious balinese villa vibes. Dine in at Sola Bar & Restaurant overlooking the pool or opt for a takeaway coffee or high tea.
Enjoy the spacious overwater bungalow looking out over the lagoon.
You’ll never get bored either, with so many fun things to do right on the resort grounds. Whether you want to relax by the pool, sweat it out in the gym, play a round of minigolf and kayak across the lagoon, it’s all on the house. Prices start at $150 per night, mid-week, for two people.
Address: 270 Ocean Dr, Twin Waters
Spend your day soaking up the sun by the pool.
Over by the river, just a 10-minute drive from Noosa in Noosaville, the vibe becomes palpably more relaxed. You might even feel as though you’ve travelled back in time a decade compared to the glitz and glamour of Noosa’s main beach area. The accommodation is cheaper, the restaurants quieter, and the feeling more quaint fishing village than high-end luxury – in the best possible way.
Noosa River Holiday Park sits right on the river and has is one of the best camping spots in the area. You can pitch your tent and enjoy water views, or bring the caravan with the whole family. There’s free wi-fi, a communal kitchen area and all the amenities you need, making your getaway feel much more like glamping than roughing it. From $46 per night for an unpowered waterfront tent site.
Address: 4 Russell St, Noosaville
Noosa River Holiday Park has quick and easy access to the water.
Known in the area as the place where the locals live, Coolum is a short drive from Noosa that passes by a handful of beautiful local beaches where you can actually find a place to park.
Across the road from the beach sits Motel Coolum – where inviting hosts offer colourful, quirky, budget accommodation with everything you need – including a swimming pool, barbecue and fully equipped kitchen for self-catering. From $95 per night for a double room with shared amenities.
Address: 1862 David Low Way, Coolum Beach
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