Noosa Heads is the town at the end of the road on the Sunshine Coast, where a sheltered north-facing beach, Hastings Street and the headland walks of Noosa National Park all sit within a few minutes’ stroll of each other. It is about 135 km and 2 hours by car from the Brisbane CBD, so most people make it a full day or a weekend.
This guide is for visitors: what to do in Noosa Heads, how the parking works and how to get around without a car once you are there.
Noosa Main Beach
Noosa Main Beach is the town’s patrolled beach. It faces north, which keeps it sheltered, and gentle waves roll into Laguna Bay. Swim between the red and yellow flags and check the free BeachSafe app for patrol times. A boardwalk runs behind the sand past cafes and restaurants.
Main Beach and the nearby bays are known surfing spots too. Our full guide to Noosa Main Beach covers swimming, parking and dogs in detail.
Hastings Street
Hastings Street is the town’s main strip and runs directly behind the beach. You will find boutiques, galleries, surf shops, cafes, restaurants and bars. The Visitor Information Centre is on Hastings Street, near the surf club.
Read more in our guide to Hastings Street, Noosa.
Little Cove and the boardwalk
The Main Beach boardwalk continues past Little Cove Beach to the entrance of Noosa National Park, a short walk from the end of Hastings Street. Little Cove is a smaller, sheltered beach and is not on council’s list of patrolled beaches. See Little Cove, Noosa for more.
Walks at Noosa Heads
The headland is part of Noosa National Park, with five marked walks in the Headland section from 1.1 km to 10.8 km return. The Coastal Walk is the classic, 10.8 km return from Noosa Main Beach past Tea Tree Bay to Hells Gates and Sunshine Beach. The park is home to koalas and wallabies, and humpback whales pass the headlands from June to October.
Dogs are not allowed in the national park. Our Noosa National Park guide has the walks and parking, and Hells Gates is one of the walk’s best-known stops.
Laguna Lookout and Noosa Spit
Laguna Lookout is at the end of Viewland Drive, in the national park. Parking is limited, so Queensland Parks encourages visitors to walk, ride or take a bus in peak periods, and council’s 4-hour parking limit applies there.
At the river end of Hastings Street, Noosa Spit has a picnic reserve and Doggy Beach, where council allows dogs off leash. It is not on council’s list of patrolled beaches.
Is Noosa Heads dog friendly?
Partly. Dogs are not allowed in the national park or in Noosa’s bathing reserves, so check council’s off-leash map before taking a dog onto Main Beach. Doggy Beach on Noosa Spit is an off-leash area, and owners must still supervise their dogs. In other public places keep your dog on a leash.
Planning your visit
- How long: a full day covers the beach, lunch on Hastings Street and a headland walk.
- Best time: mornings for parking and cooler walking; June to October for whale watching from the headlands.
- Cost: the beach, boardwalk and walking tracks are free. Parking, food and shops cost extra where applicable.
- What to bring: a hat, sunscreen, water, and sturdy shoes for the national park tracks.
- Information: Tourism Noosa publishes visitor information at visitnoosa.com.au.
Getting there and parking
By car, Noosa Heads is about 135 km from the Brisbane CBD and takes about 2 hours without traffic. Parking is timed and signed. Council regulates parking at the national park entrance and the Laguna Lookout car parks with a 4-hour limit, and Noosa Junction car park has a shorter limit that council lifts over the summer holidays. Check the signs on the day, and Noosa Council’s parking page for changes.
By bus, buses to other Sunshine Coast destinations leave from Noosa Heads bus station. From Noosa Junction bus station, routes 620 and 627 run to Noosa Heads, and council’s free Go Noosa Loop Bus (route 065) runs through Hastings Street from 9 December to 26 January this summer. Plan a trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30.
Nearby
- Noosaville – on the Noosa River, home of the Sunday Noosa Farmers Market.
- Noosa North Shore – ferry, beach driving and camping across the river.
- Sunrise Beach – a surf beach further down the coast.
Browse more Noosa day outs and beaches.
You might also like
- Alexandria Bay (Noosa National Park)
- Sunrise Beach (Noosa)
- Castaways Beach (Noosa)
Quick answers
What is there to do in Noosa Heads?
Swim at the patrolled Main Beach, eat and shop on Hastings Street, walk the headland in Noosa National Park and look out over the river from Laguna Lookout.
Is Noosa Heads free to visit?
Yes. The beach, the boardwalk and the national park walks are free. Parking, food and shops cost extra where applicable.
Where do you park at Noosa Heads?
Parking is timed and signed. Council’s limit is 4 hours at the national park entrance and the Laguna Lookout car parks, and they fill early in school holidays. Noosa Junction is the alternative, with buses down to the beach.
How far is Noosa Heads from Brisbane?
About 135 km, or about 2 hours by car without traffic.
Can you take dogs to Noosa Heads?
Not in the national park or in bathing reserves. Doggy Beach on Noosa Spit is an off-leash area.
Is Noosa Main Beach patrolled?
Yes. Swim between the red and yellow flags and check the BeachSafe app for patrol times.
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