Things to Do in Noosaville: River Dining, Breweries and the Foreshore

Noosaville is the Noosa River suburb for eating, drinking and getting on the water, with restaurants and cafes along Gympie Terrace, more on Thomas Street and Weyba Road, and craft breweries a few minutes back from the river. It is the easier, flatter side of Noosa, about 135 km north of Brisbane.

The riverside parks have their own guide (see the Noosa River post for the playground, barbecues and swimming). This one covers the rest of the suburb.

Eating and drinking in Noosaville

Gympie Terrace

The river side of the street is parkland, and the other side is a run of restaurants, cafes and boutiques looking across at the water. Noosa Waterfront Restaurant (Italian, at 142 Gympie Terrace) and Gusto (French-influenced, at 257 Gympie Terrace) are the river dining options Visit Noosa names.

For takeaway, the fish and chip shops on Gympie Terrace, including Red Emperor and Holy Mackerel, suit a picnic on the grass.

Thomas Street and Weyba Road

Thomas Street, with its poinciana-lined footpaths, is the foreshore’s local shopping and dining strip, and it is home to the French and Mediterranean Frenchies Brasserie (4 Thomas Street, closed Mondays). Weyba Road runs along the Weyba Creek side with cafes and restaurants. If the river frontage is full, this is where to look for a table.

Sunset at the Noosa Boathouse

The Noosa Boathouse sits on the water at Quota Park, and its Sunset bar has cocktails, a bar menu and relaxed music. Take a seat at the end of the day and watch the river turn orange.

Breweries, chocolate and makers

A few minutes from the river, the Noosaville Industrial Estate is where the craft drinks and local makers are. Heads of Noosa (85 Rene Street) and Land & Sea Brewery (19 Venture Drive) are both there, along with Pottery for the Planet (22 Action Street), which sells handcrafted ceramics. Boiling Pot Brewing Co has its taproom nearby on Eumundi Noosa Road, and listings suggest it opens only Thursday to Sunday, so check before you go.

The Noosa Chocolate Factory is also in the estate (21 Venture Drive). You can watch chocolate being made through a viewing window, then buy from the shopfront.

Showrooms in the estate also sell locally made clothing, shoes, skincare, furniture and homewares.

On the river

You do not need your own boat. Pontoon boats, kayaks, paddleboards and jet skis can be hired along the foreshore, and Noosa Dreamboats and Noosa River and Canal Cruises run trips. Pontoon boats can be hired without a boat licence. Fliteschool Noosa offers lessons on electric hydrofoils (e-foils).

The ferry is the simplest way to see the river: it runs from Noosa Marina at Tewantin past Noosaville to Hastings Street.

A walk and a picnic

Shared walking and cycling paths run the whole 2 km of foreshore, so the simplest plan is to buy fish and chips or something from a local deli, find a picnic table and watch the pelicans and seagulls. Dogs are welcome on the riverside walk.

Further along, the Yacht and Rowing Club has a restaurant among mature fig trees, and Pelican Beach Park is the long stretch of beach and lawn at the eastern end, with boat hire at Terrace Marina.

The craft breweries and showrooms of the industrial estate round out a wet-weather day when the river is not the plan.

Markets and more of Noosa

• The Noosa Farmers Market is a Sunday morning food market on Weyba Road in Noosaville.
• Over the river, Noosa North Shore has the beach driving and camping.
• Further up the river chain, Lake Cootharaba is the big lake for sailing and paddling.
• Hastings Street and Noosa Main Beach are the surf side of Noosa.

Planning your visit

• How long: a long lunch plus a walk along the river, or a full day if you add a ferry ride and a brewery.
• Best time: late afternoon for sunset drinks; weekends and school holidays are busiest.
• What to bring: a hat, sunscreen, and swimmers if you will be on the water.
• Dogs: the riverside walk welcomes dogs; they must be on a leash in public areas.

Getting there and parking

Noosaville is about 135 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 115 minutes by car without traffic. Gympie Terrace runs along the river.

Parking is at the Quota Park car park, the Yacht and Rowing Club car park, street parking by the boat ramp and Pelican Beach Park, and parking bays on Thomas Street. See Noosa Council’s Noosaville Foreshore page.

Translink bus routes 626 and 627 run along Gympie Terrace. Check times and fares at translink.com.au.

You might also like

• Portside Wharf (Hamilton)
• Spirit House (Yandina)
• Mooloolaba Surf Club (Sunshine Coast)

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