After our road trip to 1770, we slowly made our way back down the Queensland coast to one of our favourite places to unwind – Noosa.

Some destinations are about discovering new things and different experiences. Noosa isn’t one of them.

For us, it’s a place to slow down. Long walks through Noosa National Park, lazy breakfasts, lingering over coffee, browsing Hastings Street, and finishing the day with dinner overlooking the water. There’s no pressure to see anything or everything, it’s our destination to relax and settle into the rhythm of somewhere familiar, away from home.

Long before we embraced the idea of “slow travel”, Noosa had quietly been teaching us how to do it.

It’s also a place that feels both wonderfully familiar and constantly evolving.

The first time I visited Noosa was back in 1975. In those days, it had a sleepy beach-town feel that’s almost hard to imagine now. Surfboards leaned against weathered utes and combi vans, mornings belonged to the surfers, and life seemed to move at the unhurried pace of the tide.

Noosa has certainly grown since then, but somehow it has managed to retain the relaxed atmosphere that first drew me there all those years ago.

These days, my greatest pleasure isn’t chasing the surf, it’s walking along the beach. There’s something wonderfully calming about the rhythm of the waves, the salty sea air and the simple act of putting one foot in front of the other. It’s become my favourite way to slow down and reconnect, and one of the reasons Noosa continues to call us back.

Back then (circa late 1970s) Hastings Street was modest, and accommodation was wonderfully simple, many visitors arriving with little more than a van, a tent and a desire to spend time by the sea.

Even then, there was a glimpse of what Noosa would eventually become.

People weren’t just coming for the surf, they were coming to experience a way of life. Mornings began with the ocean, days were spent outdoors, fresh air and sunshine were the norm, and simple food was part of the rhythm.

Looking back, it’s fascinating to realise that the natural wellbeing I was drawn to back then would eventually become such a significant part of my own life through my work at iNaturally and the way I have choosen to live. Perhaps Noosa was quietly teaching me about balance long before I knew that was the path I was on.

But above everything else, the beaches have always been Noosa’s greatest attraction.

By day Hasting Street is vibrant with bustling cafes, gelato shops galore, fancy restaurants and clothing boutiques and enjoying a coffee while people watching is next best thing to beach walking.

Evenings have a friendly buzz with twinkling lights, alfresco diners, quiet bars and music, creating a family friendly social vibe.

When in Noosa we always stay at Peppers Noosa Resort and Villas, choosing a self-contained AirBnB over the hotel rooms because we stay to relax for a while, and self-catering fits with our slow travel preference. We love sourcing local produce and cooking up simple meals to enjoy while relaxation takes precedence.

We choose to stay at Peppers Noosa for its peaceful hillside setting, tucked away in greenery with resort comforts, yet close enough to stroll into Hastings Street for a swim, a meal, or an evening wander.

From the hilltop behind Peppers Noosa Resort (only a short walk), the sunsets paint the sky in soft golds and pinks, with sweeping views over the ocean and river giving the end of the day a quiet moment that fits perfectly.

Walking is always our first choice of transport, especially when settled in for a couple of weeks. It’s a good walk over to the neighbouring Sunshine Beach through a section of the Noosa National Park from Peppers.

The walk to Sum Yung Guys at Sunshine Beach was absolutely worth it! (Update 2025 – they have moved to Noosaville). The dishes were perfect and we enjoyed a leisurely lunch bursting with asian flavour.

Noosa – it’s perfect!

Noosa has changed enormously since my first visit in 1975, but the essence remains. It’s still a place to slow down, reconnect with nature and enjoy life’s simple pleasures. That’s why we keep finding our way back.

Catherine & Jeff

To read more about Noosa, click here:

• Noosa: winter escape for sun and slow travel
• Noosa: our favourite food finds in 2026