Noosa – When you need a holiday…. – Food and Adventures Along the Way

Following our road trip heading south from 1770, we made our way back down the coast to Noosa.

Noosa is one of our favourite relaxation destinations, the place we head to when we want to relax, not do too much at all. The ultimate slow-travel destination.

It’s also a place that feels both familiar and completely transformed.

The first time I visited Noosa was in 1975. Back then, it was quiet in a way that feels almost unimaginable now. A small beachside town shaped by the rhythm of the ocean, where surfboards were stacked against weathered utes and combi-vans, and mornings began with early waves.

I now find my solace in beach walking.

Hastings Street was modest and accommodation was as simple as sleeping in your van or pitching a tent.

Even then, there was a hint of what Noosa would later become: a place where people didn’t just visit, where they sought balance, time in the sun, a morning paddle, fresh air and simple food. Little did I know that the natural wellness I was seeking back then would become my life’s work and lifestyle through iNaturally.

The highlight of Noosa will always be the beaches.

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 love staying 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.