Noosa & the coast: trails, markets and Mooloolaba

1. Main Beach & Hastings Street~2 h at the stop

After the ~140 km drive from Brisbane, start with the classic: the north-facing beach, gentle surf and the boutique-and-cafe strip behind it.

Tip: Swim between the flags. One meal on Hastings Street is enough. The street is expensive.

↓ walk · 20 min · 1.5 km

2. Noosa NP coastal track~2 h 30 min at the stop

From the park entrance the track hugs the headlands: Boiling Pot lookout, Tea Tree Bay and, 2.7 km in, the Hells Gates chasm. Watch the gums for koalas.

Tip: Hells Gates return is about 5.5 km; carry water, shade is scarce.

↓ drive · 7 min · 3.4 km

3. Sunset at Noosa Spit~45 min at the stop

The sand spit at the Noosa River mouth: calm water, sails drifting past and sunset over Laguna Bay.

Tip: Walk to the end of the spit and stay for the light. Walk back to Hastings Street for dinner.

4. Eumundi Markets (Wed & Sat, 7:30am–2pm)~2 h at the stop

Artisan markets under the old fig trees. The make-it-yourself rule keeps the standard high: ceramics, linen, live music and world breakfasts.

Tip: Wednesdays and Saturdays only. Arrive by 8am while parking is easy.

↓ drive · 45 min · 50 km

5. Australia Zoo~4 h at the stop

Steve Irwin's zoo at Beerwah: the croc show, wombat encounters and a working wildlife hospital. Adults A$77.45, kids 3–14 A$51.95, under-3s free.

Worth knowing: Bob and Lyn Irwin opened a two-acre reptile park here on 3 June 1970. Their son Steve took over in 1991, and The Crocodile Hunter made it the world-famous Australia Zoo.

Tip: Open 9am to 5pm. Half a day is enough if you arrive by noon for the Crocoseum show; some animals turn in at 4:30pm.

↓ drive · 20 min · 16 km

6. Glass House Mountains lookout~30 min at the stop

Evening light on the volcanic peaks of Tibrogargan and Beerwah: a short stop for one of Queensland's defining views.

Tip: Stay at the lookout. Do not add a climb of the peaks to this day.

↓ drive · 40 min · 45 km

7. Overnight in Mooloolaba

A beach town with an esplanade right on the sand: dinner facing the ocean and an evening stroll along the front.

Tip: In summer book a room by the beach. The town is small, and the dinner choice is short at night.

8. Mooloolaba Beach~2 h at the stop

One of the coast's easiest beaches: the headland shelters the bay from big swell, with flagged swimming by the surf club.

Tip: Swim between the flags. The spit and the Point Cartwright lighthouse make the morning walk.

↓ walk · 12 min · 0.9 km

9. Mooloolaba Wharf & esplanade~1 h 30 min at the stop

The fishing-fleet harbour: prawns straight off the trawlers, waterside cafes and the SEA LIFE aquarium next door.

Tip: Lunch on wharf-bought prawns: cheaper and better than the front-row restaurants.

↓ drive · 5 min · 1.8 km

10. Point Cartwright lighthouse~45 min at the stop

A lighthouse headland above the Mooloolah River mouth: surfers on the reef break below and whale blows offshore in season. Then home to Brisbane (~100 km).

Tip: The lighthouse is a short walk from the car park. Whales run June to November. Look at the ocean, not at your feet.