Explore Noosa, Australia’s Wellness Capital

Sponsored by Visit Noosa August 30, 2019

Noosa — Australia’s wellness capital

From sunrise to sunset and beyond, Noosa’s beautiful nature, acclaimed food scene, luxurious day spas, outdoor adventure and passionate wellness practitioners come together in a sublime way that immerses all your senses.

Whether your idea of restoration and wellness is luxurious pampering, a decadent getaway, living organically, getting in shape, a new challenge or simply slowing down, Noosa’s relaxed rhythm will restore life’s balance and will stay with you well after you leave. From stretching on the sand to sipping on cocktails, pampering to Pilates, and market produce to mango ice cream, it’s all about relaxing your way in Noosa.

The experience

Early morning on Noosa’s Main Beach — flanked by the calm waters of Laguna Bay, Noosa National Park headland, and miles of white beaches along Noosa North Shore — hums with activity as people greet the day, from lifesavers on their surfboat training to the regulars on their daily swim across the bay.

Watch the sun rise over the headland as it brings light and life to the nature that surrounds. Join the early-morning chorus with yoga on the beach (Noosa has more than a dozen beaches, hidden coves and bays), catch a gentle wave, take the boardwalk past coffee carts and breakfast cafes, or jog along the national park’s coastal or inland rainforest tracks.

Noosa has your brand of me-time covered, whether it’s mountain climbing or riverside cycling, a gondola cruise at sunset or a personalised fitness program, horse riding on Noosa North Shore or a full day spa treatment, a private helicopter ride for a bird’s eye view of the beauty below or a private cooking lesson, an afternoon nap in a luxurious beachfront apartment or watching kangaroos graze from your glamping tent in the hinterland.

Sights, scents and sounds are all covered by Noosa’s nature — a globally recognised UNESCO Biosphere reserve and world surfing reserve, where more than one-third of the shire’s land is protected, including the Noosa Everglades, which is one of only two everglades systems in the world, and home to more than 44 per cent of Australia’s birdlife species. You can cruise, paddle or hike through this unspoilt wilderness that’s only 30 minutes from Noosa’s bustling villages.

Indulge your sense of touch with the sand between your toes, salt spray on your face or jump right into a beach massage or full body wrap in one of Noosa’s high-end day spas. There’s the sanctuary of Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort’s Aqua Day Spa, the globally awarded Ikatan Spa set in Balinese-inspired gardens, the dreamy water treatments of Stephanie’s Ocean Spa Noosa, and European aquatherapy inspired by Roman and Greek traditions at The Spa at Noosa Springs Resort.

The healing

Wellness centres, restorative retreats, Pilates or yoga on a stand-up paddle board, spa parties, flotation dreampods and traditional therapies from the world’s ancient cultures bring a world of relaxed wellness. It’s why Noosa is becoming known as the Wellness Capital of Australia.

The food

Noosa’s food options have your taste well and truly covered with nationally acclaimed restaurants such as Wasabi, Ricky’s and Matt Golinski’s View Restaurant, along with village bars and cafes serving fresh, innovative tastes where chefs champion local produce sourced from Noosa’s pristine waters and fertile hinterland.

Wasabi chef Zeb Gilbert’s creations use produce from their Honeysuckle Hill Farm, while organic vegetables, macadamia trees, herbs and honey from the nearby Maravista Farm are on the menu at local favourites Ricky’s, Locale, Aromas and Wood Fire Grill.

Another local favourite, VanillaFood, has recently expanded its organic, wholesome foods that are a favourite part of Belmondos Organic Market to a second location in Noosa Junction, one of the local villages where tastes from around the world blend with street art, boutiques and interior design.

Passionate foodies have embraced ways of bringing nutritious, tasty and sustainable produce to the table. Slow Food Noosa launched Australia’s first Snail of Approval program that inspires producers, chefs, restaurant owners and food outlets to use and promote good, clean, local and fair ingredients, supported by restaurants from Kin Kin General Store and Black Ant Gourmet in the Noosa hinterland to chef Shane Bailey at the Noosa Boathouse, right on the Noosa River.

The community

Noosa’s community is dedicated to the idea of sustainable living, with groups such as Plastic Free Noosa and Boomerang Alliance piloting projects to work with local restaurants, cafes, businesses and events to reduce single-use plastics; Zero Emissions Noosa and EcoTekk Noosa showing how to get around on electric bikes and other ways to reduce carbon emissions; and Trees for Tourism involving visitors in a program to plant trees for shade along hinterland trails and improve wildlife corridors for native animals.

Getting there

Your Noosa wellness experience is just a few hours away, with direct flights from Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide to Sunshine Coast Airport, just 30-minutes drive from Noosa.