Bali Getaway, Noosa Style
When you can’t ✈️ fly to Bali for a getaway, you can come to Bali, Noosa style.
Noosa Beaches
Noosa has multiple surf beaches, point breaks, the added bonus of clean clear water plus the Noosa World Heritage Surf Reserve. Our Beaches offer a variety of open east coastal beaches, protected north facing laguna bay, better known as ‘main beach’ and even a beach for dogs with lovely parklands and a walking paths, at the river mouth!
Noosa River
The Noosa River runs out to the ocean at the far end of ‘Main Beach’ better know as Noosa Spit. However, the river starts in the catchment area of the Noosa Biosphere, a pristine area that is well worth a visit to immerse yourself in nature with a trip in a boat, kayak or paddle-board to see the amazing trees and foliage reflecting in the water, giving a 3D effect due to the natural tannin in the water.
For a biosphere experience, visit Habitat Noosa, set amongst 65 acres of National Park and perched on the edge of picturesque Lake Cootharabah. With an array of accommodation options, waterfront activities and The Great Sandy National Park location with walking trails where you can get up close and personal with the abundant wildlife and discover the rich history of the region.
The Noosa River is mostly enjoyed in Noosaville area where you will find river beaches accessed from the parklands enjoyed by many locals and visitors. Whether you are exercising, walking your dog, grabbing a coffee or enjoying the view from one of the local restaurants or cafes serving great food, Noosa River offers a natural parkland for everyone.
Noosa Sunset Locations
Bali is famous for beach sunsets but Noosa has many famous sunset locations. At sunset you will find plenty of locals relaxing with a drink on the shore of the river or the Noosa Spit, where the river mouth meets the sea is a great location to watch over the water as the sun slip behind the Noosa Hinterland and Mt Cooroora in Pomona.
You will find the Noosa Lookout on top of Noosa Hill in the National Park area, as another popular location to watch the sunset from an uninterrupted view overlooking the Noosa area, as the sun drops away in behind the hills of the Noosa hinterland and Mt Cooroora . If you’re more in the mood for a stroll along the beach at sunset, head to Main Beach and walk from the National Park end of Hasting Street towards the Spit as the sunsets over the North Shore beyond the Spit.
Everyone Loves a Sunset Bar
Bali has some well known Sunset Bars where crowds flock to for sultry, sunset soirées and while beach bars are not permitted in Noosa we have a couple of bars that offer great cocktails for sipping as the sky lights up and the sun goes down.
The Sunset Bar at The Noosa Boat House on Gympie Terrace is worth the stair climb as it offers spectacular, uninterrupted view of sunset while you enjoy a drink or two and some great food catering for the sunset time of day and mood.
Another favourite for sunset is the small but elegant, Sunset Bar at the Sofitel Noosa, offering some terrace seating with a view down the canal to the Noosa River and a snapshot of Mount Cooroora in the distance. Specialising in a great cocktail list, made by skilled bar staff along with some tasty tapas style eats makes for a dress-up occasion for a relaxing sunset.
Miss Zipping around on a Bali Scooter?
Can you ever have too many scooters? The swarm of scooters, is what we all know about most Asian destinations and scooters make getting around so much easier than a car, it’s also easier to park and a lot cooler than walking in the heat of the day.
Noosa has a growing number of locals opting for travelling by scooters around town and it’s for the same reasons as Asian destinations. Noosa council have converted a number of car parking spaces into scooter park areas, particularly in places such as Hastings Street, a notorious, traffic congested areas with limited parking.
Scooters can be hired from a few businesses in Noosa and the best news is, unlike riding a scooter in Bali, you will have a Scooter that’s safe to ride, runs well, is insured and you already know the road rules. No merging on mass with bikes, scooters, truck and cars at a standstill while you breathe in the fumes on a scooter in Noosa, just the breeze as you ride along the roads in Noosa.
Tip: Don’t park a scooter in a car park space you might find your scooter moved on if you do.
Markets, Yoga, Day Spas, Retreats, Restaurants and Cafes
While you might miss Bali for many reasons and among many the homage to Ubud for yoga, retreats, day spas, abundant organics, vegan cafes and the Balinese people performing their traditional dancing, you won’t miss the Bali belly or the crowds. The aroma of fragrant incense wafting through the air, the chatter, laughter and sound of Balinese language in the markets mixed with the aromas or rice and spices cooking, all heightened our senses Bali and are the things I miss about Bali.
Noosa offers some amazing restaurants, cafes and coffee and most offer dietary requirements and vegan options along with a variety of cuisines and price ranges. Alcohol is safe to drink and plenty of wine choices at bars and restaurants in Noosa.
While most people love that massage and day spas are cheap in Bali, they also don’t have the training, qualifications, insurances and wage costs that we do in Australia. You will find some salons, hotel day spas and ikatan Spa if you are missing a true Balinese experience.
At ikatan Spa our setting, treatments and massage are Balinese. Men feel comfortable here at ikatan as we don’t make you wear bathrobes or slippers, not needed as you get changed in you villa style treatment room with access from the gardens, just like Bali.
What better way to spend time in Noosa than with a day spa treatment with traditional Balinese sarongs to cover you during treatments then relax with a beverage surrounded by nature in ikatan Spa extensive Balinese gardens.
It will cost you more to eat, drink and Spa in Noosa compared to Bali but you won’t have the expense and time spent on a long flight to get to Bali.
Try ikatan Spa, it’s Bali, Noosa Style.