Noosa….if the word evokes images of perfect point breaks, beautiful women & top notch eateries then you’d be correct. A famed surfing destination since the late 1950 – early 60’s when it was the heartland of the Australian surf scene.
Time’s have changed and nowadays you’d be flat pressed finding a parking spot like the above shot but one thing hasn’t and that is wave quality. Sure people whinge about the crowds but alas most of them are semi kooks packed into the Nationals & First Point sections.
But when Mother Nature turns it on by way of a solid cyclone swell or a pumping ECL (east coast low) and the swell pounds the headland with such a force that the ground actually rumbles under your feet, the possibility of drop bear falling out of a big ol’ gum becomes a reality. Oh yeah and those semi kooks well they’re all muttering to themselves a whole host of excuses (see soft) as to why they’re not out there while the few local hell men are charging the outer points of Ti-Tree and Granite Bay and slotting into perfect 6-8ft plus mechanical barrels.
Nevertheless if a cyclone swell isn’t your thing and you’re more partial to a good ol’ malibu glide Noosa is the spot, with it’s long reeling rides and the picturesque back drop of the National Park. The world’s best long-boarders converge here during the annual Noosa Festival of Surfing in March so if you want to watch a soul arching, toes on the nose show & a few great bands head along then.
Accommodation
Unless you live under a very large rock you would be well aware that Noosa has a bunch of high end resorts to bunker down in. The lesser known Sunshine Beach which cradles the other side of the National Park and conveniently seems to jag more swell then the rest of the Sunshine Coasts beach breaks combined also has a host of excellent holiday rental properties to suit most budgets.
For the purpose of this trip (surf, eat, sleep, surf, eat, sleep) we stayed at one of the best resorts in town the Peppers Noosa Resort and Villas partly because of it’s prime location to the surf but mainly because of it’s proximity to my favourite Gelato shop Massimo’s, ha.
This place is really terrific, particularly since it’s set back a wee way from the Hastings St (a 500m stroll or buggy ride) thus, it’s a tranquil place to chill. Pepper’s hotels are famed for their contemporary offerings and this resort doesn’t disappoint.
The suite I stayed in was very lush, impeccable style & comfortable furnishings that I could have happily languished in all day had the surf not been calling. In addition there was a sense of environmentally ethical practices through out the resort from the biodegradable toiletries provided to the local sustainable produce that featured on the restaurant menu.
Onsite is Stephanies’s Ocean Spa which offers an array of sublime treatments. The resorts restaurant had a pleasant ambiance and a variety of fresh fine food however with the cosmopolitan hub of Hastings Street beckoning we chose to dine at outstanding venues such as Seasons Restaurant for superb dinners and at Gaston or Bistro C for light delectable lunches. A cold schooner on the deck of Noosa Heads SLSC overlooking Laguna Bay is a must & same goes for the Sunshine Beach SLSC. What are you waiting for?
Luxe Surf Style 
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