Once restrictions began to open up after Queensland’s first lockdown, beach resort towns were filling up fast – including the Sunshine Coast’s Noosa. Speckled with beaches and stylish boutiques, this sophisticated coastal oasis offers the best of both worlds and is especially popular with interstate visitors.

Well, my interest was picked. I’d never visited Noosa before so I tried to organise a trip there but alas, everything was completely booked out. As luck would have it though, an opportunity came my way at work to join a famil content shoot with Visit Noosa to get to know the area and come back with some much-needed photos and footage. I happily obliged!

Buddied up with our team’s social media star, this two-night stay was based at Fairshore Noosa, situated on thriving Hastings Street. Spoiled with a roomy suite hosting two bedrooms, kitchen, lounge, and balcony overlooking the beach, the apartments here back onto Noosa Main Beach so it really is the perfect middle ground for location.

On evening one, we met up with both our famil host and the talented content creator joining us for the next two days. First up was Seasons Restaurant & Bar to capture a sunset dining shot, get to know each other, and enjoy dinner. Great cocktails and excellent fish and chips.

Day two was a bright and early 6.30am start to capture a live stream of the sunrise at Noosa Main Beach. Walking along the boardwalk, we created this to share on the Visit Queensland Facebook page so viewers could soak it all in and feel like they were along for the stroll.

This worked a treat for building up an appetite for breakfast at beachside cafe Bistro C. A real Instagram-worthy cafe, this colourful menu tastes as good as it looks. We were even lucky enough to witness dolphins jumping in the distance. No trip to Noosa is complete without a shop along Hasting Street so we spent the rest of the morning capturing shots along the main strip. With plenty of boutiques and local homewares, gift shops, day spas, and galleries to explore, you can easily spend half a day working your way around.

At lunchtime, we had free a free moment so Visit Noosa kindly organised for an Amazing Graze Co table to be set up beside the pool at our apartment. It was delicious!

This was just the start of a food-filled day as that afternoon we were scheduled to shoot at some of the restaurants overlooking the river at Noosaville. Stopping in at Gusto Riverside Restaurant (a modern European style bistro), Whisky Boy (excellent cocktails), and Frenchies Brasserie for an incredible 4-course meal, we were stuffed by the end of the day. The desserts at Frenchies were the real winner here as we were treated to warm apple Tatin with vanilla ice cream, crème brûlée and profiteroles.

On the final day of this Noosa famil, it was time to explore the Noosa Hinterland. Just a short drive out from the main drag, you’ll find quiet country roads, fresh mountain air, and a collection of charming towns. Cosy stays, historic pubs and farm-to-table food is the vibe here. Cooloola Berries was first on the agenda, a strawberry working farm with a cafe and store on-site too.

With light meals, strawberry-inspired desserts, and strawberry cider to work your way through, it’s worth the drive up for lunch.

Next up was the Kin Kin General Store which operates as both a convenience store and cafe. Set in a cute village with a menu created from fresh, local produce and a lovely outdoor area to sit in, it’s a real wholesome experience here.

During our visit, we learnt that the owners were soon opening their own luxury, suatainable villas on a nearby working farm. With an offer to show us around, we happily agreed and wow! It was amazing there. The villas at Mayan Farm are constructed from recycled timbers including railway sleepers, old bridge timbers and timbers from the original slab hut building on Mayan Farm. One of the external doors was even made using a door Captain Jack Sparrow flung open in Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales movie. My favourite feature on this property (after the incredible views) was both the alfresco hot tub and bath – so tranquil.

The final stop after a very busy two days was Thirlstane Farm Cottage and Barn. Set on 24 acres of peaceful rolling hills, this quintessential farm accommodation has been beautifully rennovated. The stars of the show though had to be the fluffy calves Hamish and Maisie who we got to meet and feed.

After sending us on way with a pot of local honey, our Noosa trip had come to an end, and the below video was the end result.

Update July 2021: I loved Noosa so much that I’ve been back a few times since. Noosa Hinterland Retreat has become a favourite of mine and Joe’s as it’s affordable, tranquil and dog friendly – perfect for a one night getaway to escape the city. The owner is lovely too and he goes the extra mile to leave welcoming touches, such as breakfast goodies in the fridge, snacks and chocolate, and pamper products in the bathroom. The retreat is surrounded by gum forest too so you feel like you’re completely alone in nature – bliss! I recommend nearby Noosa Boathouse for take away fish and chips and a walk alongside the river. Albus loved meeting the iconic Big Pelican.

I’ve also been back recently on a trip with my mum and sister where we stayed at a 3 bedroom villa about a 10 minute walk from the main strip. This was perfect for a group trip as the house was spacious, comfortable and close to the local attractions. I could show off what I enjoyed most from the content shoot so we walked along the boardwalk at Noosa Main Beach (this time without having to do a live Facebook stream!), stopped for breakfast at Bistro C (which have delicious pancakes), shopped along Hastings Street, enjoyed a cocktail at Whisky Boy, and ventured a little further afield to Peregian Beach which stretches for 8.4km. It was in this little village that we discovered Le Bon Delice French Patisserie with Parisian decor and lemon and sugar crepes.

I well and truly feel like I have got to know Noosa a whole lot better now, but would still like to return to explore more, including doing a Noosa River cruise at sunset.