Noosa Accommodations for Your Holidays in Noosa: Blog By Noosa

The sun is shining!

I've had a couple of people contacting me wanting to know if we're okay after the storms that hit Noosa last week (my Nanna is always convinced Queensland is under water!!) but it really wasn't a big deal for most of Noosa and surrounds.

Some houses and businesses in the hinterland unfortunately suffered water damage and a couple of roads needed repairs but most of Noosa was pretty much unscathed. The only problem where I live is that my big brave dog can't cope with thunder!

I just took this picture from my backyard - any excuse to get away from the computer - in case you want photographic evidence.

Noosa Qld, Coolum Qld, Eumundi Qld

Noosa shines for Ironman finals

What a fantastic atmosphere down at the Ironman finals on Noosa Main Beach on Sunday. Perfect weather, huge crowds, people handing out ice creams... what more could you want?

It was great to see Caine Eckstein win his first title and very exciting to see local girl Jordan Mercer finishing so well in the women's series - third on the day and fourth overall in the series, at just 18 years of age.

If you missed it this year, the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain Ironman and Ironwoman Series will be back at Coolum and Noosa next summer, although I haven't seen any dates yet. I'll keep you posted.

Noosa Queensland, Coolum Queensland

Weddings, Noosa style

I had to laugh yesterday afternoon when we were coming off the beach all wet and sandy and found ourselves sharing the path with a bridge and groom, all dressed up and carrying their shoes in the hands.

It was, of course, Valentine's Day, so there were probably lots of people tying the knot, but it still seems bizarre when you're there in your swimmers and carrying a boogie board.

I saw some stats on Noosa weddings a while ago and while I can't remember the details, I recall thinking that it equated to one wedding per day on the beach alone, without taking into account all the venues and other locations around town.

There was a couple in the local paper earlier in the week who had come all the way from England to get married here on Valentine's Day - and the groom had never even been here before.

I can understand the attraction though, it is a beautiful place to get married and have your wedding photos taken. And probably a good way to leave some annoying relatives behind!

(Image courtesy Phill Jackson Photography)

Noosa Qld

Noosa's artistic side

If you're interested in art, head up to the Butter Factory Arts Centre in Cooroy before March 10 to see a touring exhibition of works from the 2011 Queensland Regional Art Awards. It features works from both established and emerging artists from regional Queensland and they're open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm, with free entry.

I don't think I've written much about Cooroy in this blog before but it's one of the hinterland towns of Noosa and quite an appealing place, with a thriving artistic community. It also has the Noosa Botanic Gardens, which are well worth a visit, especially if you're not all that familiar with tropical plants.

If you miss the exhibition at Cooroy, there are plenty of other galleries around Noosa and Eumundi, including the Noosa Regional Gallery, pictured, (which has great programs for kids in the school holidays), located near the marina in Tewantin, and some excellent indigenous art galleries in Noosa Junction and Eumundi.

Noosa Queensland, Eumundi Queensland

Ginger Festival draws the crowds

We had a really enjoyable afternoon at The Ginger Factory on the weekend, with the annual Ginger Flower & Food Festival on. The place was full of colour from ginger flower displays and there was live music, cooking demonstrations and roving performers for entertainment.

We picked up some tips on cooking with ginger in a lesson by top chefs Michael Jenkins and Dominique Rizzo and then had ginger ice cream and ginger beer spiders - yum!  I did resist the temptation to buy more ginger plants this time; I usually end up going home with at least one tucked under my arm.

The Ginger Factory, which is in Yandina, is worth visiting any time of year, even if it's just for a wander around the gardens and an ice cream. My kids love the Overboard ride and the train, and you can do a factory tour if you want to, but it's free entry if you just want to have a look around.

Noosa's favourite sport

The annual Noosa Festival of Surfing is also coming up, from March 11 to 17. It will be six days of surfing, live music and other attractions, down on the beach at First Point, which is one of Noosa's most famous surfing spots (just around from Main Beach and Hastings Street).

I'm not a surfer but I love going along to watch - let's pray for good waves. Along with the standard surfing, they have stand-up paddle surfing, which is a huge sport here, and I imagine the beach bar will be a pretty popular spot!

It's probably a good idea to book some accommodation if you're planning to come, as the festival has become pretty popular and brings a lot of people into town. Anywhere around Hastings Street, Little Cove, Noosa Sound or Noosa Junction would be an easy walk, but there are always buses and ferries from other parts of town if you're looking for an alternative.

For more details on the events of the festival, click here to go to their website.

 

Images courtesy Phill Jackson Photography

Noosa Qld

Hot bodies coming our way

If you're thinking about a trip to Coolum or Noosa, you might want to time it to catch some of the action of the Kellogg's Nutri-Grain IronMan and IronWoman series, which is being held here next month.

I went along last year and it's a great spectator sport (read into that what you will!) You've got beautiful beaches, high profile competitors and a great atmosphere, with everyone cheering on the beach.

The Coolum event is being held on February 12, in front of the Coolum Beach Surf Club, then the finals of the series are being held in Noosa on February 19, on Main Beach in front of the Noosa Heads Surf Club. I'm there!

Noosa Queensland, Coolum Queensland

New Year's resolution: be pampered!

Talking of being kind to yourself, Noosa and Coolum have a wealth of spa and wellness options for some pampering, relaxation or re-setting of the system for the New Year.

It's not just for women, either. One of Noosa's best-known spas, Ikatan, has a 'ManSPAce' special for men at the moment, in case you blokes need a bit of convincing!

Ikatan is worth visiting for its location if nothing else; it is in the Noosa hinterland and has beautiful tropical gardens complete with gazebos where you can relax or spend some time with a group of friends. They do lots of 'spartys' and hen's days combining spa treatments with 'high tea' and champagne, and it's a genuine 'Noosa' experience.

Noosa Queensland, Coolum Queensland

New Year's resolution: more holidays!

Happy New Year!  And I hope you took my advice on the blue cocktails...

May 2012 bring lots of sunshine, swimming, good food, good wine and good coffee - all the ingredients of a perfect Noosa holiday.

Make it your New Year's resolution to spend some time here this year, you'll be glad you did.

Noosa Qld, Coolum Qld

Christmas, Noosa style

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas, wherever you may be in the world.

December 25 for me will bring a guaranteed early start followed by opening presents around the tree, and then lunch with the family.

We've ordered some Moreton Bay bugs (that's a type of seafood, in case you're wondering if us crazy Australians eat insects!) and local prawns, which will go very nicely with a glass or two of bubbly on what is sure to be a hot day.

The afternoon will no doubt involve a game of cricket on the beach and hopefully some peace and quiet to float around in the pool. All hail the banana lounge!

Season's greetings and safe travels.

Noosa Qld, Coolum Qld, Eumundi Qld