Noosa and Fraser Island are great holiday destinations for families. Relax at the family-friendly beach or drive a rental boat up the river. For a bigger adventure go on a day trip to Fraser Island.
ACCOMODATION
AirBnb (fits 2 families)- Beautiful Rainforest Getaway, Doonan – $500 p/n.
We rented this house just outside Noosa to avoid the crowds. It’s 3 story and sleeps 9, so is perfect for two families to share. It has incredible views and a lovely pool. We really enjoyed sitting on the big veranda and putting food out for the Bush Turkeys and parakeets.
Café Doonan is only a 10 minute drive away. It’s a great spot for coffee and lunch with some nice outdoor seating. They also have live music on Friday nights. The nearest shopping centre is 20 minute drive.
THINGS TO DO IN NOOSA
Self-Drive Noosa River Cruise
Hire a boat and drive yourselves up the river. We rented a 12 seater from Ready to Go Boat Hire at Noosa Marina. It cost $250 for four hours. Admittedly it’s not the cheapest activity but it is loads of fun and if the cost is split between two families it’s ok. There is a onboard toilet.
We gave my brother-in-law the job of driving and captaining the boat. We figured his job as a shipping agent made him more qualified than anyone else. Teens zipped past us in their tinnies and jetski’s. Chugging along the river our hire boat wasn’t exactly speedy, but it was a good pace for our abilities.
Despite the advertising there was no pizza oven on board but there was a bbq, so we grabbed some supplies before we left and stopped for lunch near a park. It’s safe to swim in the river and heaps of fun. This is a great way to spend an afternoon.
Eumundi Markets
This is a huge market with a rural vibe. A bustling array of stalls with everything from clothing and jewellery to massage and tarot readings. There is live music and food galore. Make sure you allow at least a couple of hours to look around.
Noosa Beach
Noosa Beach is a small, charming beach with good sized waves for families. It can get crowded in the peak of summer and parking can be a real issue. It’s definately one of the main attractions in Noosa. Go for a walk along the headland or to one of the many eateries nearby.
Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo is not your typical zoo. It’s definitely more ‘hands on’. Staff may offer you to pat the animals and also show you how they train them. The day we decided to go to the zoo it absolutely bucketed down. The rain poncho became the garment of choice for almost everyone. Thankfully the rain cleared and the shows went ahead as planned. A family of 4 cost $180.
The highlight for me was seeing the wombat go for a walk on a leash.
Fraser Island
We contemplated hiring a 4WD and driving over to the island ourselves, but instead decided to go with a tour company, which was definately the right decision. We wouldn’t have covered the kilometres or visited some of the places we did otherwise. We booked a Nature Day Tour with Fraser Tours. The cost was around $200 p/adult and $130 p/child under 14 yrs.
We met the bus at Noosa Marina at 7am, made a couple of stops to pick up other passengers and arrived at Rainbow Beach. We were soon hurtling along the beach, swerving to miss the occasional log and splashing over small inlets. The endless beach stretched out in front of us, with views of the open ocean on one side and rainbow cliffs on the other.
Eventually we started heading inland on a narrow, rugged track. Our next stop was Lake MacKenzie. There we enjoyed morning tea, then headed down to the lake and it’s clear, warm waters for a swim. Take your sunglasses or be momentarily blinded by the brilliant white sand.
On the road again we drove even further inland. Our guide (who grew up on the island) was a wealth of knowledge and kept us entertained with scary stories about snakes and guns. Lunch, was quite a lavish affair – salads, cold cuts and wine. While they set up we went for a short walk through the rainforest, along a wooden boardwalk.
Initially I didn’t even notice the creek below us. The water was so clear it just looked like a sandy trail. Now that’s crystal!
Elliot Creek
My favourite stop on the tour was Elliot Creek. This chilly, narrow creek has a strong current. Jump in at the start and drift down to the outlet by the sea, or bring a floatie for some extra fun.
Not far from Elliot Creek was the shipwreck Maheno. In 1935 she was being towed to Japan for scrap when a storm hit. The tow chain snapped and she drifted helplessly onto the beach, where she has been ever since, slowly eroding away.
I was disappointed we couldn’t stay longer at the creek, but we had to beat the encroaching tide. We saw quite a few dingos on the drive back. This was a fun day exploring the island, but we were glad to get off the bus at 6pm.
