A winter escape to Noosa

Think Noosa is only for summer getaways? Think again. Our Gold Coast blogger Andrew heads north to discover what all the fuss is about on the Sunshine Coast. (Pssst read on for details on how you can score a free dinner at the resort he called home for the weekend).

To many Queenslanders, Noosa is a bit of a summertime Mecca, a spur of the moment weekender, or a very beautiful place on the Sunshine Coast where you might attend a wedding once a year.
The rest of Australia, however, flocks to the family-friendly beach and swanky dining and shopping strip, to escape the cold, frosty conditions of their home city. Noosa shone for us on our recent weekend away – the sun was glorious and no one would even know it was winter. And the Southerners were out in full force!

Nestled amongst the Australian rainforest of the Noosa National Park headland lies the Outrigger Little Hastings Street Resort & Spa Noosa, a hidden village of fully self-contained holiday apartment blocks with pool, spa room and restaurant, all within an easy walk to the beach and trendy Hastings Street.
For a cosy winter escape it was the perfect retreat. We arrived to our heated room; a large balcony overlooked the tall trees, the sound of a rippling creek the backdrop to an otherwise still and silent night.

After ducking out for a quick bite and a pint at the Noosa Heads Surf Club, nothing pleased me more than heading back to the Outrigger to slump into bed for an uninterrupted nights’ sleep. Best Friday night in a long time!

For breakfast there’s an endless choice along the boardwalk or street side of Hastings. Bistro C is one of my favourites plus it affords a beautiful outlook onto the beach and the outdoor seating is ideal for basking in the morning sunshine.

Whilst the water was a bit nippy for us Gold Coasters, Saturday was spent with a short stroll down Hastings, followed by a scenic drive to the Eastern beaches and Noosaville (where I picked up a bargain framed mirror at an antique shop), a stroll along the beach and into the National Park, then returning to Outrigger for a relaxing bath before dinner.
Built for balmy Queensland nights, View Restaurant is the perfect spot for a quiet night in, centrally located in the Outrigger complex. Our tasty selection of entrees (including twice cooked pork belly and scallops) and main meal were surpassed only slightly by the amazing desserts – Kahlua crème caramel for Blake and warm pear and almond upside down cake, accompanied by an espresso martini for me. Bliss!

I couldn’t ask for more from a weekend escape – a walk on the beach, good food and wine, and a comfortable place to rest and relax.