{"id":24296,"date":"2013-06-27T09:44:25","date_gmt":"2013-06-26T23:44:25","guid":{"rendered":"\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/?p=24296"},"modified":"2018-05-15T03:12:58","modified_gmt":"2018-05-14T17:12:58","slug":"keeping-things-cool-in-noosa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lastminute.com.au\/vc\/blog\/keeping-things-cool-in-noosa\/","title":{"rendered":"Keeping things cool in Noosa"},"content":{"rendered":"
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It\u2019s no secret I love Noosa (case in point here<\/a>). This little town on QLD\u2019s beautiful Sunshine Coast has grown into a mecca for foodies, surfers, shoppers and sun chasers alike.<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n
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Thanks to its close proximity to Brisbane, you can find me there around about 20 out of 52 weekends a year, for all the same reasons listed above. Even during the cooler months, when it\u2019s time to log off on a Friday afternoon I hit the escape button and run out the door, en route to the shores.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s all about Hastings<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re headed to Noosa, my biggest tip would be to base yourself as close as possible to the ever-so-trendy Hastings Street. Shops, restaurants, the beach, the national park walk, you name it \u2013 it\u2019s all here.<\/p>\n

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Noosa in all her glory<\/p><\/div>\n

This trip, I\u2019m staying at the Mantra French Quarter Noosa<\/a>. With its prime real estate location on the doorstep of Hastings Street, this little beaut offers direct access to the heart of the action. Suitable for families, groups, and couples alike, it\u2019s hard to draw a fault card. Our one bedroom deluxe apartment has everything we need and more. From a bathroom with spa bath and laundry, to a kitchenette with complimentary cheese and popcorn pack, not to forget the balcony overlooking the lagoon pool, it\u2019s really tempting to just unpack and never leave.<\/p>\n\"<\/a>\n\"<\/a>\n

If you think the drawcards stop there, think again. Guests of Mantra French Quarter get free secure parking included with their stay, which has to be one of my favourite bonuses of spending the night. It may not be a big city but believe me when I say a visit to Noosa almost always includes copious car park circling, so the thought of not running into this problem is very, very welcome.<\/p>\n

Noosa National Park hike<\/strong><\/p>\n

Embracing the cooler months with a trip to the Sunshine Coast doesn\u2019t mean I\u2019m brave enough to jump feet first into the surf\u2026I\u2019d still much rather stay dry and watch from afar. A walk through the Noosa National Park is a perfect Saturday morning alternative, so with Mr LML in tow, we make a break away from the waves, and up to the highest lookout point.<\/p>\n

The scenery along the way is enough to get me out of bed in the mornings.<\/p>\n

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Walking past the nooks of Noosa: Little cove; Noosa main beach; Tea trees; Surfer at Tea trees<\/p><\/div>\n\"<\/a>\n

Food, glorious food! <\/strong><\/p>\n

Walk-ins beware! Having to make dinner reservations even in winter is enough to prove that Noosa doesn\u2019t lose its popularity when the temperatures start to drop. Craving some egg battered calamari from Bistro C on Hastings Street, I was pretty disappointed to find that we couldn\u2019t get a table without booking earlier that day. Note for next time \u2013 book, book, book!<\/p>\n

Our disappointment doesn\u2019t last long as this gives us the chance to try somewhere new. We jump in the car and head down the road to Gympie Terrace and pull up a seat at iS Tapas Bar, overlooking the Noosa River. Each plate of Mediterranean and Spanish-infused tapas leaves us wanting more but I\u2019ve got to give special mention to their super tasty jugs of sangria and their white wine and garlic muscles \u2013 delicious!<\/p>\n

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Ginger chicken, White wine garlic muscles, Teriyaki Salmon<\/p><\/div>\n

Full and totally satisfied, we make our way back to Mantra French Quarter to unwind a little more with a movie and some popcorn. It\u2019s the little things that count, so massive kudos to Mantra for reading my mind for a perfect night on the Sunshine Coast.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

What are your top things to do in Noosa during the winter?<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n\"iS<\/a>\n
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