Welcome to Noosa, with its beautiful natural surrounds, cosmopolitan atmosphere and vibrant calendar of events! If you’re looking for something to do during your holidays, we’ve put together some ideas for you. 
CLICK HERE to download THIS WEEK IN NOOSA for 6-12 March 2015 or please see below.
For more ideas call into the Noosa Visitor Information Centres at Hastings Street, Parkyn’s Hut or Noosa Marina in Tewantin. Phone +61 7 5430 5000 or Freecall 1 3000 NOOSA (66672)

UPCOMING EVENTS

Pure stoke: Surfing legends, old guys, gals, tandem – even dogs take to their boards for the Noosa Festival of Surfing, the world’s biggest surf festival, Sat 7-14 March, First Point, Noosa Heads, with action in the waves all day and free live music and movies at the Beach Bar every afternoon. This Sat see the Womp Comp; Waterman Challenge; stand-up paddling; Legends Exhibition (5pm) with Mark Richards, Layne Beachley, Josh Constable, Taylor Jensen, Peter Townend and more. Highlights on Sun include Teams Challenge (7am), Womp Comp final (2.40pm), Waterman final (3.20pm), Tandem (4.10pm), surfing dogs(4.30pm) and costume party surf (5pm). There’s action all week including Logger Pro, Family Challenge(from Mon), Joel Tudor Invitational (from Wed) and Brazilian blind surfer Derek Rabelo on Wed, 5.30pm. See the premiere of festival doco 8 Days of Pure Stoke on Mon, 7pm. The full surfing and entertainment schedule is at noosafestivalofsurfing.com

Surfing reserve: Celebrate the dedication of the Noosa National Surfing Reserve this Fri 6 Mar at the Noosa National Park entrance, 1pm, then surf exhibitions at First Point from 2.30pm with surf legends and ironmen; surfing dogs at 5.30pm; Beach Bar open from 4pm and live music from 6pm

Instameet: Bring your smartphone and join the Visit Noosa Instameet this Sun 8 March for some great shots of the Surfing Dog Spectacular at the Noosa Festival of Surfing – meet at the Visit Noosa Marquee on Noosa’s Main Beach at 4.15pm and get set to #visitnoosa

Photography tour: Join Topphotos.com.au for a photography tour on the Noosa River and Noosa Everglades on Saturday 7 March, 5-11am. Guide and skipper Andrew McGaughey will help you improve your skills as a photographer as you experience this beautiful natural playground. Ph 0429 837 419 or emailandy@topphotos.com.au

Get a boost with Layne: 7-times world surfing champion Layne Beachley will be at Boost Juice Noosa in Hastings Street this Sun 8 Mar, 10-11am to meet fans. Try Layne’s new Green Machine Drink while you’re there!

CUISINE

Amina’s Home Cooking: MasterChef favourite and author Amina Elshafei is at Rump House Restaurant & River Lounge, Noosa Marina for International Women’s Day, Sun 8 Mar, 11.30am. Cost $45 includes 2-course lunch and a glass of wine. Book on 5329 6555

Tea in the gardens: Discover the Noosa Botanic Gardens and hear photographer, artist, author and politician Tony Wellington share insights on Expressions: Canvas, Film, Paper on Tues 10 March, 2pm. Sit under the poinciana trees and enjoy fresh scones, strawberry jam and cream with Friends of the Noosa Botanic Gardens, Lake Macdonald Dve, Lake Macdonald – free event. Please CLICK HERE for information and RSVP to 0412 053 281

Sunset drinks: See a spectacular Noosa sunset while enjoying a cool drink at a beautiful beachfront bar on Noosa’s Main Beach, overlooking Sunshine Beach, along the river at Noosaville or catch the Noosa Ferry to Noosa Marina, Tewantin. Take a stroll and pull up a pew!

ENTERTAINMENT

Women in music: Cello Dreaming presents chamber music with Muses Piano Trio, Eudlo Hall, Rosebed St, Eudlo near Noosa hinterland, Sat 7 Mar, 7-9pm. Tickets $45/$35/$20 – CLICK HERE to book or ph 0415 128 799

Outdoor flicks: Starry Nights Outdoor Movies presents Life of Pi at Cooroy Library Rooftop Flicks, Maple St, Fri 6 Mar, 6.30pm (entry by donation); and The Endless Summer at Peregian Pictures, next to Peregian Beach Surf Club, Sat 7 Mar, 6.30pm (BBQ available). Bring a blanket or chairs

Sounds by the sea: Musicians from St Teresa’s Catholic College perform by the beach in front of Noosa Heads Surf Club, Thur 12 Mar, 6.30am – grab a coffee from a nearby coffee cart or start your early morning walk with music

Live music: Check out great live music in Noosa from 6-12 March

• The Beach Bar at the Noosa Festival of Surfing has live music every night from 6pm – Expand & Surrender, Fri; Cheap Fakes, Sat; Unearthed junior bands, Sun; Expand & Surrender, Mon; Provita, Tues; Dave Flower, Wed; Asher Chapman, Thurs
• Café Le Monde has Cheap Fakes for the Noosa Festival of Surfing opening party, Sat 7 Mar, 9pm; Band of Frequencies and surf movie, 11 Mar, 8pm; Wintex and Nato 12 Mar, 8pm 
• Peregian Originals has Kingfisha, Brains Trust, Phil Barlow and the Wolf and Malia Stirling, Sun 7 Mar, 1-5pm, beachside, in the park next to Peregian Beach Surf Club – powered by donations
• Local Women Rock for International Women’s Day, Sat 7 Mar, 6.30pm, House with No Steps, Charles Duke Dve, Doonan, with Michelle Brown and Kitty Kats, Doo Wop Dolls, Michelle Lamarca, Trish Couper Duo, author Emma Freeman, Melony’s belly dancing and Fun Ukulele Noosa Club. $25 entry, BYO food and drinks, ph 0410 573 629
• Luiz Carlos is free, Harbour Wine Bar, Noosa Marina, Tewantin Fri 6 Mar, 5.30pm
• At Bohemian Bungalow, Eumundi, Lucy Gallant Sat 7 Mar, noon-2pm; Mo Swagger on Sun, 12.30-2.30pm
• Carl Lynch and his new duo are free at Noosa Yacht & Rowing Club on Sun 8 Mar, 2pm 
• At Noosa Beach House Bar, Hastings St this Fri 6 Mar see Andrew Lawson, 8.30-11.30pm; The Vibe Duo on Sun, 2.30-5.30pm and Tall Guy With Glasses on Wed 11 Mar, 6.30-8.30pm
• Coolum Surf Club has a soloist this Fri 6 Mar from 6.30pm and Ultra Steel Band from 9pm
• Live music at Shades Wine Bar, Noosa Junction on Wednesday and Saturday
• Shannon Sol Carroll is free at KB’s, Nomads Noosa, Sun 8 Mar, 7-10pm; Alan Kelly Duo, Wed 11 Mar, 8-11pm
• Rum Jungle are free at Sunshine Beach Surf Club this Sun 8 Mar, 3-6pm
• At Crawdaddy’s, upstairs Bay Village, Hastings St see Brains Trust, Fri 6 Mar, 9pm ($5); Ladi Abundance Project, Sat 9pm ($10); Thump soul funk revue Mon 9 Mar, 7.30pm (free)
• Romeo’s Apprentice are at Tewantin-Noosa RSL Fri 6 Mar, 8pm, $10; ABBA Live are free on Sat 8pm;Atmosphere Duo are free on Thurs 12 Mar, 7pm

WHY NOT…

Full moon SUP: Join Adventure Sports Kitesurf Australia for a beautiful full moonrise stand-up paddle around Noosa Sound on Fri 6 March. Meet at Noosa Heads Lions Park, Noosa Pde, 5.30pm. Board available for hire on 5455 6677

Pink Stumps: Join a team or cheer on the players at a family-friendly day of cricket, great prizes and fundraising at the Betty Blockbuster Pink Stumps Day in support of the McGrath Foundation and breast cancer care nurses, Sat 7 March, 12-3pm, Noosa Tewantin Sports Complex, McKinnon Dve, Tewantin. Raffle prizes include a cricket bat signed by Michael Clarke, accommodation at Noosa resorts, restaurant and spa vouchers. Ph 0419 236 133

Beach yoga: Join Santushti Yoga for beach and park sessions in Peregian Beach and Noosa Heads – suitable for beginner and intermediate of all ages, Fri-Tues, $10 each + $1.50 mat hire, or bring your own. Ph 0415 813 584 for times and locations

Learn to surf: Feel the thrill of standing up on wave for the first time and learn to surf in Noosa’s safe waters while on holiday. Ask at the Noosa Visitor Information Centre, Hastings St, ph 1 3000 NOOSA or seevisitnoosa.com.au/play

Kayak time: Explore Noosa’s beautiful waterways by kayak from Laguna Bay to Noosa River, tranquil Weyba Creek, Noosa Sound canals, the lakes or up to the pristine Noosa Everglades. You’ll see, hear and experience wildlife and nature as never before. Hire a kayak and take yourself or join a guided tour. Call the Noosa Visitor Information Centre on 1 3000 66672, drop in or see visitnoosa.com.au/play

Saddle up: Enjoy a range of horse riding adventures with experienced guides – Discover beautiful Lake Weyba with Noosa Horse Riding. Go along Noosa North Shore beach or bush with Equathon Horse Riding. Or take a guided trail ride through rainforest and farmland in Noosa hinterland with Mary Valley Adventure Trails. Book at the Noosa Visitor Information Centre in Hastings St or phone 1 3000 66672

Eco Cruise: See and learn about Noosa’s history and amazing birds, marine life and flora on the Noosa Eco Cruise, with spectacular views of beaches, river and mountains, Tues and Thurs. Adult $45, child $20. Includes river cruise, nature walk, morning tea and same day all-day Noosa Ferry pass (valued at $20). Must book on 5449 8442

Honey ant: See a beautiful collection of quality Aboriginal art from Australia’s most remote art centres in the Central and Western Deserts, at Honey Ant Gallery in Noosa Heads which this year celebrates its 10th anniversary. Each painting comes with a certificate of authenticity from the art centre. Viewing is invited by appointment – phone 5455 4334 or see honeyantgallery.com

SurfShots: If you are in town for a summer surfing holiday, take home great photos of you in action on Noosa’s waves from SurfShots Noosa. They do one-on-one surf photo sessions for individuals, families or small groups – 1hr one-on-one from $79 includes up to 30 high-res digital images. Phone Dave on 0411 215 111 or see surfshots.com.au

Treasure trove: Take home a memento or two of your Noosa holiday and explore the gorgeous stores that line Hastings St, Noosa Junction, Peregian Village, Sunshine Beach, Noosaville, Noosa Marina, Tewantin and the hinterland villages of Cooroy, Pomona and Eumundi. From fashion, homewares, surfboards and jewellery to art, furniture and handmade designs, you’ll find something unique to be treasured at home

Markets: Find something yummy or unique with locally made products, art, craft and food at markets around Noosa: Original Eumundi Markets, Wednesday and Saturday morning; Noosa Farmers Market, every Sunday, 6am-noon, AFL grounds, Weyba Rd, Noosaville; Noosa Marina Markets, every Sunday, 8am-2pm, Parkyn Court, Tewantin; Pomona Country Markets, 2nd and 4th Saturdays every month, 6.30am-noon, Stan Topper Park, Pomona; Cooroy Community Markets, every Thursday, 8am-1pm, RSL Hall, Maple St; Peregian Markets, 1st and 3rd Sundays every month, 7am-12.30pm, Kingfisher Park, Peregian Beach Foreshore; Cooroy Grass Roots Markets, 1st, 3rd and 5th Saturday, 7am-noon, Memorial Hall, Maple St; Kin Kin Creations Market, 1st Sunday every month, 9am-1pm, Kin Kin Oval; Eumundi Square Markets, every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 7.30am-2pm; Noosa Kids and Baby Market, last Sunday every month (except July and December), 8-11am, Noosa Leisure Centre, Wallace Drive, Noosaville

Noosa by ferry: The Noosa Ferry is a beautiful way to see Noosa, with stops between Noosa Marina at Tewantin, Noosaville and the Sheraton Jetty in Noosa Heads, 7 days a week from 9.15am-6.40pm – the perfect way to get to and from your favourite Noosa restaurant. There are also special Sunset Cruises with a free ticket on the evening service. Ph 5449 8442 or see noosaferry.com

Explore: Get out and about and explore with tours from Noosa to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, kayak the pristine Noosa Everglades, go cruising or fishing on Noosa River, kayak or take a jet boat tour into Laguna Bay, join a bike tour through Tewantin National Park, abseil down Mt Tinbeerwah or hire a car and head to the beautiful hinterland. Phone the Noosa Visitor Information Centre on 1 3000 66672, call in at Hastings St or Noosa Marina or see visitnoosa.com.au/play

Theme park transfers: Australia Zoo and Aussie World theme parks are just a short trip from Noosa and Con-x-ion now does transfers to and from these attractions. Book on 5450 5933 or 1 3000 66672

See Noosa from the water on a stand-up paddle board (it’s easy), surfboard (lessons are fun), kayak (take a tour or hire and take yourself), hire a party pontoon and enjoy a river picnic, jump on a hire jet-ski, join afishing tour, book the gondola or classic wooden power boat, the Noosa Ferry or action-packed jet boat. Ask at Visitor Information Centres in Hastings St or Noosa Marina, ph 1 3000 66672 or CLICK HERE

Messing about on boats: Explore the beautiful Noosa River and its bird and marine life – drive yourself on a party pontoon or hire boat, get on-board the Noosa Eco Cruise, take a fishing and crabbing tour, a Noosa Ferry between Noosa Marina and Hastings St, Noosa Queen sunset tour, Noosa River and Canal Cruise, dine on the Noosa Cruising Restaurant, indulge on the Noosa Gondola or Noosa Dreamboats’ 1940s power boat, take a boat trip or guided and self guided kayaking tour to the ancient Noosa Everglades, or hire a kayak or stand-up paddle board – phone 1 3000 NOOSA, see Visitor Information Centres in Hastings Street or Noosa Marina, or see visitnoosa.com.au

River of mirrors: Discover the Noosa Everglades, the river of mirrors, and its magnificent wildlife and pristine wilderness with guided and self-guided kayak tours, or by boat from Noosaville. Find out more at the Visitor Information Centre, Hastings St, Noosa Heads or phone 1 3000 66672

Noosa park run: Test your time or just enjoy a friendly  run at the free, weekly Noosa Park Run, a 5km timed run or walk every Saturday, 7am, leaving from Noosaville State School, Beckmans Rd, Noosaville. Open for old and young, serious runners or those trying it for the first time. Register atparkrun.com.au/noosa

Lookout!: See a magical Noosa sunrise or sunset with a bird’s eye view from one of Noosa’s easily accessible lookouts. Drive along Viewland Dve, Noosa Heads to Noosa Lookout or walk up the steps along Morwong Dve at the end of Hastings St – it’s worth it! Mt Tinbeerwah (wheelchair access) is only a 10-min drive from Noosa Heads, along Noosa-Cooroy Rd and turn right into Tinbeerwah Rd. And for the more adventurous, head to Mt Cooroora in Pomona and Mt Coolum for spectacular views

See Noosa by bike: Hire a bike and take yourself along the beautiful beach and riverfront bikeways or hinterland trails – try a new tandem electric bike! Or join a guided tour down Mt Tinbeerwah or through the Noosa Trail Network. Call the Noosa Visitor Information Centre on 1 3000 NOOSA for more information

Tee-off: From championship courses to greens for families and beginners on holiday, the Noosa region has a range of beautiful golf courses. See visitnoosa.com.au/play-golf or phone us on 1 3000 NOOSA

Relax and unwind: At a glorious day spa, at Yoga or Pilates sessions or with an in-room massage – a perfect supplement to your Noosa winter holiday. Indulge with rejuvenating pick-me-up treatments from facials to full body massages, hydromassage pools and body scrubs. See visitnoosa.com.au/relax

Hire a car and take a country drive through the Noosa hinterland with spectacular views, lakes, forests and volcanic formations. Visit country towns, walk the Noosa trails, climb a mountain and call in to a country pub in Eumundi, Cooroy, Pomona, Boreen Point or Kin Kin. Pick up a Noosa map from Visitor Information Centres in Hastings St or Noosa Marina, ph 1 3000 66672 or see visitnoosa.com.au 

River sunset: See amazing sunsets from Noosa River with Noosa Cruising Restaurant’s luxury sunset dinner cruise from Noosa Marina. Noosa Ferry has a BYO $20 sunset cruise with departures from Tewantin, Noosaville, Noosa Sound and Noosa Heads. Noosa Queen’s $10 sunset cruise takes in Lake Cooroibah and river life – fully licensed bar onboard. Noosa River and Canal Cruises has BYO $20 sunset cruises Wednesdays to Saturdays. Phone 1 3000 66672 or ask at Noosa Visitor Information Centres in Hastings St or Noosa Marina 

Stand up paddling: Learn to stand up paddle – it’s easy and fun for everyone and you see Noosa from the beautiful waterways. Ask at the Visitor Information Centre in Hastings St or phone 1 3000 NOOSA

Gift from Noosa: Give friends and relatives a Noosa experience with a Noosa Gift Certificate from the Visitor Information Centre in Hastings St – available for a tour or activity, or buy a Noosa Experience credit so they book an experience of their choice. Ph 1 3000 66672 or drop in to the centre

Out and about: It’s a beautiful time of year to explore Noosa’s nature – take a walk along a beach anywhere between Coolum, Peregian or Noosa Heads; hire a boat on the river; walk around the bays through Noosa National Park; take a tour to Fraser Island; head for the hinterland; learn to surf, skydive or abseil; hire a canoe and explore the waterways at your own pace; take the ferry between Noosa Marina and Hastings Street; enjoy fish and chips by the river; take an action-packed adventure boat ride – there’s plenty of fun to be had. Ask at the Visitor Information Centres in Hastings Street and Noosa Marina or seevisitnoosa.com.au. Pick up a copy of the Noosa Holiday Guide which is also available as an e-book

For more about what to do in Noosa, call into the Noosa Visitor Information Centres at Hastings Street, Parkyn’s Hut or Noosa Marina in Tewantin. Phone +61 7 5430 5000 or 1 3000 NOOSA (1 3000 66672)