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The best holiday rentals and Airbnbs in Noosa

Consider your Noosa accommodation sorted with these standout Airbnbs and holiday rentals.

Not all Noosa Airbnbs are created equal. So, we’ve done the research for you to uncover the full range of stand-out Sunshine Coast stays. Noosa’s upmarket hotels and ritzy resorts will always attract luxe-leaning travellers. But there is also an impeccable collection of laidback Airbnbs and holiday rentals in Noosa. Find the perfect places to stay for a dreamy beachside or hinterland holiday with our guide to 16 of the best Noosa Airbnbs and holiday rentals.

In short

If you only stay at one holiday rental or Airbnb in Noosa, make it Makepeace Island. This Noosa Airbnb is Australia’s ultimate stay for extended family accommodation.

The Queenslander

the pool area at The Queenslander, Noosa
Unwind by the lagoon-style pool.

Want to book a holiday for the extended family within walking distance of Noosa Main Beach? The Queenslander is part of the new Allawah Noosa portfolio of high-end holiday homes. The impeccably maintained coastal retreat sleeps eight and offers spacious, family-friendly living as well as generous entertaining areas and cool, coastal breezes. Explore nearby shops and beaches and then kick it beside your own private pool.

Address: Near Noosa Main Beach

Domic, Sunshine Beach

Domic graced the cover of Australian Traveller’s Spring 2021 issue dedicated to 100 Unique Stays. And it still leads our list of the best holiday rentals and Airbnbs in Noosa. Domic means ‘place of domes’ in Russian and serves as an elegant home for eco-friendly Hempcrete, which was invented by its owner Evgeny Skigin. The property fronts Sunshine Beach and features six suites, 10 bathrooms, an infinity pool, ‘day spa’, cinema, gym and personal concierge service. There’s also car parking for seven cars including two EVs.

Address: Seaview Terrace, Sunshine Beach

Eh Frame, Noosa National Park

an A Frame shack at Eh Frame, Noosa National Park
Settle into an A Frame shack in the middle of the forest.

Eh Frame is a mid-century-inspired A Frame named after the short phrase Canadians are known for ending their sentences with, eh? It’s the kind of Canadian love shack a bona fide lumberjack might stumble across while hiking the Rockies. The two-bedroom Noosa Airbnb features exposed timber beams and is kitted out with a fully equipped kitchen with top-of-the-line appliances and a dreamy loft bedroom. Although Eh Frame is in the middle of the forest, the only bears you are likely to see are koalas. Sleeps 4.

Address: Solway Drive, Sunshine Beach

Sabi Suite, Noosa Heads

A neutral toned bedroom with a bath
The apartment is swathed in calming neutral tones.

Love is in the Airbnb at Sabi Suite, a one-bedroom apartment ideal for romantics. The second-floor open-plan pad is a short walk from Noosa’s hip strip lined with cafes, restaurants and boutiques. In addition to the two-person spa bath, private balcony and king bed, this Noosa Airbnb also has a steam room, spa, gym and swimming pool onsite. The kitchenette fitted with a dishwasher and basic crockery will come in handy when you’re putting together a grazing platter for your gal. There’s also a cafe on the ground floor.

Address: Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads

Luxury Afloat Noosa

the Luxury Afloat Noosa houseboat
Traverse the Noosa River in style onboard a Luxury Afloat Noosa houseboat.

Enjoy the buttery break of a day onboard a Luxury Afloat Noosa houseboat chugging along Noosa’s network of watery highways. Choose between a six-berth, eight-berth and 10-berth Noosa holiday rental replete with kitchen, BBQ and all linen and towels. Drop anchor off Noosaville and ask the fisho cruising past in his tinnie for tips on how to hook a big one. What better way to get to know the curves of the Noosa River than by meandering through to Lake Cooroibah?

Address: Diyan Street Memorial Park Jetty, Tewantin

The Shack

The Shack is an itty-bitty Noosa Airbnb fit together like a game of Tetris with a loft bedroom above a kitchenette. The owners honeymooned in Hanalei Bay and their love of Hawaii is evident with the hula girl figurines and pineapples dotted about the cosy space. The Shack has rattan rugs and earthy timber beams that contrast with the crisp, clean white-on-wood interiors. The outdoor deck overlooking a tropical garden provides a tranquil retreat away from the hubbub of Hastings Street.

Address: Sunshine Beach, Noosa

The Lodge, Noosa Heads

Enjoy a peaceful weekend with your family at The Lodge which is an advertisement for a sea change in Noosa. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom beach house is ridiculously idyllic with its sun-splashed deck and heated plunge pool. Enjoy breakfast on the deck or lounge in the sun in the back garden. If the day is damp and soggy, retreat indoors to the light-filled living room which vibes off the classic Aussie beach-chic blueprint. There’s also a laundry, fireplace, workspace and complimentary cruisers. It’s just 20 minutes to some of the Sunshine Coast’s best beaches.

Address:  Noosa Heads

Makepeace Island, Noosa River

the master villa at Makepeace Island, Noosa River
The master villa at Makepeace Island is a peaceful retreat on the Noosa River.

Makepeace Island is a small heart-shaped island on the Noosa River with a high-end sanctuary that sleeps up to 20, making it perfect for large get-togethers. The island retreat has three villas, a four-bedroom Island House, one-bedroom Boathouse, eight bathrooms, lagoon pool, 15-seater spa, tennis court and gym. It also offers access to walking trails and has a launching-off point for kayaks and SUPs. Those with extra cash to splash can arrange for a private chef. This Noosa Airbnb is one of Australia’s best holiday homes for a multigenerational stay.

Address: Noosa North Shore, Qld

Little Red Barn, Doonan

an aerial view of Little Red Barn, Doonan
Find a heated plunge pool right outside the Little Red Barn.

Little Red Barn is a three-bedroom Airbnb in Noosa that probs used America’s Midwest as its muse. This slice of hinterland heaven is near to multifaceted venue, The Doonan , easily one of the best restaurants near Noosa. The heated plunge pool makes this property a restorative getaway and is a top spot to catch the sunset, glass of wine in hand. A fireplace, freestanding cast-iron bathtub and comfortable bedrooms make this Noosa Airbnb one you’ll want to revisit again and again.

Address: Sunrise Road, Doonan

The Langville Estate

a bathroom with a tub at The Langville Estate, Noosa
Unwind in the freestanding bath.

Budding contestants on The Block will want to take style notes at The Langville Estate to use as design inspo. Pack your best mocha mousse pantsuit so you blend in with the colour schemes in this four-bedroom Airbnb just a 40-minute drive from Noosa. Invite your next of kin to the Kin Kin property, which sleeps 10 guests and features a swimming pool, sauna, media room and open-plan living room geared for relaxation. The secluded property has a pool table to keep teens happy and off screens.

Address: Kin Kin, Noosa Hinterland

Noa by the Beach

You won’t find this luxe Little Cove crash pad on Noosa Airbnb listings. Rather, it’s on the noosasecretdestinations.com.au website aimed at those who want to try the Noosa lifestyle on for size. Want to find the perfect holiday rental for your blended family? This beautifully furnished property sleeps 12 and has an expansive backyard with a trampoline, dedicated media room and a solar-powered swimming pool. There’s also an outdoor terrace and barbecue area where you can swan around in evening attire and keep up with the Joneses.

Address: Little Cove, Noosa

The Hamptons Lake House

the pool area at The Hamptons Lake House, Noosa
This tranquil vacation home offers a private pool.

The owners have affectionately dubbed this spot The Hamptons Lake House , which speaks to the bright and airy design. The luxe lakehouse is a tranquil retreat with white-on-white interiors softened with earthy textures and views of the Noosa River framed like a watercolour from the wraparound deck. The three-bedroom renovated Queenslander is an ode to open-plan living with an undercover al fresco dining area, fully equipped kitchen and laundry. The lovely lakehouse is within walking distance of Noosa Marina and Noosaville.

Address: Noosa, Tewantin

Kurui Cabin

Noosa Hinterland views from Kurui Cabin
Soak up the Noosa Hinterland from Kurui Cabin.

This architecturally designed tiny home is one of the most popular Airbnbs in the Noosa Hinterland.  The two-bedroom eco-conscious Kurui Cabin is on a working farm at the base of Cooroy Mountain and that soundtrack of mowers, tractors and mooing cows adds to the charm. Curl up on cosy leather couches around the combustion stove in winter. In summer, you can walk from the private outdoor deck into the plunge pool set like a gem in the landscape.  Perfect for couples or families with older children.

Address: Cooroy, Noosa Hinterland

Beachfront Hideaway – Sunrise Beach

a suite with beach views at Beachfront Hideaway – Sunrise Beach, Noosa
Escape to a dreamy seaside retreat at Beachfront Hideaway overlooking Sunrise Beach.

Beachfront Hideaway is the luxe beach shack of your dreams. Call your nepo baby buddies and ask them to fork out a couple of hunge each for the privilege of staying in this East Coast retreat. Although it costs about $3250 a night to stay in the designer digs, you’ll get a lot of bang for your buck as the property sleeps up to 14. Bags one of the three bedrooms that have ocean views at the luxe property, which is listed on the Noosa Secret Destinations website. Family-friendly amenities at the seaside retreat include a waterslide, beach accessories, pool toys and large heated swimming pool.

Address: Sunshine Beach|

Thirlestone Farm Cottage and Barn

an outdoor tub at Thirlestone Farm Cottage and Barn
Relax in the outdoor tub at Thirlestone Farm Cottage and Barn.

Picture this: you’re sitting on the deck of Thirlestone Farm Cottage in the Noosa hinterland, the sky soft in the dusk light. Your tech-obsessed teen has set up the 8-foot projector and you’re about to settle in for family movie night under the stars. The renovated workers’ cottage and architecturally designed barn at Thirlestone is like a fantasy farm stay with everything from a rainfall shower to an outdoor fire pit and gear for playing competitive games like cricket and lawn bowls. There’s even an outdoor claw-foot bath to luxuriate in. Could this farm stay get any more family-friendly? Bonus points for being just a 20-minute drive to Noosa’s pristine beaches.

Address: Evans Road, Cooroy

Azure in Sunshine Beach

The rooftop spa at Azure looks like it could be used as a location shoot for Selling Sunset. Cashed-up travellers will appreciate that there is no line of demarcation between the infinity pool, sea and sky at this luxury Noosa holiday home. With accommodation for up to 10 guests, the five-bedroom seaside retreat spills onto a spacious terrace and features endless ocean views framed by floor-to-ceiling windows. This exceptionally elegant Noosa property also has a media room with a big screen and PS5. But the real theatre is outside with the surround-sound of waves peaking and crashing on the shore below.

Address: Sunshine Beach

Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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5 of the best Sunshine Coast day trips

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA)
Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery
Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek
Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers
Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland
Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.