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The best holiday rentals and Airbnbs in Noosa

Carla Grossetti Carla Grossetti
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

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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

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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

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Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti has written across print and digital for Australian Traveller and International Traveller for more than a decade and has spent more than two decades finding excuses to eat well and travel far. A prestigious News Corp cadetship launched her career at The Cairns Post, before a stint at The Canberra Times and The Sydney Morning Herald gave way to extended wanders through Canada, the US, Mexico, Central America, Asia and Europe. Carla was chief sub editor at delicious and has contributed to Good Food, Travel & Luxury, Explore Travel, Escape. While living in London, Carla was on staff at Condé Nast Traveller and The Sunday Times Travel desk and was part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK.
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How to spend three romantic days on Hamilton Island

(Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    Eleanor Edström Eleanor Edström
    Continue
    From barefoot beach walks to moonlit dinners, this three-day Hamilton Island itinerary will have lovebirds swooning.

    Few Aussie destinations do romance quite like Hamilton Island. Set in the dreamy Whitsunday Islands, this popular honeymoon destination combines luxury retreats, palm-fringed reefs and spectacular dining with the easy rhythm of tropical living. Whether you’re planning a honeymoon, anniversary or spontaneous couples’ weekend, here’s how to spend a loved-up three days on Hamilton Island.

    Day 1

    Morning

    A serene ocean-view room overlooking endless blue horizons.
    Let picturesque ocean views welcome you the moment you check in. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Nothing kills the holiday buzz faster than waiting at the baggage carousel. Luckily, our arrival couldn’t have been smoother. Staying at the boutique, adults-only Beach Club Hotel means VIP transfers are included, so the moment we land, a staff member greets us and whisks our bags straight from the baggage claim to our room. We don’t have to lift a finger.

    Occupying a prime piece of real estate on Catseye Beach, Beach Club is a peaceful retreat just steps from sugar-white sand and a turquoise lagoon. Within 10 minutes of stepping off the plane, we’ve arrived and are switched into holiday mode.

    We check into our room, immediately delighted by the sight of several wallabies grazing in the garden just in front of our private terrace. Beyond, picturesque ocean vistas stretch across the horizon. The room’s mini bar is stocked with bespoke sweet treats; the bathroom with premium Aesop amenities that add to the luxury.

    After we’ve checked out the resort’s beachside infinity pool – plotting the lounge chairs we’ll no doubt return to later – we head out to explore the island. Families glide by on hire bikes and chirping rainbow lorikeets dot the foliage. We decide to hike up to Passage Peak – one of the most scenic walks on Hamilton Island – which takes about 40 minutes one way and boasts panoramic Whitsundays views that will stick with you for long after you leave.

    Afternoon

    A romantic beachside lunch as champagne is served.
    Recharge with a laid-back lunch at Beach Club Restaurant. (Image: Nikki To)

    After working up an appetite, Beach Club Restaurant is the perfect place to snap up a light lunch. Think barramundi, nourish bowls, Wagyu beef burgers, brown butter toasties and Queensland chilli prawns. For those who don’t want to move from their prime perch on the beach or by the pool, there’s also the option to order bites via QR code from the resort’s lounge chairs.

    After our fill, we plunge into the hotel’s incredible infinity pool, its surface blending near seamlessly into the blues of Catseye Beach. Quiet and tucked away from the island’s hum, it feels illegal to do anything but relax here.

    Evening

    A curated flatlay of dishes from Catseye Pool Club.
    Celebrate your first evening over beautifully plated coral trout. (Image: Nikki To)

    There’s truly nothing more satisfying than a little R&R (rest & robe) time in your hotel room after spending the day in the sun. Fresh from a shower, we watch the ripe tangerine sun slowly dip below the palm-framed horizon from our plush terrace daybed. Two wallabies are still grazing on the grass. It’s a magical setting; I find it hard to believe I am only a few hours away from home.

    Come dinnertime, we zip over to nearby Catseye Pool Club, which is a short buggy ride from the hotel or a five-minute walk. A chic new haunt from Sydney-based pair Josh and Julie Niland, the restaurant is all about reconnecting over flavour-rich share plates using high-quality Aussie ingredients.

    We sit in a corner overlooking Catseye Beach – arguably the best seat in the house – with mini table lamps casting a soft glow about the contemporary indoor-outdoor setting. What comes next is pure delight; grilled prawns served with tumeric and lemongrass marinade, macadamia satay sauce and a Thai-leaning sour green mango salad. Then, elegantly plated coral trout served with kasundi and zucchini. We savour it all slowly, the conversation flowing easily between bites and sips while the moonlight transforms the ocean into molten silver.

    Day 2

    Morning

    An 18-hole golf course set against sweeping ocean views.
    Tee off side by side against a backdrop of sweeping ocean views. (Image: Andrea Francolini)

    A la carte breakfast is complimentary for guests of Beach Club, and we take full advantage of the fact. Barista-quality coffee and pressed juice – today it’s carrot, melon, orange and pineapple – arrive alongside pastries baked fresh this morning. For the larger meal, I treat myself to the buttermilk pancakes with praline butter.

    If you prefer an active start to the morning rather than lying in, you’ll find plenty of options. Perhaps tee off at the 18-hole golf course, where the views are as much of a drawcard as the sport itself. Designed by five-time British Open winner Peter Thomson, the course is integrated into the ridged landscape of Dent Island.

    Afternoon

    Artfully paired wines and bites from the Talk & Taste experience.
    Uncover new favourite wines together. (Image: Sharyn Cairns)

    For wine-curious couples, Beach Club’s new Talk & Taste experience is a must. Held several times a week for up to eight guests, it’s an intimate tasting of Aussie drops paired with curated bites – all guided by Bommie Assistant Manager and wine enthusiast Courtenay Morgan-Fletcher.

    We opt for the white wine and seafood option, enjoying pours from Eden Valley to Launceston while Courtenay shares her knowledge and passion for the intricacies of wine making.

    Later, we drive our golf buggy up to One Tree Hill. This is one of the most popular spots on the island for sunset, but we chose to come a little earlier so we have more space to ourselves. We enjoy afternoon wine and cheese, admiring the 360-degree views of the island and its impossibly blue waters.

    Evening

    The moody, atmospheric interiors of Bommie Deck.
    Dress up for a romantic evening at Bommie Restaurant. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Since we are, after all, on holiday, we continue the tipples at Bommie Deck. Suspended above Hamilton Island’s marina, this architectural monument is a fabulous place for a sunset spritz.

    Just a few steps inside is Bommie Restaurant, the contemporary Australian fine dining establishment headed by chef Ryan Locke. Of anywhere on the island, this is the place to frock up and celebrate a special occasion – especially if theatrical culinary experiences take your fancy. The tasting set menu is a whirlwind of native Australian flavours and creative plating – with highlights including the cured venison wrapped in wattle seed seasoning. For dessert, a clever take on white chocolate and lemonade ends the night on a high.

    Day 3

    Morning

    A couple gliding across calm waters on SUP boards together.
    Ease into the morning with a paddleboarding adventure. (Image: Kara Rosenlund)

    Another low-key morning means another blissful breakfast at Beach Club. This time, it’s smashed avo toast topped with Persian fetta, dukkah and poached eggs – a deliciously fueling start to the day.

    The weather today is perfect for a paddle, so we walk straight from our room onto the sand of Catseye Beach to pick up some SUP boards. Guests of Beach Club receive complimentary non-motorised water sports equipment, spanning everything from mini catamarans to snorkel gear and kayaks. Finding our balance on the boards is a fun challenge at first, but before long, we’re gliding across the glassy water like naturals.

    Afternoon

    A helicopter soaring above the iconic Heart Reef.
    Add the ultimate highlight with a Heart Reef flight together. (Image: Hamilton Island)

    No couples’ retreat is complete without a touch of pampering. Located in the resort area, Spa Wumurdaylin offers everything from body wraps and facials to de-stress massages using natural Australian products. The Soul Temple treatment begins with a heavenly feeling sugar scrub, followed by a Vichy vertical shower and underwater massage. I leave in a daze.

    If you prefer adventure to relaxation, there is an abundance of day trips from Hamilton Island, from snorkelling on the Great Barrier Reef to Whitsundays helicopter tours – all of which make for unforgettable experiences that will bring you and your partner closer.

    Evening

    A couple standing at qualia, gazing out over the endless ocean horizon.
    Close your journey over a beautiful dinner by the sea. (Image: Sharyn Cains)

    Enjoy an elevated evening at qualia’s tranquil Pebble Beach restaurant, where a private beach setting complements the thoughtful, seasonal menu. Or perhaps continue relaxing at Beach Club, feasting on roast lamb and seafood at the poolside restaurant or soaking in ocean views from your room with in-house room delivery. And don’t forget the champagne – a weekend of love, fun and restoration is worth toasting.

    Getting there

    Hamilton Island has its own airport called the Great Barrier Reef Airport, which makes it fuss-free to get to. Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar offer short, direct flights from most major Australian cities, including Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Cairns. This means you’ll spend less time travelling and more time enjoying each other’s company.

    Visit hamitlonisland.com.au for more couples’ retreat ideas.