Best Beaches In & Near Noosa Heads
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1. Noosa Main Beach
Kgbo Travel time from Noosa Heads: approx 0.5 hrs
With Noosa National Park to one side and the boutiques, cafes and bars of Hastings Street to the rear Noosa Heads Main Beach is in a prime spot. An expansive stretch of sun-soaked pale-golden sand this is one of the finest beaches on the Sunshine Coast.
Despite being one of Australia's favourite holiday destinations Noosa manages a perfect balancing act with the beaches here remaining unspoilt by over-development. The beachfront is… read more »
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2. Little Cove - Noosa
© alizadastudios Travel time from Noosa Heads: approx 0.5 hrs
Located just a stone's throw from Noosa's Main Beach is the aptly named Little Cove. Far more secluded and intimate than it's bustling neighbour the beach here has a completely different vibe to it.
With crystal clear turquoise water and backed by the steep, lush pandana and palm lined slopes of the Noosa National Park, Little Cove beach exudes natural beauty. Despite its proximity to one of Australia's most popular… read more »
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3. Alexandria Bay
texaus1 Travel time from Noosa Heads: approx 0.5 hrs
On the opposite side of Noosa Head's famous headland, Alexandria Bay is a quieter location for soaking up the tranquility and rays on this golden sandy beach. The only way in is on foot, either from Noosa Heads (3.5km through the Noosa National Park) or 20 minutes on foot from McAnally Drive on Sunshine Beach (1.3km).
Away from the crowds on Noosa Main Beach, its remoteness does attract… read more »
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4. Coolum Beach
Aerutopian Travel time from Noosa Heads: approx 0.5 hrs
The small, laidback beachside town of Coolum Beach is set towards the northern end of Queensland's Sunshine Coast. The name refers to both the town and the beach, but that's not a problem as pretty much everything about Coolum is geared towards the beach.
There are actually a few beaches at Coolum Beach; the main beach and then, just around the headland, a trio of small bays. These are imaginatively named… read more »
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5. Marcoola Beach
Andy Hay Travel time from Noosa Heads: approx 0.5 hrs
Marcoola beach forms part of a long continuous stretch of sand between Maroochydore and Coolum. Pretty much always uncrowded, this is a favourite with sunbathers, surfers and anglers looking to get a spot to themselves.
The beach here only has fairly basic facilities but is popular with families. There's heaps of room to spread out and there are a number of BBQ and picnic areas.
Lifeguards are on duty throughout the year… read more »
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6. Sunshine Beach
© Bernd Müller Travel time from Noosa Heads: approx 0.5 hrs
Named Sunshine Beach and set on the Sunshine Coast this spot has quite a lot to live up to. With the mercury rarely dropping below the 20s and clouds conspicuous by their absence, we think it does! As such, it has an all-year-round lifeguard presence, such is its popularity at all times.
There's a real laidback vibe to the powdery white sands here, and plenty of space to spread out, with… read more »
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7. Noosa North Shore
texaus1 Travel time from Noosa Heads: approx 0.5 hrs
Just across the river mouth from Noosa Main Beach is a different world altogether. You won't find any beachside bistros or boutiques here, just mile after mile of pristine sandy beach.
The beaches of Noosa North Shore form an unbroken stretch all the way from the Noosa River to Double Island Point over 50 kilometres to the north. Given the vastness of this beach it isn't surprising that the most… read more »
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8. Mooloolaba Beach
Kgbo Travel time from Noosa Heads: approx 0.5 hrs
Mooloolaba Beach sits at the heart of Queensland's aptly named Sunshine Coast.
The pure white sands here are matched in their beauty by the crystal clear waters, which are often dotted with surfers from the Mooloolaba Surf Club. It's bang in the middle of the beach, and you'll find the lifeguard tower here too - it's manned by volunteers 365 days a year, so as with most Aussie beaches,… read more »
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9. Alexandra Headland Beach
Martin7d2 Travel time from Noosa Heads: approx 0.5 hrs
Known simply as "Alex" to the locals, Alexandra Headland is a laid back, surfy town in the heart of Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Set just north of Mooloolaba the sandy beach here forms a continuous stretch with Maroochydore up the coast.
This section of the Sunshine Coast is quite built up but you don't really notice that from the beach. The backdrop is mainly grassy banks and trees. Just behind the… read more »
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10. Rainbow Beach
© Daniel Jurin Travel time from Noosa Heads: approx 1 hr
Situated a half hour drive north from Noosa, Queensland's Rainbow Beach offers a world of attractions beyond its light-coloured sands stretching on seemingly to infinity beyond the bay's natural curve.
Its name comes from the mineral rich cliffs that surround the beach forming an array of colours, which local aboriginal folklore says is the result of a rainbow spirit crashing in to them during a mighty battle.
Marketed as one of… read more »
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11. Kings Beach
thinboyfatter Travel time from Noosa Heads: approx 1 hr
Marking the southerly limit of the Sunshine Coast is the town of Caloundra. Home to a number of great beaches, Kings Beach is the pick of the bunch.
The beach here is a good sized stretch of soft, golden sand backing onto a well-manicured park complete with bandstand and fountain. There's also no shortage of eating options with a choice of cafes across the road.
Although somewhat sheltered the surf here still… read more »
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12. Moffat Beach
Tim Bateup Travel time from Noosa Heads: approx 1 hr
Not as well-known as neighbouring Sunshine Coast beaches such as Kings Beach and Dicky Beach, Moffat Beach has an altogether different ambience. Popular with locals, it is rarely visited by international travellers, who have historically stuck to the beaches nearer to Brisbane 90 minutes away.
The distinctive feel of Moffat Beach comes from its blend of luxurious accommodation options, crowd-free reputation and local start-ups such as the craft brewery. The beach… read more »
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13. Golden Beach
thinboyfatter Travel time from Noosa Heads: approx 1 hr
Protected from the Pacific swells by a long thin spit of sand forming Ocean Beach, Golden Beach has some of the Sunshine Coast's most sheltered waters. Surfers will probably want to look elsewhere to catch the best breaks as a result. However, it makes Golden Beach an excellent choice for anyone seeking out a family-friendly swimming beach.
Boating and fishing are also popular past times at Golden Beach, with boat ramps… read more »
