CELEBRATE IN STYLE: THE CATALINA CREW’S ULTIMATE GUIDE TO NOOSA
Noosa, a beautiful coastal town located on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia, is arguably the most popular of the region's many idyllic travel destinations and a growing hub of cultural, experiential, and sporting activities to suit all interests. Renowned for its stunning beaches, picturesque waterways, boutique shopping and excellent dining options, Noosa has long been high on the list for those in the know hosting destination events and celebrations, from conferences to weddings and bespoke festivities of all shapes and sizes.
As locals, we're passionate about our gorgeous home with its unique offering of style and surf culture, and we're always excited to share our insider tips for getting the most out of the Noosa region with our guests planning a Noosa holiday. This is your guide to Noosa, where we'll explore our favourite venues to host events large and small (when you're not celebrating with us, of course), how to plan in “Noosa Time”, the best places to shop and stay, and a stack of other little Local Hacks to get you hitting the ground running for THE BEST Noosa Experience from start to finish.
It's All About the Digs – Best Accommodation Noosa
Let's be honest, Noosa is synonymous with Luxe. Our clients come here to experience the best the coast has to offer; a beautiful hybrid of luxury, sophistication and coastal relaxation. On a vacation, that desire for elegant comfort starts and ends with your accommodation. It's the first and last place you see; the place you recline, reinvigorate, retreat and rest. You have an expectation of sensational service, attention to detail and superior finishing touches at every turn. Here's our list of the crème de la crème of accom.
Short Stay - Travel on a Budget
Bounce Noosa - Is it a backpackers? You tell us! There's some serious Byron-luxe vibes going on at Noosa's favourite new Budget Accommodation Chalet!
Hastings St - No car, no worries
If you love the hustle and bustle but also crave a bit of quiet and beach time, look no further than Hastings St. With it's variety of accommodation options there's something for everyone, but our picks are:
Family Time - Take the stress out of travelling with the tribe
There's nothing quite like a stress-free holiday away with the kids, but finding accommodation to suit everyone can be tricky. Planning a relaxing family vacation in Noosa can be a breeze, if you give yourselves some time, and some space, to do it right.
Brown & Co Holidays - Making boutique holiday rentals easy.
Holiday Homes Noosa - These guys specialise in luxury family-friendly holiday Noosa accom
Aspire Noosa - Aspire Property Management operates three of Noosa's most successful holiday Noosa accommodation brands. These guys know what they're doing.
Ultra Luxe - When anything less isn't an option
Not all holidays were created equal. These homes are for those seeking the exceptional.
Boonburrh, Little Cove - Architecturally designed luxury and unsurpassable convenience hidden within the stunning surrounds of Noosa National Park.
Domic, Sunshine Beach - An award-winning, minimalistic haven set into the recesses of the Sunshine Beach cliff face. Breathtaking views meet elegant detail at every turn.
Every Hour is Cocktail Hour on Hastings Street
Nothing says “we're on holiday!” like an extravagant cocktail, and whether you're a suave old-fashioned sort or frilly, footloose and fancy free, there's a cocktail and a cocktail bar to suit everyone around here. If you're staying on “The Strip” (Hastings St), you've got a veritable smorgasbord of delicious libations at your doorstep, and many guests enjoy a night (or three) hopping from one hot-spot to the next knowing they're only a slow stroll home from the cloud-like comfort of their hotel beds. For the perfect introduction to Hastings Street and her merry band of mixologists, we suggest starting at one end and taking your time to work your way along throughout your stay.
While the afternoons still warm, start with some snacks and a signature cocktails at Miss Moneypenny's
Jaunt across the street for an intimate gin cocktail at local favourite, Moonstruck
Stroll down the beach or take in some window shopping and make your way to Locale for a moody, romantic setting perfect for martini's and aperitifs
Bounce over to Sails secret underground bunker, er, wine bar, for a refined speakeasy experience
With ultimate beach frontage and beautiful cocktails to boot, Bistro C is the place to enjoy the quintessential Noosa experience. Book a table for two by the boardwalk and watch the world go by.
Get above the bustle and head upstairs to Knock Knock or a rock'n'roll cocktail and a boogie
If you're going to wander further afield, we highly recommend a stop at Somedays Pizza, , Theo's and Herbert in Noosa Junction for great food and delectable tinctures of all shapes and sizes.
Feeding the Animals – Best Restaurants Noosa
Well, if you're anything like us here at Catalina, there's only one thing more important than good sleep and gorgeous cocktails – and that's incredible food! We are so blessed to live in an area that boasts some of the best restaurants in our Tourism-Award-Winning-Region, and we're pretty chuffed to be able to share our absolute must-do's with you. Word to the wise though – book well and truly in advance. Even a couple of hundred thousand followers won't guarantee you a table at some of these joints without booking well ahead.
Ricky’s River Bar and Restaurant - A Noosa institution with arguably the best view in town and incredible place to host your next milestone event. We can even drop you off right out front!
Sum Yung Guys - Musts - The Beef rendang & the Crying Tiger short rib with house made roti!
Sails - You're mad if you don't try the lamb. But the bugs are great too! Not to mention the views.
The Doonan - Great pub grub, that's just a little bit fancy.
Humble on Duke - Let the girls guide you through their seasonal menu. Always made with love, and paired with exceptional wines.
Theo's Social Club - A favourite with all of our team. Everything's great here; including the fabulous owners and staff.
Atelier- Let's be honest, the food's an accompaniment. But we'll take one of everything, every time.
Bandita - Mexican, but not as you remember it. Try the ceviche, wagyu rump cap and the jerkchicken washed down with some of the finest agave spirits you’ll find anywhere!
Locale - You haven't lived til you've tried their duck leg ragu
Shop til you Drop (it like it's hot) – Best Shopping Noosa
Noosa has a wealth of beautiful boutiques just dripping with goodies for the discerning fashionista. Whether you forgot to pack your resortware, didn't bring enough linen or want something more Du Jour for a special night out, there's something for everyone on Hastings Street; Sunshine Coast boutique shopping mecca. Our faves?
For the boys, slip into Orlebar Brown, Sandman, Cross Classics and Tommy Bahama for holiday staples on Hastings St, or grab effortless street-style at Clique in Noosa Junction.
Partying like it's 2023 - Choosing the Right Noosa venues
Ok; so we've got the most important bits out of the way – food, booze, comfort, style. Check, check, check, check. But you're here to celebrate, right? And we want you to Celebrate in Style!
Planning an event is hard at the best of times, let alone from out of town, and we all know choosing the right venue for your occasion can make or break an event. In Noosa, there's a plethora of beautiful options to suit all styles of celebrations. From beachfront or river-view villas to private estates and expansive function rooms, Noosa has it all. But once again, planning ahead is key, as many of the Noosa region's best venues are booked between 6-12 months in advance!
Obviously, Catalina Noosa is the ultimate choice for all your event needs. A one-of-a-kind venue, and the region's only luxury floating event space (a boat!), our stunning dual-level catamaran is perfect for any type of event. Boasting two fully kitted out bars, DJ booth, private areas and ample room for dining, speeches, and dancefloor, our gorgeous venue is utterly unique on the Coast and one of the most popular event destinations for that reason. Whether you are planning a corporate function, a wedding, or a special event, our vessel offers a unique and unforgettable guest experience, and with panoramic views of the Noosa River and hinterland, our boat provides the perfect backdrop for any event.
Catalina Noosa can accommodate up to 150 guests, making it perfect for small to medium-sized events. Let us create an intimate long lunch for you and 39 of your closest friends, or have an upbeat, relaxed wedding reception with delectable canapes circulating throughout the night? Let our team of experienced event planners handle the nitty gritty, liaising with your event coordinator or wedding planner, and you just sit back and enjoy the journey!
But that's enough about us. We understand that many of our patrons come here for their destination event and stay to make a weekend or even week out of it and you can't spend ALL your time with us (sigh). Planning functions, recoveries and everything in between? Here's our Top 6 very favourite event venues for every occasion. You're welcome.
Ricky's - If you're after a sit-down wedding reception on the Noosa River for larger than 40 pax, nothing beats the stunningly appointed Ricky's.
Peppers - Hidden within the breathtaking Noosa National Park, Peppers offers an array of function spaces and event options, including the newly refurbed “View” restaurant and bar.
Noosa Groves - If you're after a beachfront ceremony location, you'll want to secure yourself a spot at one of several iconic Noosa Grove locations. Head to the Noosa Council Website for availability and booking
Boathouse - an expansive, river-view, multi-level function space - our neighbours at the Boathouse know how to throw a party! Their sunset bar is a particularly special spot for a romantic sundowner if you get the opportunity to sneak away from the crew.
Noosa Waterfront - elegantly styled, with exquisitely authentic Italian cuisine, Noosa Waterfront is a great spot for intimate sit-down functions, pre-wedding dinners and weddings alike.
RACV Noosa Resort - If you're looking for budget and family friendly options but don't want to comprise on style and convenience, RACV are a great option for functions (and accom, too!)
Help! I Need Somebody! - Planning Your Event in Noosa
Life can be a handful without planning a destination event! Party preparation doesn't need to be an overwhelming task, and being organised is crucial to the success of any celebration - especially when planning an event remotely. Get in touch with the pro's and let them take the pain out of party planning to make sure you and you're guests are talking about your event long in to the future for all the right reasons.
Here's our top tips for event planners and stylists to make your event pop.
Evoke Experiences- Nobody - and we mean nobody - plans high end experiences on the Coast like Emily and her team at Evoke.
Lovebirds Weddings- Trudy and the girls at Lovebirds are the bees knees of Noosa wedding planners and stylists, and know everyone who's anyone in the biz up here. If you're planning a wedding, you need to talk to the Lovebirds ladies.
Elopements Noosa - these guys are the Sunshine Coast elopement planning gurus.
First Class Functions- First Class have a huge selection of styling, table setting and floral options and are conveniently located just up the street from us in Noosaville. If you're keen to elevate your event with us, or really trick out your function, look no further.
We hope you've found our handy local tips and tricks useful in planning your upcoming celebrations in what we believe is the best place in the world! Please don't hesitate to get in touch with our highly experienced (and local) events team at events@catalinanoosa.com.au to discuss your upcoming event, and let us take the pressure out of the next Best Day of Your Life!
