Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads is located at the very northern end of the Sunshine Coast, about two hours north of Brisbane. Didn't know much about the town besides that a few Aussies had intimated that it was "posh." Whether this was to be good or bad was to be determined, but all I knew was that Noosa National Park was home to a fabled string of point breaks that were fickle but when on, supposedly unbelievable.

We arrive in Noosa around 2:00 pm and get settled in to our 2 bedroom suite right off the main drag of Hastings St. Much better accommodations than in "Coolie." No view but nobody has a view in Noosa unless your paying top dollar on Main Beach. We take a walk around town scoping things out. Yeah it's a bit upscale but nothing too outrageous. We're literally two minutes from the first of a string of points heading into the National Park. Setup looks very promising although it is flat as pancake.

That night we try out a restaurant recommended by an Aussie couple we met on our wine tour called the Sails, which is right on the beach next to the National Park, basically a beautiful setting. Food was excellent.

Next day dawns clear and sunny. We decide to take a walk out to Hell's Gate at the very top of the Noosa Headland which will take us past all the points. We hike past Johnson's or called Little Cove, First Point, National Parks, and then get into the forest proper when heading to Tea Tree Bay, the crown jewel of the points, and onto Granite Bay the last point before reaching Hell's Gate. I think it's pretty easy to figure out why they call this Hell's Gate, because the wind here is extreme. A spectacular view greets us down the Coast toward Sunshine Beach and then north toward Fraser Island. No smog around here to befoul any views that for sure.

On the way back it looks as though the swell is slowing starting to creep up. We decide to go back to the room and gear up for a trip to Tea Tree for a little sun, swimming, and a tiny bit of surf. The hike into Tea Tree is a good 20 minutes but is worth it for the beautiful little crescent beach in the Bay. Seeing everywhere else besides main beach town is granite boulders, the beach gets surprisingly crowded. Basically Aussies aren't afraid of a little walk to get to the beach. If this beach was here in the States it would be deserted.

That night we go to the Noosa Surf Club. The institution of the Surf Club in Australia is something to be admired. Starting out as a meeting place for the Life Saving Clubs (Life Guards to Americans), the Surf Club has metamorphosed into a general social club for the coastal town because it has cheap good eats, affordable booze, and sunset views. Also, if your a gambling man, the other Australian institution now as Pokies, abound. Pokie machines are basically electronic slot machines that you can bet wagers on after wining a spin. Slots on steroids.

This leads me up to the other Aussie institution of night life, Karaoke. The Aussies are serious about their Karaoke. There were some folks who are diehard regulars who have a whole routine down. After the beer starts flowing its pretty funny to watch.

We spent New Year's eve in Noosa but unfortunately if you don't have a reservation someplace your screwed so we ordered pizza and had some champagne. Just as well because the next day the surf came up big time.

The three days we spent in Noosa pretty much consisted of lounging, surfing, shopping and eating.Not bad a great place to do it in.