If you are in the Noosa area over the next couple of weeks you must check out the Noosa Jazz Festival. There will be over 150 different Jazz musicians including the Riverside Jazz, as well as the Lauren Lucille Duo, and not to mention the Sweet Low Downs, and let’s not forget the East Coast Frisco Band. That is all in the first night! There are many Things to do in Noosa, for one thing, you can count on enjoying the company of over 20,000 jazz music lovers.

You will either be able to buy your ticket one day at a time, or you can buy them in a package deal. The average concert ticket is about $80 per person per day. When it comes to Things to do in Noosa, well, listening to great jazz music as well as enjoying the ambience and good food are all at the top of the list. All 3 days will include Youth Jazz singers and well as established stars in the world of jazz. If you plan to be an early bird and come early Friday afternoon, you will be able to attend the Tastings on Hastings, which will be a street parade where lunch will be served as well as all of the entertainment you can handle.

Despite being well known for stunning beaches, great seafood, flowing surf and uber relaxing coffe shops, the Sunshine Coast’s hinterland also has a fantastic range of hiking to suit all abilities. You do not have to be super fit to enjoy a hike, but there are options if you are extremely fit, and are seeking a challenge. The following hiking destinations, are listed by level of difficulty, from an easy walk to a steep climb.

The Glasshouse Mountains, particularly Mt. Ngungun, and Mt. Tinbeerwah, both offer an easy walk to the summit for breathtaking views of the countryside. The Glasshouse Mountains are located 20 kilometers North of Caboolture. They have many trails to offer from the easy to the advanced. The Australian Explorer recommends stopping by any of the four national parks located in the area or visiting the Glasshouse Mountains townships. Be sure to take your camera, the pictures will be amazing. Mt. Tinbeerwah is located west of Noosa in the Tewantin State Forest. It is an easy 30 minute walk to the summit. When you reach the top, you will get a 360-degree view of Noosa, its river system, the coast, the string of lakes, and the hinterland forest.

Cooroy Mountain and Mt Coolum, are both mountains recommended for the hiker with a moderate fitness level. Both hikes do have rocky areas to traverse, so be sure you are wearing a good pair of shoes when you go, and keep your eyes peeled for the trail. Cooroy Mountain is located in the beautiful Noosa Hinterland and is protected under the Department of Environment and Heritage’s National Reserve Program. Cooroy Mountain takes the average hiker about two hours to reach the top. Reaching the top of Mt Coolum, takes the average hiker about an hour. Once at the top, however, the views are magnificent. You will have a view that goes from the Noosa National Forest, to the sky scrapers of Caloundra, to the cane fields, to the Maroochy River. I hope you have a camera with a panoramic view!

Mount Cooroora, is located in the township of Pomona. This climb is for the advanced hiker because it is very steep, and has many loose stones. It takes the average hiker about two hours to reach the top of the mountain. Mt Cooroora is famous for its King of the Mountain Challenge that takes place every July. This challenge involves running to the top of the mountain and back. The record is twenty minutes, in case you were interested in trying to break it!

There is no shortage of things to do on the Sunshine Coast, and with so many scenic hikes to take you could keep yourself busy and get in really fantastic shape in a matter of weeks! Do forget to take plenty of water on your adventures, and to wear durable shoes for those trails with rough terrain. Most importantly, take your camera! You will not want to walk down these mountains without having recorded the views from the top. The Sunshine Coast is a beautiful area full of national parks and natural wonders, so go see it for yourself!

If you’re looking for things to do in Noosa, and you’re going to be near Noosa Beach on Sunday, September 26, 2010, you owe it to yourself to check out the Surf City Garage Noosa Classic Car Show.

Sponsored by Surf City Garage, the Noosa Classic Car Show is the premier car show on the Sunshine Coast of Australia, and there’s good reason for that. You’ll see more cars worth seeing here than you will anywhere else. The show has had 23 years to get this right, since 1988 to be exact, and we think you’ll agree that they have done just that. Take a look at some of the things you’ll see at this year’s show.

Alfa Romeo will be represented in force this year as the show’s Marques of the Year; Alfa Romeo Brisbane is bringing along not only the new sports models, but is also going to be showing a fantastic collection of classic Alfas, courtesy of the Alfa Romeo Car Club. As a matter of fact, one of the oldest Alfas in the world – a 1929 Alfa Romeo 6C 1750 SS – will be on display.

As if that weren’t enough to get you down to Noosa Beach for the show, there will be displays of other British and European classic cars, some American muscle cars and some Asian sports cars. You’ll also see Australian muscle cars and some classic competition cars. If you’re looking to exhibit a car, you need to be aware that spaces fill up quickly, so the earlier you register, the more likely you are to actually get your car in the show.

The show is open from 9 am to 3 pm on September 26th, and is again being held at Noosa Lions Park. Spectators can expect to pay $5 to get in – children under 14 are free. If you’re interested in exhibiting a classic car, that will cost you $25 for each car, and that includes two adult admissions; judging starts at 10 am.

In a gesture that demonstrates all that’s best about motoring clubs, all profits from the day will be donated to various local charities. The Noosa Beach Classic Car Club has donated over $130,000 to various charities to date; that’s something to feel very good about.

There are a lot of activities to choose from when looking at things to do in Noosa; you won’t be disappointed if you choose this one.

Noosa National Park, known for its beautiful beaches and wildlife, is a great place to find adventure and serenity. Visitors can picnic and relax along the main entrance, or venture on to one of the walking tracks, which range in distance (1-7km) and difficulty (grade 2-grade 4). The park is filled with breathtaking views and locations to swim that almost look too much like a painting to be real. Grab some sunscreen, a friend, a good pair of shoes and a bathing suit and enjoy one of the most beautiful walks and hidden beaches you will ever see.

Hastings Street is a great place to start your adventure.  The streets, lined with tall, shady trees are a walkway of boutiques, restaurants and stylish outdoor cafes. A boardwalk, spanning the length of Main Beach, continues on to Little Cove’s Park Road, where koalas can actually be seen napping in the trees and where picnics can be enjoyed and finally, into the entrance to Noosa National Park.

A fantastic footpath outlines the shoreline along the National Park. Originating at the information center, this path runs along the cliffs to what is known as the Boiling Point.  It is here that the sea crashes through deep rock pools and offers an amazing view of the water. From there you can continue your journey to the Tea Tree Bay. The walking trail is lined with Pandanus trees and She Oaks. There are a few rocks to climb over to get from the water to the sand, but that’s just all the more of an adventure to be had. Surfers also enjoy this spot when the swell is up, but the water is often serenely calm.

After enjoying a refreshing swim at Tea Tree, the walk continues on to Dolphin Point. This spot got its name because it is very likely that an onlooker will spot a pod of dolphins swimming past in the water. From there the journey can be continued to Granite Bay. Be advised that at this point and beyond are not wheelchair accessible and can be very secluded, so be sure to be in the company of someone else. Granite Bay received its name because of the way the sand randomly changes between sand and granite pebbles. There are beautiful pools and birds always seem to be gracing the sky with their flight. Granite Bay and even Dolphin Point are great spots for whale watching.
Guarding the northern approach to the long sweep of Alexandria Bay, which dominates the eastern side, is a rocky, narrow, vertical crevice known as Hell’s Gate. From here there is a great view Alexandria Bay, also known as A Bay, which is a known nudist beach. So proceed on down to the beach or return across to the coastal track to make your way back to the car. Noosa National Park is full of beautiful spots to enjoy. Descriptive words could never paint a picture worthy of describing the beauty that lies within the boundaries of this travel destination.

The policy at Eumundi Market is “Make it, Bake it, Design it, Sew it or Grow it”. What began in 1979 as a small, local craft market has grown into a world-renowned tourist attraction held every Wednesday and Saturday in the town of Eumundi, about 15 minutes from all the Noosa hotels and resorts at Noosa Heads. The market offers a variety of local artists selling their creations, a wide array of food from different countries and even entertainment opportunities like palm reading, massages and live music. With over 600 stalls, Eumundi Market has become a tourist’s delight.

One of the best parts of Eumundi Market is all of the local talent. Not only can tourists buy unique creations, but they can also get to know the artist responsible for the work. Tony Campton , who uses any material that can be welded, wired or brazed to make his craft, is known for his birds with sparkplug feathers. Campton began going to the Market in the 90’s to sell mirrors and frames. One day he was in Kingaroy looking for scrap bits for mirrors when he noticed miscellaneous pieces that resembled a bird. He began selling the birds at a garage sale, then at the market and now they have become his trademark. Campton’s work can be seen at the Eumundi Market every second Saturday.

One of the market’s longest established artists is Shelly Bennetts. She has been selling her aromatic wind spirals for around 23 years. Her mildly scented wind spirals are a treat for tourists and locals alike. Barnett makes a hardwood wind spiral, which comes from larger timber cuts and a “tiny range” spiral created from Australian plantation pine. All of her creations are oiled with an organic timber preservative called Organoil from Byron Bay. These spirals and their creator can be found at the market every Saturday.

Eumundi Market showcases other artists like Ross Anells who makes extraordinary furniture like ladybird , frog and jellyfish stools and Angie Brabet who makes Damadi, her own natural skincare products. Some of which are made from macadamia nut oil and jojoba, all of which are made to combat Australia’s humid climate and extreme temperatures. Also representing local talent is Wendy Duff who makes fabulous and vibrant hats and headpieces. The variety of artistic talent who represent themselves at Eumundi Market is endless.

When visiting Eumundi Market, one should also plan to indulge in the multitude of food present. Not only are fresh fruits like pineapples and strawberries in abundance, but also fresh carrot juice and such delicacies as lentil pies. Cultural foods like Dutch poffertjes, Japanese omelettes and Tibetan steamed dimsims are also made fresh while you wait. Let’s not forget about the Mediterranean, Asian and authentic Australian meals ready to satisfy any appetite. While out and about, tourists or locals can also indulge in a great range of aussie and european beer at one of Eumundi’s famous pubs.

A parking lot, costing $3-$5 dollars is available and the market is open every Wednesday and Saturday, rain or shine. With its plethora of crafts, gifts and food, a day at Eumundi Market is something everyone should experience, it is truely a unique experience.

This year more than 20,000 people will enjoy over 150 Australian and International artists in just four days during the 2010 Noosa Jazz Festival. What a place for any jazz enthusiast; it is also a great venue for anyone looking to have a good time.  The Noosa Jazz Festival offers more than thirty local venues and an incomparable range of open air performances.  As Noosa’s second oldest event, the Noosa Jazz Festival boasts nineteen years of successful history.  This is the perfect place for you and your friends, whether you have met them yet or not, to gather while enjoying renowned international artists as well as local buskers.  If you are one of the many people interested in learning about what the 2010 Noosa Jazz Festival has to offer, then read on.
Celebrating twenty years this year, tickets for the festival will be available for purchase beginning first July 2010.  Many of the things, which have made this a highly sought after experience in years past, have remained, but there are some innovative additions as well for the jazz enthusiast this year.  The stellar line up of popular national and international musicians remains the focus, offering all manner of jazz from the traditional to the more modern funk and blues varieties.  The event organisers have gone to great lengths to assemble some of the best acts anywhere.  Great music is to be heard from every corner, from headline performers, to free gigs to buskers, the air is saturated with astounding sounds.
Let us get down to the business of a few who will be at Noosa.  International sensation Warren Vaché, who hails from the United States, is one of the accomplished performers scheduled.  Vaché’s instrument range includes the cornet, trumpet and flugelhorn which he has used to delight audiences the world over; to simply call his performance rare would be to do a disservice.  This year, he is also the guest at Legend’s Lunch, which is a new addition to this year’s festival.  Acclaimed vocalist Barbara Jungr, of the United Kingdom, will be on hand to display her unique style.  In need of energy?  The Bad Plus from New York will be delivering the power for which they are known.
There is so much offered that there may be difficult choices to make, but following is a brief view of what one can expect.  This year’s festival will feature Twilight Jazz Sessions, held on Friday and Saturday (3rd and 4th September) on the main stage in Noosa Woods.  Friday night is Big Band night featuring the Ralph Pyl Big Band from Sydney.  The Festival Feature night is Saturday, featuring Brazilian Jazz with Diana Clark Trio with Doug De Vries, Capella quartet Idea of North, and the brilliant New York Trio The Bad Plus.
All in all, Noosa is too astounding to miss.  This twentieth year of the Noosa Jazz Festival is certainly prepared to deliver something special.  With the time-tested, as well as the new additions to the festival, 2010 will be the best to date.

Pomona King of the Mountain

Residents and visitors of Pomona have the opportunity to join in on a little fun for the whole family next month. The King of the Mountain Festival and Race in Pomona, about 20 miles outside Noosa, takes place on Sunday July 25, 2010. Each year on the fourth Sunday in July, Pomona hosts its annual family fun festival, where guests can enjoy a number of events and activities, before the famous Zinc FM International Mountain Challenge begins. The Challenge consists of a race to scale and descend Mount Cooroora in the fastest time.

This free annual event, which attracts people from all over the world to participate in the race and enjoy the festivities, began with a boast in 1958, by one Bruce Samuels, who claimed to have run to the top of Mount Cooroora in less than an hour. Locals didn’t believe him, and he proved it by once again scaling the mountain and returning in roughly forty minutes. The next year, he had a challenger, Barry Webb, who felt he could beat Samuels’ time, which he actually did, and made some money in the process. The crowd was larger this time, as more locals wanted to witness the event. Samuels decided he would try to reclaim his title as “king” and from there, as of 1959, the traditional race was established. It became an annual Pomona event in 1979.
This year, the race begins at 3:00 PM and is broken down into categories: junior, open male, open women, veteran, and masters. There can be up to one hundred entrants in the race, which is the main event of the festival. And it isn’t an easy race by any means. The climb up Cooroora is almost a vertical incline from the ground, on a relatively narrow path.

But if that’s too much for you, there are other races that patrons can participate in. The Living Valley Springs Quarter Marathon begins promptly at 8:00 AM, and takes the runners around the town full circle. The Cooroy Rag 3km Family Fun Run is actually ideal for families to take part in. Even little ones can participate; it’s a great way to promote fitness for the whole family. This race starts at 9:00 AM. The Energy Electrical Primary School Relays begin at 10:00 AM, and is for children, participating from various primary schools. There can be several hundred children participating in this race.

This year, beginning at 7:00 AM and ending around 6:00 PM, the festival will host various activities, some requiring a fee to take part in. The fun begins with the Bush Poets’ breakfast barbeque, where bush poets can come out and entertain and enlighten dining visitors with their poetic talents. There is a talent contest at 12:30 PM, complete with three judges, and a Thong Throwing contest at 1:00 PM. Other attractions include helicopter and other rides, live music and entertainment, and a guided tour of Mount Cooroora.

The King of the Mountain Festival and Race allows visitors and residents to come out and have a good time competing, listening to music, viewing the display of various vendors, and eating various foods. There are several events to enjoy during the festival. As always, it will be a real treat for the family.

There are numerous attractions and activities around Noosa; there is always something to do and lots of ways to enjoy nature. Noosa is infamous for its charming waterways, unspoiled beaches and serene natural beauty. There are also plenty of other activities for the adventurous at heart.
Noted below are a few of the many things to see or do in Noosa.

National Park Trails

If trekking in the rainforest is your idea of fun, then these trails which go through the National Park will not disappoint. The Tanglewood track will allow you to explore the beauty of the National Park and it’s beaches. The way back along the coastal path provides breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

Noosa Botanical Gardens

It will take you approximately a twenty minute drive from the town of Noosa to get to this exquisite natural garden. It is an absolute ‘must see’ for all nature enthusiasts. It hardly gets much better than this. The beautiful lake, which provides the natural backdrop of this lovely garden, also happens to be the water supply for Noosa. Expect to be enthralled by indigenous Australian wildlife and tropical flowers.

Go Fishing!

River fishing is greatly enjoyed by locals and visitors should get out and experience it. The river provides superb opportunities to indulge in fishing, fully equipped motorized boats are available for rent at extremely affordable costs as well as Offshore fishing trips that practically guarantee you make a huge haul!

National Park Coastal Route

The coastal track originates from the car park and follows the coastline. Hells Gates, which is basically the end of the track, offers unparalleled scenic views.  Keep a ‘nature eye’ out for perched koalas, or perhaps you may also encounter turtles or even goannas.  From your enviable ocean view, it should be relatively easy for you to discern playful dolphins and even the occasional migrating whale – depending on the season.

Go nuts!
The macadamia nut factory is not to be overlooked.  As a visitor you are granted access to free samples of various nuts processed in a variety of ways and you also get to view the factory in operation.

Noosa Woods

Noosa Woods is situated at the West end of Hastings Street. In recent years, local community groups have facilitated a number of short, pleasant walks which traverse the woods and the beach.
In terms of unadulterated, natural beauty, this competes with the numerous places in Noosa where you can experience a quiet natural environment with animals and wildlife hanging out, it’s amazing you are only a stones throw away from the hustle and bustle of Hastings Street.

During the period of June 18 – 27, the spotlight turns on Noosa as visitors descend on the region to partake of a veritable feast of food and culture guaranteed to whet and satisfy the appetite of the most discerning gourmand.
The event has become one of the most important cultural events in Australia, and the weekend promises to deliver the best in food, theatre, art, literature, music, dance and film.  Best of all, the Noosa Longweekend will focus on food, glorious food.  Food will feature prominently among the 130 events festival and Festival Director Ian McKellar says the Noosa Longweekend is ‘must attend event’ for those who enjoy delighting their palate.

In true Noosa Longweekend form, there will be a fusion of food and music at the Berardo’s Restaurant and Bar where Jim Berardo and Greg O’Brien will host a four course Blue Ribbon dinner featuring Caroline O’Connor.  The international flavour will be highlighted by the fantastic French chanteuse Caroline Nin, along with other outstanding Australian musical theatre talents.

Noosa’s Longweekend tradition of integrating literature and music with food will see celebrity chef Kylie Kwong giving a sneak peek of her book “It Tastes Better” and Toni Lamond and Tim Ferguson sharing stories and laughs at the Noosa Springs Country Club and Berardo’s Restaurant and Bar, respectively.  For early risers, sports hero Andrew Ettingshausen (ET) along with Sunshine Coast sporting identity ‘Phippsy’ will lure guests with fishing tales at breakfast at the Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club.  Not to be outdone, Ita Buttrose will be transported by the Noosa River to Trios Restaurant where she will regale lunch-time diners with interesting tales of her career.  In true Noosa style, the pleasure of food will be enhanced by fabulous art and culture.
Duck will feature heavily on the menu as three of Noosa’s most famous restaurants – Wasabi, Ricky’s River Restaurant and Bar and Rock Salt @ Noosa will present what has become the famous Duck Waddle progressive lunch event.  A glass of wine will be served with each course of a delightful food event which will present duck cooked in three different ways.

Seafood lovers will not be left out.  The Hastings Street restaurants of Rococo, Seasons and Bistro C will celebrate the region’s seafood with the offering of a seafood dish and wine along with a delightful after-lunch stroll along Noosa’s famous beachside boardwalk.  Other seafood events have already been sold out so be quick to book!

Food lovers will undoubtedly agree that Noosa was the place to be during June 18 – 27 after experiencing wine tasting at Kenilworth at Blind Man’s Buff Vineyard, combined with a tour of Eumundi’s Cocoa Chocolat gourmet chocolate factor.  This will be preceded by a four course gourmet lunch replete with wine at the Reserve Restaurant Cellar at the Blackall Ranges.  Food lovers’ heaven!

Will these experiences be enough to satisfy the appetites of our gourmands or will they whip it up for the Slow Food Noosa?  Those who want more will be able to indulge at the Slow Food Noosa which will host a Festival Film and Food event featuring a screening of Ang Lee’s Eat, Drink, Man, Woman.  Food lovers delight will multiply with the presentation of gourmet Chinese meals prepared by master chefs.

Don’t miss the Noosa Longweekend festival of food, art and culture.  Prices range from $75 at the lower end to $185 at the upper end.  June 18 – 27, Noosa is the place to be.

For the full list of events at The Noosa Longweekend festival click here

It’s the perfect getaway, an idyllic coastal town set against the rainbow colored sand dunes from which it got its name. The name of this vacation paradise is Rainbow Beach. It is located in the picturesque Cooloola Region, along the south eastern coast of Queensland between Fraser Island and Noosa. There is so much to see and experience in this coastal hideaway. You can go camping, swimming, sailing, fishing and it’s a dream spot for 4WD enthusiasts. Rainbow Beach is away from the hustle and bustle of other destinations so it’s the ideal place to release some stress and lose yourself; even if you only have one day.

I had to make some preparations before setting out for Rainbow Beach. I was staying at the Noosa Lake Retreat and being a nature lover I thought it would be nice to explore some of the surrounding nature spots. I decided to hire a car, which would allow me to get to as many areas as possible in the short time I had. I made sure to look for a vehicle that could manage the sandy tracks I would encounter and of course got a 4WD vehicle which is really the only way to travel on the beach. It turned out to be a great experience seeing the natural sights and landscape up close.

There were a couple of other things I needed to be aware of since I would be driving along the beach, most important of which was the tide. It was clearly spelt out in my hire agreement for the 4WD that I should drive only 2 hours either side of the low tide. I was also cautioned to drive on the beach only during daytime and to reduce tire pressure when driving on the sand to improve mobility. Driving was a bit tricky and I did come across more 4WD vehicles than I had anticipated but the regular rules of the road did apply so that made things easier.

I approached Rainbow Beach from the Noosa north shore an area that’s known for fishing and birdlife. Once I arrived I was able to quickly find a spot at Rainbow Waters to camp out for the day. The sights there were exquisite. What stood out for me were the large sand dunes that littered the landscape and from which you can view the coast if you are game enough to climb to the top. The sand there has the most unusual colors mostly reds and yellows but there are several hues in between. The sea itself was the deepest blue you can imagine.

Later in the day I decided to make the short journey to Fraser Island which I’d heard was just as beautiful. The tide was good that day so I managed to make it and enjoy a taste of the sand Island. It was just as striking as the descriptions. The main attraction for me was the freshwater lakes although the pristine beach, sand dunes, rainforests and birdlife were also eye-catching.

One thing that struck me was how friendly the people of Rainbow Beach are. Tourism had not spoilt the area in any way as sometimes happens when spots like these are opened up to tourists. So you get to enjoy the surroundings without any pressure. The scenic beauty of the beach and abundance of trees and grasslands is enough to satisfy the most discriminating nature lover. It was certainly one of the most tranquil places I’ve visited and the experience of driving on the beach was remarkable. I plan to go there again, very soon.