On the coast 80 km north of Brisbane. First came the surfers, attracted by the exceptional high rollers around Noosa Heads. Then the surfers grew up and became high rollers themselves (big city style) returning to turn Noosa Heads into one of the smartest resorts in Australia. In fact, Noosa Heads is only one of three communities which make up Noosa. It is the smart section up by the national park, where the restaurants and fashion boutiques of Hastings Street stand just inland from Laguna Beach. There are nature trails along the cliffs and through the tropical woodlands of the nearby national park. These end up at sandy coves between the headlands, where Alexandria Bay is a popular spot for getting rid of your zebra stripes and showing off that all-over tan. Those who prefer views of a different kind should head for the Laguna Lookout (on the edge of the national park, at the end of Viewland Drive). Cheats can drive up here, others will look upon the spectacular views of miles of beaches and ocean as their well-earned reward for the climb. On the south-eastern side of the headland lies the smart seaside suburb of Sunshine Beach.

The area is popular for villa holiday rentals.

West of Noosa Heads, along the mouth of the Noosa River, is Noosaville, where you can rent canoes and take cruises along the Noosa River into the Everglades and lakes of Cooloola National Park.