Noosaville, Qld
I was looking for a short-break close to home for some R&R before the silly season starts. A scan of booking.com, my favourite booking site (not the one with the guy with the huge white teeth 😁)and I found a great little unit in Noosaville with a pool and easy walk down to the Noosa River. I really wanted to avoid Noosa around the Hastings Street area because it is always so busy (not to mention expensive). Also, I don’t believe I have the right attire for that area, i.e. linen resort wear and Birkenstocks. (Just kidding - sort of!)
After booking into Cayman Quays, I made my way straight to the inviting pool and spent a delightfully leisurely afternoon there, sipping on a glass of wine while soaking in the stunning, peaceful views overlooking the sparkling Noosa River. The resort also had kayaks available for guests to use, as well as push-bikes for those keen to explore the nearby area. Did I take advantage of these tempting activities? Well, I did think about it quite a bit, but to be honest, I was feeling a bit too lazy, and the pool’s cool, refreshing water was just far too inviting to resist.
So many restaurants to choose from along Gympie Terrace but first up I enjoyed some fish and chips while people watching on Gympie Terrace.
I love food and I think any holiday (mini or major) deserves a special meal. I love Itallian food so I booked into 250 grammi noosaville. WOW! I wasn’t disappointed. The staff were fabulous and service was brilliant. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any photos because I was too keen to scoff it all down along with a couple of glasses of Prosecco. Just to tantalise your taste buds, I had Fiori Di Zucca (lightly battered zucchini flowers with ricotta, lemon and pine-nuts) for entree followed by Ricotta & Spinach Tortelli with butter and sage sauce. Of course, no meal is complete without desert which was a special Pannacotta with caramel and rasberries.
Who doesn’t love a charming country market? Even though I was quite close to the famous Eumundi market, which draws crowds from far and wide, I decided to avoid the usual hustle and bustle. Instead, I made my way to the quieter, more relaxed Pomona country market. It was delightfully quaint, featuring a lovely variety of fresh local produce, beautiful plants, delicious baked goods, freshly brewed coffee, a wonderful sourdough bakery, handmade candles, and even some live music to set the mood. The weather wasn’t absolutely perfect, a bit overcast but it was still lovely to slowly wander around, enjoying friendly chats with the stall holders and soaking up the easygoing atmosphere. Of course, I found a bakery, distillery and a hotel (the trifecta).
I decided to explore the Noosa Everglades having done a similar tour many years ago. After all, my mini break was all about relaxation and soaking up nature. I booked with everglades eco safaris because of the glass of ‘beer and bubbles’ promised on the cruise. We drove to Habitat Noosa where the cruise started from although they do have a shuttle bus. Once I saw Habitat Noosa I had a bit of accommodation envy because they had some really cute eco-tents to stay in as well as a bar, bistro and micro brewery! Oh well, next time!
Who would have thought that the Noosa Everglades is one of only two true ‘everglades’ systems in the entire world? The other famously being in Florida, which boasts a few more crocodiles and alligators than we find here. Our guide, a knowledgeable local, certainly knew his stuff, although I struggled a bit to spot the wildlife he enthusiastically pointed out. At one point, he even joked, asking if my eyes were painted on! As our boat glided quietly through the serene River of Mirrors, we soaked in the pristine wilderness and lush subtropical landscape, all the while enjoying a refreshing glass of ‘bubbles’. What more could I possibly want? Perhaps a cheese platter to go along with it! During the cruise, you also get the chance to hop off the boat for a short walk and a convenient toilet break.
It’s fabulous having such a unique UNESCO reserve only a couple of hours from home. If I was a travel guide, I would rate my short holiday to Noosaville 3.5 stars out of 5.
The question back on my lips is to caravan or not to caravan. The scales are tipping back towards YES! Watch this space.
