Nirvana in Noosa

                       

After a massive year my soul, body, mind and spirit was in mega need of a big fat break. Two weeks in Noosa ended up being just what the doctor ordered.

A while back I proclaimed that Moolooba was the Queen of South-East Queensland beaches but now I have to swallow my words - Noosa, you have seduced me.

The in-laws booked a pet-friendly house a walk from Sunshine Beach, which is right next to Noosa. We were blessed with perfect, sunny weather and spent most of the time at the beach, eating or sleeping. Here are some of the highlights for this Canberran:

Sunshine Beach

More chilled than its neighbour, Sunshine Beach is a gem surrounded by mansions and apartments tucked between the trees. The best part for animal lovers is the dog friendly section up the North end. Paradise of friendly pooches, families, warm water and happy vibes. Further down the beach is the patrolled area with access from the strip of yummy cafés and restaurants. The Surf Club has a killer view the ocean on the back deck and serves affordable feeds. For a special treat check out Embassy XO for yummy dumplings and Chinese inspired food. Embassy XO's service and interiors are both lovely.

I was lucky enough to catch up with a life long friend during my stay at Sunshine Beach. As our holiday house was packed to the rafters, we escaped for a night down the road to Dolphins Beach House. This is a flashpackers at its best. For $90 a night we got our own private room with ensuite, flat screen tv, air con and balcony. This establishment has a tropical and colourful charm with a killer location. Highly recommend this place if you are after an affordable stay.

Dolphins Beach House

Noosa Main Beach

This is what all the fuss is about. You can spend a whole day here, sun baking, swimming, making sand castles, perving, surfing, eating, drinking milkshakes, shopping Hastings Street and exploring the National Park. Parking can be a nightmare but worth the persistence. It is so darn pretty and full of life. You may come across a celebrity or two and will leave dreaming of lottery wins so you can relocate. I also recommend doing a cruise through the Noosa river to check out the man made beauties competing against nature for the biggest jaw drops. You might even see Richard Branson on his island.

Edmundi Markets

Famous for the huge markets and hippie charm, Eumundi is a short drive from Noosa and the perfect way to spend a morning and lunch. The markets are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Try to get in early because traffic and parking can be hectic. For brunch I recommend Bohemian Bungalow for quirky atmosphere and delicious vegetarian and organic dishes. 

Bohemian Bungalow

Bohemian Bungalow

Nails at Noosa
If you are after some nail love, give the ladies at Nails at Noosa a visit. A girlfriend and I got the deluxe pedicure and my Mother in Law went for an express mani and pedi. The girls were fun, professional and did a killer job, all at reasonable prices.

4WD at Noosa North Shore
For your adventurous types, go 4WD and camping along Noosa North Shore. I had a great time driving along the beach, such a great experience with the stunning ocean on one side and the coloured sands on the other.

So there you have it, some tips if you ever find yourself experiencing Nirvana in Noosa! :)

Sunshine State of Mind...

The weather has been scorching, Christmas is just around the corner which adds up to one thing = our annual two weeks break with the in laws in Queensland, specifically South-East Queensland.

A psychic told me once that Queensland would be a special place for me. That it held a bunch of women who would become my family and it will be my second home. At the time, I was a 21 year old girl who loved nothing more than going to gigs, alternative fashion and frequenting cafes. Nah, I thought, she has got me all wrong, I'm going to end up in trendy Melbourne! Well turns out she at least got one thing right, as I did marry a Queenslander who has two sisters and a mum (plus a dad and other relos I adore). Dr Love is the only member of his family that has left the Sunshine state and you can see why everyone else has stayed, pretty hard to give up such a nice lifestyle.

We are blessed with both worlds - fantastic careers and friends in Canberra but the ability to spend time north of the border X 2 a few times a year. So here are just some of the things I love about South East Queensland:

Beaches
Where the land meets the sea is the biggest draw card of this sunburnt state. Dr Love is from Ipswich, which is on the west border of Brisbane. So we either go south to the Gold Coast or north to the Sunishine Coast. We usually choose the latter, which is the opposite direction of schoolies and bad boob jobs. Not that I'm anti Goldy - Green Mount is Dr Love's fav surfing spot, the Goldy has all the theme parks, super malls and Surfers does have its own glitzy style but the Sunshine Coast is more chilled which is more of our vibe*

Maloolaba is my favourite beach because it has the right mix of everything - gorgeous beach, hottie life savers, yummy food and some shops but no snobbiness like its cousin Noosa.

The more I travel the world the more convinced I am we have the best beaches. They are crystal clean with comfy white sand, not polluted water with rocks everywhere. While I love the paradise that is Borocay of the Phillipinnes and the seaside charm of the Greek islands, if you want warm surf, QLD is the place to go.

Queenslanders
Not the people**, but the houses. My dream house is a Queenslander with a massive wrap around verandah. They possess so much charm and character. From the large, regal ones to the cute colorful cottage style, I love them. My love of Queensland arcticher extends to the traditional pubs and shops in old parts of Brisbane and Ipswich. So easy breezy. Totally dig it.

Brisbane
I adore this river city even though I haven't spent as much time as I would like in it. My few visits has left me an impression of a city more laid back than Sydney, less pretentious than Melbourne and full of charm.

Seafood
Enough said really.

Sunshine Coast Hinterlands
Just stunning and so lush. Perfect place to enjoy a weekend.

Wet and Wild
Heaven on Earth. I mean business when I visit - must wear a rashie and compete with the kiddies in the long lines. Word of advice - go in groups of two unless you want to share close proximity aka floating device with a stranger.


Disclaimer: I wrote most of this in December. It is now January and we are in the middle of floods and stuck inside - this also happens a lot in the 'Sunshine State' ;)


* Helps that the in laws share a holiday home three minutes walk from Wutulla beach. Three brothers built this home over 25 years ago and will be selling it next year *sob*.
** The people are grinners as well :)