The Top Noosa Tours & Day Trips

Noosa tours head in four directions: north along the beach to Double Island Point and K'gari, inland to the Sunshine Coast hinterland, out on the water, and south to Australia Zoo. Most days out include lunch or a picnic, and many pick up from Noosa accommodation. Start with the direction that matches the day, then use things to do in Noosa to fill the rest of the trip.

4WD beach tours from Noosa to Double Island Point

The beach north of Noosa is a 4WD road. Sports tours from Noosa include a half-day 4X4 run to Double Island Point, driving the Great Beach Drive coastline, with time to surf, swim or paddle at the point and a look at the coloured sands of Rainbow Beach. It leaves from Noosa Heads.

Island tours from Noosa go further into the Great Sandy Marine Park. The private 4X4 beach adventure crosses the Noosa River on the Tewantin ferry, drives to the sand cliffs and fits in guided kayaking, paddleboarding or surfing, a picnic lunch and return transfers from Noosa accommodation. It is a 7-hour day, with dolphins, turtles, rays and whales to look for.

K'gari (Fraser Island) tours from the Noosa region

K'gari (Fraser Island) tours are multi-day. The 3-day tag-along tour is a popular choice and the 2-day version covers the same ground in less time: driving your own 4WD along the beach, swimming in Boorangoora (Lake McKenzie), floating down Eli Creek and stopping at the SS Maheno shipwreck on 75 Mile Beach. The 3-day trip includes Champagne Pools and camping just metres from the beach.

Both leave Rainbow Beach after a compulsory safety briefing at 7am, and a driver's licence is needed.

Sunshine Coast hinterland tours from Noosa

Inland, the full-day hinterland highlights tour visits the Glass House Mountains lookout, the artisan town of Maleny, Gerrard's Lookout and the mountain village of Montville, with a two-course lunch at Secrets on the Lake. It picks up from coastal accommodation between Noosa and Mooloolaba.

The private 4WD waterfalls tour is a 7-hour day built around Robinson, Mapleton, Kondalilla and Wappa Falls, with a picnic lunch, Kenilworth Bakery donuts and a flexible pace. Pick-up and drop-off come from your Noosa accommodation.

Brewery, wine and gin tours from Noosa

The hinterland wine, beer and gin tour is a 6-hour day that visits a winery, two distilleries and a craft brewery, with lunch at a distillery. The brewery tour visits three Noosa breweries for tastings, a behind-the-scenes look at the brewing process and lunch, with pick-ups starting from Mooloolaba.

The cheese and wine tour adds beer and cheese tastings and a two-course lunch of local produce in a 6-hour day, with pick-ups at Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Twin Waters and Montville. The wine, beer and gin tour and the cheese and wine tour each need a minimum of four people to run.

E-bike and cycling tours in Noosa

Cycling tours in Noosa use electric bikes to cover more ground. The Noosa Biosphere Trail Network e-bike tour is a 5-hour guided ride through forests and farmland, past hinterland towns and lookouts, with a local guide and snacks and water included. Shorter rides include a 3-hour e-bike run from Mt Tinbeerwah to Noosa and an electric fat bike ride along the North Shore beach.

Australia Zoo and jet ski tours

South of Noosa, an Australia Zoo day trip with Sunshine Coast hotel transfers is a 9-hour day with a 6-hour visit to the zoo for animal shows, talks and presentations, plus return transfers. Back on the water, the guided jet ski ocean tour cruises past Noosa National Park and finishes with a freestyle session in the bay.

Choosing a Noosa tour

A half-day suits the 4X4 run to Double Island Point or a 3-hour e-bike ride. A full-day suits the hinterland, the waterfalls, a zoo trip or a tasting tour, each a 6 to 9-hour day with lunch or a picnic. K'gari is a 2 to 3-day trip. Tastings and hinterland days work best for groups that want someone else to drive.

Frequently asked questions

What are the best tours from Noosa?

Noosa tours split into 4WD beach days to Double Island Point, multi-day K'gari trips, hinterland tours to Maleny, Montville and waterfalls, brewery and wine tours, e-bike rides and Australia Zoo day trips. The right choice depends on how many days you have.

How long are the K'gari tours from Noosa?

K'gari 4WD tag-along tours from the Noosa region are 2-day or 3-day trips, with camping on the 3-day trip. Both start at Rainbow Beach after a 7am safety briefing.

Can you do a 4WD beach tour from Noosa in half a day?

A half-day 4X4 beach tour from Noosa runs to Double Island Point along the Great Beach Drive. It leaves from Noosa Heads and includes time to surf, swim or paddle at the point.

Do Noosa hinterland tours include lunch?

Noosa hinterland tours usually include lunch or a picnic. The highlights tour has a two-course lunch at Secrets on the Lake, the waterfalls tour has a picnic lunch, and the tasting tours include lunch with return transfers.

Is there a day tour from Noosa to Australia Zoo?

Australia Zoo day trips with Sunshine Coast hotel transfers are 9-hour days with a 6-hour visit to the zoo. Entry, return transfers, animal shows and talks are part of the day.

Can you take a tour of the Noosa hinterland by e-bike?

Noosa e-bike tours cover the hinterland as well as the beach. The Biosphere Trail Network tour is a 5-hour guided ride through forests, farmland, hinterland towns and lookouts, with snacks and water included.

Noosa tours reward a bit of planning: pick the direction first, whether that is the beach, the hinterland or the island, and the pick-up point and length follow from it.