Noosa 1-7 August 2009

The touring party comprised Ann (the Admiral) and Antony Mayer, Vivienne and myself.  Armed with credit cards we got into training by going first to Doyles at Watson Bay.  You can get there by taking a ferry from Taronga Zoo where we live to Circular Quay and then taking the ferry to Watsons Bay.  As Ann and Antony were both seniors they were able to buy the all-day pass for £1 and get 4 ferry and 1 bus trip.  The weather was perfect and it was a great day.

Doyles on the Beach 11 Marine Parade, Watsons Bay NSW 2030

We flew up to Noosa on the Saturday and I had pre-rented a 4WD.  My plan was to do a day trip along the beach to Tin Can Bay and then on to Fraser Island.  To my chagrin I discoverd that 4WDs hired from Sunshine Coast Airport are banned from driving along the beach.  So much for the adverts on the television.

I had booked us in at On The Beach Apartments on Hasting Street overlooking the beach.  This was on the recommendation of our good friends Rosie and Mel Thompson.  Noosa is famous for having one of the few north facing ocean beaches on the east cost of Australia.  These are the most expensive apartments in Noosa but you cannot take it with you.

The apartments were excellent and we had several great BBQs on the balconies.

Our first meal was dinner at Lindoni’s, 13 Hasting St.  This is an Italian restaurant and an icon in Noosa.  Vivienne and I had eaten here before in previous trips in 2002 and 2004.  It was packed.  The service was good but I thought the food was average (not as good as I remembered it) and the pricing totally over the top.  I would not go back. 

Coconut Grove Bar & Bistro 8/ 46 Duke Street, Sunshine Beach

We went here for lunch.  Interesting location, excellent food and great value for money.  The weather was perfect as it was for the whole of the week.  By the way this week is perhaps teh best week of the year to visit Noosa.  No mosquitoes and you can get into the restaurants pretty easily.  By now the tenor of the week was set.  If I got to wine list first we drank pinot noir but if it fell in Anthony’s hands we drank merlot.  Typically 3 bottles between the four us. 

Spicers Clovelly Estate

68 Balmoral Rd, Montville Queensland 4560, Australia

For me the highlight of the trip.  We took the 4WD into the hinterland.  Montville is about a 90 minute drive from Noosa.  This place had recently been totally renovated and just opened.  I think we were the first people to have lunch on the terrace.  The food was fantastic, wine was included and the total cost as A$65 per head.
Next we went to Sails.  Living in Richmond, Ann had a desire to eat in restaurants that overlooked the beach.  As you can see from the pictures below by the end of the week I think we had satiated that need.  This was a good restaurant but a little overpriced.

Sails Beach Restaurant 75 Hastings Noosa Heads

When we went to play golf and Ann & Antony went to lunch at Season.  We went back to dinner. The food here was good and fair value for money.

Season Restaurant‎ 25 Hastings St, Noosa Heads

Bistro C was located below our apartments which you can see in the picture below. Again a buzzy place, good food and good value.

Bistro C 49 Hastings Noosa Heads

We finished the week by having a great lunch at Ricky’s.  You get to Ricky’s by taking the Noosa Ferry River Cruise.  Start at the Sheraton Pier go to the end, come back and then jump off at the Quamby Pier.

Ricky's River Bar and Restaurant

Noosa Wharf 2 Quamby Place Noosa Heads

Back in Sydney we finished with a Sunday brunch at Ripples at Chowder Day.  Quiet brunch only two bottles + another glass of merlot for Anthony.  This has recently opened and is now one of the hot spots for a great value for brunch in Sydney.  the view is again fantastic.

Chris Golis
Australia's expert on practical emotional intelligence
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