When you think of white sand, azure waters and luxury surrounds, there can only be one place on your mind. Noosa. There is no better spot to lose yourself than in this little haven, just a short flight from Sydney or a quick dash from Brisbane by road. It really is a slice of paradise in our own backyard, as Jessica Jane Sammut discovers.

If you are looking for a holiday to remember, as a couple or as a family, you can’t get much better than Noosa. A shining jewel of the Queensland coast, Noosa captivates and soothes the soul like nowhere else, a beautiful respite from the rest of the world. It’s cool, it’s classy, it’s dazzling. Offering sensational beaches set against a backdrop of lush green hinterland, and with a year-round warm sunny climate, Noosa has it all, including a cosmopolitan lifestyle and some of the best cuisine in Australia as the home of the renowned Noosa International Food and Wine Festival.

Where to stay

When looking for accommodation, there is a plethora of options from which to choose, with HomeAway.com.au a great place to start researching, with a huge selection of holiday rentals on offer (often for less that the cost of traditional hotel accommodation). The official Noosa tourism website is also very helpful in this regard. If you are looking for something with that wow factor, a favourite has to be the Fairshore Beachfront Apartments, offering premium absolute beachfront self-catered accommodation (awesome for families!) with views to die for.

Sit on your deck with a cocktail in hand as the sun sets, or relax in the beachfront spa. The choice is yours!

Pamper time

Talking of spas, Noosa has it all when is comes to pamper time. Stephanies, Sheer Bliss Beauty Day Spa, Noosa Springs Spa and Noosa Spa are four of the very best. Stephanies provides a stunning Eastern-inspired sanctuary with modern furnishings and a chill-out area within which to unwind – perfect after a signature treatment by one of their impeccable therapists, such as the Shirobyanga Indian head massage. Sheer Bliss Beauty Day Spa is also divine, based on Noosa Marina with an incredible view of the water, which you can enjoy whilst sipping a latte and having a pedicure. Its French-inspired theme is the picture of girlish decadence, while the Noosa Springs Spa offers a complete head to toe pamper experience which is great for groups, together with the most incredible mineral floatation pool I have come across. Not forgetting Noosa Spa set in the South Pacific Resort, which offers sublime treatments such as the Perfect Indulgence or Pure Bliss package, which includes a glass of Champagne afterwards. With a courtesy pick-up and drop-off service available, this is something you can savour before heading back to the beach for another manic afternoon of relaxing!

Drink and eats

If it’s dining you are after, you will be spoilt for choice in Noosa. The Magic of India has to be one of the best curry houses in the State having won numerous awards and with an extensive menu, each dish offering a sensory explosion using the freshest ingredients. And with delivery, you won’t miss out wherever you are. Miss Moneypenny’s, on the other hand, is the newest and smartest bar and restaurant in town, situated slap bang on Hastings Street, and is the haunt of the uber cool Noosa collective. This is where you will find the gorgeous people hanging out as they sip on razor sharp cocktails such as The Funk Rum Swizzle. Ibiza Sundays at Miss Moneypenny’s welcome a warm crowd of sassy chillaxers enjoying the DJ vibe, and it’s safe to be said, you’ll feel like an A-lister just by being there. And of course, there is the iconic Bistro C and Aromas for late afternoon coffees, cake and more, or Nitrogenie and Massimo’s Gelateria for the best ice creams this side of the equator.

Whatever you end up doing in Noosa – lying by the pool reading a book or trekking through the coastal National Park over to Sunshine Beach, you can guarantee you’ll have a good time. You might even spot some dolphins. This is Noosa time, after all.