Experience
Escape to the hinterland
The beaches of Noosa are stunning, but we also offer the glossy green hills to the west: this is the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Very easy on the eye, this is yet another amazing area to explore when you’ve had enough sun, sand and surf.
Drive just 25 minutes up into the hills and you’ll find yourself in the beautiful rolling hills of Cooroy. The township itself is a bustling hub, filled with small and, at times, quirky boutiques, cafes and that well-maintained country town vibe. Inspire your creative side at the beautiful Butter Factory Arts Centre, where local and state artists as well as permanent and seasonal exhibitions are on show. Or just grab a caffeine fix from Fox and Hound Espresso and watch on while the kids run off some steam in Cooroy’s extensive (fenced + gated!) playground.
Another 10 minutes’ drive through the picturesque Yurol State Forest and you’ll come to Pomona, a smaller town but with just as much character. Heritage buildings and cute cafes and shops line the historic streets, but if you’re after something a little more taxing than window shopping, try the 2.6km return Mt Cooroora Lookout walk. This is steep in parts (wear sturdy shoes) with just enough climbing to make it a proper resistance workout.
All that sweating and puffing will make tasting your way through Pomona Distillery’s selection of great in-house gins and tasty Asian inspired food menu absolutely justified. If you subscribe more to the boutique-brew and European-fare style of lunching, the Copperhead Brewery, back in Cooroy, has a wonderful high-end industrial feel. Both restaurants provide a children’s menu.
On your way back to Maison Noosa, stop off at the Mt Tinbeerwah lookout for a short walk to more stunning vistas of Noosa Heads, Laguna Bay, Lake Cooroibah and North Shore.
Best of all? A trip up into the hinterland directly around Noosa can easily be achieved before your 2pm swim back at Maison: it’s well worth leaving the pool for.
All Experiences