Best Things to Do in Noosa with Kids
Noosa in autumn is genuinely good for families. The crowds thin, the water stays warm from summer, and you can get a table at the good cafes without queuing in the heat. Here is where to take the kids, where to feed them well, and where to sleep without losing your mind.
Start at the Calm Water, Not the Surf Beach
Noosa's best asset for families with young kids is the river. Noosaville's grassy riverfront has shallow edges, no rip currents, and enough space to spread out a towel without sitting on a stranger. It is free, it is flat, and it is pushchair-friendly along the entire foreshore path. Save the surf beaches for older kids or calmer days.
When you do want sand and salt water, Boiling Pot Lookout is worth a detour even if the kids aren't swimming. The 300-metre paved path from the Noosa National Park entrance is fully accessible, the views over Laguna Bay are wide, and spotting dolphins from the granite ledge is the kind of thing that makes a holiday memorable. Park near Hastings Street on weekends.
Where to Eat with Kids
Feeding children in Noosa is easier than it used to be. A handful of places have genuinely thought about it, rather than just printing a sad kids menu as an afterthought.
Depot Noosa in Noosaville is one of the better calls. The river views keep kids occupied, the QR ordering system means you are not waiting for someone to notice you, and the kitchen runs fast enough that small people don't hit meltdown before the food arrives. The chilli crab scrambled eggs are for the adults; there is enough on the menu to keep everyone happy.
Betty's Burgers on Hastings Street is the reliable fallback when someone is tired and nobody can agree. Fresh buns, good patties, ice cream to finish. Affordable by Noosa standards, which is saying something. The queue moves quickly even in peak periods.
Coolum Beach Hotel is worth the short drive south if you are staying in the area. Franco's pub runs a fast kitchen, fair prices, and a genuinely relaxed vibe that works for families without feeling like a theme park. The seafood tower is the adult order; the rest of the menu handles kids without fuss.