Good to Go Noosa!
Whoever said ‘life is a journey, not a destination’ got it right however those who are really smart know that HOW you make that journey can make all the difference. John Caruso explores a few fun and smart ways of getting around Noosa this summer, carefree and (relatively) car-free.
When the days grow longer, the temperature rises and the Christmas tree goes up on the roundabout of Hastings and Noosa Drive, you know inevitably that there’ll be long queues of vehicles inching their way slowly towards the water and making the ‘perfect park’ a much more endangered species. Not to mention the contribution to global warming from car fumes and the rising temperatures in the vehicle as impatience and boredom reach fever pitch.
If you’ve been considering smarter ways to get around town there is no better time than this summer.
Thanks to Noosa Council’s Go Noosa initiative, it’s even easier to spend less time in the car and more time at the beach and exploring Noosa’s waterways and villages: to go car-free and to be carefree.
Locals and visitors alike have been embracing the Go Noosa program since 2018. What started as a free bus service during the summer holidays has now expanded to take a holistic approach to travelling around Noosa.
What better way to take advantage of the Noosa lifestyle than to embrace the range of transport options on offer this festive season?
Adam Britton is the Project Manager for Transport Innovation at Noosa Council and he understands that Noosa is different from everywhere else.
“We’re different by nature so we’re not following other councils by allowing motor vehicles to be the dominate mode of transport,” he said.
“The local community have told us that they don’t want a network that’s reliant on cars. Our area is synonymous with nature and 30% of emissions are a direct result of transportation,” Adam explains.
“You just can’t keep building infrastructure for the car.”
And why so many scooter parks in Hastings Street?
“We’ve discovered that a lot of motor vehicles often only carry the driver, so the conversion of car parks into scooter and motor bike parks is a demand-driven exercise, especially over the last two years,” he said.
“We’ve found that more people are asking for them saying it’s easier to get around. In fact, from early December through to January there are an extra eight car parks in Hasting Street that we temporarily convert to scooter parking,” says Adam.
Cruising the Noosa River is another great way of getting around, travelling from Tewantin with numerous stops along the way to Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort on Hastings Street is an adventure in itself. Our favourite stop is the one at Noosa Boathouse for fish and chips or a sneaky sunset cocktail!
Timetables, fares and bookings are readily available and to make it more enticing Noosa Ferry and Cruise Company are offering a discounted Frequent Traveller’s Pass including all day hop-on, hop-off or per zone one way or return.
Another favourite this time of year is the free bus service, jumping on at Noosa Junction to get ourselves beachside many times last summer and we’ll definitely be back ‘on the buses’ again this year. Thankfully, Noosa Council’s Go Noosa program will operate again during the 2020 festive season including free buses with the return of the loop bus; discounted frequent traveller passes for the Noosa Ferry; and Park and Ride from the Noosa AFL grounds to hop on the free loop bus every 15 minutes.
With Park and Ride/Walk options; vehicle drop-and-go points; free buses; discounted ferries and lots of walking and cycling paths, do yourself and the planet a favour, enjoy the journey and Go Noosa!
Get on Board!
Cruise the Noosa Ferry
Phone 5449 8442 www.noosaferry.com
Free Buses, Bike or Walk
For temporary bus services including the 064 and 065, as well as walking and cycling routes call 5329 6500 or visit www.noosa.qld.gov.au/go-noosa-holidays.
For normal bus route and timetable info, download the MyTransLink app; call 13 12 30 or visit www.TransLink.com.au.
On Your Bike
Consider hiring a bike or electric bike from local operators
