Indulge, Unwind, Repeat at with Noosa Ferry and Noosa Boathouse
The Noosa River punches well above its weight with jaw-dropping sights, cool cruises and waterside options to eat and drink that make for a delicious sport, Helen Flanagan attests.
In the main, the stunning Noosa River wends its way just west of Tewantin at heart-shaped Makepeace Island, along Noosaville, Noosa Sound and enters the Coral Sea between Noosa Heads and Noosa North Shore.
The best way to experience it is to jump on a Noosa Ferry. A cruise along Noosa River isn’t just a boat trip from A-to-B, it’s a scenic shortcut, a relaxing and informative experience. .
If you take the return loop between Noosa Marina with its cafés and specialty shops at Tewantin, and Noosa Heads adjacent to the Sofitel Hotel, (rebranded to Elysium Noosa), it’s 90 minutes plus there’s a variety of stops along the way.
A excellent hop off/on point of the riverfront, parallel to the gazebo-dotted parkland, dedicated walk and cycle ways and buzzy Gympie Terrace, is the Noosa Boathouse with myriad offerings from 6am! Little Boaty Coffee Bar is open every day, even Christmas Day. Hallelujah!
Whether lunch or dinner, dishing up top-tier views with flavours and sips to match is de rigueur at the Boathouse Restaurant, oh and an Aussie seafood experience for two is like no other!
What an extravagant tower of fresh Mooloolaba prawns, Moreton Bay bugs, freshly shucked natural oysters, local spanner crab and green papaya salad and chilli lime dressing, salt & pepper calamari, Heads of Noosa beer battered local fish and prawns, chips, as well as charred garlic ciabatta.
“With our idyllic sub-tropical climate, fresh seafood is always a big winner,” says celebrated executive chef Shane Bailey. “A rich buttery, sustainable white albacore sashimi from Mooloolaba, crying tiger dressing, wakame and cucumber, clean flavours and a touch of spice is up there; and my version of a prawn cocktail is hard to beat using big freshest local prawns, Kensington Pride mangos, avocado, local macadamia and a lime aioli that shrieks ‘summer in Queensland’.
“I source big fillets of barramundi out of the Daintree which we grill, use in tasty fish cakes also in fish and chips.
“Everyone loves crumbed fish so it’s on the special’s board and is local snapper or Spanish mackerel.
“Seafood not your thing? A sensational chicken salad which is a recipe ‘borrowed’ from my wife Lucinda, is a best seller. We brine the chicken overnight before roasting, add roast sweet potato, pickled carrot, sultanas and pecans and top with a yogurt ranch dressing. There’s also a vegetarian version.
“Steak is always a hit, with grain-fed rib fillet from Nolans in Gympie and black grain-fed sirloin from Teys in Rockhampton; smoking brisket for beef bacon is superb, as is braised short rib and lamb for our gnocchi. So popular, it’s on the menu forever!
“Pete from Noosa Reds is growing us an heirloom variety which looks a bit weird but is packed with flavour. Most prefer the perfect medium red round tomato. Not me. Desserts include our version of a Tiramisu using mango and Malibu; and our hazelnut crème Brulé has local eggs from Sandy Creek which have super yellow yolks from chickens living under mango trees.”
Prefer lunch alfresco under a shady gazebo watching the kids splashing in the shallows and the pelicans eyeing off their catch of the day?
Open daily from 11am is the Boathouse Takeaway featuring fresh fish and best chips. Always available are fresh Dory or Daintree Barramundi, grilled or in a crispy Heads of Noosa beer batter.
Similarly coated and so yum are prawns. Oysters are there too, also fresh chilled Mooloolaba prawns. A takeaway beer and wine list is available such as a cute Dal Zotto prosecco can and a Heads of Noosa beer for the perfect match.
Watch the sun set over the hinterland from your spot on the grassy foreshore or for something different why not a sunset cruise. Choose between the traditional Noosa Ferry Sunset Cruise which is now the only BYO sunset cruise on the Noosa River, with pickup locations at Tewantin, Noosaville and Noosa Heads – or the Signature Sunset Cruise on HV Stillwater, offering luxurious, silent cruising with hybrid propulsion and lounge style seating. Departures are from Noosa Heads and Pelican Boat Hire and include a complimentary beverage on arrival and nibbles platter to share.
HV Stillwater is also available for half day charters for up to 30 people, stopping for a swim, includes a floating pontoon, stand-up paddle board, lunch and the convenience of a freshwater shower on board.
Ideal for family groups wanting something inclusive and different. Plus, it’s full-accessible and undercover.
Last drinks and fond memories?
For a one-of-a-kind rooftop oasis, the Boathouse Sunset bar is the coolest and most favourite place on the Noosa River.
Cocktails, champagne, superb wines, liqueurs, spirits, tap beer, snacks and plates are the perfect accompaniments as the golden sun goes down, and later when the moon transcends its romantic glow.
The Noosa River of dreams truly is a unforgettable slice of Paradise.
