Making Paradise Home with Alexander Payne
Dreaming of a sea change or tree change in Noosa? Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer explores the options on offer with one of the area’s biggest fans.
Local real estate agent Alexander Payne of Reed & Co had been holidaying in Noosa as a young boy in the 1970s when his aunt lived at Picnic Point and used to take he and his three brothers through scrub off the beaten track through Noosa National Park, chopping their way through the bush with a sickle. A decade later, he was part of the team that opened The Hyatt Regency Coolum before moving back to Melbourne where he met now-husband, Adrian. The duo eventually realised their dream and returned to Noosa from Melbourne in 2013 with Adrian opening Adrian J Hairdressing Salon in Sunshine Beach shortly after.
Here, in his own words, Alexander explains what inspired them to swap the buzz of city life for the serenity of the seaside, how they decided where to live, and some things to consider if you also feel the pull to move to this very special part of the world. Here’s to following your heart and the magic of new beginnings!
“The pulse of Melbourne had become my heartbeat, but after years of living the urban dream, I found myself craving something different – a change of pace, a slower rhythm – and started to consider moving back to Noosa (I’d lived here in the 80s and had been holidaying here since I was a child in the 70s).
In October 2013, when my husband and I were here on holiday, a spark of inspiration made the thought of moving real. We were standing at Little Cove Beach, looking back to Main Beach as the sun dipped behind the headlands and the golden sand stretched beneath our feet, and I realised this was where we wanted to live. Noosa, with its lush landscape, stunning coastline and laid-back lifestyle was calling us back. But where in Noosa? The decision wasn’t as simple as picking a postcard-perfect beachside spot. Each area had its unique vibe, and we had to think carefully about what mattered most for our lifestyle. So, if you’re here on holiday right now and you’re contemplating a move to this paradise we call home, here are my top tips for the different areas…
Noosa Heads is actually a very large area that includes subset areas that differ greatly in terms of offerings and the price of associated real estate. Noosa Sound, Main Beach and Little Cove is where it all happens. It’s an iconic area, close to the famous Hastings Street, with boutique shops, restaurants and cafes just a short walk from the beach. The luxury is undeniable here: beachfront apartments, waterfront homes, the kind of place you picture when you think of a lavish Queensland beach holiday. But while the area has everything, it could be a little too busy and hectic for some, especially in peak season.
The Noosa Sound end of Noosaville through to the Noosa Yacht Club offers a more relaxed, residential feel, but is still close enough to Noosa Heads to get the best of both worlds. The riverfront areas are gorgeous, with parks and picnic spots along Gympie Terrace – I love the idea of being able to jump in a kayak or go for a sunset walk along the foreshore. As you head further from the river there is a more permanent, community vibe to the area. Noosaville then extends through to the industrial area around Bunnings and Noosa Civic. There are pockets here that present both value and convenience but are more detached from the river.
Then there is Noosa Junction, a hidden gem where you’ll find more of the local vibe, including a mix of restaurants, bars, businesses, supermarkets and services. Areas such as Noosa Hill and Noosa Springs through to Cooloola Hill offer a wide variety of options from entry-level homes through to some of the area’s most stunning (and expensive) homes and apartments. Still, it is only a short drive or bike ride to the main attractions, and if you like the idea of being in an area with a more urban vibe, this certainly can be appealing.
For boating enthusiasts, Noosa Sound or Noosa Waters is the dream location, but a house with a jetty is at the upper end of the market. Noosa Waters is close to everything, yet still feels serene and private – it’s only a short drive or bike ride to Noosaville’s cafes, shops and restaurants, plus slightly further to Hastings Street and Noosa Heads Beach. Not all properties are waterfront, so there are cheaper options available for those who aren’t nautically inclined!
Tewantin sits to the north, extending from Hilton Terrace near the river all the way back to Cooroy Noosa Road. Many parts have become gentrified over the last few years, and it has a vibrant streetscape plus some options that extend to the waterfront. There are some beautiful older homes with plenty of opportunities to find a fixer-upper.
To the South of Noosa Heads are the Eastern Beaches: Sunshine Beach, Sunrise Beach and Castaways through to Peregian Beach. Sunshine Beach backs onto the southern side of Noosa National Park and offers a community-orientated vibe while having access to both bush and beach. There’s a great village with cafes and bars, and there’s a truly family friendly environment, while still being within easy access to the Junction and other parts of Noosa. However, regularly rated in the top five of Queensland’s most expensive suburbs, it’s not going to be your cheapest option!
Below Sunshine, from Sunrise Beach through to Peregian Beach, there are numerous options depending on lifestyle and budget preferences. Like all beachside locales, the closer you are to the beach and the better the view, the bigger the price tag. Peregian Beach has a brilliant village vibe with marvellous shops, cafes and restaurants, so if you haven’t been there for a while it’s definitely worth a visit!
And don’t forget the Noosa Hinterland, featuring stunning properties in Doonan, Eumundi, Tinbeerwah and beyond to Cooroy, Pomona, Cooran and Kin Kin. There’s plenty of choice, from small hobby farms through to rambling estates with record-breaking price tags!
In the end, Adrian and I settled on Sunshine Beach because of its proximity to nature, the beach and its laid-back village atmosphere. I wanted the space to breathe, to take walks along the beach in the morning, grab a coffee in the village and be a bit more detached from the chaos of Hastings Street during holiday periods. It felt like the right balance: close enough to Noosa Heads when we wanted to be near the action, but far enough for it to feel like a quiet retreat.
Overall, Noosa is a beautiful area with a range of appealing options so it’s important to think about what matters most to you in terms of lifestyle, convenience, and budget when choosing where to live. Moving back to Noosa was a shift – not just in scenery, but in mindset. The change has been freeing. We no longer miss the fast pace of the city; now, we’re exactly where we want to be.” Alexander relishes his role as a real estate agent at Reed & Co helping others find their Noosa niche. Get in touch today.
