Tag: budgeting

  • Best Places To Stay In Noosa – Something For Everyone!

    Best Places To Stay In Noosa – Something For Everyone!

    Looking for somewhere to stay in Noosa? Whether you’re after beachside luxury, a peaceful riverfront apartment, or somewhere social with a pool and good vibes, Noosa has it all. We’ve stayed in a few different places over the years and wanted to share some of our favourites to help you find your perfect Noosa base.

    Noosa Parade

    Noosa Parade is a fairly long road, leading to Hastings Street and Noosa Main Beach. There are countless holiday lets, services apartments and hotels along the road and we’ve listed a couple of out favourites below.

    Having said that, it’s a great location if you want to be able to walk, or get an easy bus ride, down to the beach. It’s also really near to the river as well so it’s a great location for all eventualities!

    Culgoa Point

    Nestled right on the Noosa River with its own private beach access, Culgoa Point is hard to beat. It is definitely at the top end of the budget scale, but once you see the location, you’ll understand why.

    Some of the privately owned apartments are a little dated when it comes to decor, but honestly, the location more than makes up for it. There’s a pool, a sauna and guests are able to hire kayaks and stand up paddle boards straight from that private beach. It’s about a 25-minute stroll to Hastings Street and Main Beach, or you can hop on a bus from the stop which is a couple of minutes walk away.

    Plus, it’s only a 2-minute walk to Ricky’s (a Noosa must-visit), and there’s a handy general store and a cute riverside café close by too.

    Oh, and the sunsets? Unreal. Grab a drink and head to the private beach for some of the best sunset views in Noosa. Bliss.

    Noosa Tropicana

    A little further down the Parade (and a little easier on the wallet), Noosa Tropicana offers clean, spacious apartments with full kitchens. Ideal if you’re staying a bit longer or travelling with family.

    The location is still fab, close to the river and Gympie Terrace, and just a short drive or longer walk to Hastings Street. There is also a pool and barbecue area for guests and a handy chalk board with details of things happening around Noosa during the week!

    Top tip: Book a top-floor apartment for your own private rooftop patio and hot tub. Perfect for a sunset wine or morning coffee in your robe — live your best resort life.

    Other notable mentions on Noosa Parade: Metzo Noosa Resort

    Hastings Street

    If you want be right in the middle of all the action, with super easy access to the shops, bars, restaurants, the beach and the Noosa National Park walk, Hastings Street is your gal.

    Things around here can be a little more expensive, but the location is unbeatable for that full Noosa experience.

    Sofitel Noosa Pacific

    If you’re feeling fancy (or celebrating something special), the Sofitel is where it’s at. Right in the heart of Hastings Street, just across from Main Beach, the location is spot on.

    The rooms are modern and stylish, there’s a swim-up bar (yes, really), and the hotel has all the resort perks: beach access, a day spa, and loads of dining options. The bar out front also does a great happy hour and, in our opinion, one of the best around.

    Not the cheapest option, but worth it for a luxe treat.

    Noosa Beach House – Sofitel

    Halse Lodge

    Located right at the top of Hastings Street, Halse Lodge is a hostel that ticks all the boxes. Cheaper rates, shared dorms and private suites and a hop, skip and jump to the beach and all that Hastings Street has to offer, you just can’t go wrong!

    As well as being one of the top rated hostels in the area, it has a bar and restaurant with a huge beer garden, regular live music and an all round good vibe. The bar and restaurant are open to guests and non-guests and it’s a favourite amongst Noosa locals, too.

    If you’re looking for something a little more budget friendly, in one of the most sought after locations on the Sunshine Coast, Halse Lodge is your go-to.

    Other notable mentions around Hastings Street: Netanya

    Gympie Terrace

    Gympie Terrace a slightly more low-key area, and certainly a little more local. Located along the Noosa River, it’s packed full of bars and restaurants, picnic benches and barbecue areas as well being home to one of Australia’s ‘Big Things’ – The Big Pelican!

    Only a 7 minute bus journey or a short drive to the beach, it’s a great location to stay for a more relaxed vibe.

    Bounce Noosa

    Although not technically on Gympie Terrace, just around the corner is th Bounce Hostel. Bounce is one of Noosa’s most popular places to stay for travellers under 35. If you’re over 35, you can still stay — you’ll just need to book a private room instead of a dorm.

    But don’t let the word “hostel” fool you, this place feels more like the Love Island villa. With a full bar, DJs, shuttle buses to the beach and Hastings Street, morning run clubs, pool parties, discounted car hire, and nightlife tours, it’s ideal for anyone after a social, fun-filled stay.

    The pool is lush, the team are great, and the whole place just has good energy.

    Bounce, Noosa

    Noosa Everglades

    So, this is a little bit out of Noosa – around a 40 minute drive – and is great if you’re looking for a different experience. It’s away from the hustle and bustle of Noosa, and the area offers more of a nature-oriented stay!

    Kangarooms/Habitat Noosa

    If you’re planning on staying near the Noosa Everglades, there’s a stand out here that we have to include in this list! Have you seen those videos on TikTok of the kangaroos jumping across the lake at sunrise? Yeah, that’s here.

    They offer bookings for camping, camper vans and even glamping. They also have an on site bar and restaurant and yes, lots of resident kangaroos!

    Still Not Sure?

    Honestly, there’s no wrong place to stay in Noosa — it just depends on what kind of trip you’re after. Want to be in the middle of it all, with beach access and cocktail bars on your doorstep? Hastings Street is calling. Prefer something quieter by the river, with space to chill and watch the sunset? Noosa Parade or Gympie Terrace might be more your style.

    From boujee resorts to fun hostels (and everything in between), Noosa really does have something for everyone. We’ve stayed at a few different spots over the years and have loved them all for different reasons.

    If you’ve got a favourite place to stay in Noosa — or you know a hidden gem we should check out next time — let us know! We’re always on the lookout for new places to add to the list.

    This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book or purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. Read more here. – Privacy/Disclosure

  • How We Save Money When Booking Holidays (So We Can Blow It on Margaritas)

    How We Save Money When Booking Holidays (So We Can Blow It on Margaritas)

    We like to think we’re savvy travellers. And by savvy, we mean we’ll jump through just about any hoop to get £20 off a hotel. Even if we spend that saving five minutes later on a spicy margarita at a rooftop bar. (Look, the girl math, maths. Let us live.) But in all seriousness, we’re really good at saving waaaaay more than £20 when booking our trips.

    Whether you’re budget-conscious or just want more wiggle room to splurge on the fun stuff, here are the top ways we save money while travelling …and how you can too!

    Paid for by Hotels.com xo

    Hotel Booking Website Accounts

    Hotels.com

    Hotels.com is our absolute go-to. Depending on where you are in the world, you can either collect stamps or actual cashback-style rewards for every stay you book.

    Book 10 nights = get 1 free. Easy as that. And once? We stayed in a 5-star hotel in Melbourne for a weekend for £5. No joke. This is the kind of chaos we’re here for.

    Bonus: Hotels.com is part of the Expedia Group, so any car hire, packages, or other bookings through them can sometimes contribute to rewards too.

    Booking.com & Others

    We always shop around. ALWAYS. It’s genuinely wild how much prices can vary between platforms like Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, and the direct hotel website.

    Top Tip: If the price difference is small, the rewards from Hotels.com might be worth more in the long run. But if Booking.com has a better deal and you’re a Genius member? You’ll likely get perks like free breakfast or room upgrades.

    Moral of the story: always compare, always log in, and always check the direct price too.

    Chilli and Coconut Marg –
    $24, paid for by TopCashback xx

    Cashback Websites

    TopCashback

    TopCashback is like free money. Honestly. We know, it sounds like a scam, but it’s not. We swear.

    If you’re booking anything online — hotels, flights, car hire, travel insurance, the lot — do it through TopCashback. Just search for the website you’re using, click through their link, and book like normal. Done. We use it every time we buy anything.

    And if you use our referral link, you’ll even get a little welcome bonus to start you off. You’re literally being paid to book your trip. Win-win.

    Credit Card Points

    Okay, here’s where we say: this is not financial advice. Seriously. Credit cards are useful only if you’re sensible. Don’t spend what you can’t afford, that’s not cool, guys. Promise? Good.

    That said, if you already have a credit card, it’s worth checking if it offers travel points, miles, or cashback. Some cards let you collect airline points or hotel loyalty points every time you spend — and they can add up quicker than you’d think. We’ve used points to upgrade flights before and it felt very fancy.

    Just one more marg, why not? xx

    Final Thoughts

    You don’t have to be mega-rich to travel well — you just have to be clever about it. And if being clever means signing up for a few loyalty schemes and clicking a different link before you book? We’re in.

    Got your own money-saving travel hacks? Share them with us — we’re always down to learn something new (especially if it means more cocktails for less cash. Cheers.).

    This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you book or purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. We NEVER reccomend anything we don’t love ourselves! Read more here. – Privacy/Disclosure