Coolum to Noosa drive: Best stops, distance & driving time

The best stops on the Coolum to Noosa drive on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast include Peregian Beach and Sunrise Beach. By car, the Coolum to Noosa distance is 17km and the driving time 20 minutes.

The drive from Coolum to Noosa connects two of the most appealing spots on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The two are not far apart, so you can easily use Coolum as a base for visiting Noosa and vice versa.

Coolum to Noosa distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Coolum to Noosa is 17km. That makes for a driving time of around 20 minutes.

12 fantastic Sunshine Coast experiences to book now

Taste coffee and ginger, do rainforest walks, and visit the best lookouts on a highlight-packed hinterland tour.
Take a serene Noosa Everglades cruise along the mirror-like waterways – or canoe through the Everglades.
Learn to surf at a Sunshine Coast surf school – or try paddleboarding instead.
Combine sight-seeing and thrills on a fast boat tour.
Go e-mountain biking on the downhill trails of Tewantin National Park.
Kayak with dolphins as part of a beach 4WD tour.
Explore the Sunshine Coast from above on a seaplane flight.
Take an indigenous cultural tour – with bush tucker tasting.
Visit the region’s best craft breweries and distilleries on a drinks tasting tour.
Go jetskiing through the gorgeous Pumicestone Passage.
Taste wines, cheeses and chocolates on a hinterland food tour.
Watch migrating humpbacks on a whale-watching cruise.

You leave Coolum to the north along David Low Way, passing Coolum Beach and crosses Stumers Creek. The drive then goes through the Peregian section of Noosa National Park, and past Emu Mountain. It’s only a small branch-off if you want to tackle the Emu Mountain Summit Walk.

Next, the road goes through Peregian Beach and past Marcus Beach just north of Marcus Creek. This essentially runs into Castaways Beach.

Coolum to Noosa drive: Sunrise Beach to Noosa

You’ll next come to Sunrise Beach and Sunshine Beach before continuing into Noosa Heads.

Branch off at the roundabout onto Edwards Street, which will take you into Noosa Heads.

Get the best out of Noosa – 6 sensational experiences to look into

Cruise the mirror-like waterways of the Noosa Everglades – a glorious glide through stunning natural landscapes.
4WD along the beaches – AND kayak with dolphins on a day tour full of easy adventure.
Take a dolphin-watching safari down the Noosa River.
Have a go at kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding or waterbiking.
Take a tasting tour of the local craft breweries and distilleries – find out how the locals have devoted themselves to quality.
Get standing on your board by the end of a beginners’ surfing lesson.

Good things to do in Noosa include shopping on Hastings Street and surfing lessons. You can also try spotting koalas in the Noosa National Park, taking a Great Beach Drive tour to Double Island Point and Rainbow Beach, or enjoying a Noosa Everglades cruise.

If I can do just one thing in Noosa, what should it be?

The Great Beach Drive – a four wheel drive adventure up Teewah Beach towards Double Island Point – is fantastic on its own. To go kayaking with dolphins as part of the same trip makes for a genuinely superb day out.

Take it as a massive personal recommendation – the Great Beach Drive plus Kayaking With Dolphins day tour should be at the top of your Noosa wishlist.

Accommodation picks include the Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, Habitat Noosa and Seahaven Noosa.