Is Brisbane the closest airport to Noosa?

The closest airport to Noosa is Sunshine Coast Airport, about half an hour to the south in Marcoola. Airport transfers to Noosa cost around $100, although shared Noosa airport shuttle services are cheaper.

Noosa is the most prestigious resort town on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. It’s at the northern end of the coastal strip, and a 153km drive from Brisbane.

Book a Noosa airport shuttle or transfer service here.

You don’t necessarily have to undertake the Brisbane to Noosa drive if you want to visit, however. Instead of flying into Brisbane, then driving for just under two hours, you can fly into the closest airport to Noosa.

Closest Airport to Noosa

The closest airport to Noosa is Sunshine Coast Airport. Formerly known as Maroochydore Airport, it is in Marcoola on the Sunshine Coast.

There are direct flights to the Sunshine Coast from several Australian cities. These include Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide, Cairns, Newcastle and Emerald.

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.

Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa

The drive from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa is not a particularly long one. Noosa lies about 30km to the north, and the drive takes about 28 minutes. You’ll pass Coolum Beach, Peregian Beach and Sunrise Beach on the way.

In a taxi, this is still a reasonably expensive journey, however. Transfers to Noosa offers private transfers from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa for from $100.

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.

Noosa airport shuttle bus

Share a shuttle bus with Con-X-Ion, however, and it’s much cheaper. These shuttle buses from Sunshine Coast Airport to Noosa cost $35. You can choose between various Noosa airport shuttle services online.

Noosa waterways — The winding waterways are part of what makes Noosa special. Photo by David Whitley/ Australia Travel Questions

Great things to do in Noosa once there include surfing lessons and shopping on Hastings Street. You can also take a Great Beach Drive tour to Double Island Point and Rainbow Beach, spot koalas in the Noosa National Park or take 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 options include Seahaven Noosa, the Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort and Habitat Noosa.

6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday

Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.