Booking.com’s annual Traveller Review Awards celebrate the very best of hospitality all over the world. This year, they looked for the most welcoming cities on the planet, and our very own gem, Noosa Heads made the cut!
Anyone who has been to this charming sleepy town, paid a visit to its award-winning restaurants, and marvelled at its breathtaking natural surroundings will know it is very much deserving of the title! Nowhere is that more evident than strolling along Hastings Street, the town’s main thoroughfare, where you can shop, enjoy some alfresco dining, people-watch, and meet friendly locals.
Chock-full of cute boutiques with stunning local and international fashion, homemade homeware and more, you could spend a whole day window shopping. Take a break in one of the fascinating local galleries or, better yet, refuel at an inviting café or restaurant, like the mouth-watering Moonstruck Café or the stylish Bang Bang, for dinner.
Speaking of good eats, the Noosa Farmers Market is where the town’s foodie culture and welcoming atmosphere converge. Held on Sundays in Noosaville from 6am to 12pm, this is a must whether you like cooking or not! Browse the delicious stalls, treat yourself to a healthy — or not so healthy — snack, and get to know the people that make the region special.
Just a stunning walk from Noosa Heads itself, is Noosa National Park. This rainforest-like natural reserve has a myriad of wonderful walking trails passing by secluded ocean bays and tranquil pools, not to mention absolutely jaw-dropping lookouts such as Dolphin Point and Hell’s Gates.
We’d be remiss not to mention the town’s most famous attraction: Noosa Head’s Main Beach. As one of the only north-facing beaches on our side of Australia, it’s pretty calm most of the time, making it ideal for those with little ones or trying to learn a new water sport. There’s a Doggy Beach nearby too, so every member of the family can enjoy a day on the water!
Booking.com’s most welcoming cities in 2026
- Montepulciano, Italy
- Magong, Taiwan
- San Martín de los Andes, Argentina
- Harrogate, United Kingdom
- Fredericksburg, Texas, United States
- Pirenópolis, Brazil
- Swakopmund, Namibia
- Takayama, Japan
- Noosa Heads, Australia
- Klaipeda, Lithuania