Having a "free" holiday in Noosa with Telstra 20k pts/booking
Looked for other freebies.
Free bus services
626 – Tewantin to Sunrise Beach via Noosa Heads
627 – Tewantin to Sunshine Beach via Noosa Heads
628 – Parklands to Noosa Junction via Noosa Civic
629 – Tewantin to Noosa Junction via Noosa Civic
632 – Noosa to Cooran via Cooroy and Pomona
Expires 12/02/2023 unless extended.
Handy to get to beach or shops
Enjoy your holiday!
Likely why they're running it on weekends - all year! Usually only run in peak tourist season
Bus stop is at back of Hastings St, avoiding the congestion.
No problem getting to Hastings St for me! Am staying "free" a few minutes walk from there. Will use this service tomorrow to go to supermarket.
Just another freebie… Popped into 7-11 opposite beach last night for a Free Red Bull Ruby 250ml
Yep, Hastings st is all about doing laps looking for a park now.
Poor old Noosa, choked by its own popularity
Easier to park in free car parks.
I decided not to bring car - & relax!
Almost no one here now before 9pm!
Haven't visited in years, definitely not interested in Hastings St.
But had a great day today walking in Noosa NP. Always loved it.
"had a great day today walking in Noosa NP"
Wow, you lucky so and so. That is one of my favorite places in the world.
Good for you! Would love to be there too
@King Tightarse: And why not! Much more interesting than money focused & expensive Hastings St!
I do try to enjoy my life. Even better when FREE!
Walked to & along Alexandria Bay. Brought back memories of camping there (naked) for weeks at a time, before it was included in the Noosa NP.
Yeah raining night all the locals past bedtime haha
@Davbar24: Am on Noosa beach now.
No rain, some sun this afternoon.
So many more out at restaurants & bars last night at this time.
Trees in Noosa NP look much better wet, with the light from the cloudy sky.
Much prefer Noosa when its not sunny.
@INFIDEL: How many backpackers in their camper vans at the NP car park?
Last I was there (January) there were 48 vans around the car park at night, end of the Spit there were 52 van, all backpacker types , all with lights strung between vans. Party time for them all. At the time a heap of restaurants in Hastings were closed from Covid staff, open one up, another would close, days later it opens and another closes…
@PVA: What's that got to do with this Deal?
Seems you're upset about other things than a free weekend bus service around Noosa & surrounding areas!
@PVA: According to hostel operators, Backpackers have been a fairly rare sight in this area for a while. It's their business, so they keep an eye on it.
Only saw surfers vehicles - especially before & after work.
Talked with locals. A lot of board riders camp there overnight to catch an early wave. Many are locals.
Local surfer told me it was best thing to wake up in dark @4am, wax, & get the first wave after it becomes light.
Restaurant businesses are always opening & closing or changing hands, especially in tourist areas. COVID exacerbated the issue.
I walked to NP from Hastings St. So no need to park.
Buses don't go there. Take this free bus service to Noosa & walk - great views!
Yeah, it’s pretty shitty now with the traffic. Along the river is almost as bad, and sunshine beach is crazy too.
Ah, to be back in the early 80s when first lived there…
So catch the free bus!
Haven't been here in decades.
Back then Hastings St was congested, expensive & uninteresting to me.
It's just got worse.
We waited 35 minutes for the bus on Saturday afternoon. They are meant to come every 10 minutes. And then 2 turned up, literally following each other. Only about 3 people on each bus.
At least it was free😉
True. But so is walking (which is on time).
Paid for in your rates wether you use it or not is not in any way free
Lol - wether is a neutered goat or sheep! Is there something you're not telling us😊
It's to prop up local business that pay rates + charges.
Cheaper than acquiring land & building new carparks! That would be a greater drain on ratepayers!
Wow ! Thanks for the insight !
Was thinking of maybe good idea to go up Noosa for the weekend using this service as I am scare of driving into congested area where I almost need to fight for a parking. Will call off this idea.
Hastings St has been congested for years. Can't see why OzBargainers need to go there - it's expensive! Certainly no need to park outside costly restaurants.
Talked to staff member at Rococo on Hastings. Even half price it's too expensive for her.
Transport services in most places may not run to timetables. Especially so as some of these free services can cover a wide area e.g. Cooroy - Noosa.
On recent bus ride, it had to stop along route because it was running ahead of schedule.
Just check GPS location of bus in apps, rather than wasting your time waiting!
Am in Noosa now using buses, without problems.
Left my car at home, travelled to Noosa by train (Nambour) then bus to Noosa. Cheaper (using GoCard) & more relaxing than driving (for 1). Staying "free" 5min walk from Hastings St with bus stop across road.
But best to come on another weekend - woke to SMS flood alerts (mainly in hinterland) & torrential downpours. Lucky I love rain☔
Thanks for the tip !
My sister is dying to go to Noosa as I told her interstate travel is too expenisve and I won't go with her, she loves the Sunshine Coast. She's been stuck here for over 2 years from HK and was hopping mad when the government there extended the ban of flights to and from Australia.
Is there somewhere where we can get accomodation for 2 without breaking the bank and can get the benefit of using free travel at the same time? Would appreciate your input.
@sistermay: Depends on type of accommodation. Noosa is typically expensive resort style, with view of beach if you can afford it.
Used to stay here in architect designed homes on holidays in high school - my parents paid! Later, camped here in Uni breaks.
I'm more budget minded, seeing the accommodation simply as a place to sleep, & explore from, rather than an indulgence…
Historic Halse Lodge YHA is probably cheapest. "1880s National Trust and Heritage Listed guesthouse is set in the centre of Noosa Heads" in 2Ha of rainforest.
Check the photos to see if suitable. Its how the Sunshine Coast used to be. Certainly not glitzy or pretentious. Probably not where I'd take someone to really impress them. But affordable & central.
Good location across road from bus stop, few minutes walk to Hastings St & beach. Free onsite parking. Young & old seem to enjoy it. I do. It's relaxing, informal but basic. (Restaurant & bar are currently closed.)
Was a Church of England centre, so 2 storey wooden buildings retain that feel with wooden pews, an old piano, wide wooden verandas… But does involve stairs.
Entrance is up short slope to carpark, bathrooms are down corridor, communal kitchen is handy to keep costs down. Have breakfast there on balcony overlooking the forest.
Currently $135 weekdays for twin room, $140 for 2 x double bunks. (Share rooms with 2 x double bunks are $35ea/n.) Slightly dearer on Fri & Sat. Prices seem to be rising.
Can book through booking sites like Booking.com to gain cashback.
A "free" holiday in Noosa !
Paid $180+ for 5n in share room (with an interesting musician). Doors open out onto wide veranda.
Booked 1n at time through Telstra to receive 100k Telstra points worth $400 (finishing 28/2).
So check & click through cashback accommodation Deals!
Simple! Check Real-time info for TransLink bus services & use apps like Maps.
Don't rely on timetables!
Checking local information is a basic necessity in travel.
Apps are the easiest way - with GPS location of bus & estimated time of arrival.
Locals warned me buses may not run to schedule, so use apps. But hasn't been a problem.
Once sat at a bus stop in rural Japan. Timetable showed bus was due… Work crew arrived to demolish bus shelter!! Bus service had stopped long ago!
Worked out well, as became friend with local rice farmer who gave me a lift. Have stayed with his family in tiny mountain village many times.
Do we need to pick up these free buses from Noosa or can we pay extra to have them delivered elsewhere in Australia?
So many people from MEL already here!
Doubt they will be using the free bus service. So hop aboard for a free ride!
I Rather be Travelling too!
[Update from Noosa]
Caught 12:35 bus 626 today, from Noosa Heads Station (back of Hastings St).
Showed "free" on destination sign.
Arrived on time.
All seemed to go as planned…
Thought I'd stay on bus to Sunrise beach.
4min later at Noosa Junction (above Noosa), told all buses were cancelled due to flooding!! Off the bus & find your own way home.
Had lunch (cheaper than Noosa Heads) & bought groceries. Walked 1k down hill in rain. Could have been worse.
No notice at bus stops!
Staff from Noosa Heads resorts were waiting for bus unaware of cancellations.
Warned them & they organised Uber.
Chaos reigned!
So check apps etc, not timetables.
Maps did show bus cancellation - but only viewed after driver announced it.
![[QLD] Free Local Buses Every Weekend in Noosa Area](https://files.ozbargain.com.au/n/11/685111.jpg?h=bb6252e0)
Only way you can get anywhere near Hastings st. As a local I can’t remember the last time I even bothered trying.