The rush before Christmas always brings with it a lot of excitement as well as a little (maybe a lot) of anxiety. For many, that anxiety comes from the desire to find the perfect gift for loved ones, along with everyone else trying to find their perfect gifts too. Take the stress out of Christmas shopping with the crowds in a big shopping centre, and enjoy an unhurried, uncrowded and thoroughly enjoyable shopping experience in the great outdoors of Noosa.
Hastings Street is the most glamourous option for a spot of Christmas shopping, not only because of the high-end independent boutiques and high street chain stores, but the cafes and restaurants dotted about make for wonderful coffee stops, or even something a little more fortifying. Grab some Noosa Longboard shorts for that uncle, a beautiful Tigerlily kimono for your daughter or spectacular homewares to impart that coastal vibe back home.
Over the hill, Noosa Junction provides just as much shopping action, but with a more relaxed vibe. Clo Studios has beautiful homewares and there are a number of fashion boutiques, bookstores and toy shops. Each of these stores is manned by passionate locals with a detailed knowledge of their products- ask them for advice if you simply don’t know what to get! Take in a little lunch and a beverage at Mr Drifter or a coffee and raw treat at Vanilla Foods.
You’ve no doubt made your way along the river and Gympie Terrace, where there are lots of small boutiques offering interesting and unusual gifts. This is a wonderful place to go for a stroll and get in a little Christmas shopping at the same time. The only crowds you’ll battle here will be the pelicans milling around the boat ramp!
And if you still haven’t managed to find that perfect present, the 20 minute drive through the spectacular Noosa hinterland to the Eumundi Markets is well worth the morning out. Here, 250 stalls are brimming with artisan produced wares. From fashion to food, homewares and art to trinkets and jewellery, there’s sure to be a gift-in-waiting here. The Eumundi Markets is a destination in itself, with entertainment and lots of delicious market food to keep you going underneath the shady trees. Open Wednesday 8am to 2pm and Saturday 7am to 2pm.
If Eumundi seems a little to far to go from Noosa Pacific luxury, the Noosa Farmers Markets, held every Sunday morning, also offer a relaxed and uncrowded Christmas shopping option. With lots of artisan made products from eco beeswax wraps and gorgeous modern pottery and ceramics, to every conceivable food product, this is a beautiful place to find a gift for the gourmand in your life. And best of all, there’s lots of delicious breakfast options to treat yourself on a Christmas job done well afterwards! From Noosa Pacific, the Noosa Farmers Markets are located a short 3 minute drive or a flat half hour walk at the Noosa AFL grounds, and are open every Sunday from 6am.