Noosa for International Visitors

Noosa has all of the services and infrastructure to make your visit a safe and comfortable one. There are banks where you can get international currency exchanged and shopping centres offering a variety of goods services.

Time

10 hours ahead of GMT (GMT/UTC +10 hours). Noosa does not have daylight savings.

Postage

A local postage stamp is 45c which will get a normal letter to anywhere within the country. Overseas mail generally goes via air unless specified otherwise and it takes around 4 to 5 days to get to most international destinations. As a general guide you can send a postcard to the UK or the USA for around $1..

The Noosa Post Office

Address: 91 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads
Tel: 5447 3280 Fax: 5447 5160
Post Code: 4567
Services: Post Shop, electronic banking, passport interviews
Trading hours: 9.00am - 5pm Monday to Friday

Banking

There are a number of full service banking facilities in Noosa and the surrounding area. Visa, Mastercard, Bankcard and other major credit and debit (EFTPOS) cards are accepted in most establishments throughout Noosa.

Banks in Noosa

ANZ - 23 Sunshine Beach Rd Noosa Heads
The Bank of Queensland - Shopping Plaza Noosa Junction
Colonial State Bank - 70 Noosa Drv Noosa Heads
Commonwealth Bank - 24 Sunshine Beach Rd Noosa Heads
National Australia - 11-13 Sunshine Beach Road Noosa Heads
Suncorp Metway - Shop 6B, Arcadia Centre Noosa Junction
Westpac - 40 Hastings St Noosa Heads

Telecommunications

The area code for Noosa is (07). International diallers need to dial the international access code for the country they are in, then 617 followed by the local number. Services include an international direct dial, Internet, Voice/Data/Facsimile and Operator, International Toll-Free, and payphones. The basic 'local-loop' telephone service (POTS, PSTN) is provided to almost every location by Telstra. Most telephone connections are the standard RJ11 ("modular") plugs, however, there is a proprietary Telstra connector (TAS) that is also used on some circuits. You can pick up a converter at most electronics stores.

Electricity

240 volts AC, 50 cycles (50Hz), three (sometimes two) flat pin plug.

Currency

Australian currency is used with bank notes for five, ten, twenty, fifty and one hundred dollars. The cost of the Australian dollar (AUD) does fluctuate, but is about $0.55 US Dollars. You can use this currency converter to get a more accurate conversion from 180 different currencies.

Exchange facilities are available for all incoming and outgoing flights at the Sydney & Brisbane International Airport. Changing foreign currency can be done quickly and efficiently at most banks and at Bureau de Change outlets.

Tipping

As a rule, tipping is not expected in Noosa Heads, however, it is customary so if you are happy with someone who has tried that little bit harder and gone the extra mile, then a tip is in order and always appreciated. Giving a small tip (10% of the bill) in a restaurant is in order if the service is good.

Getting Around

A taxi service is available in Noosa Heads and there is a taxi rank in the centre of town and you can usually flag one down along the street - you can also book a cab in advance. There are limited public bus services operating in Noosaville.

Cars drive on the left hand side of the road. If you're not used to it, take care when crossing the road - you should always use a "zebra crossing" to cross safely. Visitors driving in Queensland must observe the licence requirements for visitors. Drive at or below the posted speed limit. The general speed limit in cities and towns is 60 km/h but many local and suburban roads have a 50 km/h speed limit.

Seasonal Information

The temperature in Noosa Heads, on average, ranges from 17 to 28°C in the height of Summer and 7 to 22°C in Winter.

The Seasons

Spring : September 1 through November 30
Summer : December 1 through February 28 or 29
Autumn: March 1 through May 31
Winter : June 1 through August 31

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted in most public buildings areas including restaurants, pubs, in busses, taxis or on any domestic flights. Smoking is permitted in some outdoor areas of some licensed premises.

Emergency Services

In a life threatening emergency dial 000 for the Ambulance, Police & Fire Emergency Services.

Non-emergencies and General Enquiries

Noosa Heads local Police
Langura St or 48 Hastings St, Noosa Heads ph 5447 5888 Noosa Heads local Fire Service
Langura St, Noosa Heads ph 5474 9911 Noosa Public/Private Hospital & Specialist Centre
111 Goodchap, Noosaville ph 5455 9200
Non urgent Ambulance ph 13 12 33

Health Services

The nearest public hospital is at 111 Goodchap St, Noosaville (5 minutes from Hastings St) and there is an after hours local medical centre at 197 Weyba Rd. The hospital can be contacted on 5455 9200 and the medical centre can be contacted on 5442 4444.