2:42p.m. 12th May 2008

The Noosa Longweekend festival in July is one of the biggest events on the Noosa calendar.

Fashion, jazz, food, opera, film, theatre, art, surfing, triathlons, vintage cars, swimming, marathons, sailing … Noosa has an event for just about any activity you can think of.

Surfers and surfing fans from all over the world flock to town in March for the annual six-day Festival of Surfing, which showcases surfing movies, music, fashion and memorabilia, alongside the traditional competition on the water.

Photo Gallery: Noosa Festival of Surfing Bikini Parade

Enlarge photos | View thumbnails

Noosa comes alive in May for its annual MayFiesta, which combines a series of fabulous festivals in the one busy month.

They include the Celebration of Food and Wine, Noosa Style; the Noosa Blue Water Swim and the Noosa Riverfest Regatta, which celebrates all things maritime and makes the best use of Noosa’s pristine beaches and waterways with a variety of activities like fishing, sailing and rowing.

Photo Gallery: Noosa Blue Water Swim 2008

Enlarge photos | View thumbnails

The famous Noosa Longweekend in July is a keenly anticipated event that honours the arts, featuring nationally acclaimed playwright and Noosa resident David Williamson as its patron.

Attracting a star-studded line-up of guest speakers and performers, the Longweekend incorporates live theatre, dance and music; a writers’ festival; art exhibitions and workshops, food and music events. Only in Noosa could a long weekend last nine days!

Music lovers won’t want to miss the jazz spectacular that is the Noosa Jazz Festival. Running over four days in August, it offers performances and workshops in genres from exciting nu-jazz, to funk, soul, bossa nova, modern, rhythm and blues, groove, mainstream, dixie land, swing and Latin.

Venture inland for yet more special events, such as the Noosa Hill Climb in November, which attracts hundreds of car enthusiasts and their families to watch 170 classic and vintage cars wind their way through spectacular state forest.

Photo Gallery: Noosa Hill Climb

Enlarge photos | View thumbnails

There’s also the King of the Mountain festival in the Noosa hinterland town of Pomona, which is a family fun day and mountain race combined.

And if you’re more the sporting type, visit the Sunshine Coast later in the year to catch the Noosa Triathlon, which attracts elite athletes from across Australia, or tee off your holiday in December, when the Australian PGA comes to nearby Coolum.