A MasterChef’s guide to Noosa: how to spend a weekend

Where Matt Sinclair goes in Noosa...

For a great cup of coffee…

There’s a little place in Noosa Heads called Puncheur which is a really good spot. They roast their coffee themselves, and you’ll always find locals hanging out there. I used to work with the owner, Justin, and it’s just a really good place to chill out.

For a long lunch…

I’d have to say Rickys. The food is heavily seafood based and showcases local produce. I usually go for the spanner crab spaghettini with garlic, chilli, shallots and lemon. It’s probably been on the menu for 20 years, and I don’t think it’s going anywhere – which is the way I like it. The little bar area to the side of the restaurant is a great spot for grazing and drinking too, overlooking the river. (Love seafood? Here's where to find Noosa's best.)

For a drink...

There’s a restaurant on Hastings Street in Noosa Heads, Locale. It’s got a really nice cosy atmosphere, and is great for a snack and a drink, either for a date night or with friends. I’m no stranger to a negroni there. It’s a really versatile spot; they’ve got a sit-down restaurant with a seasonally changing Italian menu, but I like sitting at the bar around the side.

To get back to nature…

It has to be the walk at Hell’s Gates at Noosa National Park. It’s about a five-kilometre trip round, and they’ve just redone the boardwalk. It’s just magic – one of those walks where you stop and say ‘why don’t we do this more often?’. Sometimes I’ll grab Spence and the pram, and go for a run, but it’s great if Jess and I both have the day off and we can go together. We’ll kick off the morning there, before heading out to breakfast.

To unwind I also like to just head down to the river – grab a few mates, the Esky and have a barbecue. It’s generally pretty peaceful, and there’s plenty of room for the kids to run around.

Getting around

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For a special gift…

There’s an Indonesian spa and relaxation retreat in Doonan called Ikatan. It’s a pretty popular gift option; they’ve got the full works there, spa treatments, massages, a day retreat. Plus, it’s in a really beautiful spot, with traditional Balinese decor. (For wellness holidaymakers, here's how to get your bliss on on Noosa.)

For a special occasion…

I’d probably say Spirit House, in Yandina. It’s a modern Thai restaurant, set on incredibly stunning grounds. It’s a bit out of town, the kind of place you plan your day around, but it’s just beautiful, with lush tropical gardens, looking over water. Last time I was there I had the beef short rib green curry [but the menu changes seasonally].

To treat myself...

In all honesty, treating myself is heading down to the beach – maybe going for a run, falling asleep on the sand and ducking in and out of the water. It’s simple, but it’s rare I get that time just to chill out.

I like bodysurfing, but regular surfing is another story. I’ve got a mate from Sydney who recently moved up here who shapes surfboards. He built me a board and I’m gradually taking the training wheels off. But for me, it’s just about the enjoyment of being out in the water.