Noosa turns up the Fiesta this Winter

Noosa turns up the Fiesta this Winter

Don't Siesta this Fiesta - It's Time To Celebrate

It's time to reward yourself - and with 90 days of attractions, events and great offers, this year's Fiesta by Noosa celebration from May to July will be the perfect place to relax and rejuvenate this winter.

Whether it's time to party, play, relax, race, eat or drink, Fiesta by Noosa offers the best of times, with amazing deals on short breaks and plenty of events, attractions and activities to complement Noosa's beautiful natural environment and warm winter weather.

From celebrity chefs to comedy, world-class dinners to theatre, human canvases and sporting races to music for many tastes, Fiesta by Noosa will be your chance to let the good times roll - to sum it up: a time to celebrate.

Major events include the Audi Noosa Food and Wine Festival (May 13-15), Australian Body Art Carnivale (May 13-15), Noosa Winter Festival (May 21-22), Riverfest Regatta (June 4-5), Noosa Longweekend (June 17-26), A Taste of Coolum (June 24-26) and Pomona King of the Mountain Festival (July 24).

To mark the first Fiesta by Noosa celebration, an extension of the former Mayfiesta campaign, Tourism Noosa is announcing the new Noosa iphone App, an application that will be available to download so everything you need to know about Fiesta and Noosa in 2011 will be at your fingertips, including great deals on accommodation, tours, restaurants and shopping.

So don't siesta this winter, get to Noosa and put the "fiesta" back in your life any time over May, June and July, with fabulous cuisine, great bargains with retail therapy, some well deserved relaxation in one of Noosa's beautiful resorts (see below for hot deals), and an amazing array of quality events.

It's simply one of the best times of year to visit Australia's favourite beachside destination.

On the must- do list get to Australia's premier food and wine event, the Audi Noosa Food and Wine Festival, as it goes global from May 13-15, with the inaugural Best Dinner in the World, featuring seven chefs from the 2010 San Pellegrino World's Best Restaurants list. Join leading chefs, winemakers, critics, media personalities and entertainers for celebrity chefs cooking classes and demonstrations, Noosa Food Trails, degustation dinners and all things food and wine. Guests include Stephanie Alexander, Maggie and Saskia Beer, Gary Mehigan and Matt Preston from MasterChef, Matt Moran, Ben O'Donoghue and Tetsuya Wakuda. World-class entertainment as you sip and savour the tastes will include The Australian Michael Jackson Tribute Show starring Paul Rizzo, Rhonda Burchmore, and the 100% Kylie Show starring Lucy Holmes. Get in early for a 10% discount on tickets bought before April 1 - see www.celebrationofaustralianfoodandwine.com.au

Comedy Festival Roadshow will pull up at The J on May 20. Local names, newcomers and overseas guests will hit the road after almost a month performing around Melbourne - see www.thej.com.au

The second annual Noosa Winter Festival (May 21 and 22) will be back bigger and better than before, with the popular Noosa Enduro being added to the sporting line-up which includes the Noosa Blue Water Swim, Noosa Half Marathon, Noosa Century Cycle, Mizuno 10km Run and the Noosa 5km run/walk, along with a sport and lifestyle expo and fun and entertainment for the family - see www.usmevents.com.au

A Taste of Coolum at Hyatt Regency Coolum on June 24-26 will be a fun weekend of golf, fine wine and good food. Get into the swing with a winemaker dinner in Village Square on the Friday night. At the Winemakers Cup Golf Day on the Saturday, serious golf takes a backseat to wine tasting, novelty holes, prizes and fun. Then relax at the Young Guns Winemakers Dinner or the Legends Winemaker Dinner. The weekend winds up with the Chefs Alfresco event on the Sunday, with more than 45 wine displays, delicious food prepared by the Hyatt chefs, and a dedicated Sparkling Garden featuring the best Australian and overseas bubbles - see www.coolumevents.com

For a little magic in your life, the annual Australian Body Art Carnivale in Eumundi from May 13-15 will be the place to see artists at work using human bodies as their canvas, with "Magic" as the theme for this year's competition. There will also be the Masked Gallery Art Walk; competitions and exhibitions in pavement art, wearable art, vehicle art, indigenous art and photography; street performers; workshops; Sunset Street Party and Eumundi Live Music Festival - see www.australianbodyart.com.au

The Noosa Longweekend, one of Australia's favourite regional cultural events, celebrates its 10th anniversary this year with a 10-day celebration of theatre, music, literature, forums, dance, film, art and food, from June 17-26. It's a chance to get close to some of Australia's best performers, writers, musicians, film-makers, news-makers and commentators - see www.noosalongweekend.com

With these and other events on offer, there's sure to be something for everyone. To see the full range of events go to www.visitnoosa.com.au

Now's the time to book ahead for your Noosa Fiesta escape, with Virgin Blue and Jetstar airlines offering special rates on flights to Sunshine Coast Airport, and Tiger Airways announcing its new Sydney to Sunshine Coast route, flying daily from March 27, 2011.

Fiesta by Noosa - snapshot of events:
Dingo Creek Winery Jazz and Blues Festival - April 30 & May 1
Operatif's Opera in the Amphitheatre - May 1
Noosa River Festival - May 7 & 8
Folk-blues master Eric Bibb performs - May 11
Audi Noosa Food and Wine Festival - May 13-15
Australian Body Art Carnivale - May 13-15
Melbourne International Comedy Festival Roadshow - May 20
Noosa Winter Festival - May 21-22
Diesel performs - May 22
Riverfest Regatta - June 4 & 5
Noosa Longweekend - June 17-26
A Taste of Coolum - June 24-26
Reality Bites Literary Nonfiction Festival - July 22-24
Pomona King of the Mountain Festival - July 24

Hot deals on accommodation during Fiesta
The Rise Noosa: 25% off at The Rise Noosa during the Audi Noosa Food and Wine Festival, subject to availability and not to be used in conjunction with any other offers. Mention specifically Noosa Food and Wine Festival. Phone enquiries on 07 5473 6500 should also mention Noosa Food and Wine Festival.
Culgoa Point Beach Resort: Stay 3 or more nights at Culgoa Point Beach Resort, 5 Quamby Place, Noosa Heads, and enjoy a complimentary gourmet Tempo pizza. Offer valid May 1-31, 2011, subject to availability. Phone 07 5447 5055, see www.culgoapoint.com.au
Hotel Laguna: Hotel Laguna's Audi Noosa Food & Wine Festival Gourmet Escape Package, $599, 3-night package from May 13-16, 2011, includes 1-day festival General Admission (Sat or Sun) for 2 people and 2 food or beverage tickets, and bottle of Australian sparkling on arrival (based on a Hastings St suite for 2 people) subject to availability. Phone 07 5447 3077 & mention "Escape".
Hyatt Regency Coolum: Resort accommodation at Hyatt Regency Coolum, available May 13-15, King Room from $240 for 2; Woodland Villa from $400 (up to 4 people); Golf Villa from $455 (up to 4 people); Ambassador Villa from $705 (up to 4 people). Rates include overnight accommodation, daily continental breakfast, adult entry to Spa; tennis court hire; complimentary daily shuttle to Noosa. To book, phone 1800 COOLUM (266 586) or visit www.coolum.regency.hyatt.com. Rates are per room, per night, subject to availability.
Montpellier Boutique Resort: Montpellier Boutique Resort's Noosa Food & Wine Festival special, $175 per night (min 2 nights). Relax in a luxury, 4½ star, 2-bedroom, 2-bathroom air-conditioned apartment, just a short stroll from Noosa River and award-winning restaurants of Gympie Terrace. Or unwind by Montpellier's beautiful pool. Mention the Noosa Food & Wine festival to receive champagne and chocolates on arrival. Offer valid May 9-22, 2011. Phone 07 5455 5033 or book online at www.montpelliernoosa.com.au
Fairshore Beachfront Apartments: Fairshore's absolute beachfront apartments offer 15% off for stays of 3 or more nights, for low season and new bookings only. Cannot be used in conjunction with any other deal. Freecall on 1800 072078