February Kellogg ’s Nutri-Grain Ironman series See some of Australia’s best Ironman and Ironwoman competitors in action as Coolum Beach and Noosa’s Main Beach host two rounds of the Kellogg’s Nutri-Grain Ironman series, recognisedas one of the most grueling ocean based competitions in the world. www.surfironmanseries. March Noosa Festival of Surfing See the cream of Australian and international long boarders compete at one of the best surfing locations in the world. www.noosafestivalofsurfing.com May fiesta BY NOOSA Warm weather, sensational events and great accommodation deals. Don’t miss Noosa Fiesta! Major events in May include: Noosa INTERNATIONAL Food and Wine Festival Australia’s Premier Food & Wine Festival 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th May, 2012. An influential line-up of leading chefs, iconic winemakers, food and wine media. Restaurateurs and serious foodies travel to Noosa to taste, talk, debate, dine and indulge over 4 days in May. Cooking classes, degustation dinners, food trail tours and more are on the menu, along with evening concerts featuring Australia’s hottest talent. www.noosafoodandwine.com.au Australian Body Art Carnivale Cutting-edge artists from around the globe create masterpieces before your eyes at the Australian Body Art Carnivale in Eumundi, using the human body as their inspiration – and canvas! www.australianbodyart.com.au Noosa Winter Festival - The Noosa Winter Festival brings together eight popular sporting events on one weekend. The Noosa Blue Water Swim, Century Bike Ride and Noosa Running Festival and their associated events merge into an ultimate weekend of swimming, biking and running in Noosa’s picturesque setting and idyllic weather conditions before we head into winter. The Noosa Enduro is new to the festival in 2012. www.usmevents.com.au June Riverfest Regatta Join this celebration along the Noosa River, which includes fishing competitions, local music, culinary delights, boat shows and a ferry race. www.nyrc.com.au Noosa Longweekend - The Noosa Longweekend celebrates 10 days of drama, literature, film, music, visual arts, food and wine and the environment. The program traditionally includes the premiere of a play by founder David Williamson. www.noosalongweekend.com A Taste of Coolum - A Taste of Coolum is three action packed days of food, wine, golf and fun at Hyatt Regency Coolum. On the last weekend in June, the event is for lovers of good food and wine, and is guaranteed to whet the appetite of everyone who loves a true gourmet experience. www.coolumevents.com July Pomona King of the Mountain Festival Athletes from around the globe take on the country’s most grueling and historic mountain race at the annual Pomona King of the Mountain Festival on the fourth Sunday in July. It’s Noosa hinterland’s annual day of fun and races for the family, finishing with a run up the steep rise of Mt Cooroora, overlooking the town of Pomona. www.kingofthemountain.com.au September Noosa Jazz Festival - Join the four-day jazz party at the Noosa Jazz Festival where more than 100 artists perform all styles of jazz, from traditional to modern, swing, contemporary, dixie, funk and blues. Join them for free and ticketed events at open-air concerts, exclusive performances, in restaurants, bars, on boats and in the park. www.noosajazz.com.au October Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival Take in five days of sport and entertainment, including beach volleyball, golf and cycling, all culminating in the Noosa Tri, one of the largest triathalon events in the world. www.usmevents.com.au November Australian PGA Championship Hyatt Regency Coolum hosts the annual Australian PGA Championship, featuring Australian and international golfing greats who are challenged by the 72 par course. For golf fanatics, there’s also a chance to tee-off behind the greats. www.coolum.regency.hyatt.com Golden Days Festival Coolum’s Golden Days Festival is set to become one of the hottest coastal festivals in Australia, with its idyllic coastal location and topline entertainment over two days. The Chill-out Day features fun and entertainment for all ages and the world’s first “green” surf competition. www.goldendaysfestival.com

Time to celebrate: From free fireworks to festive feasts, Noosa serves up a wonderful choice of ways to bring in the New Year this Saturday night. For a full guide, see the Festive Season Guide at www.visitnoosa.com.au. Noosa Marina, Tewantin has free fireworks at 9pm and midnight, with live music from Matt Harris Trio. Hyatt Regency Coolum 5449 3430) has free fireworks in the Village Square at 9.30pm and plenty of dining options. Sunshine Beach Surf Club (5447 5491) has free fireworks on the beach at 9pm, dining at the restaurant and a DJ till late. Free buses: Don’t forget to hop on a free Sunbus public bus right around the Noosa region and the Sunshine Coast from Boxing Day till January 8 – leave the car behind and save the traffic hassles. Timetables available from Visitor Information Centres or see www.translink.com.au. Noosa Ferry finishes its service at 10.30pm on New Years Eve

Hi Paul, Just wanted to let you know that we had a fabulous time on the boat last night. John was an awesome host, the weather held up nicely and the cruise was a lot of fun. Thanks Amanda brewer Sent from my iPad

Hi Paul, I just wanted to say a huge thank you for your transport for our wedding on November 15th. The ferry was the highlight of the trip, it was absolutely beautiful on the Noosa River. Thank you for being so helpful throughout the process, I would definitely recommend you in the future. Kind regards, Holly McManus.

Race time: The five-day Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival gets under way on Wednesday October 26 with the Endura Noosa Run Swim Run, with children and adults taking to Noosa’s Main Beach and Laguna Bay. The junior race starts at 4.45pm and adults take off from 5pm. The Noosa Tri Celebrity Golf Day is at Tewantin-Noosa Golf Club, Tewantin on Thursday October 27 from 11am, and there’s plenty more Tri fun, entertainment and action to follow, so check out the festival program at www.noosatri.com.au

Find out for yourself why some of Australia's best chefs love Noosa and our restaurants, returning year after year to the Noosa Food and Wine Festival and naming some of our best as among their favourites in a recent feature in Australian Traveller magazine. Thomas Corner Eatery in Noosaville, Spirit House at Yandina and berardo's bistro on the beach, Noosa Heads were singled out, while the Sunshine Coast was named as Queensland's top gourmet region. Noosa Spanner Crabs recently received top recognition at the delicious magazine national produce awards, being inducted into the awards Hall of Fame. This year's awards were judged by chefs and Noosa Food and Wine favourites including Matt Moran, Phillip Johnson, Cheong Liew and Maggie Beer. The Noosa Ferry Cruise Company can access many of your favourite waterfront dining establishments.

We are operating extra services for this weekends Jazz Festival and Fathers Day. Saturday we will operate every time on our timetable - Blue, Black and Red times Sunday we will operate Black and Blue times. The above is subject to good weather. **************************************************************************************

We had a fantastic Cruise last Sunday with Skipper Arthur and the sunset was spectacular

My sister and I had the pleasure of travelling on your Noosa Ferry on Thursday, yesterday from the Sheraton Noosa to Tewantin and back and were so impressed by our captain Jono, He was absolutely hilarious, haven't had such a good laugh in ages. I just really want to pass on to you what an asset he is to your business and what a marvellous job he does. It is a day out I will be talking about for ages and would definately recommend. Robyn

Don't miss the Noosa Longweekend, we have a cultural feast of art, literature, food and fun for you! The Noosa Ferry is a perfect way to travel to your favourite restaurant destination. Join us for a Sunset Cruise, BYO drinks welcome. The Festival’s tenth anniversary program includes over 70 free and ticketed events staged in Noosa from Friday 17 June to Sunday 26 June, 2011 including world class cabaret, theatre, literary events, dance, food, forums, workshops, late night supper clubs, film, music and magic. It's the Festival’s tenth birthday, and our patron David Williamson’s fortieth anniversary as a playwright. Our 2011 program includes three exclusive world preview performances of David’s and Mohamed Khadra’s new play At Any Costas well as a Gala Tribute Dinner attended by VIP guests who have worked with David over the last forty years. Join us as we celebrate all the Festival has to offer in one of the most iconic locations on the planet. **********************************************************************************************