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NOOSA'S SEBEL HOTEL
Noosa has over 120 accommodation properties in a radius of less than five kilometers. They range from high-end properties to backpacking facilities. Natalie and I checked into the four-star Sebel, which is considered the nicest hotel in Noosa with 73 one- and two- bedroom suites. The huge rooms are apartment style. They all have a fully stocked kitchen, living/dining room, TV with DVD/VHS players, a washer and dryer, air conditioning and a balcony with outdoor furniture. We had a one-bedroom apartment, which was clean and comfortable. The bathroom was just as oversized as the bedroom with a stand-up shower, spa bathtub and tiled walls. Glad for the in-room washer and dryer, we were eager to do some laundry but despite repeated attempts, we couldn't get the machine to actually dry our clothes. Even following the step-by-step instructions didn't help. We called reception and, assuming that our machine was broken, were given access to another unit to dry our clothes there. But the same thing happened! After an hour in the dry cycle, the clothes still came out wet. The kind folks at reception eventually offered to dry the clothes for us but if you're planning to do laundry yourself, give yourself enough time to air-dry your clothes out on the balcony if you need to. Wireless Internet was available for $19.95 a day but downloads are limited to 300 MBs. The Sebel offers practically everything a hotel does: a heated outdoor pool, daily housekeeping, 24-hour reception, a concierge, porter and parking (for free). What I didn't like was that check-in time is at 2pm and they really mean 2 pm. Another concern was hallway traffic. It wasn't bad at night but during the day, I could hear the kids outside our door having meltdowns. But without a doubt, the Sebel is in an ideal location, right smack in the middle of Hastings Street and about a 100-yard walk from the beach (though the rooms don't have ocean views). Rooms start at $275. Sebel Resort Noosa; 32 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, Sunshine Coast; Tel.: 61 7 5474 6400, reservations@tsrn.mirvac.com.au.

AROMAS
The Sebel doesn't have a restaurant or room service but next door is a restaurant called Aromas, a local favorite. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and guests can charge their meals to their room. Natalie and I enjoyed breakfast there one morning and I just had to try what I thought was something really different: Brioche toast with bananas, bacon, maple syrup and mascarpone cream ($14). It may sound nasty but dang, it was good! I know, they should just name it the Heart Attack Special. To help clear my arteries, I chased it down with the "refresh" drink, a mint and pineapple juice for $6.50. As you can tell from the prices, things aren't cheap here. A blueberry coconut muffin alone cost $6. Ouch! Aromas, 32 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, Sunshine Coast.

CURRENCY CONVERTER
Note: All prices are listed in Australian Dollars. At press time, the current exchange rate is 1.00 AUD = 0.89 USD. To find out the current exchange rate, log on to XE.com.

BERARDO'S BISTRO ON THE BEACH
Another popular place for breakfast is Berardo's Bistro on the Beach. As its name suggests, it's located right on the beach. An American owns this place and we grabbed one of their coveted tables to soak up the views, the rays and to suck down some tasty watermelon juice and a banana and honey smoothie. Yum! Berardo's on the Beach, Hastings Street, tel.: 07 5448 0888.



LINDONI'S
For dinner, we took our driver Peter's recommendation and dined at Lindoni's. They serve fine Italian cuisine from all regions of Italy but specialize in southern style. People dress casual here, which I like; most guys were wearing shorts, nice button-down shirts with sandals or tennis shoes. Like most restaurants in Noosa, the place was expensive. A Caprese salad cost $22, a small bowl of pasta was $21 and main dishes started at $42. I found the food to be just average but then again, I'm a spoiled Italian. Lindoni's, 13 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, tel.: (07) 5447 5111.

ZACHARY'S GOURMET PIZZA
On the walk home from Lindoni's, Natalie and I walked by Zachary's Gourmet Pizza. Just as we passed, we heard a couple coming out and saying, "That was the best pizza I have ever had!" Natalie and I looked at each other with our eyebrows raised high and nodded in tacit agreement ... tomorrow we would find out for ourselves. Sure enough, 23 hours later, we were there waiting for a table. The place was completely packed (a great sign) but we were so hungry, we couldn't wait the 90 minutes we were told it would take to get seated. Instead, we ordered takeout and enjoyed our dinner back at the Sebel. But even takeout took 45 minutes. A small, six-slice pizza starts at $17. We enjoyed our Inferno Sambal Chili pizza that came with jalapeno peppers, salami, onion and capsicum. It wasn't "the best pizza ever" but then again, I believe that can only be found in Southern Italy or New York City. Zachary's Gourmet Pizza, 30 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, tel.: (07) 5447 3211.

SHOPPING IN NOOSA
There are lots of shops along the main drag on Hastings Street. Stores line both sides of the street and, as I've mentioned, there are also lots of restaurants, cafes and outdoor patios. The streets are pretty busy with tourists, but there's a real energy and it's nice to stroll up and down the strip. If you're really interested in shopping, there are lots of places to buy swimwear and souvenirs but mostly, you'll find women's clothing shops. While I caught up on some work at the hotel, Natalie set out for an afternoon of shopping, but it only took her an hour and a half to cover the shopping on Hastings Street from one end to the other. Once you've done it once, there's not much else to do.



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