IN AN effort to make visiting Noosa Beach and Hastings Street a little less stressful over the Christmas and New Year period, Noosa Council will again implement a raft of measures to make the journey and visit a little less painful.

These will include temporary traffic changes in and around Hastings Street to help reduce congestion and improve safety, and using the Noosa Surf Club carpark as a dedicated drop-off area.

Noosa Council’s Director of Infrastructure Services, Shaun Walsh, said the changes will run from December 20 to January 4, 2026.

“Using this carpark as a drop-off area, with marshals on hand to assist, helps keep traffic flowing through the Hastings Street precinct roundabouts – as we saw last year – because we don’t have vehicles circling, stopping, maneuvering, and waiting for parking spaces, which causes the long queues,” Mr Walsh said.

“Families and beachgoers move through this area on foot in very high numbers over the holidays, and by managing vehicle movements it makes for a much safer environment for pedestrians too.”

Noosa Council will provide shaded waiting areas at the drop-off area, extra female toilets, a filtered water station, and more bike and scooter parking. Disability parking permit spaces and emergency vehicle access will remain available throughout the holiday period.

“Council staff will be on the ground to guide pedestrians and provide information and advice on the travel options available,” Mr Walsh said.

“Our beach precincts become some of the busiest places in Queensland during the Christmas and New Year period, creating significant congestion.”

Visitors are encouraged to park at Noosa Heads Lions Park, Noosa Junction bus station, The J, and Noosa Marina, and hop aboard either the free Go Noosa Loop Bus or low-cost Translink services to travel quickly and easily around town.

The Loop Bus (065) will operate from December 13 to January 26.

“All of the initiatives we’re putting in place are designed to help manage congestion, improve pedestrian safety and help ensure everyone can access the Main Beach precinct as easily as possible during the busiest time of year.”

Noosa Council encourages residents and visitors to plan ahead, make use of alternative transport options instead of a private car wherever possible, and enjoy a safe and relaxed summer season in Noosa.

“We thank locals and visitors for their patience and cooperation,” Mr Walsh said.