Best Airport for Noosa

Planning your luxury escape to Noosa? Choosing the right airport can make your journey smoother, faster and more enjoyable. Fortunately, Noosa is well serviced by three major airports - each offering different advantages depending on where you're travelling from.

Below we outline the best airport options for Noosa holidaymakers.

1. Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY / YBSU)

Closest & Most Convenient

For most visitors, Sunshine Coast Airport is the best airport for Noosa.

Often referred to as Maroochydore Airport, it’s located in Mudjimba and sits just 30–40 minutes south of Noosa via the Sunshine Motorway. The drive is simple, scenic and largely traffic-light free.

Domestic Flights

Sunshine Coast Airport offers direct flights from:

• Sydney

• Melbourne

• Adelaide

• Cairns

This makes it an exceptionally convenient option for Australian travellers wanting to minimise transfer time after landing.

International Flights

For international guests, Sunshine Coast Airport currently offers direct services from:

• Auckland

• Indonesia (Denpasar/Bali)

• Singapore

This growing international connectivity means many overseas visitors can bypass Brisbane entirely and arrive closer to Noosa.

Private Jet & VIP Travel to Noosa

For luxury travellers, private jet charter into Sunshine Coast Airport is increasingly popular.

Providers such as Machjet International offer 24/7 Fixed Base Operator (FBO) services, including:

• Private VIP lounges

• Discrete transfers

• Hangarage facilities

• Personalised ground handling

Arriving by private aircraft places you just half an hour from your Noosa accommodation - the ultimate seamless arrival experience.

In summary, the best airport for Noosa travellers seeking the shortest transfer time and premium convenience is Sunshine Coast Airport.

2. Brisbane Airport (BNE / YBBN)

Most Flight Options

The next best airport for Noosa visitors is Brisbane Airport.

While Brisbane is approximately 1 hour further away than Sunshine Coast Airport, the drive to Noosa is straightforward and efficient, travelling via the Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway.

Both are dual carriageway highways all the way to your exit at either Eumundi or Cooroy, meaning there are virtually no traffic lights to interrupt your journey.

Typical driving time to Noosa: 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours,, depending on traffic.

Domestic & International Connectivity

Brisbane Airport is Queensland’s largest airport and is serviced by virtually all domestic carriers.

International airlines operating into Brisbane include:

Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Malaysia Airlines, China Southern, Japan Airlines, Solomon Airlines, Air Niugini, Air New Zealand, EVA Air, VietJet, Batik Air, American Airlines, United Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, Philippine Airlines, Fiji Airways and Aircalin.

For long-haul travellers from North America, Europe, the Middle East or Asia, Brisbane often provides the widest range of routing options.

So perhaps the best airport for Noosa international travellers and/or people seeking the most flight availability and competitive fares, is Brisbane Airport.

3. Gold Coast Airport (OOL / YBCG)

Southern Alternative

Gold Coast Airport, commonly referred to as Coolangatta, is the third most practical airport option for Noosa visitors.

Interestingly, the runway straddles the Queensland–New South Wales border.

From Gold Coast Airport, the drive to Noosa Heads is approximately 2.5 to 3 hours. You’ll join the M1 Motorway, which connects northbound to the Gateway Motorway after roughly 100 kilometres (60 miles). While there are slightly more traffic lights compared to the Brisbane route, most of the journey is express highway driving.

Gold Coast Airport can sometimes offer competitive fares into South East Queensland, particularly with low-cost carriers.

Lastly then, the best airport for Noosa travellers maybe combining a Gold Coast stay with a Noosa visit, or securing significantly cheaper airfares, is Gold Coast Airport.

So, Which Is the Best Airport for Noosa?

• Closest airport: Sunshine Coast Airport (30–40 minutes)

• Most flight options: Brisbane Airport

• Budget alternative: Gold Coast Airport

For most NoosaLux guests, Sunshine Coast Airport is the clear winner due to proximity and ease of transfer. We have set pricing for Sunshine Coast Airport transfers to Noosa.

However, Brisbane Airport provides the greatest flexibility for international arrivals. Again, NoosaLux offers a fixed transfer fee to Brisbane Airport transfers to Noosa.

If you're unsure which airport best suits your itinerary, our team is always happy to assist with airport transfers and arrival planning. Contact NoosaLux here.