Noosa Heads car hire

Driver's age: 26-65

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Cheap car hire in Noosa Heads

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Economy car
Economy
M
Compact car
Compact
M
Intermediate car
Intermediate
M
Standard car
Standard
M
Full-size car
Full-size
M
Luxury car
Luxury
M
People carrier car
People carrier
M
Passenger van car
Passenger van
M
Commercial car
Commercial
M
Pick-up truck car
Pick-up truck
M

Noosa Heads car hire experiences: the best tips from KAYAK users

Insights shared by verified travellers who hired a car in Noosa Heads 
Verified travelerSept 2024
We booked a Kia Sorrento which was ideal for 4 people with golf clubs.
Verified travelerApr 2024
The MG Compact SUV was perfect size for the 3 of us and 3 suitcases (2 large). Excellent fuel economy - used 3/4 tank over a period of 3 days driving every day at least 150km..

KAYAK’s top tips for hiring a car in Noosa Heads

  • Hire a car in Noosa Heads to explore the coastline at your own pace. The 620 Route bus is the only public transport through Noosa Heads and travels directly along Sunshine Beach Rd and Noosa Pde, meaning accommodation in the south near Leslie Dr is poorly connected. It’s possible to drive to the entrance of Noosa National Park from the centre of the city in only 5min, while the trip by bus takes roughly 30min and drops you over 1 km away. A hire car also opens up the possibility of visiting Tewantin National Park, which otherwise requires a transfer of buses in Tewantin.
  • The hire offices for companies, including Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Europcar, Hertz and Thrifty, can be found across from the baggage claim area at Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY). Hire cars are located directly outside the terminal, across the pickup lane, and can be reached with a short walk of less than 5min. Noosa Heads is more than 27 km from Sunshine Coast Airport, so hiring a car will save you from a costly taxi fare (approximately A$ 90) or shuttle bus (approximately A$ 35).
  • As Noosa Heads is surrounded by beaches and lagoons, pedestrian traffic is busy in car parks and coastal streets. Be wary to drive slowly and provide additional passing space as pedestrians are often carrying surfboards and other bulky items. If you are heading off road and going beach driving during your trip, reduce tyre pressure to roughly 18–20 psi and follow the tracks made by previous vehicles.
  • Thanks to not having a large business district, Noosa Heads does not experience a rush of traffic at any part of the day. Congestion stays consistent on the shopping areas of Sunshine Beach Rd and Hastings St, with cars moving slowly around pedestrians.
  • Noosa Heads is the starting point for one of Australia's most unique road trips: the Great Beach Drive from Noosa Heads to Hervey Bay. You'll need a 4WD to drive this sand highway through Great Sandy National Park. Most visitors do the road trip in a few days, stopping along the way at places like K'gari (Fraser Island). Just bear in mind that some companies offering cheap car hire in Noosa Heads may not allow their vehicles to be driven on beaches or other unsealed surfaces. Just check with your provider beforehand and they may be able to offer additional insurance or suitable vehicles. If you want to take the inland route back, it takes around 2h 20min on State Route 57.
  • Consider hiring an electric vehicle, especially for cheap car hire in Noosa Heads. Many of the area's most popular accommodation options have charging stations available for guests, including Culgoa Point Resort and Noosa Sun Motel. Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort and Noosa Tropicana Hotel make their chargers available to both guests and the general public. You can also find chargers at Cooroy Railway Station and on Project Avenue close to Bushlands Park. If you're planning some road trips, most cities along the coast will have chargers available.
  • If you're planning a long road trip or overnight drives with your Noosa Heads hire car, make sure you check the rest stop locations along your route. If you need to take a short nap or sleep in your car overnight, this can only be done at camping grounds or designated rest stops. These rest stops often have other useful facilities such as barbecue facilities, toilets, showers and picnic benches. You can usually stay up to 22 hours at a time.
  • Book your car hire in Noosa Heads at least 1 day before your trip in order to get a below-average price
  • Compact hire cars in Noosa Heads are around 68% cheaper than other car types, on average
See more tips

FAQs about hiring a car in Noosa Heads

  • What type of car is recommended for driving in Noosa Heads?

    An intermediate model is perfectly suited to Noosa Heads, offering cabin comfort and easy navigation along windy roads. Compact hire cars are preferable if you are driving long distances up and down the Sunshine Coast because of their superior fuel efficiency. A 4WD is essential for beach driving or exploring trails, though they will find some parking in the centre of town a bit tight.

  • What’s the speed limit in Noosa Heads?

    The default speed limit is 50 km/h. Certain stretches of Hastings St indicate a maximum of 10 km/h in shared zones where pedestrians are common. Major arterial roads, such as David Low Way, increase to 60 km/h, while school zones are set at 40 km/h.

  • Where are the best places to park in Noosa Heads?

    Lions Park Car Park has free 4h spots between 08:00 and 17:00, while metered parking is available along thoroughfares but spaces can be hard to find. Bay Village on Noosa Pde is great for longer visits with a flat daily rate of about A$ 40.

  • How much is the price of fuel in Noosa Heads?

    The average price of fuel in Noosa Heads is €3.72 per litre over the past 30 days. Filling up a tank of fuel costs between €45 and €59, depending on the car size.

  • What is the most popular car hire in Noosa Heads?

    Mini (MG 3 or similar) is the most frequently booked car hire type in Noosa Heads.

  • How can I find car hires near me in Noosa Heads?

    Take a look at our extensive car hire location map to find the best car hire deals near you.

  • How much does a Mini car hire cost in Noosa Heads?

    A Mini car hire in Noosa Heads costs €34 per day, on average.

  • How much does a Compact car hire cost in Noosa Heads?

    A Compact car hire in Noosa Heads costs €65 per day, on average.

  • How much does an Economy car hire cost in Noosa Heads?

    An Economy car hire in Noosa Heads costs €76 per day, on average.

  • How old do I need to be to hire a car in Noosa Heads?

    Noosa Heads has multiple car hire agencies to choose from and most will lend a car to drivers 21 or older. You will also need to have held a full licence for at least one year. Drivers under 25 may wish to consider Apex, which is one of the only companies that doesn't charge a young driver's fee.

  • What can I use to pay for my Noosa Heads hire car?

    Most major Noosa Heads car hire companies accept both credit and debit cards. Although many drivers now keep their cards on their phones, bear in mind that some companies, such as Enterprise, require a physical card. Debit cards must be Visa or Mastercard. Whichever card you use must have the same name as on your driver's licence.

See more FAQs

Noosa Heads car rental reviews and directory 
All ratings and reviews are collected from KAYAK users with a verified car hire booking. Learn how KAYAK collects reviews.

Avis

10.0

Wonderful

Read 1 review
Best rated

Cleanliness

10.0

Comfort

10.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

10.0

Value for money

10.0

One location in Noosa Heads

Show locations

Locations in Noosa Heads

Cnr Hastings St & Noosa Dr

+61 7 5473 8955

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00
Saturday08:00 - 16:00
Sunday08:00 - 16:00

Filters

Reviews

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Dec 2024

Standard

KAYAK
Excellent service, would recommend !

1 out of 1

Apex

9.5

Cleanliness

9.7

Comfort

9.7

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.7

Value for money

9.5

One location in Noosa Heads

Show locations

Locations in Noosa Heads

20 Runway Drive, Sunshine Coast Airport, Marcoola, QLD

+61 754 570 102

Opening times not available

Filters

Reviews

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, Feb 2025

Compact

KAYAK
All good except the car we had did not have a navigation system. We didn’t realise until we got in the car.

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Aug 2024

Economy

KAYAK
Fantastic, we had to leave within 24 hrs as we had bereavement

10.0 Wonderful

Anonymous, Apr 2024

Standard SUV

KAYAK
Brilliant service with Apex - couldn't fault the service, quality of car and pricing.

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, Mar 2022

KAYAK
Overall the experience was good, but it was hard to find the contact details for the provider (apex) on the confirmation.. please make that more obvious

10.0 Wonderful

Bring00, Dec 2021

KAYAK
Great price, staff and car and the office was easy to get to.

1 out of 3

Budget

9.0

Wonderful

Cleanliness

9.0

Comfort

9.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

9.0

Value for money

9.0

One location in Noosa Heads

Show locations

Locations in Noosa Heads

Cnr Hastings St & Noosa Dr

+61 7 5473 8955

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00
Saturday08:00 - 16:00
Sunday08:00 - 16:00

Filters

No reviews available

Sixt

8.0

Very Good

Read 1 review

Cleanliness

8.0

Comfort

8.0

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.0

Value for money

6.0

One location in Noosa Heads

Show locations

Locations in Noosa Heads

49 David Low Way

+61 7 5447 2299

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00

Filters

Reviews

8.0 Very Good

Anonymous, Jan 2024

Intermediate SUV

KAYAK
Had to drop off at Good Coast stadium. Would have appreciated some better instructions for the after hours drop off.

1 out of 1

Hertz

4.6

Cleanliness

6.6

Comfort

5.3

Pick-up/Drop-off

6.0

Value for money

6.0

One location in Noosa Heads

Show locations

Locations in Noosa Heads

Unit 1/9 Lionel Donovan Drv

+61 7 5474 9234

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00
Saturday08:00 - 16:00

Filters

No reviews available

Firefly

9.0

Wonderful

One location in Noosa Heads

Show locations

Locations in Noosa Heads

16 Noosa Drive

+61 7 5474 9234

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Thrifty

7.7

Good

2 locations in Noosa Heads

Locations in Noosa Heads

49 David Low Way

+61 7 5443 1733

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00
Saturday08:00 - 16:00

Unit 1/9 Lionel Donovan Drv

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00
Saturday08:00 - 16:00

Filters

No reviews available

Dollar

6.7

Okay

One location in Noosa Heads

Locations in Noosa Heads

49 David Low Way

+61 7 5443 1733

Monday08:00 - 16:00
Tuesday08:00 - 16:00
Wednesday08:00 - 16:00
Thursday08:00 - 16:00
Friday08:00 - 16:00
Saturday08:00 - 16:00

Filters

No reviews available

Bespoke Noosa Car Rentals

No score available yet

One location in Noosa Heads

Locations in Noosa Heads

66 Noosa Drive

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

Prestige Rentals

No score available yet

One location in Noosa Heads

Locations in Noosa Heads

33 Oasis Drive

+61 414 000 111

Opening times not available

Filters

No reviews available

16 travellers who hired a car in Noosa Heads gave the car agency they used an average rating of 7.9

Car hire locations in or near Noosa Heads

Good to know

Most popular car type

Mini

When to book a car hire in Noosa Heads

Average daily price per month
Car hire prices as pick-up date approaches

Car hire insurance in Noosa Heads

Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) & Theft Protection Waiver

Some Noosa Heads car providers already include Collision Damage Waiver (CDW) and Theft Protection Waiver into the hire price but not all of them. We recommend always be aware of your coverage when hiring a car in Noosa Heads.

Deductible

Keep in mind that car hire insurances often have a deductible clause, which is the amount you’ll have to pay if something happens during the time of your hire. If you want to avoid unwanted surprises, you should consider adding a no-deductible option to your Noosa Heads car hire.

Noosa Heads car hire information

Pick-up locationNoosa Heads
Car types
Hire locations8
Airport locations1

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