Why author Josephine Moon says moving to Noosa Hinterland fulfilled her 'life-long dream'

Waking up to birdsong, off to feed the horses, then pull up a chair in the writing room overlooking verdant bushland.

It’s a dream lifestyle come true for author Josephine Moon, who says she has never felt more at home than she does in Noosa’s hinterland.

Growing up in Brisbane, Moon always wanted to live on acreage near the coast. In 2012, she fulfilled that wish and moved with her husband to a renovator’s delight in Cooroy, with space for her horses and the peace and quiet she needed for her writing.

The author of four internationally published novels, Moon was inspired in 2013 to write The Beekeeper’s Secret by her new home in the hinterland.

“My life-long dream was to get here, and when I finally did, it was all I wanted to write about,” she says.

Moon studied with Gayle Curry, the head beekeeper at Yandina’s Ginger Factory to get the practical details just right.

This year she published Three Gold Coins and she is now working on her new novel, The Gift of Life, to be published in March, 2019.

Moon describes the region as the perfect country escape. Photo: Larissa Dening

“This is the first place I’ve ever lived which feels absolutely like where I belong,” she says.

“It’s small enough so that you feel welcome and has a country feel, but it’s big enough so that you’re not in each other’s pockets and you have access to everything you need.”

Organic food hub

Moon says she is rarely tempted to leave Noosa Hinterland. Photo: Peter Lik / Tourism and Events Queensland

Moon describes herself as a “Noosa snob”, rarely leaving the region unless it’s to visit family in Brisbane or to travel for holidays.

“Every time I leave here I’m desperate to get back home,” she laughs. “We love the fresh food markets – food here is just heaven – it’s the hub of organic and gluten-free food in the region.”

Moon lists Cafe Doonan and the Goodness Gracious Organic Cafe in Yandina among her favourites, and also loves trips into Noosa to dine on Hastings Street and Gympie Terrace.

“It’s only about 20 minutes’ drive into Noosa, so we go often to the beach or for lunch.”

The region is about a 20 minute drive to the beach at Noosa. Photo: Ezra Patchett / Tourism and Events Queensland

The region hosts a remarkable number of markets and festivals, including Noosa Alive, a performing arts and culture festival with events at Cooroy’s Butter Factory Arts Centre, and the Noosa Food and Wine Festival every May.

Billed as the best arts and crafts market in the country, the famous Eumundi Markets are held every Wednesday and Saturday, and the hinterland is also home to bakeries, breweries, botanic gardens, bike trails and bushwalks, plus loads of great restaurants and art galleries.

Top home in the area

92 Valley Drive, Doonan. Photo: Supplied

​Echoing houses from the 1950s modernist movement, Doonan Glasshouse on Valley Drive was designed by architect Sarah Waller.

Floor-to-ceiling glass makes the most of picturesque valley views and a resort-style pool and cabana sit within manicured gardens.

There’s a resort-style pool, cabana, and manicured gardens. Photo: Supplied

The award-winning kitchen features nanotech Fenix benchtops and a butler’s pantry, and you’ll find both indoor and outdoor showers and baths. There’s also a separate, self-contained studio.

Tom Offermann agent Tiffany Wilson is marketing the property with a price guide of around $3.6 million.