It’s not hard to see how Noosa, with its subtropical rainforests, artisan markets and brilliant beaches, would appeal to Lucy Folk. The designer, known for her bespoke jewellery, apparel and accessories ranges, is inspired by free-spirited lifestyles, good living and wellbeing, which has won her fans in Beyoncé and Zoe Kravitz.
Folk and her boyfriend Joffrey Cauchy, had been living in Paris and were about to move to Ibiza. Then the pandemic forced them to change their plans. They made the decision of moving to the Sunshine Coast, attracted by the warm climate and local produce.
“Life seemed to almost be carrying on as normal here,” Folk says. In fact, she’s noticed a lot of young people moving from the cities, attracted by the slower pace. “Often they’re outdoorsy types and love surfing. It feels like it’s slowly changing here. There’s a growing consciousness around health and wellbeing that appealed to us, but at the same time it’s not ‘trendy’.”
Broadsheet asked Folk where she and the fam like to soak up the inspiration in Noosa.
EAT
Somedays Pizza
The natural wines and authentically Italian pizza from the Neapolitan chef Gianluca Donzelli have made this a weekly spot for Folk and the family. “It’s all about quality produce – like, they might use really good Sicilian anchovies and local fresh tomatoes and macadamia nuts,” she says. “There’s great music because the barman spins vinyl, they make great cocktails and everyone’s super friendly. It’s our favourite night-time haunt.”
DRINK
Apollonian Hotel
This classic pub in Boreen Point, a 30-minute drive from Noosa, transports you back in time. “This place oozes charm and Aussie nostalgia,” Folk says. “They have legendary spits on Sundays where they cook up whatever meaty goodness they have for the week. The building is beautiful and it’s nice to bring back that Australiana cultural injection to the area because you don’t see so much of that here. There’s a massive lawn and they sometimes have classic car meets there.”
SHOP
1924 Us
Open by appointment only, this branding agency opposite Land & Sea Brewery also sells vintage workwear, super-8 cameras, jewellery and its own merch range in the studio-shop. “The duo behind 1924 are wildly talented,” Folk says. “The place has a beautiful fit-out and you feel like you’re in Japan. You can have a whisky and I’ve found some incredible kimonos. There’s quite a beachy aesthetic in Noosa – you know, lots of linen – so it’s nice to find something more obscure.”
VISIT
Noosa National Park
The raw natural beauty of Noosa National Park is such that every time you visit you’re guaranteed to see a koala on the track, or a dolphin out at sea, or a lizard scuttling into the undergrowth. “I walk the park daily with my son, it’s such a special place,” Folk says. “I find myself enamoured by the light at every time of day. I’ve probably got thousands of photos of the sunrise and sunset there. You can pick a spot and set up camp for the day, and have a nice picnic in Tea Tree Bay or Granite Bay.”
TREAT
Gelato at Massimo’s Gelateria
“Massimo has been making ice-cream in Noosa for as long as I can remember,” Folk says. “He’s been asked to open branches in cities and has always declined. After dark you might see 30 people lining up for the special flavours of the day that use local produce. My pick is the hazelnut ice-cream and the blueberry yoghurt ice-cream, then I take it to the Noosa Main Beach and take it all in.”
This article is produced by Broadsheet in partnership with the American Express Shop Small program, encouraging Australians to support small business while travelling domestically. Learn more about Shop Small here.
