The Shire of Noosa (/ˈnuːsə/) is a local government area about 130 kilometres (81 mi) north of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast district of South East Queensland, Australia.

It existed as a local government entity from 1910 until 2008, when it was amalgamated with the Shire of Maroochy and City of Caloundra to form the Sunshine Coast Region.

[1] The Noosa Hinterland was formed during the Oligocene era around 25-30 million years ago when volcanic activity created the ranges.

By the beginning of the Neolithic era, Noosa's coast experienced a change in sea level rises when its beaches and waterways began to take shape.

[4] Although much of the culture and presence of the traditional owners of the Noosa district has been lost during the short period of white settlement, there still exist many subtle reminders.

[8] A Keeping Place of indigenous cultural and sacred objects is maintained at the Noosa Shire Museum, Pomona.

Although reports of the area can be traced back to Captain Cook's voyages in May 1770, European settlement in the region did not proceed until almost a century later.

European settlement was initially driven by timber logging, and then by a gold rush in the Gympie area, north of Noosa.

The surrounding land was duly surveyed and, by 1877, contained two hotels, a boarding house, school, police station and telegraph office.

In 1872, the Noosa Heads and coastal region south to Peregian Beach was set aside as an Aboriginal Mission, but that was cancelled in 1878, and land was opened for selection on 15 January 1879.

There are no high-rise buildings, due both to local community pressure and to council planning action, and much remaining native forest.

[9] On 8 September 1917, an Honour Roll was unveiled at the Noosa Shire Hall in Pomona, to commemorate those from the district who had left Australia to serve in the armed forces during World War I.

This idea was initially proposed by the Council’s first full time resident Town Planner, Alan Simes in September 1984.

[citation needed] In 1995, mayor Noel Playford announced a "population cap" of 56,500 people for Noosa Shire, based on the initial concepts proposed during the 1982-1985 Council term by resident Town Planner Alan Simes .

Noosa's mayor, Bob Abbot, won the mayoralty of the new council over Maroochy's Joe Natoli, with 70% of the combined vote.

Theatre, dance, music, food, film, supper clubs, workshops and more are featured as part of the program of free and ticketed events.

The recently developed J Centre in Noosa Heads has become another venue for live theatre and musical performances, as well as a secondary campus for the University of the Sunshine Coast.