Where you absolutely must eat the next time you're holidaying in Noosa

Is there a better eat street in Australia than Noosa's Hastings Street? Chow down in Sydney's Chinatown or follow the aroma of Greek dishes in Melbourne all you like. You'll be hard-pressed to find a more enticing selection of restaurants sitting side by side, within a 600-metre stretch.

The abundance of seafood, surf and sunshine draws me to Noosa to celebrate a big birthday with family and friends. It also presents the hungry, torturous challenge of a zero-sum game: how to fit all of our favourite restaurants into a four-day stay? Guided by the "rocks, pebbles and sand in a jar" analogy, the prioritisation framework that suggests we must schedule the most important things first or the little things will take up our time, I start making reservations.

Season Restaurant is a non-negotiable. Years ago, I tasted their triumphant seafood yellow curry and have daydreamed ever since of its Asian flavours, juicy prawns and lemongrass rice. With an absolute beachfront location, Season is also perfect for sunset views. Likewise, a ressie at Bistro C goes on the holiday planner. Talk about sand in the toes, quite literally. Local produce is showcased on the seasonal menu, so I don't know what we'll be eating, but I know it will be awesome. Lightly fried calamari is a menu mainstay, while scrumptious things like beef short rib, duck confit and caramelised pork belly make guest appearances.

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I book far enough in advance at Sails to feel confident we'll be in the prime front row, closest to the ocean. Executive Chef Paul Leete is a master of modern Australian cuisine, combining mainly local ingredients to create dishes that are exceptional in their simplicity. If the fish pie or prawn linguine are on the menu when we visit, they'll be on our table. With three reservations secured, we leave the rest to chance. Perhaps there'll be an aperitivo at Locale, some cocktails and bites at Miss Moneypenny's, and an after-dinner sweet treat at Massimo's Gelateria. visitnoosa.com.au