Creative director Chloe Tozer spent her youth hanging out at Halse Lodge, and now alongside her family she’s helped bring the iconic Noosa Heads landmark back to its prime.
Originally built in the 1880s, the heritage listed guest house is set to reopen its doors this summer, honouring the past and welcoming a new era in 2024.
“I feel very honored to be a part of the project,” Chloe said, who led the restoration process as the founder of CLO Studios.
“It’s not every day you get the chance to work on a 1880 building and restore it and bring those elements back to life.”
Halse Lodge Backpackers Noosa submitted the winning bid following a nation-wide expressions of interest campaign run by property owner, the Anglican Church Southern Queensland (ACSQ), in 2020 through Knight Frank.
The property shut its doors in February much to the concern of some residents, but Halse Lodge Backpackers Noosa director Michael Tozer assured the community that he and his team were prioritising the site’s preservation and historic value.
The guest house’s 14 light-filled dorms, 12 double suites and two private suites, alongside a full bar and restaurant have been carefully restored, each decision made to honour its storied past.
“When we were engaged by the Halse Lodge team, we were just so happy because it’s such an important, significant site in Noosa,” Chloe said.
“Growing up in Noosa, it was the place where we used to all hang out. So, there’s a lot of stories and connections that are attached to the property. We were just really excited and the Halse Lodge team kind of said to us, ‘the world is your oyster’ when it came to the design. That is like music to my ears as a designer to have free rein.”
Paying homage to the building’s history, the accommodation’s interiors evoke a nostalgic caravan feel, conjuring up sun bleached memories of a summer by the sea.
Embracing the laidback energy of the 1970’s, yellow and salmon pinstriped curtains frame custom in-built bunks in “all spice” alongside classic chrome fixtures. The original timber floors have been retained and carefully restored, with cork flooring added to areas that lacked original timber.
Throughout the property, the ceilings are painted in bold, glossy hues of sunshine yellow and strawberry red, uncharacteristic to Noosa, with custom dolphin-coloured velvet sofas adding to the playful, nostalgic
atmosphere.
“It’s all about the community, and I think that has been at the forefront of our minds with every single decision,” Chloe said.
“It’s about getting the community back there and making it a hub and an amazing vibe for everyone. It’s just a really special place where travellers and international guests can meet the community. So, it’s like the merging of the two worlds. And I really feel that the essence of Noosa has been missing while it’s being closed.”
A space for shelter and community, the redesign fosters connection and relaxation with inclusive spaces for guests to unwind. The main dining hall has been transformed into an extended bar, with a restored vintage record player and speakers set upon a high gloss burl art deco sideboard, the original 1880’s piano remains in its first position. The walls are adorned with historical photographs of Noosa alongside framed postcards collected along Chloe’s travels to evoke memories of sun-drenched holidays spent with friends and family.
“All of the original features are still intact and ready to last another 100 years,” Chloe said.
“Our whole goal was to embrace the 1970s feel and energy of living and breathing near the ocean.
“I think my favorite aspect of the design would just be the freedom to create and do something really different. Embracing colour. There’s a lot of colour. We’ve done coloured ceilings. Our main colours are a deep red burgundy, green, and a bright yellow. So, not your classic coastal colours. It’s like a rainbow over the sea. It’s so colourful and you can feel the new energy through every room and corridor and bathroom. There’s just a lot going on which is fun and playful.”
Halse Lodge is the last remaining timber accommodation building in Noosa and is the longest continuously operating guest house in south east Queensland.
The 7989 square-metre property is positioned just 150 metres from Noosa Main Beach, nestled on a hill behind Noosa National Park. The original structure on site was a guest house built in the 1880s by local grazier, Walter Hay, until the original building was replaced in the 1920s, with a larger building using some of the original materials and was named “Hillcrest”, then later renamed Halse Lodge.
The reopening offers a renewed destination that bridges Noosa’s past and future, preserving the beauty of the lodge which is listed on the State Heritage Register under the Queensland Heritage Act 1992.
“We really want the community back there because that’s what makes it special,” Chloe said.
“We are opening to the public on 30 November for the bar and restaurant and we’ve engaged a lot of local distillers like Seabourne Distillery and our beer is from Heads of Noosa. So we’ve just gone local where we can for everything. It’s such an exciting project for the community, and we’ve just had so many people offering their time and help. Every step of the way has been a special project to be a part of.”
The backpackers aim to provide short-term affordable accommodation, and with a quick online search, guests can book a bed in the 6 Bed Mixed Dormitory for around just $80 a night (subject to change and availability).
“All of our prices are really affordable with the food and drinks and we have a focus on value for money,” Chloe said.
The communal spaces invite guests to connect with fellow travellers, with weekly activities like yoga on the deck, games of table tennis or pool, and evenings filled with classic vinyl or live music.
“We just can’t wait for people to experience the new Halse Lodge,” Chloe said.
“We want people coming up after a surf and having a beer there.”
There’s a second stage of Halse Lodge, the Rainforest Room, which CLO Studios will still be working on through the new year.
“Our focus will be on that, as well as quite a lot of local projects in Noosa. A lot of our projects seem to be coming to a close before Christmas, so it’s going to be a really nice Christmas,” Chloe said.
“We’ll definitely be hanging underneath the Gum trees at Halse Lodge having a cold beer.”
Halse Lodge Noosa will officially reopen to the public on 30 November, 2024.
For more information visit halselodgenoosa.com.au
