02 December 2021
With summer just around the corner and Queensland’s borders on track to reopen to our southern states, there has never been a better time to start planning a Sunshine Coast escape.
Rich in diversity, the destination is brimming with the best that Australia has to offer. Pristine beaches sit alongside subtropical rainforest and majestic mountains, interspersed with villages steeped in history. Frolic at the beach in the morning and enjoy the afternoon in the lush hinterland, just 45 minutes easy drive away. Savour the fresh and bountiful local produce through a paddock to plate and trawler to table dining experience.
Discover a wide array of attractions, tours and experiences, from wildlife encounters to getting lost in a hedge maze and embarking on a personalised tour, there is a veritable goldmine of activities.
Here, the experts have rounded up what’s new across the Sunshine Coast, from events to restaurants, distilleries and accommodation.
The driving force behind some of the Sunshine Coast’s most iconic restaurants has launched their latest foodie venture. Tony Kelly – who owns Sunshine Coast institutions Rice Boi, Spero, Giddy Geisha and Market Bistro – has expanded with a new restaurant in Palmwoods called Piggyback. Here, in a beautiful former wedding venue surrounded by lush gardens, you’ll find delicious Asian street food and a creative cocktail menu.
The Tamarind Cooking School at Spicers Tamarind Retreat Maleny has welcomed a new Head Chef: Terrence Alexander. Terrence is taking over cooking school duties from local favourite, Dan Jarrett, who remains Head Chef of The Tamarind Restaurant. Terrance’s culinary career saw him work on the P&O Britannia where he was Culinary Lecturer for the Cookery Club: Marco Pierre White’s single culinary school at sea.
A new distillery has opened its doors on the Sunshine Coast, bringing a taste of the bush to Caloundra. BeachTree Distilling Co infuses Australian native botanicals with organic and traditional ingredients to create unique gins and vodka.
The Mooloolaba Pavilion has opened its doors on Mooloolaba Esplanade offering spectacular views, delicious food and an enviable drinks menu. From brunch and coffee to sunset drinks, share plates and pizzas, the Mooloolaba Pavilion’s hotly anticipated opening includes a luxury fit-out with an arched entrance, bespoke bar and soft colour palette.
Tasty Tours has partnered with CAVU Distilling to deliver a luxury picnic experiences. Picnics can be staged on Saturdays and Sundays at CAVU in Woombye overlooking the adjacent pocket of sub-tropical rainforest with brunch and sunset picnic options available. The package includes a door-to-door return transfer service, personal waitstaff, grazing boards, a three-hour drinks package and marquee for up to 11 guests.
Iconic Palmwoods eatery – Rick’s Garage – has a sweet new venture, opening a bakery aptly named Rick’s Bakehouse next door. The Bakehouse is home to a dedicated team of pastry chefs who create fresh sourdough loaves daily, pies, sandwiches and an eye-popping selection of sweet treats, while also supplying thousands of buns to the kitchen for the famous Rick’s Garage burger menu.
Narrows Escapes Rainforest Retreat has launched a five-night package that combines luxury accommodation with the Hinterland Great Walk. The package includes five nights at Narrows Escape in a rainforest cottage, four days of guided trekking with a knowledgeable and experienced guide and all meals and beverages, including a fine-dining degustation and gourmet hampers. Each day is a journey of discovery through various parts of the Hinterland Great Walk, which in its entirety spans 58.8 kilometres.
Noosa’s newest boutique accommodation is giving a whole new meaning to the term flashpackers. Bounce Noosa is all about crisp coastal styling – think rattan furniture, brushed gold fixtures and pops of pastel colour. Combine that with a pool that ‘oozes beach club vibes’ and you’re in for a memorable stay. Bounce Noosa offers everything from Deluxe Queen rooms to eight-bed dorms, without skimping on the luxury inclusions of a resort.
A beautifully restored 1910 cottage has opened its doors in Eumundi, with antiques, vintage finds and designer soft furnishings transforming this Queenslander into a cosy escape. Eumundi Rangeview Cottage, located just 5 minutes north of Eumundi township on an old dairy farm, is bursting with character.
The property was opened in March, and was relocated to the Eumundi from Esk before being fully renovated. Features include two bedrooms with king-size beds, two bathrooms, organic local skincare products and a wood burning fire.
A new luxury cabin, Scandi at Maleny, is the Sunshine Coast Hinterland’s latest luxury boutique accommodation, with the two-bedroom, two-bathroom modular cabin offering dramatic views across the volcanic landscape and valleys. Owners Pete Coorey and Dee Montalva said from the outset a huge focus for Scandi at Maleny was sustainability, and they have taken great care to minimize their environmental footprint. Prices for Scandi at Maleny start from $500 per night, with a two-night minimum stay.
A reimagined 1970s beach shack in Point Arkwright on the Sunshine Coast has been named Australia’s best holiday home by Stayz. Barra Luxe Beach House, an immaculately styled five-bedroom, four-bathroom holiday home, took out first place in Stayz 2021 Holiday Home of the Year Awards. Located a short walk away from the picturesque Yaroomba Beach, Barra Luxe merges retro beach shack nostalgia with modern-day luxury.
Held on the third Friday of each month, The Eumundi Markets are opening after hours for a night of delicious food and live entertainment! The Moonlight Foodie Markets bring together some of the region’s best food stalls with live music, with the next event to be held on Friday 26 November from 5 til 8:30 pm with local musician Dean Gray.
Mooloolaba’s first high-end sip ‘n’ paint studio, Frida’s, is opening its doors on 27 November. The luxe, blacked-out studio is adorned with chandeliers, glassware and lavish timber benches complete with locally sourced grazing boards and BYO beverages. Taking place between Thursday to Sunday, sessions include trend hitting masterpieces and coastal designs.
Australia’s largest zipline and high ropes course built specifically for junior adventurers has opened at the TreeTop Challenge on the Sunshine Coast!
The new junior course is spread over 1.2 hectares of rainforest and includes five courses featuring rope bridges, flying foxes, swings and jumps. The junior course is for kids aged three to nine.