A traveller’s checklist
Getting there
Sunshine Coast Airport is 15 minutes from Maroochydore, with direct flights from Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Cairns, Canberra and Newcastle. (sunshinecoastairport.com.au).
By road, the Sunshine Coast is 100 kilometres from Brisbane, with car rental companies located at Sunshine Coast Airport and Brisbane Airport.
Staying there
Check-in at the LOEA BOUTIQUE
HOTEL is via the vintage van that doubles as a bar at this cool coastal hideaway. loea.com.au
The soft trilling of birds lulls guests to sleep at LOVESTONE
COTTAGES, a romantic couples’ retreat in the hinterland.
lovestonecottages.com.au
SECRETS ON THE LAKE looks like it has been modelled on the
Magic Faraway Tree with 11 whimsical treehouses looking out over Lake Baroon. secretsonthelake.com.au
Eating there
Get a taste of the Sunshine Coast with a Moreton Bay bug salad and pale ale from HEADS OF
NOOSA BREWING CO. at The Nautical. thenautical.com.au
THE LONG APRON offers a taste of France in the Sunshine Coast hinterland with head chef Andy Birse’s menu inspired by the local terroir. thelongapron.com.au
MARKET BISTRO is located in Maroochydore’s glitzy new CBD, and builds on the Sunshine Coast’s strong food culture. marketbistro.com.au
Do
Enjoy an ECOTEKK e-bike tour while drinking in views that stretch from Moreton Island in the south to Noosa in the nor th.
ecotekk.com.au
Travel with a purpose on a
SALTWATER ECO TOUR that includes a cultural component on a two-hour cruise up the Mooloolah River.
saltwaterecotours.com.au
Plan your visit to the Sunshine Coast to coincide with NOOSA
EAT & DRINK FESTIVAL in June. noosaeatdrink.com.au
Playing there
RICK’S GARAGE is a burger joint meets living museum that attracts rev heads who like their transport fast and their burgers badass. ricksgarage.com.au
Visit CAVU DISTILLING to sample spirits such as the Sunshine & Sons’ Original Dry Gin that ‘tastes like the Sunshine Coast feels’. Duck into DIABLO CO. next door to taste alcoholic ginger beer with quite a kick. diabloco.com.au