Attachments
03 Feb 2025
Visitors can look forward to a flurry of new experiences this year, including interactive wildlife encounters, 4WD tours through hidden corners of the Sunshine Coast's National Parks, and a number of coastal-inspired Mediterranean restaurants to boot.
You can find a full selection of images for all operators included on this link.
Stay
- Double-storey cabins overlooking freshwater crocodiles opened at Australia Zoo's The Crocodile Hunter Lodge
Australia Zoo's luxe accommodation, The Crocodile Hunter Lodge, has unveiled its four newest cabins – the Crocodile Cabins – overlooking freshwater crocodiles and turtles in a new state-of-the-art habitat. The new two-bedroom, double-storey cabins offer an ideal retreat for guests to experience the wild side of luxury in a peaceful setting, complete with private temperature-controlled plunge pools.
- A new nature escape for the whole family
A luxury accommodation set on five pristine acres in Valdora near Yandina, Yarrabee Place opened in September 2024. Truly a home among the gum trees, unwind to the sounds of native birds in the exquisitely appointed property that seamlessly blends the tranquillity of the outdoors with comfort and style. The property comfortably sleeps up to 16 guests across the main house and its two charming cabins and boasts a large saltwater swimming pool that overlooks a dam, as well as a sauna.
- Popular farm stay will reopen its farm gates following major expansion project
Sunshine Coast farm stay Sixty6 Acres closed to the public in 2024 to undergo a multi-million-dollar redevelopment. The boutique farm stay will add 93 powered caravan and camping sites, heated outdoor plunge pools, and fireplaces and firepits to the existing seven villas, pineapple plantation, farm animals and other guest attractions.
- A string of new beach-side properties put Bokarina on the map
Opened late 2024, Zinc Bokarina is nestled along the shores of Bokarina Beach and provides a host of two-, three- and four-bedroom modern apartments, each with luxury fittings, an abundance of natural light and unparalleled sweeping ocean views.
Just around the corner from Zinc Bokarina is Oceanus, a seven-minute walk from the beach with a selection of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments available. Oceanus' luxury three-bedroom penthouse offers uninterrupted views over a strip of ancient forest and breaking white-water surf on the pristine Bokarina Beach. The fully self-contained apartment boasts a spacious living area and large terrace, perfect for families and friends.
Set on two hectares of beachfront parkland, Seanna Residences boasts a landscaped pool podium and a mix of apartments with wide frontages and breathtaking views over the Pacific Ocean. The deluxe three-bedroom apartment comes with stunning ocean and pool views, a spacious main living area, fully equipped kitchen, laundry and a large balcony perfect for soaking in the views from.
- South-East Queensland's longest continuously operating guesthouse, Halse Lodge Backpackers Noosa, has been restored to its former glory
Halse Lodge Backpackers' 14 light-filled dorms, 12 double suites and two private suites, alongside a full bar and restaurant, have been carefully restored following a refurbishment of the heritage listed guest house that was originally built in the 1880s. Evoking a nostalgic feel, the accommodation's interiors feature yellow and salmon pinstriped curtains, original timber floors and hues of sunshine yellow and strawberry red. Following its reopening in December, Halse Lodge is the longest continuously operating guesthouse in South-East Queensland and was added to the Queensland Heritage Register in April 1997.
- New-look backpacker hostel in the heart of the Sunshine Coast has reopened
Maroochydore's well-known backpacker hostel, Palms on Parker (formerly Suncoast Backpackers Lodge), has reopened following a million-dollar makeover and rebrand. The ambitious overhaul has seen a complete reimagining of the interiors and a new outdoor area with inground pool and coastal landscaping.
- The Sunshine Coast's newest internationally-branded hotel, Avani Mooloolaba Beach, nears completion
Located in one of the Sunshine Coast's most sought-after hotspots, just a stone's throw from Mooloolaba Beach, the new-build 4.5-star Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel will feature 180 rooms, a rooftop pool, bar and restaurant, and a whole floor for events. The Mooloolaba hotel will be the first Avani hotel in Australia, bringing its millennial minded hotel concept to Australia for the first time.
- Noosa riding five-star wave with luxury accommodation boost
Construction will commence this year on the hotly anticipated The Calile Noosa hotel which gained approval in October 2024. The Calile Noosa is set to become Noosa's first five-star hotel development in more than 30 years and will feature 153 rooms, 29 suites and four villas on the 2.4-hectare site.
Play
- Sunshine Coast attractions take visitors to great heights
The public can once again climb to the top of one of Australia's biggest tourist attractions and enjoy breathtaking views, as an extensive renovation inside the tower of The Big Pineapple has been completed. Pineapple fields will be planted in the coming months by Piñata Farms, while a distillery and function centre are also on the cards.
While those looking to take to the skies should put Oceanview Helicopters new Picnic on a Peak tour on their list. Soak in the views of the Sunshine Coast's coastal and hinterland landscapes before stopping in the country town of Kenilworth renowned for its giant donuts and locally produced cheeses. From there, foodies will take a scenic flight over the Glass House Mountains before landing on a private peak in the hinterland to enjoy a secluded picnic packed with local produce, craft beer, wines and premium spirits.
- Get up close and personal with new animal encounters
Epic Ocean Adventures has added a first-of-its-kind whale encounter to its repertoire of water-based tours with the introduction of whale watching ocean kayak tours. Departing daily from Noosa during whale migration season on the Sunshine Coast (June-November), the new tour is one of Australia's most unique minimal impact whale watching experiences.
Highland Hideaway Experiences, a new family-run farm experience in the Gympie region, gives visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in farm life. Located in Lower Wonga, just over 20 minutes from Gympie and an hours' drive from Noosa, the stars of the show are Highland Hideaway's animals. Guests can pat the highland cattle, Cupcake, Apollo and Blinky Bill, get hands-on with baby sheep, playful goats and curious piglets, and enjoy the views of the surrounding rolling hills and fresh country air.
- Get off the beaten track and explore the Sunshine Coast's National Parks with Sunny Jeeps
A thrilling new way to explore the Sunshine Coast, Sunny Jeeps offers exclusive, customised off-road adventures, taking guests to stunning locations that are only accessible by 4WD. Tours include the Mapleton Adventure, where guests explore the breathtaking Mapleton National Park's lush forests and serene waterfalls, or the Conondale Adventure which takes guests into the depths of the rainforest of Conondale National Park including the crystal clear, aqua water of Booloumba Creek.
- Follow in the footsteps of Stan's Black Snow in the Glass House Mountains
The Sunshine Coast's Glass House Mountains played backdrop to Stan's critically acclaimed murder mystery series, Black Snow. The second season of the smash hit premiered on 1 January and captivated audiences with its dramatic landscapes. From picturesque lookouts to spectacular hikes, the Glass House Mountains offer up plenty of unique ways for visitors to follow in Black Snow's footsteps.
- New bush tucker gardens and micro donkey at the Sunshine Coast hinterland's premier attraction, Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World
In partnership with the region's traditional owners, the Jinibara Peoples, and local cultivators, Brush Turkey Enterprises, Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World has created a new Bush Tucker experience. Two expansive gardens have been planted with Indigenous plants, including Davidson's Plum, Emu Foot, Aniseed Myrtle, and Lemon Myrtle, used traditionally in cooking and medicine to educate visitors on the wide variety of uses of the plants. Be sure to pay a visit to the venue's pint-sized micro-Mediterranean donkey, Ziggy, that was born in November – when fully grown it will stand at just over 60 centimetres tall!
Eat (and drink)
- Mediterranean menus make their mark on the Sunshine Coast's dining scene
The team behind Noosa's renowned Sum Yung Guys has opened their latest restaurant, Peli's, at the picturesque Noosa Marina in Tewantin. The modern Mediterranean-inspired dining experience embraces its stunning waterfront location on the Noosa River, perfectly complemented with interiors dotted with soft pink furnishings and a Mediterranean bistro style menu.
While in Mooloolaba, Casita Wine Bar has opened a sister venue in Casa Restaurant by Casita. Opened in December, the restaurant and wine bar are both located just moments from Mooloolaba Beach and features Casita's signature understated Mediterranean-meets-coastal interiors with earthy tones, whitewashed walls and a simple, share-style menu.
- Esteemed SOKA restaurant adds sister venue to Maroochydore's Ocean Street
The latest venture from the seasoned team behind SOKA in Maroochydore, Lyra Restaurant brings authentic Greek flavours to the heart of Ocean Street. The sleek 90-seat venue opened in November 2024 and offers a vibrant mix of traditional dishes and modern Greek plates, with a strong focus on local and seasonal produce.
- A new take on farm-to-fork with farm-to-cup coffee tastings at Glasshouse Plantation
Glasshouse Plantation's café reopened to the public in May 2024 following an extensive renovation, and in 2025 will begin processing and roasting their own beans on-site. The coffee will be served in the onsite café, just metres from where it has been grown. The working coffee farm and café offers a full farm-to-cup coffee tasting experience to a backdrop of the stunning Glass House Mountains views.
- A new cellar door and Cider Hub in Maroochydore's Kunda Park
Enjoy a tasting paddle or glass of bubbles while learning about the cider-making process directly from the maker at Sunshine Coast Cider's new Cider Hub and cellar door. Known for their specialty Méthode Traditionnelle Cider, better known as Champagne-style Cider, Sunshine Coast Cider is the only Cidery in Queensland applying the complete Champagne process to their Cider.
- Bokarina rises as the Sunshine Coast's newest foodie hotspot
In addition to its raft of new accommodation openings, Bokarina has also been home to a host of new foodie openings.
A sister venue to Caloundra breakfast institution One Block Back, Stoa Bokarina, swung open its doors in November 2024 and has hit the ground running with putting Bokarina on the foodie map. A vibrant and welcoming venue that captures the coastal essence of Bokarina's location, community and creativity, Stoa serves up the finest seasonally inspired dishes for breakfast and lunch, and transforms for tapas, wine and cocktails with live music in the evenings.
Also new is the much-loved Sunshine Coast café Sunday Coffee & Bagels, known for their Instagrammable aesthetics, bagels and iced strawberry matcha lattes, which opened its second Sunshine Coast storefront in Bokarina in December. The two breakfast hotspots join Bokarina institution, Bocca Italian, the eighth venue from Sunshine Coast restauranteur Tony Kelly which opened in 2022 and Wallace & Wood, an artisan ice creamery with a focus on traditional French custard ice cream made using locally sourced ingredients.
- Newest Asian-fusion hot spot emerges in Cooroy
Your Mates BowlsPub rebranded in November 2024 as Crackerjack, the Noosa hinterland's newest hotspot for casual, Asian dining. Spearheaded by Executive Chef Jake Pregnell, who has worked in multi-award winning venues Rick Shores (Burleigh Heads), Hôntô (Brisbane), and Spirit House (Yandina), Crackerjack offers an elevated yet approachable Asian inspired menu.
- Second rooftop bar opens in the heart of Maroochydore
The Sunshine Coast's newest hotel, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Maroochydore CBD, has opened its rooftop bar to the public for the first time. Boasting ocean views and local brews on tap, this is the Sunshine Coast's newest spot to enjoy sundowners and is just a short walk away from Maroochydore's Rooftop Bar & Kitchen.
- Australia's Craft Beer Capital continues to boom
The Sunshine Coast has welcomed its 26th brewery in Young Giants Brewing, which has opened its doors in the beachside suburb of Marcoola. Opened in 2024, Young Giants Brewing is dedicated to tradition and innovation, with a sustainable closed loop nature to their production working in partnership with the Changing Habits Farm in Maleny for their grain byproduct. On-site, visitors will find a taproom accompanied by a kitchen serving fresh, sourdough pizza.
In September, Brisbane-based Slipstream Brewing opened its second home in Southeast Queensland in Birtinya on the Sunshine Coast. The 40-tap Social House seats 300 people in its green-filled space with both indoor and outdoor seating, al fresco dining and cosy booths. The brewery has created a new North Coast pilsner that can be drank exclusively at the Sunshine Coast's Social House.
- Popular beach bar brand expands north to Coolum
Coolum Beach Bar is the latest venue of the three Beach Bars on the Sunshine Coast. Opening February, the kitchen will be open all day, every day and with live music setting the tone it's the perfect beachside location to settle in and sip away the afternoon overlooking the water. The Beach Bars are known coast-wide for their relaxed vibes, good food, beach views and delicious local brews – and Coolum Beach Bar will be no different.
Key events
- The Curated Plate (25 July – 3 August 2025)
The Curated Plate, Queensland's premium food festival, was awarded Best Small Regional Event at the 2024 Australian Event Awards. The 10-day festival will return in 2025 with around 30 events expected to make the program, as well as chef, author and TV presenter Peter Kuruvita onboard as the festival's Culinary Director. The annual festival celebrates the Sunshine Coast's food and drink offering including its abundance of fresh locally grown produce, seafood and meat.
- Further foodie festivals to sink your teeth into
GourMay Mary Valley (1 -31 May 2025) is a month-long festival to celebrate the Mary Valley regions farmers, producers and creators. The series of satellite events include farm tours and open days, workshops, a gala dinner and a Festival Day held in Imbil.
Noosa Eat & Drink Festival (29 May – 1 June 2025) will this year be a four-day culinary extravaganza with more long lunches, an impressive restaurant event line up, sundowner beach events and a host of new features including live entertainment and pop-up dining experiences in the Festival Village.
- Horizon Festival (2-11 May 2025)
The 10-day multi-arts Horizon Festival will mark its return in 2025, taking place all over the Sunshine Coast from the beaches to the hinterland. At the festival's core, it celebrates place and more importantly, the Traditional Custodians of the Country on which the festival is held – the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Peoples. The varied events are almost always in spectacular locations and cover everything from music, art, theatre, dance, workshops and ceremonies. The full program will be announced in February.
