Ignite your senses with a culinary feast like no other on the Sunshine Coast in 2019.
The Curated Plate, the Sunshine Coast’s own food festival, will bring Australia’s best chefs to our stunning region in what will be a four-day celebration of the relationship between chef and producer.
Share in the journey and be the first to discover what’s on the menu for the Sunshine Coast this year, from exhilarating events bringing the Coast to life to new attractions, accommodation providers, travel news and eateries.
What’s New in: FOOD
The Curated Plate launches on the Sunshine Coast
The Curated Plate, a new four-day destination food festival, is set to make its debut on the Sunshine Coast this year in an event that will redefine regional dining. The festival will be held from 8-11 August and bring together the region’s finest produce with the best chefs in the Australian and international dining scene, including Japan’s ‘best restaurant’ chef, Zaiyu Hasegawa. Exclusive culinary events will span the region from the coast to the hinterland with local experiences, including food trails and farm tours, featured in the program. The festival’s key themes will centre around local produce and producers, sustainable practices, artisan culture and health and wellness. The Curated Plate full festival program of events and talent line-up will be revealed in March 2019.
Taste of Asia at Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival
Guests are invited to indulge in flavoursome Asian street food, sip on local brews and test their skills at a cooking masterclass at this year’s Sunshine Coast Asian Food Festival. The festival is held at Spicers Tamarind Maleny, bringing a taste of Asia to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Food will be prepared by The Tamarind’s in-house chef Daniel Jarrett, of one Chef Hat acclaim, paired with a Riesling Masterclass by Spicer’s sommelier, Peter Marchant. The family event was held on Saturday, February 16 from 1-6pm.
Restaurant hub booms at The Wharf Mooloolaba
The Wharf Mooloolaba has undergone a major redevelopment, with new restaurants, attractions and retail stores transforming the space in to a hot new food destination. Stage two of the multi-million refurbishment saw burger and dessert bar – Ninth Street – open its doors in December 2018, along with traditional Italian restaurant Il Vento. The Wharf is also home to the Sunshine Coast’s newest live music venue: The Boston Shaker Bar, Colombian café La Finca and Fior di Latte Gelateria. As well as eateries a number of fashion, lifestyle and homewares stores have opened their doors in the precinct, including Gingers, Bedouin Traders, Mikimi Australian Resortwear and Meraki Thread Co.
Sunshine Coast brews news
Founded by two mates who quit their jobs to chase their love of beer, Your Mates Brewing is the quintessential Australian dream. The team behind the successful brewery launched their own brewhouse in Warana in late 2018 offering a drool-worthy lunch and dinner menu. They also released a new mid strength lager, called Macca, and their pale ale Larry recently placed in the GABS Hottest 100 Craft Beers of the Year awards.
Meet local producers and discover the Sunshine Coast’s amazing fresh produce on the newly launched Farm to Fork Brewery Tour. The tour, run by Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Tours, will share stories on how brewers and producers work together, including how they use spent grain from the brewery to feed local cattle, and finish with lunch at Brouhaha Brewery in Maleny.
What better way to spend a Saturday afternoon than kicking back with a cold beer and gourmet pizza? At Glass House Brewery, you can do just that. Over the past few years the Sunshine Coast’s craft beer scene has skyrocketed, repositioning the region as a leading brewery destination.
At last count, there were 14 breweries in the region. Glass House Brewery is the latest offering and is setting itself apart with a wholesome Italian-style cuisine.
With seasonal menu changes packed with fresh local produce and new beers on tap, no visit to Brouhaha Brewery in Maleny is ever the same. The brewery turns three this year, and currently on tap is a beer brewed with mango, nectarine and peach, bringing a taste of the Sunshine Coast to the glass.
AR-T tea business brewing up awards
Sunshine Coast botanist Monica Naples has turned her talent in to a passion; blending unique loose-leaf tea. Monica’s love for crafting the perfect brew saw her launch AR-T, selling blends that are flavoursome and environmentally and socially responsible. Two of her blends, the Mint Fusion and Chocolate Mint flavours, recently won silver at the Golden Leaf Awards, Australia’s premier tea awards event.
Cat café to open doors on Sunshine Coast
Cat lovers are in for a treat with the opening of the Sunshine Coast’s first cat café. The Cat Retreat Café will open this February in partnership with the Sunshine Coast Animal refuge to house cats looking for a new home. Exposure to different people and environments through the café will ensure the cats are well adjusted before they are adopted. At the café diners can get their coffee and cake takeaway to sit in the ‘Zen Zone’ with the cats, with other options for cat meditation and therapy.
What’s new in: EVENTS
The iconic Eumundi Markets turn 40
On 24 March, 1979 three market stall holders set up shop in Eumundi’s CWA Hall. This was the beginning of The Original Eumundi Markets. Today the market is a must see for travellers on the Sunshine Coast, with their ‘make it, bake it, sew it, grow it’ philosophy attracting 1.2 million visitors annually. The markets will celebrate their milestone 40th birthday on 23 March with a market party and 40 days of giveaways.
Maleny Dairies host inaugural Spartan Race Sunshine Coast
Maleny Dairies will provide the backdrop for the inaugural Spartan Race Sunshine Coast. The gruelling event will be held in the region for the first time from 6-7 April, allowing visitors to test their stamina on the ‘world’s best’ obstacle course. The event will see competitors run through mud, swim through dams and conquer obstacles.
Qld Garden Expo launches ‘Sunday Sessions’
The Qld Garden Expo, held from 12-14 July in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast, will host their first ‘Sunday Sessions’ at this year’s event; a series of hands-on creative and practical workshops led by a qualified horticulturalist on the final day of the event.
South Sydney Rabbitohs vs New Zealand Warriors
Footy fans from interstate and across the ditch will have their eyes on the Sunshine Coast this April as the South Sydney Rabbitohs take on the New Zealand Warriors in their round five clash. The game will be the first time a first-grade rugby league match has been brought to the Sunshine Coast in what is a three-year partnership with the Rabbitohs.
Sunshine Coast Lightning defend title
Sunshine Coast Lightning will look to defend their back-to-back Suncorp Super Netball titles in 2019, with six games scheduled at the club’s newly renovated home ground: The University of the Sunshine Coast Stadium. The first home game is scheduled for Sunday, 12 May.
New women’s retreat heads to Hinterland
Self-nourishment, yoga, mindfulness and positive affirmations are at the forefront of an empowering new Women’s Retreat starting in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The full-day retreats will be run by A Touch of Deep Love and include a powerful photo shoot, art classes, guest speakers and a three-course meal under the stars.
What’s new in: TRAVEL
New Qantas flights create international connections
Qantas has announced a second direct service between Sydney and Sunshine Coast Airport, building on the growing demand for Sydney and taking advantage of international connections. The new daily service will take off in March 2019 and is timed to connect the Sunshine Coast service with international flight arrivals from Europe, America, Asia and the Pacific.
Pedalling green with EcoTekk Electric Bikes
Exploring a new area by bike is nothing new, but doing it without the need to pedal is. EcoTekk Electric Bikes is now servicing the entire Sunshine Coast, offering visitors a chance to explore the region without working up a sweat. With no shortage of tracks to choose from, it’s a great way to discover the Sunshine Coast.
Work continues on Sunshine Coast Airport expansion
Direct flights from the Sunshine Coast to destinations across Australia, Asia and the Western Pacific will soon be a reality as Sunshine Coast Airport continues to expand. The new runway will be longer and wider and cater for aircraft such as the Airbus A330 and Boeing 787, providing opportunities for airlines to provide different services. The new runway will be open for operation in 2020.
RACV Noosa offers guests Car Share hire
Guests staying at RACV Noosa Resort now have 24/7 access to a car during their stay. The resort has introduced a Car Share App, allowing guests to simply select the time and date they choose to travel.
What’s new in: ATTRACTIONS
Permission to thrill on Aussie World’s new ride
Strap yourself in and hold on tight, Aussie World is set to launch a new ride that will challenge even the most daring of thrill seekers. The Typhoon SX 360 will be the first of its kind in Australia, catapulting guests up to 80km per hour on a full inversion at 360°. Aussie World has also renovated the entire façade of The Pub, formerly known at the Ettamogah Pub.
‘Beez Knees’ mountain bike track open in Caloundra
Tucked away in bushland just 10 minutes’ drive from the beach is an attraction of a different kind. The Beez Kneez Black-Diamond Trail is 900m of gravity flow generators, wall rides and jumps, making it the perfect playground for mountain bikers. The new track opened at the end of 2018 and is located in the Caloundra Town Reserve.
Australia’s first solar-powered canoe tour
Harness the power of the sun to fuel your next adventure with Eco River Rides. The tour company uses innovative solar-powered canoes to take visitors on an unforgettable journey through the Maroochy River Wetlands and is the first of its kind in Australia.
Sky’s the limit on new ropes courses
Thrill seekers looking to push their fear of heights to the limit need look no further than the TreeTop Challenge. Scheduled to open in March 2019, the high-ropes adventure in the Sunshine Coast’s iconic Big Pineapple precinct will include more than 100 activities across a 2km course, including a 120m long zipline. A state-of-the-art ropes course with Australia’s highest twin flying foxes has also opened in Twin Waters. The Apex Camps Sunshine Coast facility hoists visitors 14m off the ground and allows visitors to race their friends on twin 70m ziplines.
Mary Valley Rattler introduces picnic package
The Mary Valley Rattler has been restored to its former glory, relaunching to the public in late 2018. New to the Rattler this year is the introduction of ‘Retro Fridays’: a journey on board their 1960’s Silver Bullet railmotor with complimentary breakfast or lunch at the Platform No. 1 Café. This Valentine’s Day the Rattler also launched their Mary Valley Picnic Train, a new lunchtime service onboard their ‘Red Rocket’ with guests provided with gourmet picnic hampers and a bottle of bubbles to enjoy throughout the journey.
Nature-based playground opens
Children will be able to get back in touch with nature at the new ‘Whipbird Walk and Village’ at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens. The new playground mimics nature-based play, giving children the opportunity to wander off the path, make cubby houses, play in the dirt and look for creepy crawlies.
Ocean View Heli takes off to Flame Hill Vineyard
Flame Hill Vineyard is a Sunshine coast institution producing fine wines, and fine dining, with scenic views over the coastline. In a Sunshine Coast first Ocean View Heli has partnered with Flame Hill, offering visitors a three-hour ‘Fly ‘n’ Dine’ journey taking them by chopper to the vineyard for lunch.
The Events Centre Caloundra Upgrade
One of the Sunshine Coast’s premier live production venues, The Events Centre Caloundra, is currently undergoing a major renovation. The renovation will include a new covered entry, an upgrade to the air-conditioning, box office, foyer and main theatre. The Centre will reopen in April 2019, providing a first-class facility for live shows on the Sunshine Coast.
Doors set to open on new $8 million convention centre
In a move that will reposition the Sunshine Coast as a leading business events destination, Novotel Twin Waters Resort will this April open the doors to their new $8 million convention centre. The facility, combined with the resort’s existing Wandiny Pavilion, will bring the centre’s overall capacity to 3,400 delegates. The new centre is already set to host the 2019 Queensland Tourism Awards.
Ladies only Sunshine Coast tours launch
Looking to plan the ultimate girl’s trip? CC Tours and Travel offers ladies only foodie experiences on the Sunshine Coast, allowing you to eat, drink and shop until your heart’s content. The fully escorted tours include private transfers, first class dining and handcrafted experiences, including ‘Foodie and Furnishings’ and ‘Hinterland Highs’ tours.
Ikatan Spa’s million-dollar expansion
Ikatan Spa recently underwent a million-dollar refurbishment, and in November 2018, was awarded Best Spa in Australia, Best Boutique Spa in Australia, Best Eco Spa in Australia and Best Signature Spa Treatment at the prestigious Haute Grandeur awards in Dubai. Ikatan has also introduced two new massages and started a Retreat Day with a focus on holistic wellness.
The Big Pineapple’s $150 million renewal project
Work has started on restoring the Sunshine Coast’s iconic The Big Pineapple to its former glory through a $150 million renewal project. Work includes the new Treetop Challenge, water park, major events space, onsite accommodation and $60 million agribusiness precinct.
Take to the skies, without leaving the ground
SunJet Simulations is giving visitors hands-on experience flying a commercial jet. Located at GoFly Aviation at Caloundra Airport, the Boeing 737 simulator is made up of 70 per cent genuine Boeing parts in a full-sized cockpit. You can even take a virtual world tour with flights to Hong Kong and Dubai.
New ‘Noosa in a day’ tour
Coast to Hinterland Tours launched their ‘Noosa in a Day’ tour at the start of 2019. The tour runs each Tuesday, with pick-ups available from the guest’s accommodation, and includes free time in Noosa’s Hastings Street, a river cruise on Noosa River and two-course lunch at Pier11.
Triballink Activity Centre opens in Mapleton
Visitors are encouraged to learn about Indigenous culture at the newly opened Triballink Activity Centre. Triballink offers a Dreamtime Immersion with a night walk through the rainforest, local Dreamtime storytelling and bush tucker, as well as a night time Aboriginal dance and dinner immersion experience. Triballink is located at the Queensland Conference and Camping Centre in Mapleton.
What’s new in: ACCOMMODATION
New Mary Valley ‘Ride and Relax’ Escape
Amamoor Lodge is now offering the ultimate Mary Valley escape with a ‘Ride and Relax’ package allowing visitors to explore the region on board the Mary Valley Rattler before retiring to the Lodge to unwind. The package includes a ‘slow food’ dinner for two with a bottle of wine at Amamoor Lodge, two return tickets on the Rattler, boutique accommodation and a full breakfast.
Alex Beach Cabins and Tourist Park revamp
Family-owned Alex Beach Cabins and Tourist Park has been a staple of Alexandra Headlands since 1974. The Park recently underwent a major renovation with a new luxury resort-style pool, playground and fully refurbished accommodation options. Located less than 200m from the beach, it’s the perfect family escape.
Makepeace Island’s makeover
Makepeace Island, Sir Richard Branson’s heart-shaped home on the Sunshine Coast, has reopened its doors to the public after an extensive makeover to the resort’s facilities. The private island on Noosa River offers a unique fusion of luxury and wilderness, creating the ultimate escape just minutes from Noosa. The makeover was overseen by acclaimed interior designer June Robinson Scott, who has previously been commissioned for the interior design of Necker Island and The Branson Estate.
Badderam Eco Luxe Resort & Spa
The development of Badderam Eco Luxe Resort & Spa has been approved for Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, just 10 minutes’ drive from Mooloolaba Beach. The luxury eco resort will include state-of-the-art environmental initiatives and is poised to become a zero-waste resort.
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