With the recent weather battering Queensland and in particular the Sunshine Coast, it’s sad to see this usually beautiful clear skied destination affected by heavy rain clouds and flooding.
Earlier this year, I spent a relaxing and rejuvenating week-long vacation in Mooloolaba, where the weather was storm free and picture perfect. It is unimaginable to think a few weeks later it would be the victim to cyclonic winds and torrential rain. However, come rain or come shine I love staying on the Sunshine Coast as it’s a marvellous destination catering to all travel types and experiences.
I visited during the high season and Mooloolaba was a great alternative to the typical tourist hot spot of Noosa. Best thing about Mooloolaba was it offers more affordable accommodation options during this period and has an amazing beach which goes on for days.
In addition to its crystal clear waters and pure white sandy beach, Mooloolaba’s esplanade and marina plays hostess to a variety of great restaurants, cafés, boutique shops and bars.
During my stay on the Sunshine Coast I found the following activities my favourite, all relatively easy to access from Mooloolaba:
Ahoy, let’s go fishing
What’s a seaside retreat without testing your wrangler skills? With numerous fishing operators on the Sunshine Coast, it’s a great family-fun activity sure to produce a few laughs and screams (for me anyway – I’m terrified of caught fish). Due to this, I prefer something in the vicinity of relatives and friends, so a DIY fishing trip on the Maroochy River was best suited.
Located around 6km away from Mooloolaba, the Maroochy River gives tourists the option to rent a boat ranging from 6-8 seater tinnies to half cabins to luxury BBQ boats for 8-12 people. Boats can be hired for an hour or up to a full day and rates range from $180-235 for a half day rental. They also offer fishing equipment and bait to get you on your way.
For a city-sider like me who has little experience with boats, it was an exciting experience to be able to drive one independently up and down the Maroochy River like I was in an episode of Swamp People, well minus the gator catching of course. On this trip the fish were biting for everyone except for me – the best I could do was catch a buoy and seaweed. Never less for those canny fishermen you can expect to catch bream, whiting and flathead which are the popular in this area.
Swan Boat Hire
Location: 59 Bradman Avenue, Maroochydore
Cost: from $180 to $235 (half day rates, excludes BBQ boats)
www.swanboathire.com.au
Dinner date at Maisies
For those who love a restaurant with a warm welcoming feel, is full of history and cooks up a storm, Maisies Seafood and Steakhouse in Noosaville is a perfect place. This waterfront venue overlooking the Noosa River offers value for money with its home cooked meals and outstanding service – making you feel like you’re at a Sunday family dinner.
For over 20 years, Maisies has been renowned as one of the best restaurants in Noosa, winning countless awards and accolades. It’s a special venue that has a strong following and is highly recommended by locals.
With a life spanning over 100 years, this family owned business offers fresh seafood and succulent steaks, with all meals prepared with pride and passion. Its history is just as delightful, being the first café to open in the district in 1920 and running throughout the depression and WWII. In fact, it fast became the favourite eating place for the troops stationed in the area, and to this day it still serves some dishes popular during that era such as devilled kidneys.
Each time I go to the Sunshine Coast, I try to make a visit to this spot ordering an array of dishes, my favourite being the seafood chowder for entrée, Gympie Terrace seafood combo for main and the rhubarb and apple pie to top it all off. One word wraps up this culinary experience, heaven! Each dish is made with fresh ingredients, cooked to perfection and seasoned just right.
Inside the décor is homely – photos and stories of Maisie’s history and humble beginnings are positioned on the wooden walls for guests to enjoy.
Maisies Seafood and Steakhouse
Location: 247 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville
Open: 11.30am – 9pm daily
Cost: $9.50-$23.50 (entrée), $26.50 – $99.50 (mains) and $5.50-$12.50 (dessert)
www.maisies.com.au
*Bookings recommended
Get an underwater perspective
Regarded as one of Queensland’s leading tourist attractions, UnderWater World aquarium located in Mooloolaba is home to thousands of marine and freshwater creatures including Asian small-clawed otters, seals, sawfish and tropical reef fish. Perfect for all ages, this attraction has around 11 areas to explore such as Sea Island, Otter Empire and Shark Shipwreck allowing guests to get up and close with various underwater critters.
I’m a huge fan of aquariums – there is just something so fascinating and calming about them and UnderWater World does it perfectly. Here you can touch a starfish or a sea cucumber, receive a kiss from a cheeky seal or get an all angles perspective of numerous ray, shark and tropical fish species.
UnderWater World is a must-do attraction bound to ignite your inner child, and make you appreciate and think more about the importance of protecting our marine and freshwater ecosystems.
UnderWater World
Location: Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba
Cost: $35 (adult), $23 (child) or $28 (concession)
Open: 9-5pm daily
www.underwaterworld.com.au
*Online discounts available
Walk the Noosa National Park tracks
One of the best walking tracks I’ve been on is located in the Noosa National Park accessible from Hastings Street, Noosa Heads. After enjoying breakfast at a nearby café I decided to go for a “light walk” with friends, but unbeknownst to us, the track chosen to follow would take 2-3 hours covering 5km. With flip flops, a maxi dress and no bottled water on hand, this would be far from a “light walk”, thankfully it wasn’t a hot day and there was a cool ocean breeze provided. The trail we embarked on was the Coast Track which wraps around the coastline and gives picturesque views of the beach, ocean and horizon. There are several other tracks less in distance that cuts into the national park where native wildlife such as koalas, cockatoos and honeyeaters can be spotted. However if you’re after stunning ocean views then the Coast Track is highly recommended.
On this trail there are several lookout points being Dolphin Point, Hell’s Point and Sunshine Beach. Due to the close proximity to cliff edges and rough surfaces, it’s recommended that this track and others are not walked alone and if with children constant supervision is enforced. My favourite section during the walk was Hell’s Gate, this is one of the highest lookout points and it’s breathtaking. From June to November, migrating humpbacks can be seen cruising past the coastline at Hell’s Gates and also Dolphin Point. During this walk don’t be surprised to find yourself at Alexandria Bay also known as one of Queensland’s most popular nudist beaches. On this day, there wasn’t a soul on the beach except for us walkers. Not long after we had re-joined the walking track and ended our adventure at Sunshine Beach.
Unless you’re staying in Sunshine Beach or have transport waiting, you’ll need to walk another 1.2km to the bus stop located outside the Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club, which will take you back to Noosa Heads. If you have some time, I recommend taking the opportunity to relax, unwind and enjoy a bite to eat and drink at the surf club or surrounding restaurants and cafes on Duke Street.
WHAT TO BRING:
- Drinking water, a first-aid kit, insect repellent, mobile phone and camera
- Wear suitable shoes, clothing and sunscreen
Noosa Heads Coastal Track (Track 4)
COST: FREE
Track duration: 5.4km one way (2-3 hours)
www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/noosa
*There are four other tracks available ranging from 1km- 4.6km.
Have you visited the Sunshine Coast? If so, what are you favourite things to do?
