The Sunshine Coast is bringing nature and events to the forefront as tourism leaders set out to prove the destination is not just a ‘one trick pony’.
Speaking at a media event in Sydney, Sunshine Coast Destination chief executive Simon Ambrose revealed the bureau has new plans to build on the resurgence of tourism last year.
Latest figures show the destination saw national visitation jump 10 percent from September to September.
The growth came after the 2013 slump caused by natural disasters.
International visitation during the same 12-month period last year also spiked, with a 9.4 percent growth in overseas arrivals.
“People are jumping in their cars, throwing a surf board on top and heading down from Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.”
Simon Ambrose, Sunshine Coast Destination chief executive
Looking at 2015, he said the bureau will focus on promoting the destination’s non-beach related assets such as its food markets, rainforests and roadtrips.
“In the Sunshine Coast we’re not just the beach, we’re not a one trick pony. We’re doing some new things and adding to the traditional Australian holiday.”
So what is new?
First and foremost, the destination has upped its major events game from 20 to around 42 in 2016.
Among the new events are the Noosa International Food and Wine festival; Sunshine Coast World Environment Day Festival; the Noosa Summer Swim; Subaru Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival; and the Noosa Long Weekend Festival featuring diverse music, theatre, dance, film and food.
The bureau is also placing extra focus on road trips by encouraging families and young travellers to drive from Noosa to Frasers Island.
And don’t forget the list of new activities.
Dreamed of riding a horse in the water? Rainbow Beach Horse Rides allows visitors to do exactly that. The company also offers a Beach Full Moon Ride; Country Day Ride; and Swimming in the Ocean.
Sunshine Coast now has Australia’s first swim with a humpback whale experience. Booked through Sunreef Mooloolaba the ‘Bubblemaker’ experience offers visitors [including their children] to swim out to the whales and swim with them. All participants are connected to the boat for safety.
In the food department, the Sunshine Coast has five new tasty hangouts such as Little May Espresso on Main Street Montville; Betty’s Burgers – an American style diner; Greenhouse Café – serving organic vegetarian dishes; Lemon and Thyme – the newest addition to Mooloolaba’s dining scene; and the Lionheart Imperial House, which has recently undergone a major renovation to include a new menu.