Monday, 14 January 2013

What's New for Queensland's Sunshine Coast

What does the Sunshine Coast have in store for 2013?
Here you'll find updates about new experiences, developments, awards and events on this amazing part of Australias coastline.  For more information: www.visitsunshinecoast.com.au

New experiences and products

Sunshine Coast trails 

Sunshine Coast Destination Ltd (SCDL) has developed a trails series to showcase the array of exciting experiences visitors can enjoy on the Sunshine Coast. The trails are promoted via YouTube, a microsite and digital media channels. Nature, Attractions and Coastal Fun have gone live as part of a year-round campaign with future trails to include Arts and Culture, Food and Wine and Markets. The trails are linked to accommodation specials and a Facebook competition to 'spread the word' about the trails with $1000 given away each month.
Visit: http://trails.visitsunshinecoast.com.au

Sunshine Coast Official Golf Guide 

A new guide to golfing on the Sunshine Coast has been produced by SCDL in collaboration with a niche group comprising local golfing industry. The Guide features a map and details of 17 courses across the Coast including five championship courses. It will be available electronically and 30,000 copies will be printed and distributed throughout Australia and New Zealand.
For more information email: anthony@scdl.com.au

Palmer Motorama 

Palmer Coolum Resort has added a new car museum to their 'must see' activities at the resort. Open for both guests and visitors, the museum is open daily from 11.00am to 4.00pm. Around 30 vintage vehicles from Professor Clive Palmer's personal collection will be on display with some stunning examples of both engineering and luxury motoring through the ages. Rolls Royce devotees will be thrilled at what is in store, as will anyone who has dreamed of owning the power and panache of a 1954 Aston Martin. A dinosaur park is also planned for the resort with Jeff the 8.5 metre tall Tyrannosaurus Rex to be joined by 160 lifelike prehistoric beasts.www.palmercoolumresort.com.au

Spicers Tamarind launches uplifting health packages

Spicers Tamarind Retreat is helping guests revitalise their mind, body and soul with the launch of a comprehensive range of health packages. The popular Maleny retreat based on the Sunshine Coast has introduced three Wellness Packages, two Fitness Escapes and a Super Bootcamp Getaway which combine wellness and fitness activities. Yoga, tai chi and Reiki for the mind; one on one personal training including  boxercise, pump, cardio or core strengthening for the body, proven weight loss programs and activities such as spiritual guidance, a cooking class and stress management for the soul.

Biosphere Cruise 

The Noosa Ferry Cruise Company has just introduced a new Biosphere Cruise. A place of high biodiversity with more than 626 vertebrate fauna species recorded. There are 13 types of vegetation, including rain forest, heathlands, eucalypt forest, melaleuca wetlands, sand dunes and mangroves. The Biosphere Reserves were established to promote and demonstrate a balanced relationship between humans and the biosphere.www.noosabiosphere.com.au

Maleny Botanic Gardens

The Maleny Botanic Gardens were private gardens recently opened to the public. Situated on one hundred and ten acres, they are surrounded by magnificent rainforest with numerous water features and spectacular views of the Glass House Mountains, they are set to be a hot new attraction in 2013.

Salt Therapy

At Salt Caves in Mooloolaba you can experience salt therapy in a man-made Himalayan salt cave. Himalayan pink salt contains approximately 80 mineral elements required by the body. This makes salt therapy a viable alternative to treat many health complaints. In addition, the Himalayan salt cave is one of two salt therapy rooms in Australia that has been designed under instruction and guidance from salt cave experts in Poland. The Himalayan salt room holds over 4 tonnes of pure Himalayan salt blocks in the walls alone.

Heli Tours 

Heli Tours offer new helicopter tours operating out of Sunshine Coast Aero Club with affordable packages and tours from Moreton Island to Fraser Island. There is range of packages including taking to the sky with the 'doors off' experience for an extreme flight over Hells Gate at Noosa. With nothing but fresh air between you and 50 kilometres of coastline below, this tour is definitely for the thrill seekers only.

New water play area - Leak'n Logs

Aussie World, a Sunshine Coast fun park has opened a new water play area called Leak'n Logs. Aussie World has invested over two million dollars into expanding the complex and Leak'n Logs is the fourth new attraction in just under two years to complement the 30 existing rides and games plus it's a great way to cool off this summer!

New developments

Air New Zealand flights to return in 2013

The success of Air New Zealand and alliance partner Virgin Australia flights between Auckland and Sunshine Coast Airport last winter has resulted in the airline signing up to a new extended season in 2013. Flights will re-commence on 18 June and run for 17 weeks, until 13 October. Two flights a week to and from Auckland will commence on a seasonal service, connecting seamlessly with the airlines' extensive domestic and international networks. www.airnewzealand.com.au
 

Mary Cairncross Reserve 

Sunshine Coast Council are currently consulting industry and community on plans to improve Mary Cairncross Interpretive Centre and Nature Reserve. The council project has been developed in consultation with SCDL, Tourism Queensland, local tourism groups, Friends of Mary Cairncross and associated committees. The renewal provides a great opportunity to improve the experience of visitors, through a more engaging visitor learning centre and improvements to café and retail facilities. Any increased revenue from these improvements will continue to be reinvested in reserve management and the health of the rainforest.www.mary-cairncross.com.au

Awards

The 2013 Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat Awards

Australian Good Food Guide releasing their ratings for restaurants on New Years Day. Out of 18 winners across the Sunshine Coast, there was a newcomer to the list - Tides Waterfront Restaurant in Caloundra received their first Chefs Hat.

Best B&B in Australia

Australian Traveller's Readers Choice Awards has awarded Glass on Glasshouse as the best B&B in Australia!  The property features two large walls of floor-to-ceiling glass that let you feel like you're actually outside immersed in the stunning views of the Glasshouse Mountains.

Sunshine Coast Airport best in the nation - again

Sunshine Coast Airport has again been awarded Australian Major Airport of the Year for the second time in a row at the 2012 Australian Airports Association Annual Convention in Melbourne. The council-owned airport was the recipient of the Major Airport award in 2011. Airport General Manager Peter Pallot said the work put in to develop the airport's international flight credentials was a major factor in winning the award.

New events in 2013

Are you tough enough? One of the toughest endurance events in the world is coming to the Sunshine Coast. 

The Tough Mudder, 

designed by members of the British Special Forces, is a 16-20km event which has taken off globally since 2010. The Sunshine Coast event will run just one week before the Seven Sunshine Coast Marathon, giving participants back-to-back opportunities to test themselves to the limit. About 31,000 people took part in the Sydney event and 24,000 entered in Melbourne. The Sunshine Coast Tough Mudder will be held on August 17 and 18 in Caloundra. You can register at www.toughmudder.com.au
  

Big Pineapple Music Festival 

The Sunshine Coast's iconic Big Pineapple is set to play host to a music festival on April 20, 2013. Acts include Birds Of Tokyo, Grinspoon, Regurgitator, British India, Hermitude, Ash Grunwald  and New Zealand band, Black Seeds are regarded as one of the best reggae acts on the planet, their legendary eight-piece live show brings raw energy and good vibes wherever it goes. The organisers will be giving away 100 double tickets to New Zealanders keen to jump on a plane and get among the festivities.
Check out: www.bigpineapple.com.au/big-pineapple-music-festival

Get on ya bike 

An exciting Epic Road Race --cycling event is planned to take place throughout the Sunshine Coast Hinterland in 2013. There is set to be various course lengths and divisions providing a challenge for cycling enthusiasts. More to be announced soon so watch this space!

Noosa International Food and Wine Festival

The festival is certainly not a new event, but worthy of mention as celebrating their tenth anniversary in 2013. From May 16 to May 19 many of the world's best chefs, Australia's celebrity chefs, wine makers and Australia's hottest entertainers will descend upon Noosa bringing their star power to Australia's premier food and wine event held on the Sunshine Coast.

Please note, the above list is not exhaustive of what's new in 2013 for the Sunshine Coast.

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