A winter warmer on the Sunshine Coast

If the sudden onslaught of an Arctic chill has you longing for warm beach days and that blissful feeling of sun on your skin, look no further than Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Here, the average daily temperature in the dead of winter barely tips below a balmy 21 degrees, the surf is crystal clear and the sub-tropical Hinterland invites exploration.

This winter is also the first time Canberrans have had direct access to the Sunshine Coast, with Qantas and Alliance Airlines having both launched services to Sunshine Coast Airport last year.

Apart from its delightful climate, what sets the Sunshine Coast apart is its natural landscape. It is one of the few places in the world where you’ll find two UNESCO-declared Biosphere Reserves sitting side by side, more than 100 kilometres of pristine beaches, pockets of sub-tropical rainforest and the Glass House Mountains that are actually remnants of volcanic activity that occurred more than 25 million years ago.

And winter is the perfect time to explore, with some of the region’s most unique experiences only available mid-year.

Take swimming with whales. This year, more than 35,000 humpback whales are expected to pass through Queensland waters as they migrate north, and the Sunshine Coast was the first destination in Australia to offer a swim with humpback whales experience.

This unforgettable encounter is run by local operator Sunreef Mooloolaba and is 100 per cent on the whales’ own terms; once the whales are spotted, swimmers enter the water at a safe distance and it is up the whales how close they choose to swim.

Mooloolaba is also one of Australia’s richest seafood ports, with fleets of trawlers bringing in boatloads of spanner crabs, Mooloolaba prawns and export-grade tuna each morning.

The Wharf Mooloolaba is a hive of activity with a number of restaurants, cafes and bars serving local produce. For a true locals’ experience, get your fish and chips take away from ‘The Spit’ to enjoy on the beach at Mooloolaba at sunset.

Beyond the beaches, there’s plenty to explore in the Hinterland, with its rich array of charming villages, pockets of sub-tropical rainforest and breathtaking scenery.

Here you’ll find some of the best food and drink in Australia, with a number of farmgate experiences (think award-winning fromageries).

It’s also home to several craft brewers and distillers. In the past five years, the Sunshine Coast’s craft brewing and distilling scene has grown to some 19 producers, all inspired by the region’s natural bounty.

Take for example Brouhaha Brewery in the Hinterland town of Maleny, who use local strawberries to brew their delicious Strawberry Rhubarb Sour, or Sunshine & Sons who filter their vodka through volcanic rock sourced on the Sunshine Coast to add extra depth, texture and uniqueness.

Stop in for lunch and a tasting at one of the many brewpubs, or explore it in depth on a Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Tours where you’ll be invited to meet the makers.

After lunch head to the Hinterland to see some of Australia’s most unique landscapes – such as the Glass House Mountains. Their jagged peaks were noted when Captain Cook sailed up the east coast of Australia in 1770. Of course, 250 years is nothing compared to the thousands of years of history of the local Kabi Kabi and Jinibara people, for whom the Glass House Mountains is a special meeting place of cultural and spiritual significance.

The Hinterland is a favourite with trekkers, cyclists and wellness-lovers all enjoying the well-established tracks. One of the most spectacular is the 58.8-kilometre Hinterland Great Walk, which can be done across four days or in shorter circuits taking in the sub-tropical rainforest, cascading waterfalls and secluded picnic spots.

With the mercury only expected to drop further, there has never been a better time to ditch your puffer jacket, pack your swimmers and embrace a winter warmer on the Sunshine Coast.

Fly: From Canberra, there are direct flights to the Sunshine Coast twice weekly with Alliance Airlines (Monday and Friday) and Qantas (Sunday and Thursday).

Explore more: flydirectsunshine coast.com/canberra