IN47 AUTUMN 2026

SUNRISE BEACH

SUNSHINE BEACH

NOOSA HEADS

PERSPICACIOUS LIKE NO OTHER

Nothing succeeds like success. Never an accident, rather the result of genuine intention, sincere effort, intuitive direction, skilful execution, and entrepreneurial vision to see hurdles as the power to propel prosperity into life’s ultimate success.

When it comes to achieving exceptional results, experience does make the difference. CoreLogicAustralia’s most trusted property data source stated Tom Offermann Real Estate sold more than the next six Noosa agencies combined, for the year 24/25.

Taking the crown for the highest 2025 residential sale in Noosa and across the Sunshine Coast of $27m, was Maravilla at Sunrise Beach.

An early start to 2026 was a standout performance like no other with Queensland’s highest-ever residential sale already finalised.

Powerful global interest for the brand has escalated via luxuryrealestate.com, a worldwide portal many times larger than Australia’s major property website, with 38,000 member-only agencies amongst the who’s who of international real estate. Tom Offermann Real Estate is privileged to be one of only two invited from Queensland.

BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

Editor’s Note

A new year brings new energy and exciting new stories to be shared, new businesses to be discovered and exciting events to explore.

Noosa Food & Wine Festival returns with a divine and decadent line-up; GourMay Mary Valley Festival dishes up locally-flavoured experiences from camp fire cookouts to farm talks and tours and feasts aplenty; and Noosa Alive gears up to deliver a cracking cultural feast.

It’s not easy running an event or a business these days (trust me I know!) and we have recently seen a lot of great businesses close and events cancelled. It’s more important than ever to support the people who make this community great and to shop, dine and support local businesses and events, as well as each other. Sometimes all it takes is a friendly and encouraging smile to make someone’s day better.

Finally, thanks to everyone who took the time to complete our Reader Survey - we were overwhelmed with the response and the responses! Our team work very hard to help connect the community through storytelling and your support, encouragement and appreciation makes it all worthwhile. We loved some of the ideas and will be INtroducing some new INitiatives so stay tuned. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIN and subscribe to our free weekly e-newsletter to find out the latest, IN Noosa.

Enjoy the cool change and all that’s glorious about autumn IN Noosa!

Deb

Deb Caruso

Stay INformed with our e-newsletter: www.innoosamagazine.com.au

WINTER DEADLINES

Bookings close: 27 April 2026

Art Deadline: 4 May 2026

THE TEAM

DEB CARUSO

PUBLISHER + EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Deb has more than 30 years’ experience providing strategic communications and brand reputation advice to clients in the government, business and not-for-profit sectors. She started IN Publishing to connect the community through storytelling and is passionate about local businesses, the Brisbane Lions and hanging out with John and Max.

ALI SMITH

CONTENT + CREATIVE DIRECTOR

Ali is our go-to girl when it comes to design, deadlines and digital. An experienced graphic designer and creative with over 20 years’ experience in advertising, magazines and publishing, she brings creativity and efficiency to the team. When she’s not at her computer, you can find her on the water with her husband and three kids.

MICHELLE TAIT

ACCOUNTS + ADMINISTRATION

Michelle has a Bachelor of Business plus 30+ years’ Administration experience in both private and government sectors. She loves local, has a creative flair as a handbag designer and is passionate about sustainable fashion. She loves exploring the region with hubby Ian and puppo Daisy aka ‘Pocket Rocket’.

PAUL BIRD PUBLISHER

Paul is the Publisher and co-Director of IN Publishing. He has enjoyed a successful career spanning almost 40 years working in media and corporate communications industries and more recently, in the profit-forpurpose charity and business sector as an Independent Director and Corporate Advisor.

JAKKI GOODALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

With 30 years’ experience in Marketing, Advertising, Sales and Promotions as well as an MBA, Jakki loves to connect with and develop local businesses which can be seen through her position on the Executive of the Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce as well as other local networks.

CARLIE WACKER

FASHION EDITOR + WRITER + MC

Carlie has spent the last 30 years in the media and entertainment industry. She is our Fashion Editor, writer and a professional event MC. She keeps busy designing the next range for her own fashion label, Wacker Clothing Company. Anyone who knows Carlie, knows that she is also obsessed with dogs.

JOHN CARUSO

WRITER + PODCASTER + MC + DISTRIBUTION

After 30 years in radio, John now runs the Everyone Has a Story: Conversations from the Sunshine Coast and Noosa podcast and in between being our writer, delivery driver and event MC; he spends time watching the Formula One and raising his son Maximus.

PIP CASEY BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Pip has 30 years’ experience in magazine advertising and sales in both print and the digital space. She loves supporting local business owners, being outdoors walking or running in the Noosa National Park or being at the beach with Dave the dog, her hubby and twin kids.

JODIE CAMERON WRITER

Jodie is a city-turned-countryturned-coastal chick with a degree in Journalism & PR and a passion for events. Her 15+ years’ experience is diverse, including launching a macadamia nut farm! In her spare time, she’s beachside with her two tiny treasures and furry love Staffy x Red Cattle dog, Rudi.

hello@inpublishing.com.au www.innoosamagazine.com.au @innoosamag FIND

KATHY SUNDSTROM WRITER

With nearly 25 years in media across two countries, Kathy is an award-winning journalist and former breakfast radio producer who has also led a national award-winning cybersecurity education program. She brings her community spirit to roles on the Coolum Business and Tourism board and as a dedicated lifesaver of more than 15 years.

A graduate Communications student at UniSC, majoring in Journalism and Graphic Design, Ida has a passion for storytelling, exploring her creative side through design and content creation. In her spare time, you might find her at her local yoga studio, crocheting on the porch or walking her dog Ruby through the bushland she calls home.

NAOMI WAITE DESIGN

A lover of all things creative with over 30 years’ experience producing high quality design communications within the food, drink and tourism industries. For Naomi, design is a lifestyle, not just an occupation. When not at work you’ll find her surfing the points at Noosa or enjoying a beach walk with her husband Ado, and fox terrier, Captain.

IDA FINK GUNDTOFT WRITER

CONTRIBUTORS

HELEN FLANAGAN TRAVEL + LIFESTYLE

Noosa’s sophisticated charm, vibrant food culture and the magnetism of a subtropical paradise surrounded by national parks, inveigled Helen’s manic world and flipped it on its side. She pursues the good life with gusto, instinctively understanding the joys of travel, the art of story-telling, a candid review and surviving another reno whilst thriving on the motto: Live Laugh Love!

JENNIFER SWAINE BUSINESS

A born storyteller and connector of people, Jennifer works with a number of SMEs looking after their branding, marketing strategy, communications, PR and events. As Chair of the Sunshine Coast Business Awards, Vice President of the Sunshine Coast Chamber Alliance and a Non-Executive Director of Visit Sunshine Coast, Jennifer proactively engages with local businesses on a daily basis.

MATT GOLINSKI FOOD

A highly regarded chef with a passion for simple, produce-driven cuisine based on seasonal, fresh local ingredients. Matt is an active member of the Slow Food movement, a champion of artisan producers and a generous mentor to keen young chefs. When he’s not cooking up stories and recipes for our readers, you’ll find him at food festivals and giving back to the many charities he supports.

JACKIE HILLEGERS MINDFULNESS

Jackie holds Mindfulness Workshops, teaches Mindful Photography and is a Holistic Integrated Creative Arts Therapists & Holistic Counsellor. Her passion is working with children and teens to help them reduce stress and anxiety and increase self-love. She loves to create art and learn about the brain from her Tewantin studio.

TONY COX DRINKS

After 25 years of sniffing, swirling, spitting and slurping various vinous temptations our drinks writer has decided that his future lies firmly planted on the consumption and storytelling side. Tony not only still enjoys consulting about wine and other beverages but is now part of the successful Kate Cox Real Estate Team at Reed & Co Noosa.

The Director of Noosa Regional Gallery has been described as an ‘accidental curator’ as a prize-winning painter and sculptor who has moved from creating works to curating them. It all began when he opened The Trocadero Art Space in Footscray to build an arts community in the area. Sixteen years later it is still standing and we are lucky to have him taking the arts to a whole new level in our region.

MICHAEL BRENNAN ART

FOUNDER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/PUBLISHER: Deb Caruso, 0428 853 224 deb@inpublishing.com.au

CO-PUBLISHER: Paul Bird

ADVERTISING: advertising@inpublishing.com.au

SUBSCRIPTIONS, EDITORIAL SUBMISSIONS & DISTRIBUTION ENQUIRIES: hello@inpublishing.com.au

Unit 12, 2-6 Focal Avenue, Coolum Beach PO Box 542, Noosa Heads Q 4567 www.innoosamagazine.com.au

DISTRIBUTION: 15,000 printed copies available throughout Noosa and surrounds in locallydesigned and handcrafted magazine stands.

IN Noosa Magazine is also supplied to local businesses and visitors through its tailored distribution process with 100% takeup rate.

IN Noosa Magazine is a free publication (subscriptions available) published four times per year by IN Noosa Magazine Pty Ltd (The Publisher). All rights are reserved and the contents are copyright and may not be reprinted without the express permission of The Publisher. IN Noosa Magazine Pty Ltd ATF IN Noosa Magazine, their related companies and officers hereby disclaim, to the full extent permitted by law, all liability, damages, costs and expenses whatsoever arising from or in connection with copy information or other material in this magazine, any negligence of The Publisher, or any persons actions in reliance thereon. Any dispute or complaint regarding placed advertisements must be made within seven days of publication. Inclusion of any copy must not be taken as any endorsement by The Publisher. Views expressed by contributions are personal views and they are not necessarily endorsed by The Publisher.

Dreaming of owning a NZ getaway? Meet the local who can help you make it happen.

Celebrations and salivations served up on the Noosa River for two to two hundred.

SPIRE

Discover the coolest autumn looks for top-to-toe inspiration.

PODCAST

Download the Everyone Has a Story: Conversations from the Sunshine Coast and Noosa podcast with 200+ interviews and fresh content regularly!

SPIRE

Meet the local craftsman capturing history, pain, beauty and hope with larger than life creations.

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SPIRE

Meet the former Gold medal Olympian bringing laid back luxury to local homes.

SUNSET STUNNER

Event: Hello Sunshine Magazine Summer edition & 5th birthday Venue: Agora, Alsahwa Estate. Palmwoods

The IN Publishing team joined clients, supporters and friends to celebrate the 5th birthday and bumper summer edition over a stunning sunset evening at Alsahwa Estate, Palmwoods. Guests enjoyed fresh and fabulous food from ēthos restaurant, sipped on Sunshine & Sons bespoke cocktails with Alsahwa honey, and savoured SlabGod beers and cider under the swaying palm trees. Hip Hip Hooray!

FEAST OF FINANCE

Event: Investment Insights with Ord Minnett Noosa

Location: Gusto Noosa, Noosaville

Ord Minnett Noosa combined finance and flavour for an informative evening with finance experts Malcolm Wood and Paul Kaner. On the menu was insight into global markets, AI, geopolitics and where investors might find opportunity in a rapidly changing world. The takeaway? "Participate with care”stay engaged with markets but be thoughtful about diversification and where value can be found.

PHOTOS: KYM BURMESTER

PHOTOS: JAKKI GOODALL

THANKS AGAIN

Event: Sunshine Coast Business Awards Thank You Cocktail Party Venue: Cotton Tree Beach Bar Winners, sponsors and judges of the 2025 Sunshine Coast Business Awards joined together at Cotton Tree Beach Bar for a final toast to the winners and the 30th anniversary of this prestigious event celebrating local excellence.

The 2026 Sunshine Coast Business Awards will launch on Friday 1 May at the start of Small Business Month with a breakfast and panel session with previous winners, including the Business of the Year, Noosa Black Garlic.

COUNTRY CHARM

Event: IN Noosa Summer Launch

Venue: The Woodshed, Kin Kin Hotel

Country hospitality and culinary excellence flavoured the IN Noosa Magazine summer edition launch at The Kin Kin Hotel. Guests were treated to exclusive access to The Woodshed where Head Chef Oscar Holgado told stories through fire, flavour, and fiercely local ingredients. DJ Jim kept the records spinning and the vibes high. If you haven't been to Kin Kin yet, do it!

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

PHOTOS: THE COMMS PEOPLE

IN THE KNOW

The INsider INformation on the clever, the quirky and the cool.

TWO NEW MODELS, ONE BESPOKE RACK.

The newest electric motorcycles to hit Australia have landed in Noosa! With its sleek design, powerful performance and an exceptional ride, FTN Motion’s Streetdog makes exploring the coast (and finding a park!) easier than ever. From beachside cruises to hinterland adventures, the new Streetdog XR and Streetdog 50 with its custom-designed, world-first surfboard rack turned heads at the Noosa Festival of Surfing and now it’s your turn! Take advantage of limited-time launch models priced from $8,990 with deliveries starting in May. Experience pure freedom on two wheels. Yewww!

www.ftnmotion.com/en-au @ftn_motion

BREWED WITH BALLS!

As cheeky as it is good, every sip of a Slab God brew has a small infusion of native ‘Dogs Balls’ (a term coined by Sir Joseph Banks in 1770 upon discovering the Grewia latifolia) for extra flavour and fun. Don’t let that override the fact that each brew is harmoniously instilled with meticulously selected hops and malts to produce an easy drinking Lager and Coastal Ale. The star of the show though is the Apple Cider - and keep an eye out for the Hairy Pear coming soon! Born and brewed on the Sunshine Coast, it’s made for laid-back barbecues, beach days and spontaneous catch-ups with mates — so pretty much anytime, anywhere. Serve it ice cold and keep a few extras in the fridge because when Slab God arrives, the good times roll and the laughs flow like an all Aussie adventure!

www.slabgod.com.au @slabgodbrewing

CELEBRATE IN STYLE

Is 2026 set to be your most elegant year yet? Set across 200 acres at the foothills of Mount Eerwah and just 25 minutes from Hastings Street, Noosa’s new and exclusive wedding and events venue has arrived. Eerwah Vale Estate is a beautiful slice of secluded luxury, where the light is soft and vistas stretch endlessly across the valley.

Stage One – the Marquee Lawn – is now open, creating a spectacular setting for celebrations of up to 200 guests. From ‘I do’ to charity galas and milestone moments, this hinterland haven is quickly becoming one of the region’s most coveted venues.

The perfect moment to raise a glass is waiting – and the call of the hills is stronger than a scene from The Sound of Music!

Psst! Eerwah Vale Estate proudly supports the wedding industry and looks forward to working with talented planners and suppliers as Noosa’s wedding landscape continues to evolve. Industry enquiries are always welcome.

www.eerwahvaleestate.com

0409 964 820

See page 28 for more.

FROM SUNSHINE BEACH TO SUNSHINE BEACH ROAD

After 12 years at Sunshine Beach, Adrian J Hairdressing can now be found at The Pavilion, Sunshine Beach Road, Noosa Junction. Chasing a new look? Visit Adrian, Lana and Rebekah in their chic new salon with easy parking and lush interiors that are a cut above the rest! Richer tones and softer layers are in focus this season – ideal for adding warmth and movement as the weather cools. Channel your inner Coco Chanel because ‘a woman who cuts her hair is about to change her life’. Book your individualised consultation, your transformation awaits!

Shop 6, 19-21 The Pavilion

Sunshine Beach Road

Noosa Junction

5474 8869 | www.adrianj.com.au

@adrianjhair | salon@adrianj.com.au

U7/224 David Low Way

Peregian Beach

0407 721 163 | @salty_mermaid_cafe

STAY SALTY

There’s a new wave of energy at Peregian Beach –and her name is Salty Mermaid Cafe. If you love thoughtful flavours, genuine smiles, and big coastal vibes that wrap you up like a hug, pop in, say hi, and feel alive!

Locals Kelly and Lisa are serving fresh, nutritious bites and excellent coffee, all made in-house, with a beachside buzz that’s deliciously contagious. Fill your mouth with goodness and get your mitts on the Mermaid merch! Consider this your official heads-up, mermaid mornings have arrived, and she’s bringing more than good vibes.

Open daily for breakfast and lunch – eat well, be kind, stay salty!

Blending abstract, realism and handcrafted timber design, our Autumn Cover Artist proves creativity rarely follows a curriculum. Jodie Cameron explores the mediums and moods shaping her next chapter…

BALANCING

Act

As I meandered along the ochre roads of the Cooroy hinterland, I found myself pondering our autumn cover artist’s name. Unusual, distinctive and memorable. I cannot help but wonder if her mother is a Bold & The Beautiful tragic (like my mum), or was she inspired by the New South Wales town northwest of Newcastle?

When local artist Maitland Picozzi greets me with a warm smile and we immediately bond over thrifting treasures, a Liz Lennox painting on her wall, and buying art we cannot afford, I give myself permission to pry.

My TV soap suspicions are correct. Maitland was named after an actress on Bold & The Beautiful! And, like any good storyline, her path to becoming an artist has included a few plot twists: failing high school art, a quiet inheritance of creative genes, and a whiskey glass balancing delicately on a cinnamon quill and slice of orange which captured the attention of our Editor-in-Chief and now graces our autumn front cover.

“When I finished high school I didn’t know what I wanted to study, so I didn’t force myself to go to uni,” Maitland shared.

That big fat ‘D’ for art certainly did not determine this Noosa native’s journey to the canvas.

In fact, it became a delicious full circle moment years later when her former teacher stood inside The Gallery at Peregian Beach where Maitland now works and exhibits.

The teacher paused to admire one of her paintings, unaware it belonged to the student she once poorly graded.

Every time someone buys a painting, it still feels like that first time.

“It didn’t matter,” Maitland laughed. “High school art isn’t that serious.”

In a lounge room awash with colour, canvases and beautifully restored mid-century furniture, Maitland speaks about art instinctively and lightly, as if it simply belongs to her.

Long before she sold her first painting, she was absorbing the quiet artistry of her family.

Her mother, a milliner by trade who now works in upholstery, grew up in Melbourne’s fashion scene and has always been drawn to making and mending. Her grandmother was a freehand drawer, filling drawers with intricate bird sketches that left a lasting impression on a young girl who would later find her own visual language.

On her father’s side, her grandfather was a photographer, and it was his old film camera that led Maitland to first experimenting with image-making, before turning to paint.

“My mum has always been creative,”

she says. “I remember being in awe of my grandmother’s drawings as a child, and I still wonder where those sketches ended up. I definitely inherited the camera gene from my grandfather.”

Today, Maitland blends that inherited instinct with an evolving practice, moving between loose, expressive abstraction and meticulous realism with ease, refusing to be confined to one style.

Her cocktail glass series began as an experiment during the pandemic. Isolating at home, she painted a whiskey glass for her brother, a collector.

Encouraged to produce more, she began creating luminous works of tumblers, ice cubes and botanicals that quickly gained popularity during the festive season.

Tipsy captures a quiet, mischievous spirit – playful, precarious and unexpectedly warm. It is technically precise yet conceptually light-hearted, echoing Maitland’s ability to hold tension and whimsy in the same frame.

“I don’t want to force it,” she says. “I don’t want to stop enjoying it or make it feel like a chore.”

For Maitland, art is freedom. If abstraction feels right, she leans into bold colour and movement. If realism calls, she hones in on the detail and the discipline.

Maitland Picozzi

PHOTO: IAN WALDIE

This fluidity allows her to evolve alongside her life – reflecting her inner landscape. Her earlier works were bright and busy, over time they softened into more structured, simplified compositions, and now she is returning to a looser, more lively flow – a shift she now recognises as mirroring periods of stress when she craved calm and order.

“I have wondered if people look at my abstracts and think, ‘My kid could do that,’” she chuckled. “But I think that’s good, it makes it more fun and playful. Now everything feels settled in life, I am returning to a more expressive energy.”

Beyond canvas, Maitland’s hands are rarely still. For eight years she has restored mid-century furniture for Midmodoz in Peregian Beach, a role that introduced her to woodworking and The Gallery Peregian Beach.

She makes her own float-frames (quite unconventionally) with the help of her retired dad and creates timber bowls and carvings, with plans to design lamps and functional pieces – the timber craftsmanship grounds her practice, making her a true creative chameleon.

Maitland thrives in a collaborative community, working behind-the-scenes on gallery websites, participating in group exhibitions and supporting fellow artists.

She vividly recalls her first exhibition and the surreal moment her first painting sold.

“Every time someone buys a painting, it still feels like that first time,” she says. “It never gets less special, and sometimes it makes me cry knowing someone wants my work in their home.”

One of her works now hangs in a mountainside home in France, carefully unstretched, rolled, transported and reassembled by collectors who fell in love with it while holidaying locally. The photo they later sent, still remains a milestone.

“It’s insane,” she laughed. “I have a painting in someone’s home in France.”

For Maitland, creativity has not thrived under rigid instruction but flourished in freedom. She jokes with a friend daily about becoming ‘rich and famous,’ that’s the plan, but her humour is light and there is something beautifully unapologetic in her ambition.

After all, creativity doesn’t follow a straight line, it meanders, pivots, balances and sometimes surprises even the person holding the brush.

And if her former art teacher happens to wander past her work again? Perhaps some plot twists are best left unresolved. Follow Maitland’s journey on instagram @izzocip and discover her work at Midmodoz and The Gallery Peregian Beach in Oasis Arcade, Peregian Beach. Scan the QR code to view and purchase her works online

WIN!

A LIMITED EDITION PRINT OF TIPSY!

Are you a whimsical whiskey lover? One lucky IN Noosa Magazine reader will WIN a limited edition print of Maitland’s Tipsy Simply scan the QR code for your chance to win!

Heart’s A Mess

Tipsy

Wassily at Midmodoz, Peregian Beach

TEMPERATURE

Check

The results are in from the IN Noosa Magazine reader survey, Kathy Sundstrom explores who you are and what you told us.

There is something genuinely special about hearing directly from readers.

When 541 people took the time to complete the latest IN Noosa Reader Survey, you did far more than answer a list of questions. You shared how you live, where you go, what you love about this region and how the magazine fits into that picture.

For our editorial team, it was both humbling and encouraging.

Every issue of IN Noosa Magazine is created with the hope that it reflects the spirit of this place and the people who call it home. Seeing so many readers take the time to respond, offer ideas and share thoughtful comments was a reminder of just how engaged this community really is.

The results offer a fascinating snapshot of our readers and the lifestyle that connects them.

But more than that, they are a reminder that this magazine exists because of you.

WHO YOU ARE: Local at heart

The survey confirmed something we have long suspected, IN Noosa readers feel strongly about the region they live in, or visit regularly.

Most respondents are aged 45 and over, with the largest groups sitting in the 45 to 64 age brackets. These are readers who are established in their lives and careers and who care about the places they spend their time and money.

Geographically, the readership is overwhelmingly local.

Almost two thirds of survey participants live within Noosa or the Sunshine Coast, with many others spread across southeast Queensland and a loyal group following from interstate.

Even those who live elsewhere often describe a strong connection to the region, returning regularly for holidays,

the lifestyle the area offers.

Most of our readers (70%) are working, but there is also a large representation of retirees (22%), slightly more than the Australian Bureau of Statistics national average (20%).

One other detail quietly stood out in the results: we love our pets.

Dogs are clearly popular in our IN Noosa households, with more readers reporting a dog than those without a pet. Cats and other companions also feature, suggesting pets are valued members of the family.

HOW YOU LIVE AND SPEND: An audience that values experiences.

IN Noosa readers are active participants in the local lifestyle economy and they love dining out!

Almost half of our respondents indicated they dine out one to three times a month, while a significant number (32.5% of respondents) enjoy

restaurants, cafés and bars even more frequently (four to six times a month!)

Shopping locally is not simply an idea. It is a value many readers actively live by with more than two thirds saying they consciously support local businesses whenever possible, while many say almost all their spending is local.

Over the past year, readers reported spending with cafés, restaurants and bars more than any other business category.

Retail, fashion and homewares followed closely behind, along with beauty, wellness and tourism experiences.

Looking ahead to the coming year, travel and accommodation emerged as the most popular planned investment.

Clothing, fashion, homewares and wellness experiences were also high on the list.

Many readers also indicated plans for home renovations, highlighting a strong interest in design, lifestyle and property.

family visits or simply the chance to enjoy

Congratulations to Gabrielle who will be enjoying the ultimate Hastings Street experience including two nights in a beachfront apartment at Netanya Noosa with goodies galore plus a $300 voucher from Locale Ristorante & Bar and $100 voucher from Sara Leonardi.

The message is clear: IN Noosa readers value experiences, quality and discovery. WHY YOU READ IN NOOSA

One of the most encouraging findings was the loyalty readers feel towards the magazine.

More than half of respondents say they read every issue, either cover to cover or dipping into multiple sections each edition.

Others say they regularly pick up the magazine when they see it around town. IN Noosa is most commonly discovered at our handmade magazine stands, cafés and restaurants, with many readers also finding copies in retail stores, hotels and holiday accommodation.

Print continues to lead the way.

Most readers say they read the printed edition exclusively, while others combine print with the digital version.

Many copies are shared with friends, visitors and family members, extending the reach of each issue well beyond the original reader.

When asked to describe the magazine in three words, similar themes appeared again and again: Local. Informative. Inspiring.

This is exactly what we set out to be.

Readers also described IN Noosa as vibrant, colourful, useful and relevant to life in the region.

THE SECTIONS YOU LOVE MOST

The survey revealed clear favourites among the magazine’s regular features. At the top of the list were two categories that perfectly reflect the lifestyle of the region: food, drink and dining plus local events.

Close behind were travel features, local people and profiles, and stories about home, design and interiors.

Readers also enjoy fashion, wellness and arts coverage, showing the broad range of interests across the audience.

We also asked about the balance between editorial content and advertising and we were incredibly encouraged by your response.

The vast majority of readers believe the balance is just right, which is particularly important as the support of local advertisers makes the magazine possible.

WHAT YOU WANT MORE OF

Across hundreds of responses and selections, several clear themes emerged about the stories readers would love to see more often.

Many are keen to discover the people behind the region’s food, craft and creative industries, with strong interest in local makers and producers.

Restaurant and dining features remain high on the wish list, along with ideas for activities and experiences, from markets to events that help shape weekends and holidays.

Home and lifestyle inspiration continues to attract attention, particularly interior design, gardens and homewares, while readers are also curious about the entrepreneurs and innovators building successful local businesses.

Together, the responses highlight a strong appetite for practical inspiration and authentic local storytelling.

IMPACT ON LOCAL BUSINESS

One of the most powerful insights from the survey is how strongly readers

respond to the businesses featured in the magazine.

When readers see a business featured in IN Noosa, many take the next step, visiting websites, searching online, following brands on social media or dropping in to see the business in person, and often going on to make bookings or purchases.

More than half of respondents say they have visited a business after seeing it in the magazine. A similar number say they have booked restaurants or appointments as a direct result of something they read.

Many others say that even when they do not act immediately, the magazine builds awareness and trust in the businesses it features.

This trust is reflected in another powerful statistic: most readers say they feel more positive about a business if it appears in IN Noosa.

IN NOOSA EXPERIENCES

The survey also explored readers’ interest in experiences connected to the magazine.

Food and drink events emerged as the most popular option, followed by long lunches, chef collaborations and tours of local producers. Art, culture and music events were also high on the list, along with wellness retreats and workshops.

That enthusiasm opens exciting possibilities for the future.

A FINAL WORD FROM YOU

Across hundreds of comments, one message appeared again and again.

Readers appreciate having a magazine that celebrates local life and showcases the region’s businesses, experiences and people.

Many said they pick up a copy whenever they see it around town or share it with visitors and friends.

Perhaps the most rewarding feedback of all was the sense of connection readers feel with the magazine.

Many of you said IN Noosa feels like part of the community.

That is the greatest compliment any local publication could receive.

Your feedback helps shape every future edition of the magazine. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share their thoughts.

IN Noosa exists because of this community and it continues to grow because of you.

Thank you!

Noosa Civic INSIDE

More than a place to shop, Noosa Civic is where everyday life unfolds – from weekday errands and school-holiday fun to community moments that bring locals together. Jodie Cameron explores INside Noosa Civic…

A local favourite for groceries, lastminute gifts, fashion finds, familyfriendly feeds and dining delights, Noosa Civic is a meeting place, family pit stop, weekday ritual and a thriving hub of community life waiting to be explored!

PARENTS & KIDS: NOOSA CIVIC HAS YOUR BACK!

As a mum of two active boys, I’m always on the hunt for a low-stress, kid-friendly haven and Noosa Civic offers families entertainment, convenience and a moment to pause, all under one roof!

Parent-friendly with free fun for kids

Enjoy FREE fun for your little ones with popular local children’s entertainer Miss Donna (or one of her team) every Tuesday from 9.30am to 10.30am. Visit the website to discover a different activity theme each week! Conveniently located at the food court end of the centre, next to the under-5’s children’s play space and adjacent to the parents rooms where you’ll find everything you need (microwaves, junior toilets, private feeding areas) to keep calm and keep exploring.

Parking is easy too with signed ‘Parents-with-Prams’ carparks located at the front of the centre.

School Holidays & What’s On

When school’s out, Noosa Civic turns up the fun with free, family-friendly activities designed to entertain kids –and parents too.

This Easter, discover circus-themed Putt Putt with a FREE gift (while stocks last). Come and play, and come back again another day.

Meet the Easter Bunny!

Hop along on Easter Saturday 4 April

to meet the Easter Bunny who will be handing out chocolicious treats and non-choccie gifts for the young, or young at heart!

LIFE ADMIN MADE EASY!

Looking for fuss-free access to a Justice of the Peace? You’ll find friendly volunteers located at the food court entry, opposite Bikini Hut on Tuesday from 1pm to 4pm, and Thursday and Friday from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Walk-ins are welcome, no appointment needed.

Easy Accessibility

Noosa Civic is fully accessible, offering FREE wheelchair and motor scooter hire Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm. Bookings can be made by calling 5440 7900. Accessible car parks, and dedicated accessible restrooms are available at either end of the centre.

A TRUE COMMUNITY HUB

Giving back is part of the fabric at Noosa Civic, from food rescue and book sharing to charity gift wrapping, the centre proudly supports local organisations and the people who call Noosa home.

The Little Community Library

Take, donate or swap books and connect with likeminded book-loving locals. Discover a new author, or help inspire someone to rediscover their book mojo. Located outside Woolworths next to The Little Community Pantry.

Mother’s Day Gift Wrapping

Sunday 10 May is Mother’s Day and nothing says ‘I love you’ more than a personally-selected and beautifully wrapped present. From 7-9 May, Noosa Civic provides the wrapping paper and ribbons, and for a small donation your gift will be wrapped with 100% of

donations going to SunnyKids, helping vulnerable children and families access life-changing services.

Did you know?

Every Christmas Noosa Civic supports five local charities (KNGO, Red Cross, Cancer Council, Katie Rose Cottage Hospice & SunnyKids). In 2025, volunteers and the community raised $15,987 across the five charities. That’s some mighty feel-good gift-giving!

Local charities can also take advantage of casual mall leasing with pop-up sites available in the centre to raise awareness and engage with the local community.

The Little Community Pantry

Supporting OzHarvest Sunshine Coast and giving hope to those in need while helping protect the environment, donations can be left at The Little Community Pantry near Woolworths, including:

• Non-perishable foods: canned protein, vegetable and fruits, pasta, rice and cereal, long-life products, tea, coffee, biscuits, nuts and dried fruits

• Non-food items: toiletries, personal care and hygiene

Items should be within their use-bydate and unopened.

In 2025, 740kg of food waste was collected from Noosa Civic – providing 1,483 meals. A big shout-out to the community for helping The Little Community Pantry make a big impact!

WHAT’S

NEW

Looking for a place to perch up with good eats and service with a smile?

From the owners of The Coolum Social comes The Civic Social – a welcoming brunch hub and espresso bar where creativity meets consistency, community can gather, and the staff feel like family.

Attention all tweens, teens and fashionistas in between, Supre has arrived at Noosa Civic, head in-store for denim, basics and statement pieces. Cotton On Body is expanding into a larger space, with increased ranges of active, sleep, and underwear.

In a town that values lifestyle as much as convenience, Noosa Civic is where locals linger, visitors discover a relaxed haven, and everyday errands are made easy and enjoyable. There’s always something to discover at this treasure trove of experiences and retailers!

Play. Sip. Shop.

Noosa Civic, where a play date, a coffee catch-up or an errand-run with some retail therapy, is all part of the visit.

WHAT’S ON

• EGGSELLENT EASTER ADVENTURES

Meet the Easter Bunny on Easter Saturday 4 April from 10am to 1pm.

• PUTT PUTT FUN

Enjoy the circus-themed Putt Putt on Easter Saturday 4 April and from 7-10 April and 13-17 April, 10am to 2pm.

• MOTHER’S DAY CHARITY GIFT WRAPPING

Impress Mum and support SunnyKids - open daily from 7 to 9 May

• TUESDAY KIDS PLAY DAY

Enjoy FREE fun every Tuesday from 9.30am to 10.30am, including during school holidays

• JUSTICE OF THE PEACE SERVICE Every Tuesday from 1pm to 4pm plus Thursdays and Fridays from 9.30am to 12.30pm

It’s your one-stop destination in Noosa for shopping, banking, beauty, fitness, health, medical and a little bit of time out.

Big W • Woolworths • 100 specialty stores

28 Eenie Creek Road (Cnr Walter Hay Drive) Noosaville

Gift Wrapping

Illusion THE AI

The share market has been spooked by artificial intelligence. But before you write off your technology stocks, it pays to know what you actually own.

Matthew Auger, Stockbroker and Partner at Morgans Noosa, has a Bill Gates quote he returns to often: We always overestimate the change that will occur in the next two years and underestimate the change that will occur in the next ten. Don't let yourself be lulled into inaction.

It's a useful antidote to the market hysteria that has recently gripped technology stocks since the beginning of 2026. If you've glanced at your portfolio lately and noticed some familiar names looking rather bruised, you're not imagining it. Understanding what has shifted, and why, is the difference between panic-selling a quality company and recognising an opportunity.

Ask most people to name a technology stock and they'll throw out the usual suspects. Microsoft. Google. NVIDIA. Xero. Realestate.com.au. In the popular imagination, they're all the same animal, “tech”, lumped together under the one roof, rising and falling as a collective.

The trouble with that thinking is it's wrong. And lately, it's been costing investors their money.

“There's an umbrella of technology stocks and then there's all these subcategories underneath that can have a very different effect on each other,” says Matthew.

When AI exploded into public consciousness, the initial read was straightforwardly positive. Companies investing in AI infrastructure, data centres, cloud computing and chips, were

rewarded. The logic was clean: AI is the future, and companies building the future are worth backing.

Then the sentiment flipped. The question that began haunting the market wasn't whether AI would succeed, it was whether its success would destroy the very companies investors already owned.

The concern cuts to the heart of how the technology sector makes its money. Companies like Microsoft, Xero, and WiseTech don't sell you a product once. They sell you a subscription. You pay to use their software year after year. It's called Software-as-a-Service, and it turned these companies into the darlings of the share market: reliable, recurring revenue, predictable growth.

Now imagine AI can do what that software does. No subscription required. You simply ask.

“Will you need software when you can get AI to do it? That's the concern with the likes of Xero for example. Will you need accounting software when you could get AI to generate a tax return?” Matthew asks.

The market’s verdict has been swift and, frankly, brutal. Microsoft, one of the most valuable companies on the planet, traded at USD$553 a share in late October last year. By early February it had fallen to USD$401. A 27.5 per cent haircut in barely three months, built almost entirely on fear of what AI might eventually do rather than what it is doing right now.

The same sentiment has rolled through the Australian market. Our homegrown online classifieds, realestate.com.au, carsales.com.au, and Seek, have copped a hiding on the theory that AI will make them redundant. Why use REA when you

The artificial intelligence boom has spooked investors into treating every technology stock as a single, burning building. John Caruso learns that the smartest money in the room knows the difference between the smoke and the fire.

could simply ask an AI engine to find you a four-bedroom house with all the trimmings in Noosa Waters?

And hardware companies like NVIDIA, which makes the chips that power AI's voracious appetite for computing, face a different kind of anxiety altogether, not that AI will replace them, but that the enormous sums being poured into AI infrastructure might slow, dry up, or simply prove to have been wildly overblown.

Three distinct categories of stock, three distinct sets of fears, all wearing the same “technology” badge. It's no wonder investors are confused.

Here's where Matthew pushes back against the prevailing gloom, not dismissively, but with the kind of measured confidence that comes from reading the results rather than the headlines.

“Morgans' view is that AI is a boom, not a bubble. This sell-down in technology companies is an opportunity to buy good growth companies at a far more attractive price,” he says.

Take the online classifieds. The theory that AI will make realestate.com.au obsolete assumes that an AI engine can replicate what REA, Seek, and Carsales have, and it can't.

“REA has a lot of internal data which makes it far more useful to consumers and to real estate agents,” Matthew notes. An AI model scraping the open internet for property listings is fishing in a shallow pond compared to the deep, proprietary databases these businesses have spent twenty-five years building. In the market, this is called a moat. These three

businesses carry strong balance sheets and are well positioned to integrate AI as a tool rather than be consumed by it.

Software companies are a more nuanced call, but Matthew isn’t ready to write them off either.

“These very same companies are also using AI and adding it to their products,” he says. “Take WiseTech, the dominant global provider of logistics software, already investing in agentic AI to sharpen its offering to customers. Xero faces a harder road, but it manages the compliance-heavy business of talking to the ATO. I’m sceptical most people will trust AI with their tax affairs. Imagine

telling the ATO your books aren’t in order due to AI.”

Then there's the hardware end of the spectrum. NextDC, Australia's leading listed data centre company, recently won approval for a new 300-megawatt facility in Horsley Park, Sydney, built to serve the hyperscalers. If the AI build-out continues, NextDC sits directly in the path of that demand.

The key question for all of this, Matthew acknowledges, is capital. Are companies like Microsoft and Amazon spending sustainably, or are they writing cheques their future earnings won't be able to cover? For now, the answer favours the incumbents.

“The hyperscalers have massive cash flow that easily covers the amount they're planning to spend. We think they're perfectly capable of doing so,” he says.

That’s where the team at Morgans Noosa comes in. Technology stocks suit

investors looking for growth rather than income, and they can be volatile when sentiment turns. The right approach depends on each client’s goals. For those who don't want to pick individual names, exchange traded funds (ETFs) offer broad exposure across the sector.

For those who want to go deeper, Morgans carries research on individual Australian and international stocks.

“We keep a close eye on these companies,” says Matthew. “Especially in this environment, where what the actual business is doing and what the market thinks it’s doing can be very different things.”

What matters most is understanding what you’re buying when you buy “tech.” Software, hardware, and online classifieds are not the same bet.

They face different risks, carry different strengths, and right now they’re priced as though the damage ahead will be far worse than Morgans believes it will be.

The market, as it often does, has reached for a blunt instrument where a scalpel was needed.

DISCLAIMER: The advice in this story is of a generic nature. You should seek your own personalised advice before making any financial decisions.

Matthew Auger

Extraordinary QUIETLY

Success, it turns out, is a lot less about being the smartest person in the room and a lot more about how you show up in the world. Spend any time with the people who have sat opposite me on the Everyone Has A Story: Conversations from the Sunshine Coast and Noosa podcast and a pattern starts to emerge. Different industries, backstories, yet the same core ingredients rise to the surface.

Often it starts in places that are anything but glamorous. For landscaper Stuart Bain, it was his mum’s garden and a teenage realisation that he loved building and creating things more than lecture theatres or lab coats. He followed that curiosity from Burnley Horticultural College to Kew Gardens and eventually launched Earth Creation Landscapes on the Coast. For Founder’s Formula owner Ann Donnarumma, growing up in Bundaberg meant Lonely Planet guides and a restless sense of a bigger world beyond crab sandwiches and small crop farms. She washed cars for five dollars, picked snow peas for four dollars a bucket and learned early that if you wanted something, you worked for it.

There is a common moment where backing yourself moves from theory to practice. Ann walked past a tired little beauty salon near her Suncorp office in Brisbane, saw a filthy for-sale sign and thought, how hard could it be. She convinced her boss to let her go parttime, talked her mum into mortgaging the family home and started working sixty hours a week, determined her mum would not lose the house. Within two years she had grown that one salon into a chain of six.

Kristine and Todd Young looked at Bella Venezia in Mooloolaba saw not just an Italian restaurant but a stage. The trophy cabinet is bursting with awards and recognition from not just locally but on the world stage. That success has seen them open another venue in Mooloolaba, Fish House Steak & Grill, which was awarded its first Chef’s Hat in the Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG), earning an impressive 13-point score and joining the top one per cent of restaurants

John Caruso has been hosting our podcast for almost a decade. He’s learnt that success leaves clues and many guests have left trails worth following.

nationwide. It looks set to follow in the success of Bella Venezia which received its fourth consecutive Chef’s Hat.

Since Kristine’s childhood, her dream had been to perform around the world but these days her theatre is conducting the two restaurants, 364 days a year.

She describes each service as their own Super Bowl. Most of Bella’s staff have been there more than five years, in an industry where many last five weeks. The culture is built on discipline, systems and the belief that everyone in the building is either a player or a coach.

Matt Hobson from Sunshine and Sons Premium Spirits and Nil Desperandum Rum grew up on an East Gippsland farm, zigzagged through aviation around the world and eventually landed back in Australia wanting to build something of his own. The distillery at Woombye opened in March 2020, just as COVID emptied pubs and bars. What kept them alive was a retailer willing to champion a local brand when it mattered most. Their products have won accolades around the world and at home with the latest seeing the distillery crowned as Best Queensland Distillery for the second year running at the Royal Queensland Distilled Spirits

Awards. Matt still talks about Sunshine and Sons not as a transactions business, but as a relationships business.

That focus on people over product runs through almost every conversation. When Stuart speaks about Earth Creation Landscapes, he doesn’t start with profit. He talks about Derick, a crew member who battled serious illness, and a team who donated sick leave so he would be looked after. He is fussy about straight screw lines and clean uniforms, but just as fussy about culture.

Kristine tells a similar story differently. The secret at Bella Venezia is not just the wine list or the hand-rolled pasta. It is the way she and Todd identify each team member’s strengths and design roles around them. The waiter

Nikki Fogden-Moore

Todd and Kristine Young

David and Ellie Ezrine

with a quiet obsession for wine becomes a sommelier. The front-of-house gun becomes a mentor.

Ann’s journey arcs from Bundaberg to London, Canada and Rome, from banking to teaching English to officers in the Italian Secret Service, from salons to education and now into natural cleaning and Australian botanical skincare. She built Demi International from a tiny beauty school into a multi-campus registered training organisation with more than 700 students, sold 80 per cent to private equity, then got bored and bought two more businesses. She is clear that her job is to take something from tiny to thriving, then step aside.

Coach and author Nikki Fogden-Moore works with the people who sit in boardrooms and quietly wonder what happens next. She calls herself the ‘Mojo Maker’, a label that her clients gave her when they realised she helped them get their spark back. Her work is grounded in neuroscience but the way she explains it is about sustainable decisions rather than running on empty. Men, she says, carry a lot of weight in silence and need safe spaces to talk about self-doubt and fear without it being weaponised. That is

why she runs men’s retreats, boardroom programs and a boat boardroom on the ocean, where strategy, legacy and succession are discussed between casting lures and cooking up the catch.

Publisher Deb Caruso realised the Coast was full of stories not being told well. On sabbatical from a high-powered career in PR and Corporate Communications and keen to engage meaningfully with her community, she volunteereed as Vice President of Slow Food Noosa, on the social and governance boards of the Noosa Biosphere, and was hosting a community radio show when she identified the opportunity to connect the community through storytelling. IN Noosa Magazine and Hello Sunshine Magazine grew from there and has been supporting businesses and engaging readers in a meaningful and authentic way across print, digital and in person for more than 12 years. Old-fashioned publishing in the best possible way, community connections backed by business savvy spreadsheets and a clear understanding of the audience.

Out at The Kin Kin Hotel, David Ezrine is quietly redefining what a country pub can be. He and Ellie arrived during COVID, crossed the bridge into town, took a selfie with the pub in the background and a few weeks later had it under contract. David had spent decades building Big Green Egg into a global barbecue legend. In Kin Kin he is combining that experience with design, agriculture and hospitality: a market garden across the road, fermented sourdough, whole animals broken down for charcuterie and a menu that changes daily. He wants his kids to chop wood, serve over a bar and build something real.

The more you listen, the more those

common ingredients crystallise. Courage, often quiet, in saying ‘yes’ before you feel ready. A relentless insistence on quality, whether it is straight screw lines in a fence, the polish on a wine glass, the finest of ingredients or the layout of a magazine spread. An understanding that culture is not written on a wall but expressed in sick leave donations, long tenures and honest conversations. A willingness to reinvent without losing the thread of who you are.

Stuart’s prostate cancer scare and the loss of his dad forced him to reassess what life should look like. Ann now plans her exits from the start rather than waking up fourteen years in and realising she has stayed too long. Nikki has built a whole program around what she calls ‘life after awesome’. Matt wants Sunshine & Sons on home bars from Cairns to Hobart but is just as focused on the relationships and community that support that vision. Deb measures success in the way local businesses thrive and how people collect and keep issues of the magazines. For David, it is locals treating The Kin Kin Hotel as their own and his children learning through doing. Everyone Has A Story. In this case, though, the stories of success share a spine. Know who you are. Do the work, properly. Invest in people. Keep learning. Be brave enough to reinvent. And keep redefining what success looks like as life unfolds.

WANT MORE? Head to our SUCCESS PLAYLIST to hear more!

Matt Hobson

Ann Donnarumma

Stuart Bain

Nikki Fogden-Moore explains why health is on your P&L, happiness is a leadership strategy, and the world’s best leaders are training like athletes.

COOL TO BE

A Fit CEO

Something has shifted. In boardrooms, on podcasts, in the green spaces of Noosa and around the globe in cities where founders and CEOs are building their mark, there’s a new kind of leader emerging - one who wears their wellness as a badge of honour. The C-suite is, quite literally, moving! And, rather than being a soft trend, it’s becoming a hard competitive advantage.

Ten years ago I called this a ‘Fitpreneur’ encouraging executives to “be the CEO of your life as well as your business”, calling on them to “prevent burn out, optimise the time and benefits of success and to not strip away what matters most (health) as you build wealth.”

For years, burning out was somehow confused with burning bright. Leaders wore exhaustion like a status symbolthe earlier the alarm, the longer the meeting, the more heroic the grind. But the data, and frankly common sense, has caught up. The leaders who are winning right now - sustainably, joyfully, significantly; are the ones who have built their energy, clarity, and wellbeing into their business strategy. Not as an afterthought but as a foundation.

Welcome to the era of the Fit CEO where we see business influencers posting their workout routines as much as their strategic top tips. I for one, am all for it.

Your health is not separate from your business. It is the engine that runs it. Here’s how to take that statement off paper and put it into action: Health is on your P&L, whether you account for it or not

Every business tracks its profit and loss. Revenue in, costs out = net result. But here’s what most leaders aren’t

tracking: the cost of their own depletion. Poor sleep erodes decision-making. Chronic stress compresses creative thinking. A body running on empty leads a business running on fumes. Conversely, a leader who prioritises their physical vitality - who sleeps well, moves daily, fuels intentionally - shows up with more capacity, presence and strategic clarity. This isn’t wellness rhetoric. This is operational logic. Your personal energy is an asset, and it belongs on your P&L.

Think of it this way: if your most important piece of business equipment was running at 40% capacity, you’d fix it immediately. So why do we accept running ourselves at a fraction of our potential and call it ‘just being busy’?

The Fit CEO doesn’t separate their physical health from their business performance. They invest in it, protect it, and optimise it, because they understand that their body is their most important business tool.

Happiness Is Not a Reward for Hard Work. It’s a Leadership Prerequisite.

We’ve been told happiness comes after success. Hit the target, then celebrate. Achieve the goal, then rest. But science and lived experience tells us the opposite is true. Happiness fuels performance, not the other way around. Leaders who cultivate genuine wellbeing and who have joy in their days, purpose in their work, and real connection in their lives, make better decisions, attract better teams, and build more resilient organisations. Wellbeing isn’t soft. It’s strategic.

This is at the heart of what I call the Superleaders framework: a model built on four pillars: Healthy, Wealthy, Happy, and Wise. These aren’t separate life categories. They are a single, integrated operating system for a leader who wants

to be exceptional in business and extraordinary in life.

Happy leaders don’t just perform better; they create cultures where others thrive. They lead with perspective rather than panic. They make decisions from a place of abundance rather than fear. And in a world of constant change, that psychological stability is priceless.

Think like a CEO. Plan like a visionary. Train and live like an athlete.

The Athletic Mindset: How Today’s Leaders Train to Lead

The world’s most effective leaders share something surprising with elite athletes: they treat their performance as a system, not a series of isolated efforts. They periodise their energy. They recover with intention. They train their minds and bodies with the same rigour they apply to their strategy.

Think like a CEO with complete clarity on where you’re going and why it matters. Every elite athlete knows their goal. They don’t just show up and wing it. Neither should you. Clarity of vision is the starting gun.

Plan like a visionary mapping not just the quarter, but the life you’re building around it. The best leaders I’ve worked with don’t just plan their business calendar. They plan their energy calendar. When are they at peak performance? When do they need to recover? How are they structuring their days to protect both deep work and genuine rest?

Train and live like an athlete because how you show up physically shapes how you show up in every room, every conversation, every decision. The morning movement that sharpens your focus. The sleep that restores your judgement. The nutrition that fuels your thinking. These are not lifestyle luxuries.

Nikki Fogden-Moore

They are performance protocols.

The Fit CEO doesn’t compartmentalise their life into work and wellness. They integrate them, understanding that the two-kilometre beach walk at dawn isn’t time away from the business. It’s time invested in running it better.

The Superleaders Difference

What separates a good leader from a truly great one is rarely technical skill. It’s capacity. The capacity to think clearly when things get hard; to hold vision through uncertainty; capacity to inspire others without depleting yourself.

The Superleaders framework exists because I’ve seen too many brilliant people reach the top of their game and find it hollow: successful on paper, running on empty in life. And I’ve seen others who have built both: a thriving business and a life that lights them up. The difference is intentional design.

Healthy. Wealthy. Happy. Wise. Not in sequence, but simultaneously. Not as goals, but as a way of operating every single day. And it starts with one radical decision: to stop treating your wellbeing as separate from your success, and start recognising that it is the source of it.

We’re lucky to live in a place that naturally invites this kind of life where

the ocean is an office and the morning run is a boardroom strategy session. That’s why I chose to run my business, retreats and my world from this magic destination. The environment is already on our side. Are we saying yes to it?

You don’t have to choose between a great life and a great business. The secret is they’re built from the same things.

The Participation Manifesto

The single greatest shift I’ve seen in the leaders I work with happens when they stop spectating and start participating. When they sign up for the triathlon, the golf day, the swim, the hike they’ve been ‘thinking about’. When they join the surf club, the running group, the tennis or pickleball ladder.

Participation has a way of humbling you, exciting you, and reconnecting you with the version of yourself that hasn’t been buried under deadlines. You remember that you’re not just a CEO, a director, a founder, you’re a human being with a body that was designed to move, compete, and feel genuinely alive.

So sign up for something. Not next year. Now. The registration is the first rep. The Fit CEO isn’t a trend. It’s the new standard.

And more importantly, it works.

THE 6 VITAL INGREDIENTS

Non-negotiable principles that separate peak performers from the merely busy.

1. PARTICIPATION OVER PERFECTION

Sign up. Show up. Say yes to the race, the game, the challenge. Being in the arena is what keeps you sharp, humble and alive.

2. RECOVERY IS NOT OPTIONAL

The sauna, the sleep, the ocean dipthese are not luxuries. They are performance protocols. Build them in or burn out.

3. MOVEMENT IS MEDICINE

Surf, run, lift, paddle, walk — the type matters less than the consistency. Move every day. In some way. No exceptions.

4. YOUR TEAM IS PART OF YOUR TRAINING

A great trainer, a good coach, a community of people who push you - invest in this. You don’t have to figure it out alone.

5. EVENTS CHANGE EVERYTHING

Training for something changes your relationship with your body and your time. Pick an event every quarter. Train with purpose.

6. ON IS NOT THE GOAL

Being switched ON all the time is not a superpower - it’s a warning sign. The goal is oscillation: full on, then fully off. www.nikkifogdenmoore.com

Human Firewall YOUR WEALTH’S

In an age of deepfakes, AI and highly convincing online scams, the greatest risk to Australians’ wealth is no longer market volatility, but the absence of human connection.

Kathy Sundstrom speaks to a local Private Wealth Advisory Team who have made cybersafety their personal mission.

When it comes to protecting your life savings, the greatest threat is no longer market volatility, global politics or even an underperforming Superannuation fund. The most immediate and rapidly growing danger to the wealth of Australians is sophisticated investment scams.

According to Scamwatch’s Targeting Scams report, Australians reported losses of more than $940 million to investment scams in 2024. These losses are rarely the result of reckless risk-taking. Increasingly, they affect people making what appear to be sensible, conservative financial decisions.

In a world where criminals can create fake websites that closely mimic legitimate institutions, impersonate trusted financial brands and even deploy deepfake videos and voices; trusted, personal financial advice has never been more important.

Thankfully, Noosa residents don’t have to travel far for that personal, professional advice. It is available on their doorstep.

Ord Minnett is an Australian-owned wealth and investment services firm that has advised individuals, families, businesses and organisations for more than seven decades.

In Noosa, financial advisers Chris Harris and Tom Hartvigsen bring nearly 40 years of combined experience in markets, portfolio construction and long-term wealth strategy from their office in Noosa Drive.

Their depth of knowledge allows them to identify quality opportunities and position clients’ money for growth. For many clients, it is the human side of the relationship that proves most valuable.

Sharon McManus, who was new to the Sunshine Coast when she chose to seek the advice of Ord Minnett, says the personal attention made all the difference.

“After comparing other financial consultants, the decision to go with Chris and Tom was an easy one,” she says. “Any concerns I had about transitioning to retirement were quickly eased by their thorough knowledge, their ability to communicate in a way I could understand, and their constant willingness to be available to answer my questions.

“I would recommend Ord Minnett to anyone seeking a highly professional team who are passionate about helping individuals with their financial security but who care about you and your needs as well.”

Stories like Sharon’s highlight why face-to-face advice still matters. Chris says the absence of personal contact is often a red flag in scam cases.

“We know of Noosa residents who were simply looking for a competitive term deposit rate,” he says.

“They did a Google search, clicked on what appeared to be a comparison site at the top of the page, and were presented with options using the names of wellknown wealth firms.”

Unfortunately, those sites were controlled by criminals impersonating legitimate institutions.

“They were set up on a fake investment platform and communicated entirely online, mostly through WhatsApp,” Chris says. “They never met their ‘adviser’ in person. Everything looked professional.”

It was only months later, when they tried to withdraw funds, that they discovered the truth.

“By then, their entire life savings were gone,” Chris said.

In this environment, the ability to sit across the table from a real adviser provides more than reassurance, it adds a vital layer of protection.

“The value of being able to walk into a local office and meet your adviser faceto-face cannot be overstated,” Chris says.

That human oversight is reinforced by Ord Minnett’s strong focus on cyber security. The firm operates a dedicated Security Centre that monitors client accounts and personal information around the clock.

“We invest heavily in leading-edge security systems and technologies,” Tom says. “But technology alone isn’t enough.”

Instead, Ord Minnett combines systems with personal verification.

“Cybercriminals target humans,” Tom explains. “That’s why we personally confirm transactions and changes to account details directly with our clients.

“If something doesn’t look right, we stop and check.”

This bystander approach of having experienced professionals actively watching over clients’ financial affairs has

PHOTO:

Tom Hartvigsen and Chris Harris

...the ability to sit across the table from a real adviser provides more than reassurance, it adds a vital layer of protection.

become increasingly valuable.

Long-term client Heather Glen says that sense of care has been consistent throughout her relationship with the firm.

“I’ve experienced a consistently high level of care and consideration throughout the entire planning and investment process,” she says. “What impressed me most was the long-term commitment. We’ve been working together for almost two decades and the outcome has far exceeded my expectations.”

For Chris, taking a long-term view is fundamental.

“Good advice isn’t just about today’s returns,” he says. “It’s about understanding where clients want to be in five, ten or twenty years, and protecting them along the way.”

That holistic approach is echoed by Jeff Prebble, who has worked with Chris and

his team for more than a decade.

“Chris has looked at the whole picture - not just for us, but for our children and grandchildren as well,” he says. “He is extremely competent, freely available, and always happy to provide reassurance and clear advice.”

At the same time, clients retain full visibility over their investments. Ord Minnett’s secure platform allows access at any time, while maintaining rigorous safeguards in the background.

“Our clients can track their investments whenever they choose,” Chris says. “But they also know there is a team actively looking out for them.”

With access to wholesale and premarket investment opportunities, and the backing of one of Australia’s oldest wealth and investment firms, Ord Minnett Noosa offers something increasingly rare: trusted advice delivered by real people, grounded in genuine local relationships.

When the stakes are your life savings, that human presence can make all the difference.

DISCLAIMER: The advice in this story is of a generic nature. You should seek your own personalised advice before making any financial decisions.

SAFETY FIRST:

Tips to safeguard your accounts and money include:

USE STRONG, UNIQUE PASSWORDS: Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts and use a mix of letters, numbers and symbols, or use a password manager to keep track.

AVOID SUSPICIOUS LINKS:

Do not click unknown links or download unknown attachments from sources that are not known to you or trustworthy.

BEWARE OF PHISHING SCAMS:

Be cautious of emails, calls, or texts asking for personal details or financial data. Legitimate institutions will never ask for sensitive details via these channels.

SECURE YOUR DEVICES:

Use PINs, biometrics, and auto-lock functions on devices.

SHRED PERSONAL DOCUMENTS:

Physically destroy documents with sensitive information.

MONITOR ACCOUNTS FREQUENTLY:

Check your accounts regularly to spot any unusual transactions early.

AVOID PUBLIC WI-FI FOR FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS:

Don’t log into banking or investment accounts on unsecured networks.

BE CAUTIOUS WITH SHARING:

Limit the information shared online, such as details like your full name, phone number, email, birthday or address.

Local advice, national network

wealth is working for you.

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Contact Chris Harris and Tom Hartvigsen today on (07) 5231 9966, noosa@ords.com.au

Queenstown OWN YOUR DREAM

For holidaymakers who return to Queenstown year after year, the idea of owning a place of their own abode can feel both irresistible and out of reach, but a new local advisory business is helping turn that dream into a carefully considered reality. Kathy Sundstrom writes.

Who doesn’t love a skiing holiday in Queenstown, New Zealand?

With regular flights from the Sunshine Coast Airport, New Zealand has become one of the easiest international escapes for families seeking alpine adventures.

For many, the only real barrier is finding suitable, affordable accommodation during peak season when demand surges and prices follow.

Thanks to a new, locally-owned initiative, Southern Haven Property Advisory, finding a property in Queenstown does not have to remain a dream, with local guidance now available to help families understand the reality of what may be involved.

Like many Australians, Kyle Clark and her family holidayed in Queenstown every winter, only to struggle finding affordable rentals. They began imagining a place of their own and assumed buying in New Zealand would be straightforward.

“An agent said to me, ‘Australians think buying in New Zealand is easy until it’s not,’ and that really stuck with me,” she says.

Navigating lending requirements, foreign buyer rules, and deciphering Queenstown’s strict visitor accommodation policies quickly proved more complex than expected.

“Queenstown, like Noosa, requires the correct visitor accommodation consent, and without it you can’t simply list on Airbnb whenever you want,” she explains.

After trial, error and a steep learning curve, the family secured an apartment with the appropriate consent that allowed them to stay when they wished and also rent it out to provide a revenue stream year-round.

“We found an average apartment in the right area, made sure it had the correct permit attached, and went from there,” Kyle says. “We then engaged a local

property management company to handle bookings across Airbnb, Booking.com and Stayz, effectively turning what had been a costly annual holiday into something close to cost-neutral.

“We used to spend about $5,000 for ten days each winter, and now the property largely funds itself.”

Friends, then friends of friends began asking how they had managed to make it work.

“People would say, ‘How did you do this, and is it possible for us too?’” she says.

With a professional background in transformational change management spanning two decades, Kyle recognised that what overwhelmed people most was not the dream itself, but the convoluted process behind it.

“My career has always been about guiding people through complex, high stakes change and helping them make clear decisions without pressure,” she says.

That experience became the foundation for Southern Haven Property Advisory, a business designed to sit before real estate

agents, lenders and lawyers to help people safely navigate what is involved to be a New Zealand homeowner.

It helps prospective buyers safely determine whether owning property in New Zealand is genuinely right for them before signing a contract.

“This is not a real estate service,” Kyle explains. “It is independent decision guidance to help people work out whether buying in Queenstown or Wanaka is right for their life before they transact.”

Southern Haven Property Advisory focuses on what Kyle calls decision sequencing, helping clients understand the order in which to speak to brokers, accountants, lawyers and property managers.

“Most people don’t know what questions to ask, who to ask them of, or when to ask them, and that is where expensive mistakes happen,” she says.

The advisory model is deliberately lifestyle-led rather than yield-led.

“We help clients decide clearly, and only transact if and when it genuinely serves them,” Kyle says.

Through a structured framework developed from her own experience, clients can explore everything from cross border lending criteria to zoning nuances in suburbs such as Arthurs Point, which sits just five minutes from central Queenstown.

“Someone new to the market has no way of knowing which areas suit visitor accommodation and which don’t, and local insight matters,” she says.

Kyle also connects clients with brokers who specialise in international lending, noting that many foreign buyers are required to provide deposits of up to thirty per cent.

“Navigating which banks will lend to Australians and under what conditions is one of the biggest hurdles,” she says.

Kyle also connects interested parties with trusted New Zealand real estate

agents who can highlight suitable listings, often before they come on market.

These local insights and connections can save prospective buyers thousands of dollars upfront, and hours of headaches navigating challenges they would not have had the experience and knowledge to foresee.

Importantly, Southern Haven does not provide legal or financial advice, nor does it merge advisory and sales into one offer.

“We operate before the transaction, not inside it, and that keeps the advice calm and independent,” Kyle says.

For Kyle, the most rewarding part of the

journey has been helping other families access the same four-season lifestyle her own family enjoys.

“We love travelling to Queenstown and Wanaka for adventure and family time, and now we love connecting the dots for others who want to explore that dream thoughtfully,” she says.

In a market where urgency often drives decisions, Southern Haven is built on slowing the process down.

“The right lifestyle decision should never feel rushed,” Kyle says. “It should feel clear.”

As clear as the Queenstown skies!

SOUTHERN HAVEN

Kyle Clark

Noosa’s New and Exclusive Wedding Estate

Set on 200 acres at the foot of Mount Eerwah in the Noosa Hinterland, Eerwah Vale Estate is an expansive private estate combining sweeping paddocks, tranquil rainforest, and a Marquee Lawn for up to 200 guests.

Just 25 minutes from Hastings Street, it provides a private and extraordinary backdrop for your luxury wedding.

PHOTO: @TAYANDFRANCIS

Dreams WHERE WEDDING

Come True

Rolling paddocks, mountain views and rare privacy set the scene for a new wedding destination just minutes from Noosa. Kathy Sundstrom discovers the stunning Eerwah Vale Estate. Every couple deserves a dream wedding setting that provides space for their story. A place where the landscape, light and lush backdrop combine to frame a moment to be remembered forever.

Just 25 minutes from Noosa, Eerwah Vale Estate (EVE) at the foot of Mount Eerwah, has transformed a former dairy property into an elegant new wedding and events destination.

Spread across 200 acres of rolling countryside, the Estate offers a rare venue where the setting shapes the ceremony, the celebration and the photographs that will capture the moment. It is peaceful, expansive and offers picture perfect photo opportunities from almost any angle.

For owners Rob Lye and Lisa Shore, the property was love at first sight. With more than three decades in construction and development, Rob recognised that the property offered something increasingly rare near Noosa - space.

“We saw the opportunity to create something really special here,” Rob says. “Something that could become a legacy.”

Their vision has evolved into Eerwah Vale Estate, a private wedding and events venue that celebrates the landscape while preserving its rural character. Stone walls, bridges and pathways have been carefully built using rock sourced from the land.

“Every element was chosen to compliment and enhance the landscape,” Lisa says.

The development will unfold in stages with Stage One delivering the Marquee Lawn, an open space designed for elegant

marquee weddings and events for up to 200 guests. Framed by countryside views and manicured grounds, the Lawn offers exclusive use of the Estate.

Stage Two will deliver a purpose-built function facility nestled among the Estate’s forested areas, complete with an amphitheatre-style setting and the capacity to host up to 250 guests.

Reaching this point has taken patience and close collaboration with council and the community to ensure the Estate met its requirements. As a lawyer, Lisa is used to making sure dreams become realities through proper planning and paperwork and supporting the region’s broader wedding and tourism industry has always been central to their vision.

“Noosa has become one of the most exciting wedding destinations in Australia,” Rob says. “We want to positively contribute and work closely with incredible local suppliers to deliver an unforgettable experience.”

That philosophy led them to partner with one of Australia’s most respected and awarded wedding planning and styling companies, Lovebird Weddings.

Led by Trudy Croad whose career has taken her from Australia to London, working across fashion, celebrity events and luxury weddings, and with more than 78 years of combined experience across the team, Lovebird Weddings has built a reputation for beautifully curated celebrations and refined event styling.

As the Estate’s preferred wedding planner, they will work closely with couples to coordinate styling, stationery and overall event design to deliver a

seamless and stunning experience.

The property offers an extraordinary and stunning range of backdrops - dams and lakes glimmer between paddocks, rainforest pockets provide cool green shade and elevated vantage points reveal sweeping views across the valley.

Bridal parties can even travel up Mount Eerwah by buggy to capture panoramic views, somewhere that few people have access to.

“There are so many beautiful locations across the Estate,” Rob says. “You can move from forest to open paddocks to mountain views within minutes.”

Despite its secluded feel, accessibility remains one of EVE’s great strengths. Guests can easily travel from Noosa by private transfer or bus, allowing couples to celebrate in the hinterland while keeping their guests close to coastal accommodation.

Earlier this year, the Estate opened its gates to locals, suppliers and prospective couples to offer the community a first glimpse of the transformation.

Rob says the response was overwhelmingly positive.

“What really struck me was how excited people were,” he says. “They could see the potential of the property and what it will bring to the region.”

With its sweeping landscape, thoughtful design and strong local partnerships, Eerwah Vale Estate represents a new chapter for a historic property.

A place where hinterland beauty, quiet space and celebration come together.

PHOTO:

Poland DISCOVERING

An 85-year-old mum, a 17-year-old daughter and one somewhere in the middle set off for a three-week trip to Europe together, Kathy Sundstrom shares unexpected highlights from a memorable three-generation adventure.

Tell people you are going to Europe in February and they will generally assume you are travelling to Switzerland, Germany or Austria.

Rarely does anyone guess Poland but if there is one destination you should add to your European travel wish list, it should be this Central European wonderland.

The snow is excellent, the skiing is world-class and it is substantially cheaper than many other destinations. When you factor in the cost of accommodation, food and drink, it is also likely to cost less than a ski trip to Japan.

But Poland deserves attention for far more than its prices. This country is steeped in history, the architecture and countryside are spectacular and the people were the friendliest we had met on our three-country, three generation European holiday.

For nearly three weeks, my 85-yearold mum, 17-year-old daughter and I set off on a budget adventure through Vienna, Prague and several destinations across Poland.

It might sound like a comedy script, especially when one prefers people watching in coffee shops and another prefers Instagram, but it worked surprisingly well.

And the memories we made. Priceless.

When we first considered the trip, we weren’t sure about the practicalities, particularly travelling with an octogenarian. But we needn’t have worried. We had no trouble booking flights and found several options for travel insurance for my mum.

As long as you are fit and healthy, there is no reason not to travel and there is a hidden bonus to travelling with an older person - we were offered priority boarding, guaranteed an aisle seat for mum and were able to glide through customs like minor celebrities.

While we didn’t receive automatic upgrades, we certainly enjoyed special treatment. Just be sure to let airlines know well in advance if you require travel assistance to ensure staff are ready to help when you arrive at check-in.

We booked our flights from Sydney to Vienna on Turkish Airlines to avoid the drive to Brisbane and back and this proved to be a stroke of genius.

Travelling from Sunshine Coast Airport is so much more convenient and pleasant than battling the Bruce Highway. And while we had to spend a few hours waiting at Sydney, it was hassle-free and worth the peace of mind.

What we didn’t account for was how unaccommodating several of the European destinations we visited were for travellers with mobility issues.

When we arrived in Vienna, for example, the lift connecting the airport to the train platforms was not working, which meant juggling luggage, a wheelchair and tired bodies down escalators and stairs. And if you thought there might be staff available to help with tickets or platforms, you would be wrong - there was no one around to assist even in the middle of the day.

Before we travelled, we debated whether we should bring a wheelchair as mum is normally mobile and doesn’t use one at home. But we anticipated long days of walking and wanted her to experience everything with us, despite her protests that she would happily “just stay in the coffee shop”.

In hindsight, the wheelchair was a flop, except as a temporary trolley for storing luggage. Of the three main cities we visited, Vienna, Prague and Kraków, none were wheelchair friendly.

In Vienna we constantly had to lift the chair over street edges and steps, and navigating Prague’s famous cobblestones was another challenge entirely. No wonder we rarely saw elderly travellers

PHOTOS: KATHY SUNDSTROM

St Mary’s Basilica, Kraków

wandering through some of the historic tourist areas of Europe’s most popular cities. And that’s a shame. Not everyone older wants to experience the world from a bus window.

Having said that, getting to Poland from anywhere in Europe is remarkably easy thanks to the continent’s public transport network. We travelled by train from Vienna to Prague and then took a FlixBus from Prague to Katowice in southern Poland and later a train back to Vienna. All were comfortable, efficient and surprisingly affordable. While Vienna and Prague are undeniably beautiful, it was Poland that completely took us by surprise.

The country feels modern, energetic and welcoming. Cafés are full, streets buzz with life and there is a sense of quiet confidence about the place.

We had wondered whether the war in neighbouring Ukraine might affect the atmosphere. In reality, life felt vibrant and optimistic everywhere we went.

Our first stop was Katowice, a modern city with lively cafés, contemporary architecture and a youthful energy that reflects Poland’s rapid transformation.

We had hoped to visit nearby Auschwitz, the largest of the German Nazi concentration and extermination camps where more than 1.1 million men, women and children lost their lives.

My daughter was keen to go, my mum, born during World War II, was less so. Either way, it didn’t matter. People from across the world visit there to pay their respects and to understand the atrocities of the Holocaust and it is so popular that you need to book tickets well in advance.

Instead, we visited the Silesian Museum located on the site of a former coal mine in Katowice. Much of the museum is built underground and the exhibitions offer insight into Poland’s complex past, from industrial growth to the devastation of war and decades of communist rule. (Tip: entry to the Museum is free on Tuesdays.)

Poland’s past has rarely been peaceful. For centuries the country has been caught up in other nations’ conflicts, from Napoleon’s campaigns in the 1800s to the devastation of World War II.

After the war, the Soviet Union installed a communist government that remained in place until democratic reforms in 1989.

Poland joined the European Union in 2004 but has retained its own currency, the złoty, rather than adopting the euro. It felt like Poland has recently awakened

to its sense of possibilities and everyone is embracing it.

The people we met were proudly independent, patriotic and open about their faith, with around 70 per cent of the population identifying as Catholic.

While Katowice feels modern and youthful, nearby Kraków (about 85kms south) feels like stepping into a history book. Its vast medieval square, Gothic churches and horse-drawn carriages create an atmosphere that feels almost timeless.

And then there is the food.

Why has nobody ever mentioned Polish food before and are there any Polish restaurants on the Sunshine Coast because I am hooked?!

From Kapusta (Polish cabbage soup) to the country’s famous Pierogi Dumplings, the flavours are unusual, but delicious. I never knew cabbage could taste so good.

And don’t get me started on the bakeries full of tempting traditional Polish treats and even familiar treats made the Polish way - imagine waffles piled high with Oreos, chocolate and every other indulgent topping imaginable!

While we enjoyed snow in Katowice, the real winter magic lies in Zakopane at the base of the Tatra Mountains. It is postcard perfect with snow-covered rooftops, timber chalets and mountain views straight out of a storybook.

We arrived at the start of the February school holidays so it was busy, but the atmosphere was lively and festive.

Unlike many ski resorts, you do not need to stay halfway up a mountain to wake up with snow outside your window.

Zakopane’s main street, Krupówki Street, is closed to traffic and lined with street performers, cheese vendors, lively cafés and bakeries. An all-day lift pass and equipment hire costs roughly $100, or get a toboggan for less than $5 and spend hours sliding down slopes at break neck speeds. Unbelievable value.

Poland is also remarkably safe and at no point did I feel concerned for my safety or that of my teenage daughter, even walking through the streets late at night.

For us, Poland was the surprise highlight of the entire trip. So, if you are planning a European winter escape, it may not be the first destination that comes to mind. But perhaps it should be.

Waffles Polish-style in Zakopane

Kathy with daughter Kyla and mum Rosemary

Horse drawn carriages in the streets of Kraków

Walking trails in the Tatra Mountains

Yourself IMMERSE

Alsahwa Estate is more alluring than ever this season. From naturebased immersions to standout farm-to-fork dining, a visit will fill your cup in all the ways that matter, says Rebecca Jamieson Dwyer. What are the key ingredients for a life well-lived? For many of us, it’s delighting our senses with good food, sharing meaningful experiences, and spending time in nature soaking in that glorious green goodness and being reminded of our place in this world.

And at Alsahwa Estate – a 30-acre sanctuary in Palmwoods featuring a modern Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, ēthos; and botanical-style gardens where you can wander to your heart’s content – the options for filling your cup (both literally and metaphorically) are endless.

Based on their Mind, Body, Planet philosophy, everything at Alsahwa is done with intention, celebrating regenerative farming, seasonal food and conscious living.

That care can be felt as soon as you step through the doors of ēthos. From the calming, minimalist decor echoing the beauty of the natural surroundings with natural wood, large windows overlooking dams and gardens, rattan textures and handcrafted ceramics to the seasonal sensations on your plate – all crafted from fresh, spray-free ingredients sourced from the Alsahwa Farm and other local producers – it’s a dining experience to remember.

The alfresco area, Agora, perched on one of three dams features green-andwhite umbrellas over shady picnic tables invite you to linger longer with a glass of wine and tasty bites from the bar menu and immerse yourself in the gorgeous views.

Speaking of immersion, the team at Alsahwa is all about building community through sustainability and wellnessfocused events where you can learn something new, meet like-minded people, and better understand what it means to live well.

The return of their Wellness in Nature series will start with a sound immersion session with yoga and breathwork instructor Kelly Landry on Friday 27 March. Step away from the noise of

everyday life and immerse yourself in sound, stillness and nature, before being treated to a nourishing brunch – a treat for both the body and mind.

Alsahwa Founder Jo Walker said the team was excited to be bringing the series back. “We had great feedback from the Wellness in Nature events we ran at our previous property so we’re continuing the tradition,” she said.

“This one is designed to help you relax after the school run or simply start your day in a calming way. We’ll be running other wellness modalities in our beautiful gardens throughout the year, so watch this space.”

Don’t miss the Eco Kids’ Day Out during the school holidays on Thursday 9 April, where kids can become a Honey Hero for the day.

“They’ll love the chance to pop on a bee suit, meet the Alsahwa bees, learn all about their short lives and how vital they are to our ecosystem, and to see the Queen Bee in action,” says Jo.

The fun and educational morning will finish with a tasty brunch featuring Alsahwa’s very own honey, naturally.

On the foodie front, an exciting new concept is being launched at ēthos – and it’s one for diners who appreciate culinary creativity and want to take a peek behind-the-scenes.

General Manager Michelle Clark says she’s been counting down to the launch of this unique experience.

“For the past six months, our team has been working quietly and passionately behind the scenes on something we truly believe in – our Test Kitchen. Happening monthly on a Wednesday evening, this chef-led intimate dining experience sees us open the kitchen to showcase rotating seasonal dishes, inventive techniques, and the creativity that usually stays hidden,” she says. “It’s raw, it’s

inspired, and it’s unlike anything else on the Coast. These will book out fast!” Autumn is also a season of family celebrations, with Easter and Mother’s Day providing the perfect excuse to gather somewhere special with the ones you love – look no further than ēthos, where the bubbles are flowing, the tables are adorned with handpicked florals, fruit and foliage, and the sumptuous plates are made for sharing.

“Easter and Mother’s Day at Alsahwa Estate is about the whole family –slowing down, connecting, and indulging together,” Michelle says. “We’ve curated something a little extra this season: a decadent chocolate dessert, a chocolate cocktail and a gift from our team to yours. Come hungry, come together.”

Intention, immersion, inspiration –Alsahwa Estate has it all this autumn. Take a seat at the table.

AUTUMN AT ALSAHWA

Wellness in Nature with Kelly Landry

Friday 27 March, 9.45am to 10.45am

Test Kitchen

Wednesday evening, monthly

Eco Kids’ Day Out - Honey Heroes

Thursday 9 April

Easter at Alsahwa

Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 April

Mother’s Day Weekend

Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 May

Scan the QR code or visit www.alsahwa.com to book or sign up to the mailing list to be the first to hear about future events!

An international-standard program will captivate minds, hit the high notes and fill hearts with theatre, music, literature, laughter and joy, effuses Helen Flanagan

NOOSA ALIVE! Star-Spangled

Imagine a lavish cultural feast, two world premieres, three Queensland premieres, and an array of genres from indulgent enriching music and dance to literature, theatre and much in between during ten magical days and nights when Noosa Alive returns from Friday 17 July to Sunday 26 July.

Celebrating 24 years since the festival’s inception there will be in excess of 50 ticketed and free events, 100 actors, singers, dancers, musicians, authors and associates taking part, and let’s not forget the culinary heroes behind the food-based events, as well as discovering the future superstars of Stars Alive.

Get a taste for what will be on offer with an exclusive Queensland Festival precursor that will have the literati lost for words. In Conversation will be media power couple Lisa Wilkinson AM and husband Peter FitzSimons AM for the launch of their latest books on 11 May from 5pm to 7.30pm at The J Theatre.

Author of highly successful books, including Breaker Morant, Burke and Wills, Kokoda, Ned Kelly and Gallipoli, biographies of notables such as Sir Douglas Mawson and John Eales, Peter is Australia’s bestselling non-fiction writer. His latest is the brilliantly-told The Courageous Life of Weary Dunlop, an extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II.

Following Peter at 6.30pm is Lisa Wilkinson one of Australia’s most well-known, admired and respected media identities, from youngest-ever

...certain to be a TRIumph in more ways than one!

editor of Dolly to Cleo magazine editor at 21, she followed with a television success story as one of the most accomplished journalists on the Nine and Ten Networks.

Lisa’s The Titanic Story of Evelyn brings together the incredible drama of the sinking of the Titanic and the neverbefore-told true story of Evelyn Marsden, a brave Australian nurse who was the only Australian-born survivor on the doomed ship. It is an unforgettable uniquely Australian epic tale of the best and worst of humanity.

Together, Peter and Lisa will present a fascinating fundraiser to help fill the coffers and create anticipation before the ten day festival begins in July. They will be available for book signings on the deck after the conversation.

No one knows more about the Noosa multi-arts festival than David Williamson AO, Australia’s most successful playwright, who has spent a lifetime in the theatre and been Patron

since the inception of the Noosa Long Weekend, which morphed into the Noosa Alive festival we know today.

The tradition of creativity and diversity from a cross section of contemporary Australia continues, none more exciting than the World Premiere of a new play by David Williamson, once again headlining Noosa Alive.

Coping with Winter is certain to be a TRIumph in more ways than one! It stars Erik Thomson, well known for many roles including All Saints and Packed to the Rafters, playing the role of Gabriel; Renai Caruso whose film work includes Sea Patrol, Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries and Neighbours plays Elle; and Janneke Williamson who has built a diverse career over 25 years, working as a director, editor, producer, and actor across film, TV and commercials, has been cast as Amy.

Making up the trio of Williamsons connected to the play is Janneke’s husband and David’s son Rory Williamson who beyond numerous standout acting roles has made his mark as a notable producer and director. A role he will relish for Coping With Winter

Described as ‘a blacky funny play of sexual intrigue and deceit, that also manages

David, Janneke and Rory Williamson

to hold up a mirror to the kind of country that has allowed Gabriel and his mates to ensure that the land of the Fair Go is nothing more than a rapidly disappearing speck in our national rear vision mirror.’

Plaudits for passionate Festival Director Ian Mackellar who, for 16-years has orchestrated an outstanding program whilst retaining it philosophy of not being too cutting edge and elitist, rather appealing to everyone, with low-cost tickets, some free open-air events, as well as attracting the best talent from interstate, abroad and our own backyard.

The comprehensive Noosa Alive! program will be launched in April, in the meantime apart from breakfast, lunch, dinner and canapes with bubbles events, these teasers will further tickle your fancy.

Exclusive Queensland Premieres will include Music of the Night, a dinner and operatic performance; as well as the much-anticipated Queensland Ballet’s special performance. An extended Literary and In Conversation program with an impressive lineup of extra special guests and award-winning authors; The Grigoryan Brothers Past, Present & Future Concert; and the 5th annual STARS alive! showcasing our local stars of the future.

No stranger to steering and avidly supporting the arts for over two decades is recently appointed President, Sharon Wright, a local media and events specialist.

“Noosa Alive is highly regarded as Noosa’s premier arts and entertainment event,” Sharon said, “and this year our small but mighty talented team has attracted incredible national and internationally renowned talent to our shores, alongside local artists, and those up-andcoming stars. It’s hugely exciting and we can’t wait for the curtain to go up on Friday 17 July!

“And don’t forget we’re always on the lookout for generous sponsors and volunteers.”

Tickets for In Conversation with Peter and Lisa are now on sale with the full Noosa Alive 2026 program to be released in April. Sign up to the Noosa Alive enewsletter for early release tickets and event announcements: www.noosaalive.com.au

IN CONVERSATION

Don’t miss the opportunity for an exclusive evening

In Conversation with media power couple Lisa Wilkinson AM and Peter FitzSimons AM. Monday 11 May, 2026, 5pm-7.30pm.

Doors open from 4pm with book signings after.

The J Noosa, 60 Noosa Drive Noosa Junction.

Ticket prices: $40 / $35 concession.

Scan the QR code to book or visit www.noosaalive.com.au

Lisa Wilkinson AM &

Peter FitzSimons AM

GOURMAY IN THE MARY VALLEY

There are plenty of standout food destinations in Australia, each with their own iconic gastronomic offerings – and we often plan our leisure time based on what those places can do for our bellies and tastebuds. Matt Golinski discovers a region that is worthy of a whole month to savour, celebrate and support the many local producers and chefs that call it home. If there was a word that summed up what it is that makes the Mary Valley a special food destination it would have to be ‘diversity’.

From its early settlement in the mid 1900s, this fertile area that stretches from Kenilworth and Conondale in the south to Lagoon Pocket in the North, west to the ranges and east to Traveston and Kybong has seen everything from beef, sheep and dairy production to tobacco, sugarcane, bananas, pineapples, potatoes, maize, beans, peas, ginger, avocados, citrus, macadamias and stone fruit all on small and large scales.

The Mary River reaches the Great Sandy Strait just south of Hervey Bay and snakes its way through 300km of prime farming land from its headwaters in the Sunshine Coast hinterland to the ocean at Maryborough, providing a valuable source of water for irrigation of crops

and making farming in the Valley a viable prospect.

It’s a resource that isn’t taken for granted by the community, and in recent years a lot of work has been done to ensure the river and the land that surrounds it are being used to grow food sustainably so the industry survives for generations to come.

Today’s Mary Valley sees a lot of smaller scale farmers striving to carve out niche markets and selling direct to the public rather than trying to compete with huge farms to make a living - and it’s all these interesting, passionate people and their unique produce that makes it a region worth visiting for food lovers of any age.

In fact there’s so much to see that a weekend, a week or ten days just wouldn’t be enough to cover it all, so in 2023 the Mary Valley Chamber of

Commerce created the ‘GourMay Mary Valley Food Festival’, an entire month dedicated to the celebration of the region’s rich agricultural heritage and vibrant food culture.

It promises to be a month to remember, beginning with an action packed Festival Day in Imbil Rail Park on the 3rd of May and finishing on the 30th with a Gala Dinner at the stunning Stockyard Valley in Coles Creek, one of the region’s newest event spaces.

In between there’ll be a Women’s Angling Competition on Lake Borumba, the Kenilworth ArtsFest, curated walks to see original clusters of wild macadamias in Amamoor, or the bellbirds in Imbil.

Dave Moffatt from Mary Valley Yuzu with his daughter, chef Matt Golinski and Gourmay Mary Valley Director Malcolm Oakley

Shane Kent, Wild Barrel Beer

There are high teas, movie nights and songwriting workshops, and weekly intimate cooking masterclasses...

There are high teas, movie nights and songwriting workshops, and weekly intimate cooking masterclasses with myself, Peter Wolfe and Penny Maguire at Kandanga Farm Store.

Sunshine Coast Foodie, aka Martin Duncan and myself who are this year both official ambassadors for GourMay will be hosting farm trail bus tours with small groups of up to 20 guests on the 16th of May, or visitors can choose to self-drive and visit farms throughout the day at their leisure.

Martin also brings his legendary ‘Sconversations’ concept to the festival on the 17th, a gathering that brings together interesting people from the region to share meaningful conversations over freshly baked scones, sublime Woolooga Farm Rosella Jam, Bunya Grove Persimmon Jelly, and lashings of whipped cream.

As well as cooking for the opening party on the 1st of May, an autumn long lunch at Kandanga Farm Store on the 9th and the Gala on the 30th, this year I’ve been set the task of creating a menu for the inaugural One Hundred Percent Mary Lunch, a showcase of produce exclusively from the Mary Valley, a challenge I’m very much looking forward to.

There are plenty of options to stay for the weekend including quaint cabins on working farms, B&Bs, camping and caravanning, or authentic country hotel accommodation. It’s worth thinking about booking yourself a place and settling in for a couple of days so you can relax into some serious exploring, eating and drinking in this foodies paradise.

See you there and in the meantime, check out my recipes in this edition using the best produce from the region.

GO GOURMAY!

GOURMAY MARY VALLEY, 1-31 MAY

Don’t miss a delicious month of delectable delights celebrating and savouring the produce and people of the Mary Valley! From free and family-friendly events to decadent degustations and hand-on workshops and experiences.

For the full program, tickets and more, scan the QR code or visit www.gourmaymaryvalley.com.au

Megan, Forage Farms

The Table NOOSA SETS

Four delicious days, world-class chefs, local stars on the plate and in the kitchen and a fresh chapter for Noosa’s favourite culinary celebration. Deb Caruso taste tests the 2026 Noosa Food & Wine Festival. Noosa Food & Wine Festival returns this June and, with many early release tickets already snapped up, the rush to secure a place at Australia’s most coveted coastal dining celebration is intensifying.

Since its launch in 2003, the festival has been the event that food lovers plan their year around. And this year the anticipation feels sharper, brighter and more indulgent with new, once-in-alifetime signature events and chances for close encounters with culinary royalty.

The shift back to the original name, Noosa Food & Wine, marks a moment of renewal, restoring a name that has long been woven into the region’s story of sunshine, sophistication and effortless coastal elegance. The decision reflects a festival stepping confidently into its future while honouring the legacy that shaped its past with Festival Director John Guise saying the change felt like a natural development for those who have helped build the event.

“The name carries deep meaning for chefs, winemakers, producers and loyal festivalgoers alike. Bringing it back is about celebrating that legacy and pride in a shared culinary story,” he says.

And celebrate we will with 18 events in the Restaurant Series, seven Signature Events and the American Express Festival Village on Saturday 13 June.

Tickets for the Festival Village are selling fast so don’t miss your chance to enjoy 10 hours of DJs, live music and cooking demonstrations across the Village Pavilion, Main Stage and Culinary Stage. Be welcomed with canapés and a cocktail or mocktail in a souvenir Noosa Food & Wine Festival glass and get ready to feast with more than 40 bars and eateries and full access to all lounge spaces, including the Premium Lounge and Village Pavilion.

Upgrade your experience with an interactive ticket to one (or several) of the Culinary Stage sessions for front row seating and samples. Starting at under $25 and with limited numbers, they will sell out quickly! Be smart with a $25 return ticket on the shuttle bus between Noosa, Peregian Beach, Coolum Beach and Sunshine Plaza!

The Official Opening Party on Noosa Main Beach remains one of the most anticipated moments of the weekend with bold, authentic Italian flavours from Guy Grossi, the unmatched flair of South African Braai-master Warren Mendes, and an interactive seafood bar from Lucio’s Marina. Live DJs and premium beverages in marquee comfort and open-air beachfront beauty - stunning!

The beach will become a French bistro on Sunday for the Le Bistro, La Plage: French Beachside Lunch Signature Event with chef Ben Williamson, the visionary behind The French Exit as well as Biànca, hôntô, and sAme sAme; alongside chef Ben Cross of Bali’s renowned Bar Vera.

If cruising is more your style, get your gourmet groove on for Catalina x Florcita: An Afternoon Afloat aboard the Catalina with Bandita’s Jason Jones, Florcita Tequila, live DJ and stunning scenery.

Closing out the Signature Events and providing the final fling on Sunday is The Festival Sundowner - three hours of continuous canapés, beverages and live music as the sun and the fun sets on the 2026 event.

Across the weekend, the program cooks up intimate lunches, coastal dinners and riverfront experiences through the 18 restaurant events - each one as different and delicious as the other.

Kicking off on Thursday night is La Soirée Riviera at Flo’s, a four-course shared dinner with 13 dishes celebrating

the coastal cuisine of southern France -c’est bon!

We’re torn for the tastiest Friday lunch between Bandita x Byrdi, a five-course, five-cocktail journey; and Park & Cove: Global Pairings with five chefs from five countries dishing up their signature style with wine pairings that celebrates culture, craftsmanship and connection. Decisions! Decisions!

And we don’t want to miss Saturday night’s The Woodshed Kin Kin x The Dining Room, a 7-course collaborative dinner between Head Chef Oscar Holgado and Nick McGonigal, Executive Chef at The Dining Room in one of the most stunning settings.

Sunday’s standout lunch without doubt is Rickys x Essa: A Collaborative Long Lunch where fire meets freshness for an unforgettable six-course journey.

There are more delectable delights to be explored and they will sell out, so be quick to secure your seat.

The calibre of chefs, producers and venues shaping this year’s flavourdriven journey is outstanding.

Each event is shaped by the same sense of exclusivity that has defined the festival since its earliest years, offering guests the chance to experience worldclass dining in settings that feel both relaxed and refined.

We’re here for it!

NOOSA FOOD & WINE

11 to 14 June 2026

American Express Festival Village, Saturday 13 June 2026

40+ bars and eateries, lounge spaces, culinary stage and live entertainment

Seven Signature Events + 18 Restaurant Series Events

Scan the QR code to secure your seat at the table!

SIPS BITES AND

What’s brewing, cooking and happening...

NEW NOSH:

Salty Mermaid Café has landed at Peregian Beach. Light, bright and big-hearted, Kelly and Lisa make everything in-house - and the vibes are as fresh as the salad. From the team behind The Coolum Social comes The Civic Social at Noosa Civic – a breezy brunch-and-espresso hangout where the staff feel like family.

Maharani Marina is dishing up café-byday, Indian-by-night with river breezes, royal spices and sunset views over Noosa Marina.

Tida Japanese Table has landed In Noosa Junction, serving authentic Japanese dishes, sake and Okinawan-style warmth. Zabé Espresso Bar in Tewantin is moonlighting as a Japanese dinner spot, plating up authentic Japanese evenings Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.

Origins Sunshine Beach is brewing something a little extra with collagen, lion’s mane and magnesium boosting your morning cup on Duke Streetwellness, but make it caffeinated.

SoulFish Seafoods is reeling in a new shop at 11b Venture Drive in the Noosa Industrial

Estate with fresh fish, oysters, prawns, frozen seafood and ready-to-go meals from their new commercial kitchen.

Mr Spudley’s Vegie Patch has sprouted in Peregian Springs Shopping Centre

Grab farm-fresh fruit and veg when you pick up your copy of IN Noosa Magazine and Hello Sunshine Magazine from the nearby stands!

Cocktail lovers, meet Taka Boys Cocktail Bar – a new cocktail bar from Mizio and Federica serving signature cocktails, live DJ sessions and late-night hospitality, Tuesday to Sunday from 3pm.

DOG’S DAY

Peticular in Peregian Beach has opened a dedicated “Barkery” with handmade, human-grade dog treats from around Australia because why should humans have all the goodies?

MEAT TO YOU

Eumundi Meats is delivering the goods with its Meat Club – organic and free-range meats straight to your door so you can spend less time shopping and more time finessing your roast.

FRENCH FINISH?

With Fiona’s Fancies having closed its doors, whispers around Noosa Junction suggest that a French Pâtisserie

could be on its way in The Pavilion. Watch this space...

AHOY THERE

And Noosa Boathouse is back to full restaurant service after renovationsgrab a table and enjoy all the foodie favourites, fresh as the river air.

CIAO CICCHETTI

Locale Noosa is rolling out a new autumn menu and bringing back beloved cicchetti, just in time for those “let’s just share a few plates” evenings that always end in dessert and cocktails.

PUB PERFECT

Peregian Beach Hotel is promising its biggest menu shake-up yet with a brand-new autumn lineup. Any excuse to “research” long lunches.

BANDITA LATINA

Bandita is expanding its horizons to dish up South American flavours while still slinging our fave margys! Best enjoyed at sunset with a $15 Margy menu during Sunset Hour Mon–Thurs 4–5pm, Fri–Sat 3:30–5pm. Take advantage of a two-course lunch for $39pp including a glass of house wine, beer or soft drink, Tue–Fri 12–2:30pm.

WAGYU WOW

Miss Moneypenny’s has confirmed that yes, Wagyu Fat Roast Potatoes are a real thing and yes, they’re as good as they sound. Try them with the world’s best Prawn Toast created by Head chef Renata Murbach. Pop in and meet the friendly new owners and team.

PEACHY KEEN

Sunshine & Sons has brought back its cult-fave Wild Peach

Gin as well as a limited-edition Mum’s Rose Bouquet Gin for Mother’s Day, with whispers of a Nil Desperandum Pineapple Rum on the horizon! The distillery was just been crowned Best Queensland Distillery at the 2026 Royal Queensland Distilled Spirits Awards for the second year running! Nil Desperandum Rum added more gongs to the trophy cabinet with its Premier Rum crowned Champion Rum/Cane Spirit and the Artfully Corrupted Spiced Rum crowned Champion Feature Rum/Cane Spirit. Get the sips on your lips at the distillery door from 10am daily and book in for a Cocktail Masterclass to really get into the spirit!

TASTE TEST

Head to Alsahwa Estate’s ēthos restaurant for Happy Hour Wed–Sat, 2:30–5pm. Divine cocktails, antipasto platters loaded with local and estatemade goodies - and golden sunsets under swaying palms. And keep an eye out for the Test Kitchen dinner series where culinary creativity will be on show.

LOCAL LOVE

Don’t miss Locals Day at Sardo Noosa every Thursday with 10% off your bill just for living in Noosa! Plus Wednesdays is BYO, no corkage. Around the corner at Colombo Foodies Noosa, Tuesday is BYO for lunch and dinner. Plus don’t miss the addictive in-house Sri Lankan spice blends from Chef Udee with the Locals Table of 3 Courses for $55; or

for lunch, enjoy the two-pot lunch for $21.95 or Traditional Sri Lankan Five Curry lunch for $35.

MEET THE MAKER

Park & Cove’s Meet the Maker series is back with 2GR Wagyu x Heads of Noosa Brewing three-course feast with matching brews on Friday 27 March and Rocky Point Aquaculture x Witches Falls dishing up superb seafood and fantastic wines on Friday 24 April.

BE THE MAKER

The lovingly refurbished Kin Kin Hotel has launched a new workshop series including Easter Floral Workshops with Ellie from Cottonflower Studio on 26 and 28 March; and Cuvée Artisanal Chocolate Bonbon Making with Kirsty Mundt on 2 April. Plus don’t miss Nesh Simic x The Woodshed Champagne Masterclass on Sunday 29 March from 12.30pm –cheers to that!

HAT’S OFF Noosa’s culinary talent has been recognised again in the 2026 Australian Good Food Guide Chef Hat Awards Toasting their hats are: Bang Bang Noosa, Bask, Embassy XO, Lanai, Locale Noosa, Lucio’s Marina, Noosa Waterfront Restaurant, Rickys River Bar &

Restaurant, Sum Yung Guys. Down the road in Mooloolaba, Bella Venezia Mooloolaba was awarded its fourth hat in a row and sister venue Fish House Steak & Grill earned its first hat within four months of opening!

TUNA TAKEOVER

Walker’s Tuna is flying the Sunshine Coast flag on the global stage, shortlisted for Australia’s Best Sustainable Seafood Brand in the 2026 MSC Sustainable Seafood Awards and heading to G’Day USA to launch the first Australian tuna into the US retail market.

DON’T MISS!

Noosa Food & Wine Festival is back from 11-14 June - 20 dining destinations, seven signature events, and star-studded chef and restaurant collaborations (Rickys x Essa, Bandita x Byrdi; The Woodshed Kin Kin x The Dining Room and Global Pairings at Park & Cove, amongst others. Selling fast! GO GYMPIE!

GourMay Mary Valley is back with a month-long celebration with farm tours and tastings; decadent degustations, campfire cookouts, workshops and more. Hungry for more? Follow us at @innoosamag or scan the QR code to subscribe to our weekly e-newsletter.

Bandita

Prawn toast, Miss Moneypenny’s

The Mary Valley has long been a favourite hunting ground for me to find the best local produce, free range meats and quirky ingredients such as Mary Valley Yuzu. These recipes are bursting with flavours of the region. See you at GourMay Mary Valley! (see page 36).

BONUS RECIPE: HOMEMADE RICOTTA

If you want to make your own ricotta for this recipe, heat 2lt of good quality milk to around 90°C, remove from the heat and gently stir in 60ml of white wine vinegar.

Allow to stand for 20 minutes before scooping off the curds with a slotted spoon into a sieve lined with cheesecloth sitting over a bowl. Refrigerate overnight to allow enough whey to drain off that you are left with 500gm of ricotta. I always use either Kenilworth Dairies or Maleny Dairies milk for making my ricotta – quality really does make a huge difference in this case. If you’re buying store bought ricotta, make sure you use the firm one from behind the deli counter, not the soft spreadable one that comes in tubs.

RECIPES BY MATT GOLINSKI

GINGER, STAR ANISE AND SOY BRAISED K2 BEEF CHEEKS WITH GREEN PAPAYA, SNAKE BEAN, MACADAMIA AND FINGER LIME SALAD

INGREDIENTS:

• 1kg K2 beef cheeks, trimmed and halved

• 2 tbs vegetable oil

• 2 spring onions, sliced

• 2 cloves garlic, sliced

• 2 tbs grated ginger

• 4 star anise

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 2 dried red chillies

• 1/2 cup light soy

• ¼ cup honey

• 1 cup chicken stock

• ¼ cup rice vinegar

• 1 cup shredded green papaya

• 8 snake beans, finely shaved

• 50gm macadamias, roasted and chopped

• 1 birds eye chilli, finely sliced

• 2 kaffir lime leaves, finely sliced

• ½ cup coriander leaves

• ¼ cup fish sauce

• ¼ cup lime juice

• 2tbs brown sugar

• 1 tbs sesame oil

• 2 tbs finger lime pulp

METHOD:

Dry the beef cheeks on paper towel.

In a heavy based frying pan heat the oil and fry the beef cheeks until caramelised all over.

Transfer to a deep baking tray and add the spring onions, garlic, ginger, spices, soy, honey, chicken stock and vinegar.

Cover and braise for 4 hours at 140C.

Remove the beef cheeks from the liquid and strain into a small saucepan.

Reduce the liquid to a glaze and pour back over the cheeks. Keep warm.

Mix together the green papaya, snake beans, macadamias, chilli, lime leaves and coriander.

Stir the fish sauce, lime juice, brown sugar and sesame oil together until the sugar dissolves.

Pour over the salad.

Lift the beef cheeks onto a serving platter and pour over the reduced sauce.

Arrange the salad on top or serve on the side and scatter over the finger lime pearls.

FORAGE FARM SMOKED BACON, LEEK AND VINTAGE CHEDDAR QUICHE WITH TAMARILLO CHUTNEY

INGREDIENTS:

• 250gm plain flour

• 125gm unsalted butter

• 50ml cold water

• 250g smoked bacon, diced

• 100g vintage cheddar, grated

• 1 large leek, washed and diced

• 1 golden shallot, finely diced

• 1 tbs butter

• 1 whole egg

• 4 egg yolks

• 300ml thickened cream

• pinch nutmeg

• 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

• Salt and pepper

• Tamarillo Chutney:

• 8 Tamarillos, halved, skinned and diced

• ¼ cup brown sugar

• ¼ cup red wine vinegar

• 2 fresh bay leaves

• 1/8 tsp ground cloves

• 1 tsp salt

• ½ tsp black pepper

METHOD:

In a food processor, blend the flour and butter together until it resembles coarse breadcrumbs. With the motor running add the cold water and blend until the pastry comes together into a soft dough. Rest for 30 minutes before rolling.

Line a 26cm round or a 13 x 36cm rectangular non-stick quiche tin with the short crust pastry, and blind bake at 180ºC for about 20 minutes or until the pastry is just cooked.

Sweat the diced leek and shallot in butter until they become soft. Add the bacon and cook until lightly coloured.

Whisk together the egg, yolks, cream, nutmeg, salt and pepper.

Scatter the bacon and leek mixture over the bottom of the cooked pastry shell, and pour in the egg mixture.

Sprinkle the grated cheddar on top of the egg mixture.

Sprinkle with thyme leaves. Bake at 160ºC for approximately 30 minutes (the egg mixture should be just set).

Allow to cool slightly before cutting.

For the chutney, place the tamarillos, sugar, vinegar, spices, salt and pepper in a saucepan, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 – 15 minutes.

Transfer to a clean glass jar and refrigerate until needed.

BAKED RICOTTA AND MARY VALLEY YUZU CHEESECAKE WITH PERSIMMON AND HONEY

INGREDIENTS:

• 150gm digestive biscuits, crushed

• 75gm butter, melted

• 500gm firm ricotta

*see BONUS RECIPE for homemade ricotta

• 150gm castor sugar

• 3 eggs

METHOD:

Mix together the finely ground biscuit crumbs and melted butter until well combined.

Line a 23cm spring form cake tin with baking paper and press the biscuit mixture into the bottom of the tin.

Place in the fridge to chill while you make the filling.

FILLING:

Place the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla seeds into the bowl of a food processor, blend until smooth.

Add the eggs, yuzu zest and juice and blend for 30 seconds, scrape

• 3 egg yolks

• 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped

• Finely chopped zest of 2 yuzu

• 30ml yuzu juice

• 200ml sour cream

• 4 persimmons, peeled and diced

• ½ cup honey

down the sides of the bowl and blend for another 30 seconds.

Pour the cheese mixture into tin. Bake for 40 minutes at 160°C or until firm in the centre.

Whisk the sour cream until smooth and spread over the top of the cheesecake.

Refrigerate until cold.

Gently remove the springform tin and base and transfer to a serving plate.

Mix the persimmon and honey together and gently spoon over the cheesecake.

Enjoy!

Business WHISKY

NAME

Silvia Ugolini

AGE

POSITION

Head Chef

RESTAURANT

Sardo Noosa

How/why did you become a chef?

I first became a pastry chef because when I was really young that is what I first learnt to make with my nonnas. We made a lot of handmade pasta, tarts and biscuits at home. I remember my nonna giving me little figures so I could cut the tart and shape the biscuits – I was maybe five years old.

My mum is a very good cook as well, and every Sunday we would make handmade pasta at home, like ravioli, tagliatelle, gnocchi and lasagna, of course. It is very popular when we offer it as a special here at Sardo Noosa.

I came to Australia in 2017 and started working at Piccolina Gelateria in Melbourne. They brought me on as a gelato maker and pastry chef. At the time, they only had their Hawthorn shop and were just about to open the Collingwood one. It was their first year – and now they are huge.

When I started working at Sardo Noosa, I became the head chef after just two months! That makes me very proud and happy.

What has been the most rewarding moment of your career so far?

The most rewarding moment for me as a pastry chef was when I created a dessert for the Australian Ballet. This was when I was working with Piccolino Gelateria, and I got to make a cake for Black Swan, themed to go with the ballet. We plated the dessert with fairy floss on top – it was amazing.

What do you love about being a chef?

For me, I love to be in the kitchen because there’s a stronger heartbeat, more adrenaline. Service is my favourite when it’s busy and you feel that rush, that’s what gives you that fire inside.

Being a pastry chef is more quiet and polite, but in the kitchen the energy needs to move and flow. I love it!

What is your approach to produce? Any favourite local producers?

My nonno and nonna always owned a big piece of land, so we produced a lot of our own products. We had more than 100 olive trees and produced our own olive oil. I also opened my own business in Italy. My family had an agricultural company and a shop where we sold organic products to other locals – fruits, heirloom tomatoes, artichokes –everything! I prefer to use organic food whenever possible.

Here in Noosa, I always go to the markets. I love Eastwell Farms and we have Giovanni in Coolum, who supplies us with freshly grown produce. You need to smell his basil, it is just amazing. We provide him with food scraps for his chickens and he gives us their eggs.

What’s your approach to food?

Experimenting – the passion for the craft and doing everything from scratch is what drives me.

I’m currently working on a special dish with sardines, and I’ve been up till late last night and again early this morning, perfecting it.

Now I’ve finally achieved the perfect texture so it should be on the menu soon.

Who would you love to cook for?

I would love to cook for my nonna again. She passed away two years ago.

She was always my greatest inspiration and taught me to cook from a young age. Who is your culinary inspiration?

Adam D’Sylva! He is my mentor, and a chef I just adore. He’s got a very good heart.

Do you cook at home? If so, what do you cook?

I always cook a lot at home and I love to experiment. During COVID, I was trying lots of different things, even with baking. I remember trying out croissant panettones!

My favourite part of a kitchen is the pasta section. I love making handmade pasta with fillings and sauces, and creating entrées.

What’s your favourite dish to eat or cook?

I love savoury dishes! But my first love is pastries, and I always say that pastry is passion, consistency, precision and technique. It’s like love – when you’re in love with someone, you need to be consistent, you need good technique, and you need passion as well.

With pastries, it’s like maths. You need to follow the procedure and weigh up the ingredients, and you need to have a very good eye for presentation.

Still, I am feeling more drawn to creating savoury dishes, mainly with pasta as mentioned, because you can do so many different things. With savoury food, you can create with salumi, with bread, with mousses and toppings. There’s much more room for creativity whereas making pastries is more about perfection.

What do you love about being IN Noosa?

It’s lovely at every time of the day. What I love about Noosa is that in the morning, when I wake up, there are so many people up early and you can go straight into the sea. There’s an energy here that feels like it’s healing your soul. It brings a sense of peace inside.

It’s a very peaceful place. People are

nice and polite, everyone talks to everyone. It’s like living in one big family. I feel like it’s a big community.

The national parks are stunning. We went to Granite Bay for sunset the other day. Oh my God – I told my mum I’m in love with it here.

I get goosebumps. I’m in love with this place!

Any advice for young chefs?

Follow your heart and instinct always. Your gut will never lie. Experiment. Have patience.

What’s your favourite kitchen utensil?

My whisk!

What’s your favourite ingredient?

Eggs! Because with eggs you can do almost anything. Mayonnaise, hollandaise sauce, tiramisu.

You can make both sweet and savoury dishes, and they are so versatile. With the whites, you can even make meringue! What’s a Sardo Noosa ‘must try’ dish?

Our Seafood Fregola. Toasted, handmade Sardinian pearl pasta, with prawns, calamari, barramundi, mussels, fresh tomatoes, lobster bisque and bottarga. That is our best seller!

Tiramisu

Some things are worth the drive. Deb Caruso discovers why people are making the weekly pilgrimage to The Kin Kin Hotel to get their fix of freshly-baked sourdough goodness.

Rise! ON THE

Every Thursday to Sunday from 8am, the smell of freshly-baked bread and just-out-of-the-oven pastries drifts from The Bakehouse through the hinterland air to have locals lining up and regulars rearranging their weekends.

The Bakehouse is one of the key ingredients in what owners David and Ellie Ezrine call the Kin Kin Collective –a vision radiating outward from the beautifully restored Kin Kin Hotel.

“We put our energy and focus into getting The Kin Kin Hotel right and it has taken a lot to make it thrive,” says David. “Everything we do radiates from the Hotel – the accommodation, the market garden, The Woodshed, the Pub Pavilion, the Heritage Bar and the Bakehouse – it all comes together as a collective,” says David. “Like growing an oak tree – you have to do it slowly.”

David’s goal was clear from the start: find exceptional culinary talent, bring them to Kin Kin to live and work, and give them the space and freedom to pursue artisan food with passion and purpose.

Enter Kirsty and Richard Mundt – a chef duo who swapped brigade life for bakery benches but never lost their knife skills. Being chefs first and bakers second is their secret ingredient. It means every loaf and pastry packs restaurant-level punch – bold flavours, clever techniques, zero shortcuts. They met while training at the legendary Brett’s Wharf under Alastair McLeod, part of a brigade servicing 200 seats and events for up to 3,000 people – the kind of place that shapes instincts, builds stamina and teaches you to chase flavour above all else.

Kirsty’s career is a pastry masterclass in motion. Working with the likes of

David Pugh, Phil Johnson, Michelin man Mathias Anderson, Adriano Zumbo and Richard Ousby, Will Cowper, and Alanna Sapwell; a Valrhona chocolate pilgrimage to Japan working with the world’s number one pastry chef at the time, Claire Hisler, and flexing her creativity at Stanley at the Howard Smith Wharves.

But it was at Agnes Bakery where pastries went from side hustle to superstar and lines of customers were out the door.

“At Agnes Bakery, pastry was the main product and I just fell in love with it,” Kirsty says.

Richard’s journey was equally varied – from Azafrán in Annerley, to Café Sydney, Aquitaine Brasserie at South Bank under Damon Porter as sous chef, then Goodness Gracious Café in Graceville, which he transformed into a breakfast blueprint serving gluten and dairy-free restaurant-grade dishes to 126 seats daily. Stints at Bruno’s, Maillard in the city, and finally Agnes Bakery where he took over bread production, baking in a wood-fired oven from 2am.

In culinary serendipity, David came in to research the woodfired oven. They talked, David saw the talent, and an invitation to Kin Kin followed. The couple had already discussed wanting

their (now 11-year-old) daughter Olive to grow up outside the city.

“When we saw David’s vision for everything here in Kin Kin it was easy to say ‘yes’,” Richard said.

Richard’s approach to sourdough is the product of years of obsessive research. His loaves ferment for 48 hours with no bread improvers, no commercial yeast, no additives – just a 100% sourdough base working slowly and naturally. The result is bread that is easier on the stomach, richer in flavour and extraordinary in texture, with a shelf life extended by a 90% hydration rate.

The flagship Heritage Loaf blends heritage flour, whole grain emmer and stone-ground spelt – no modern wheat in sight. There’s also a 100% spelt loaf and a gluten-free sourdough that is arguably Richard’s greatest achievement. Using his own proprietary gluten-free flour blend – developed over 10 years, with just flour, water, salt and a little cereal husk – it tastes and behaves like real bread without reading like a science experiment on the label.

If Richard rules the bread, Kirsty commands the pastry section with authority born from serious professional kitchens. Her signature ham and cheese croissant is anything but ordinary – the

PHOTOS:

Kirsty and Richard Mundt

béchamel is made old-school, milk infused with onion, peppercorns, cloves and bay leaves, then finished with gruyère, pecorino and Swiss, the ham from Noosa Meat Co.

“I’m trying to get across all those chef touches,” she says. “It’s more than ham and cheese.”

The potato and garlic pastry involves hand-sliced potatoes poached in garlic and thyme, then encased in buttery pastry. The dulce de leche banana chantilly is pure, unapologetic indulgence. The guava cake uses an almond base with fruit purées; the gluten-free brownie uses Richard’s flour blend with chocolate from Cuvée in Melbourne, hand-made using the finest imported cacao. When the hotel’s market garden overflows – chard, leeks, whatever the season dictates – the menu shifts accordingly.

“We let the harvest call the shots – low waste, peak freshness,” Kirsty says.

The Bakehouse is woven into the fabric of the Kin Kin Collective. Kirsty and Richard work closely with Oscar Holgado, the Michelin-pedigreed head chef, sharing produce and ideas across every menu delighting diners with a degustation at The Woodshed, elevating the concept of ‘a pub lunch’ at The Pub Pavilion and sharing produce, ideas and seasonal produce to shape what lands on the plate. Oscar’s pork – broken down in-house from scratch – goes into their sausage rolls. It’s a genuine collaboration where everything, as David puts it, “touches everything.”

“This is the real deal,” says David. “These guys are doing it from the ground up in a way that is quality and there’s no compromise. That’s what gets them up in the morning – to make something memorable.”

About 400 pastries head out the door each week across four trading days, plus a couple of hundred loaves – and they always sell out. The next chapter involves workshops – hands-on sessions on sourdough, pastry techniques, charcuterie and more. Visit the website for the Easter workshop details.

Plans are in motion for a Noosa outpost: sourdough and pastries, curated sandwiches by day; housemade tapas and wine by night. All the flavour-forward, chef-driven thinking closer to home.

In the meantime, the only thing rising faster than Richard’s sourdough is the reputation of what Kirsty, Richard, Oscar and the entire Kin Kin Collective are quietly, carefully building in the hills. Punch Kin Kin into the GPS, order ahead and watch the collective rise. www.kinkinhotel.com

At Park & Cove, the paddock-toplate philosophy becomes a shared table experience with the return of its Meet the Maker dinners. Ida Fink Gundtoft pulls up a chair.

Makers MEET THE

There’s something quite magical about knowing exactly where your food comes from. Not just the region or the farm, but the people. The hands that raised it, brewed it, grew it, picked it and nurtured it long before it ever reached your plate.

At Park & Cove, the connection between land, maker and diner has always been at the heart of the experience. Due to popular demand, the restaurant is bringing back its Meet the Maker dinner series – inviting guests to step even closer to the source, pulling up a chair alongside the very farmers, winemakers and producers who shape every dish.

Consider this your INvitation to INdulge this Autumn – not just in exceptional food and drink, but in the stories behind them. The conversations. The craft. The sense of community that forms when people gather around a table with a shared appreciation for what’s on it.

Held monthly, the Meet the Maker dinners are designed as immersive, ingredient-led evenings that celebrate some of Queensland’s most remarkable producers through a carefully curated menu. Each event shines a spotlight on a local maker, with dishes built around their craft and the opportunity for diners to hear directly from the people responsible for what lands on their plate.

For a region that prides itself on its paddock-to-plate philosophy, the series feels like a natural extension of the Park & Cove ethos. And a way of strengthening the connection between kitchen and countryside while giving guests the chance to experience the region’s

Because while the dishes may be the centrepiece, the real magic lies in the people behind them.

incredible produce in its most thoughtful, expressive form.

The first dinner in the series, taking place on 27 March, brings together two names synonymous with quality and precision: 2GR Wagyu and Heads of Noosa Brewing Co.

Under the guidance of head chef Andrea Ravezzani, the evening will unfold as a 3-course celebration of flavour, craftsmanship and balance. And with a menu built around the remarkable depth and elegance of 2GR Wagyu, and paired thoughtfully with the crisp, refined beers brewed just down the road at Heads of Noosa.

For Andrea, choosing 2GR Wagyu is about control and clarity on the plate. The beef begins with exceptional genetics – tight, even marbling cuts that melt in your mouth, delivering richness without heaviness. It’s a product that doesn’t need decoration, and the chef treats it accordingly. No clutter. No theatrics. Just flame, salt and time. Treated with respect and cooked to precision, the beef is handled with precision, allowing the quality of the produce to take centre stage. The result is a dish that is bold yet restrained, rich yet clean, allowing diners

to experience the full spectrum of flavour the cut offers.

Alongside it, the beers of Heads of Noosa Brewing Co bring a refreshing contribution. Known for their local brewery, and particularly their cultfavourite Japanese Lager, the beers deliver a perfect match to the richer flavours and reset the palate between courses (as well as making it a really good time, of course). The pairing feels almost inevitable. Not just because the brewery is local, but because the philosophies align so naturally. And both fit seamlessly within Park & Cove’s coastal, produce-driven approach to cooking.

And the main pull-in? The team genuinely loves it. They drink it, they recommend it and they believe in the people who make it. And that

Andrea Ravezzani

authenticity is exactly what the Meet the Maker series is about. Because while the dishes may be the centrepiece, the real magic lies in the people behind them. The farmers who obsess over genetics and soil health, the brewers who refine batch after batch, the chefs who translate raw ingredients into something memorable.

Born and raised in Milan, Andrea Ravezzani brings a broad international knowledge to the Park & Cove kitchen. After training at one of Europe’s most exclusive culinary schools, he went on to earn recognition in some of Italy’s most respected culinary competitions, including the Italian Cup culinary competition, Gastronomia Expo regional competition and the World culinary competition. Yet for all his classical training, his cooking philosophy here on the Sunshine Coast remains grounded.

The Meet the Maker dinners feel like a natural extension of that approach. A chance to slow down, savour and connect. And while the inaugural event promises an evening of exceptional beef and beautifully balanced beer, the series doesn’t stop there.

On 24 April, Park & Cove will welcome another intriguing collaboration to the table: Rocky Point Aquaculture paired

with the much-loved Witches Falls Winery. Travelling from the Gold Coast, Rocky Point Aquaculture has built a reputation for raising premium Queensland Giant Grouper, Cobia and Blue Speckled Grouper using sustainable farming methods. Raised in clean, carefully controlled water systems with meticulous attention to welfare and nutrition, their fish are prized by chefs for their flavour, texture and traceability.

In the hands of Andrea, these sustainably farmed species will no doubt become something extraordinary –a canvas for the kind of simple, ingredient-driven cooking that lets exceptional seafood shine.

And then there’s Witches Falls Winery. If past dinners are anything to go by, the Tamborine Mountain winery has a habit of casting its spell over diners (pun intended). Their wines – expressive, elegant and deeply connected to place – tend to weave themselves effortlessly into the rhythm of the evening, each glass elevating the dish it accompanies.

If this dinner follows the magic of previous events at Park & Cove, guests are in for an enchanting night indeed. Ultimately, what makes the Meet the Maker series so compelling is its reminder that great dining is never just

GATHER, DRINK, DINE

UNCOVER THE ABUNDANCE OF THE SUNSHINE COAST AT OUR HIDDEN SANCTUARY IN THE NOOSA HEADLANDS

about what’s on the plate. It’s about connection. Between farmer and chef. Between land and table. Between vine and glass and strangers who become companions over shared meals and flowing conversation.

In a place like Noosa, where fertile hinterlands, pristine waters and passionate producers mix beautifully, those connections run deep. At Park & Cove, they’re now being celebrated one remarkable dinner at a time.

DON’T MISS!

Secure your seat to the upcoming Meet the Maker events at Park & Cove: 2GR Wagyu x Heads of Noosa Brewing Friday 27 March from 6pm

Enjoy a full-of-flavour, refined threecourse dinner with paired beers. Rocky Point Aquaculture x Witches Falls Friday 24 April from 6pm Superb seafood, fantastic wines! For more information or for bookings, scan the QR code and follow Park & Cove on Instagram @parkandcovenoosa PLUS! Noosa Food & Wine Festival Park & Cove: Global Pairings Friday 12 June from 12 noon Five Chefs, Five Countries, Five Perfect Pairings! Tickets selling fast! Book via www.noosafoodandwine.com.au

SUNNY COASTAL KITCHEN

OPEN 7 DAYS

@PARKANDCOVENOOSA

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NOOSA HEADS QLD 4567

SEASONAL

Shifts

Fresh seafood, seasonal produce and ingredients grown close to home shape the ever-changing menu at Rickys River Bar & Restaurant, where the kitchen follows the rhythm of what is best right now, as Kathy Sundstrom discovers.

Just like the Noosa River it overlooks, the kitchen at Rickys River Bar & Restaurant never really stands still.

Menus shift quietly as ingredients arrive fresh from nearby waters and farms, including the restaurant’s own Maravista Farm, guiding the direction of dishes.

Rather than dramatic seasonal overhauls, the changes happen quietly and regularly as the kitchen responds to new arrivals from farmers and fishermen.

For Rickys general manager David Jouy, that flexibility is essential to Rickys success.

“We don’t wait for the first day of a new season to change everything. If something beautiful arrives or we want to cook with it, we simply put it on the menu,” David says. “Sometimes we might change a dish one week and add another the next. It depends on what we are excited to cook with and what is coming through from the suppliers.”

It is a philosophy that reflects the abundance of the region, where pristine seafood, fertile produce and a thriving community of food artisans provide a

constant flow of exceptional ingredients which lead the story of the plate.

Head chef Enrique Mancilla and the kitchen team build dishes around what is freshest, letting flavour, balance and simplicity guide the final result.

Seafood often takes centre stage, reflecting the restaurant’s waterfront location and connection to the ocean.

Local fish, spanner crab and prawns arrive in the kitchen with remarkable freshness, ready to be transformed into dishes that feel light, vibrant and unmistakably coastal.

At the same time, produce grown just beyond the coastline plays an equally important role.

Rickys works closely with growers across the Sunshine Coast, including Maravista Farm, which supplies vegetables, herbs and seasonal ingredients cultivated specifically for the Ogilvie Group restaurants.

That connection between farm and kitchen means the menu evolves naturally as crops arrive in season.

“It’s important for us to speak with the farmers and understand what will be

coming through,” David says.

“That way we can think about what we want to cook and how we want to use those ingredients when they arrive.”

That sense of curiosity and creativity has made space for a creative collaboration as part of this year’s Noosa Food & Wine Festival.

A major drawcard for the four-day foodie event is the Restaurant Series where local food superstars curate mouth-watering collaborations with some of Australia’s finest culinary heroes.

Rickys was introduced to Phil Marchant of Brisbane restaurant Essa and for David, the connection clicked.

Led by head chef and co-owner Phil Marchant, Essa was announced as Gourmet Traveller’s 2025 Queensland Restaurant of the Year and has built a reputation for bold, fire-driven cooking that celebrates seasonal and native ingredients.

“When I looked more closely at what they were doing, the philosophy felt similar,” David says. “They are cooking with great produce, very much farm to

Enrique Mancilla and David Jouy

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

We start with great produce and let the ingredients guide what we cook.

plate, and we have the same mentality.”

Essa’s fire-forward approach contrasts in style with Rickys, yet the two kitchens share the same respect for ingredients and provenance.

“Rickys food is very fresh, clean and seafood oriented,” David says. “Essa is more about depth of flavour, fire and earth. When you combine those two approaches you can create something really interesting.”

Planning the collaboration has been a careful and thoughtful process.

Initial conversations focused on ingredients, the produce available and the types of dishes the chefs might create together. From there, the teams met at Rickys to explore the kitchen space, the equipment and the possibilities for bringing the two styles together.

“It’s about making sure the dishes work in our kitchen and that we can deliver them in a way that feels

comfortable for everyone,” David says.

For diners, the result will be a menu designed to balance both culinary approaches.

Rickys’ coastal flavours and elegant simplicity will sit alongside Essa’s fire-influenced techniques, creating a layered and memorable experience.

“We don’t do a huge number of collaborations,” he says. “But this made sense because the philosophy is similar.”

The restaurant’s involvement also marks a welcome return to the Noosa Food and Wine Festival after several years away from the program.

“We hadn’t been part of the festival for a while, but we really liked the direction it took last year,” David says. “It felt like a good opportunity for us to come back and be involved again.”

Even so, Rickys remains mindful that the restaurant itself is already a destination experience for many.

Perched on the banks of the Noosa River, the restaurant has become synonymous with long lunches, sunset dinners and special occasions shared with family and friends.

Celebrations of all kinds unfold across the riverfront tables, framed by water views and warm hospitality.

“It’s a very special place for people,” David says. “Many guests come here specifically to celebrate something important.”

That sense of occasion, combined with the kitchen’s commitment to fresh local ingredients, continues to shape every plate that leaves the pass.

Whether it is seafood pulled from nearby waters that morning or produce harvested from local farms, the guiding principle remains beautifully simple.

Cook what is best right now and let the ingredients speak for themselves.

At Rickys, that approach creates a dining experience that is constantly evolving, closely connected to the region and always deliciously of the moment.

BOOK NOW!

Rickys x Essa: A Collaborative Long Lunch as part of Noosa Food & Wine. Experience a unique collaboration when Rickys’ Enrique Mancilla joins forces with Essa’s Phil Marchant to present an afternoon of creativity, flavour and exceptional hospitality.

Six courses with paired wines Sunday 14 June, 12 noon $280 +BF.

This event will sell out quickly! Scan the QR code to book.

Locale Noosa is bringing back one of Italy’s most sociable dining traditions, reintroducing its much-loved cicchetti alongside a nostalgic favourite that locals have been asking for. Kathy Sundstrom reports

BIG HEARTS, Big Flavour

Tucked behind lush greenery in a sheltered corner of Hastings Street, just steps from the golden sand of Noosa Main Beach, Locale Noosa has always felt like a small slice of Italy quietly waiting to be discovered.

For more than a decade, the restaurant has drawn diners in with its warm hospitality, polished service and menu that celebrates both Italian tradition and the extraordinary produce of the Sunshine Coast.

Now, the much-loved and multi award-winning restaurant is reviving one of its most sociable traditions with the reintroduction of cicchetti, the small savoury bites that were once a ritual for many early evening visitors.

Cicchetti, pronounced chi-ket-tee, are a Venetian dining custom similar to tapas, traditionally served in small bars known as bacari where locals gather for wine, conversation and a few delicious bites.

At Locale, the reintroduction of cicchetti is about recreating that same relaxed Italian ritual on Hastings Street.

“Cicchetti have always been part of our DNA,” says co-owner Amanda Capurso.

“We launched them when we first opened 13 years ago and they quickly became a favourite for locals and visitors alike.”

The small plates will once again be available seven days a week in the bar area from 4pm to 6pm, extending through the evening on Sundays when cicchetti will be served from 4pm until close. For Amanda and husband Rio, the decision to bring cicchetti back is as much about atmosphere as it is about food.

It’s that beautiful Italian tradition where you meet for a glass of wine and a few small bites, and a magical evening unfolds from there.

The early evening window creates a lively social energy as people drift in for a drink, share a few plates and settle into the rhythm of the street.

“It’s that beautiful Italian tradition where you meet for a glass of wine and a few small bites, and a magical evening unfolds from there.” Amanda says.

“People love that relaxed, communal way of dining.”

The return of cicchetti is not the only nod to nostalgia at Locale this season.

The new autumn menu will also see the return of a dish that long time locals may remember from the Capurso’s previous restaurant, Lindoni’s.

The delicate gnocchi, known for its soft texture and rich flavour, has been recreated for the new season as part of

For the kitchen team, the dish carries both history and heart.

“It’s one people have been perpetually asking for ever since we stopped serving it,” Amanda says.

The return of the dish feels like reconnecting with a small piece of the restaurant’s shared history with the community and that sense of tradition sits at the heart of Locale’s approach to food.

Drawing heavily on Italian heritage, the menu changes seasonally but always to celebrate the best available ingredients, including produce grown at the Ogilvie Group’s Maravista Farm in the Noosa hinterland, alongside fresh local seafood and carefully sourced imports from Italy.

That approach is something chef Chris Hagan understands well.

Chris’s culinary journey has taken him across continents since winning the NZ/ UK Link Foundation Young Chef of the Year award early in his career.

The recognition opened the door to travel and work in acclaimed restaurants across New Zealand before he made the move to Australia.

From there he built experience in

the evolving menu designed by head chef Chris Hagan.

Locale Gnocchi

respected kitchens in Daylesford and McLaren Vale, later working in Brisbane before heading north to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland to cook at the awardwinning Long Apron.

Today, his kitchen at Locale blends those global influences with a deep respect for Italian technique.

Handmade pasta remains central to the menu, traditional antipasti and desserts

that echo the flavours of Italy.

Seasonality plays an equally important role, with ingredients sourced locally wherever possible and complemented by premium imports that maintain authenticity.

The result is a menu that feels both grounded in place and unmistakably Italian.

The restaurant’s dedication to quality has also earned it significant recognition.

Locale has received Chef’s Hat Awards from the Australian Good Food Guide in 2023, 2025 and again in 2026, an honour widely regarded as Australia’s equivalent of a Michelin star.

Its wine program has also attracted national attention, receiving three goblets in Australia’s Wine List of the Year Awards in 2023.

For Rio, the restaurant’s success is deeply connected to his own journey on Hastings Street.

Originally from Bari in Italy’s Puglia region, Rio began working in Noosa hospitality in the late 1990s.

He started as a waiter before moving through roles as barman and manager, eventually becoming owner of the much loved Lindoni’s restaurant in 2007.

HASTINGS ST. NOOSA HEADS THE FRENCH QUARTER

LOCALE

When Lindoni’s closed due to redevelopment, Rio joined the Ogilvie Group to help create Locale, bringing his passion for Italian hospitality and family values into a new space.

Today the restaurant reflects that spirit in every detail. Inside, the room feels intimate and atmospheric, with deep colours, velvet textures and dramatic lighting creating a sophisticated setting that feels almost cave like in its warmth.

Outside, the surrounding greenery softens the bustle of Hastings Street and creates a secluded garden feel.

As autumn settles across the coast, the return of cicchetti is expected to bring a familiar buzz back to the bar each afternoon.

Live music on Thursdays will help ease guests into the weekend, adding another layer to the relaxed energy that has long defined the restaurant.

The goal remains simple: to create a place where people feel welcome, where good food is shared easily and where the rhythms of Italian hospitality find a natural home in Noosa.

And sometimes, all it takes to start that experience is a glass of wine and a few small plates created with a lot of heart.

Chris Hagan

Limit SKY’S THE

Nothing is impossible when it comes to weddings parties everything and in-between, for two to too many (never!) at the Noosa Boathouse and aboard HV Stillwater, enthuses Helen Flanagan

What’s not to love about the Noosa Boathouse. With its unequalled scenic backdrop and ostensibly floating like the famous Love Boat on the Noosa River, it has undoubtedly redefined the art of creative, delicious, fun and forever memorable celebrations, similarly corporate events, gala dinners, meetings and team building. And let’s not forget it’s famous for seriously long lunches, dinners with friends, sundowners and something more casual by the foreshore, every day.

for canapés and cocktails or bar bites and beers with sublime panoramic views of

the golden orb sending reflections over the river as it disappears behind Mt Cooroy. The snug indoor bar with sprawling deck, is perfect for an intimate gathering or a lively group of up to 100 enjoying hot and cold canapes, platters also more substantial dishes.

The River Room on the 2nd floor, boasts amazing views thanks to floorto-ceiling windows of the largest space, catering for 120 dinner guests or 220 stand-up cocktail style. The space is

enhanced by a salubrious bar, adjacent private deck and menus “designed to suit the occasion and of course be unforgettable,” comments talented maestro aka executive chef Shane Bailey. “Alternative drops seem to be outmoded, overtaken by the vastly popular feast-style sharing of a variety of the best-in-season dishes over three or four courses on long tables,” he says. “It’s so interactive and engaging amongst all the guests.”

Looking for more ideas? Recent wedding trends include epic bridal party entrances. Think backflips, dance moves, love heart sunglasses and much photographed champagne towers.

Guest experiences and interactive elements include signature cocktail bars with ‘his and hers’ cocktails, live music, roaming performers and illustrators such as an artist sketching guests, also food experience stations with oysters and charcuterie.

Ditto the two-level take-out, where a couple can book the River Room and Sunset Bar for a super exclusive celebration. Guests first head upstairs to for canapés and cocktails, then celebrations continue with dinner, speeches and dancing downstairs in the River Room.

Another hidden gem is the Eastern Deck, an exclusive private covered space separate from the main restaurant on the eastern side, tailor-made for intimate long lunches, dinners, celebrations and even business meetings for 30 guests and offering a truly memorable experience matched by wonderful wines and views along the Noosa River.

Thinking of the ultimate space for up to 350 of your nearest and dearest? Cue Club Boathouse when you unlock the full

potential of the Noosa Boathouse with an exclusive three-level takeover, creating an unmatched celebration event.

Imagine your guests exploring and enjoying a mix of cocktail, lounge areas and seated dinner options to suit including up to 120 in the River Room or the restaurant.

Wedding ceremony options abound on board the Boathouse or alternatively onboard HV Stillwater for silent cruising using its electric propulsion and gliding onto a sand bar along the Noosa River with canapés created by the Boathouse.

A recent highlight was a boutique sized wedding with ceremony onboard presunset, followed by celebratory sunset drinks.

HV Stillwater is the ideal cruise vessel for close-up connections to the serenity of the Noosa River towards Lake Cooroibah. It provides an intimate yet social experience.

The world IS your oyster when it comes to Noosa River’s Boathouse and HV Stillwater for carousing and cruising the Noosa River in style.

All aboard for deliciously good times!

Located on the Mooloolaba Spit, a reinvented and revived restaurant is quickly reshaping coastal dining, where ocean air, open flames and refined flavour mix with confident intent. Ida Fink Gundtoft tips her hat to the Chef’s Hat–crowned Fish House Steak & Grill.

Debut A DELICIOUS

Perched on Parkyn Parade at the Mooloolaba Spit, where fishing boats drift in and salt air carries into the night like long nights of premium dining, this bold coastal concept has wasted no time announcing its arrival. Within just four months of opening, Fish House Steak & Grill has been awarded its first Chef’s Hat in the Australian Good Food Guide (AGFG), earning an impressive 13-point score and joining the top one per cent of restaurants nationwide.

A remarkable debut.

AGFG Chef’s Hat Awards are a prestigious, independent Australian rating system recognising culinary excellence based on anonymous inspections. Restaurants are rated primarily on the food’s taste, technique and consistency. While the Hats are awarded based on food, judges also consider service, atmosphere and value.

For owners Kristine and Todd Young – the force behind the nearby multi award-winning Bella Venezia, the accolade represents both continuity and courage. Continuity in standards. Courage in creating something distinct.

“We’re incredibly proud and genuinely humbled to see our two Mooloolaba restaurants recognised at this level,” Kristine said. “For Fish House Steak & Grill to receive its first Hat and a 13-point score within four months is an extraordinary achievement.”

Extraordinary, yes, but far from accidental. From the outset, Fish House Steak & Grill was envisioned as premium coastal dining delivered with relaxed luxury. The space reflects that philosophy: natural textures, open-air elegance and warm, layered tones reflecting the environment of both land and sea, as does the menu.

Locally line-caught seafood arrives straight from Mooloolaba Wharf – a direct

line from ocean to plate that defines the menu’s coastal integrity.

Premium dry-aged steaks are handled with equal respect, cooked with precision.

A lobster roll layered with yuzu, sesame and dill delivers brightness and lift, while honey and miso-glazed toothfish anchors the Land or Sea tasting menu. Elsewhere, crispy Mooloolaba prawns are elevated with fermented chilli, North Queensland barramundi is paired with a vibrant yuzukoshu beurre blanc, and Tasmanian ocean trout – all a part of a seafood offering that is both distinctly Australian and confidently refined.

The Australian Good Food Guide’s Chef’s Hat recognises not just flavour, but technique, consistency and the full dining experience. Achieving 13 points in such a short time signals a business already operating at remarkable cohesion.

Beyond the plates and the polish is a team of dedicated, hardworking people. Staff speak knowledgeably about the produce, from the exact ageing process of the beef to the morning’s catch at the Wharf. Wines are suggested with intention, cocktails balanced to complement rather than compete. It is this attention to detail that really lifts the experience from simply impressive to memorable.

Executive Chef Ben Achurch’s leadership has been instrumental, guiding both Bella Venezia and Fish House Steak & Grill kitchens with discipline and creative clarity. His influence is evident in the balance of the menu. Indulgent yet controlled, coastal yet elevated.

But what sets Fish House Steak & Grill apart is its energy. There is an excitement for the craft here. The art of the perfect sirloin cut, the glitter of seafood on ice and cocktails shaken against a sunset backdrop. It feels celebratory without being formal; polished without stiffness.

The art of the perfect sirloin cut, the glitter of seafood on ice and cocktails shaken against a sunset backdrop...

Guests arrive in linen shirts and summer dresses, linger over curated wines and leave already planning their return.

In many ways, it captures a new chapter of Mooloolaba dining. And this first Chef’s Hat signals that the Spit is as much a culinary destination as the Esplanade.

For Kristine and Todd Young, earning two Chef’s Hats across two distinct venues in the same year speaks to a broader vision for Young Hospitality. It is not about replication. It is about evolution. Bella Venezia carries the grace of longevity. Fish House Steak & Grill carries the thrill of arrival.

Both, however, share the same backbone: unwavering standards, respect for produce and genuine Sunshine Coast hospitality. If Bella Venezia is heritage, Fish House Steak & Grill is momentum.

As twilight settles over the marina and plates of Wagyu and Mooloolaba Yellowfin Tuna make their way across the dining room, there is a sense that something significant is unfolding.

Not simply a successful launch, but the establishment of a new benchmark.

The first Chef’s Hat is always special. To earn it within four months is something else entirely.

And this is only the beginning. Hat’s off to that!

PHOTO:

Kristine and Todd Young

There is a renewed energy at Miss Moneypenny’s and at the centre of it is Head Chef Renata Murbach. Carlie Wacker explores the evolving atmosphere and globally inspired kitchen at the Hastings Street favourite.

Flavours FRESH

At the Noosa Spit end of Hastings Street the atmosphere softens. The light shifts, the pace slows and the mood becomes a little more relaxed. It is here that Miss Moneypenny’s is quietly entering a new chapter - one shaped by fresh local ownership, a vibrant kitchen culture and a globally minded chef with a deep love of food and people.

At the centre of it all is 29-year-old Brazilian chef Renata Murbach, whose calm confidence and joyful approach to hospitality have brought a new sense of warmth and direction to the venue.

Renata moved to Australia in 2019 and landed straight in Noosa.

“I fell in love immediately,” she says. “The lifestyle, the nature, the peace. It really is a little piece of paradise.”

Like many locals, the beach is where Renata resets after long services and busy weekends. That connection to nature and balance carries through into the kitchen where the atmosphere is collaborative, focused and refreshingly positive.

Renata joined Miss Moneypenny’s in late 2024 as a Chef de Partie and quickly felt at home.

“It was one of the best restaurants I had ever worked in,” she says. “The team, the space, the quality of the food. I loved everything.”

In 2026, alongside new local

ownership, Renata stepped into the role of Head Chef which is a milestone she approaches with both pride and humility.

Rather than running a high-pressure kitchen, Renata has created a space built on respect, teamwork and curiosity.

“I’m not a chef who yells,” she says with a smile. “I think I’ve only raised my voice once in a year.”

Instead, she leads by example, working side-by-side with her team, encouraging ideas and welcoming new perspectives.

The kitchen reflects the diversity of modern hospitality with chefs from different backgrounds bringing techniques, flavours and experiences from around the world.

“Even as a head chef you never stop learning,” she says. “There are always new ideas, new ingredients and different ways of doing things.”

That openness has created a culture where chefs feel valued and it’s something that ultimately translates to the plate.

The menu at Miss Moneypenny’s is Mediterranean-inspired with dishes designed to be shared and enjoyed together - a style of dining that naturally brings people together.

Long-standing favourites remain, including the beloved prawn toast which Renata insists is here to stay.

“I’ve tasted a lot of prawn toast,” she laughs. “Ours is the best.”

Other highlights include the slowcooked lamb shoulder served with house-made jus, tzatziki and salsa verde which is a hearty and generous dish designed for the centre of the table.

The fish pie has also developed a loyal following. Featuring barramundi and squid in a secret house curry, it is topped with golden puff pastry and baked until perfectly crisp.

Owner Michael White is quick to point out another standout - the Jack’s Creek Wagyu Marble score 8, cooked to order and served with black garlic emulsion and pickled Asian greens.

And while the main dishes are impressive, the sides deserve equal attention. The twice-cooked Wagyu fat

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

Head Chef Renata Murbach

FOH Manager Heather, Renata, co-owner Maya and Host Chan

potatoes with garlic and chilli have quietly become a house favourite — crisp, rich and dangerously moreish.

Beyond the kitchen, Miss Moneypenny’s continues to deliver the full Hastings Street experience. The cocktail menu features more than 35 creations ranging from tropical classics like the Piña Colada served in a pineapple glass or fresh coconut, to refined favourites such as Espresso Martinis and the fragrant rose petal martini.

Cocktail masterclasses are also a regular feature, inviting guests behind the bar for an evening of mixing,

laughter and housemade Napoli-style pizzas - a reminder that dining out should always be a sense of celebration.

There is also a renewed focus on reconnecting with the Noosa community.

“We want locals to feel like this is their place again,” Renata says. “A place to come for a beautiful meal, a great cocktail and a relaxed, fun experience.”

It is a space where international flavours, coastal lifestyle and genuine hospitality come together effortlessly.

For owner Michael White, the food was one of the key reasons he chose to invest

in the venue.

“Renata and the team serve some of the best food we’ve eaten, not just here but anywhere,” he says.

For Renata, however, the real reward is found in the quieter moments of service - the slow aroma of lamb cooking in the morning, the laughter between the kitchen team and the satisfaction of watching diners fall in love with a dish.

At Miss Moneypenny’s, the focus is simple: good food, good people and a place where both locals and travellers can feel equally at home.

Renata’s kitchen team

Miss Moneypenny’s Prawn Toast

Noosa Waterfront Restaurant hosted a heartfelt afternoon of meaningful connection, culinary delights and inspiring conversation.

Emcee Carlie Wacker captured the highlights.

WATERFRONT Women

The 2026 WomenKind Inc Women’s Day lunch was a Mediterranean inspired soirée at the stunning Noosa Waterfront Restaurant. Guests indulged in a delicious 2-course menu with canapés and Dal Zotto wines while guest speaker Jacqui Bell shared her incredible story as the youngest person in the world to run an ultra-marathon on all seven continents. As an inspiring mental health advocate she joined a panel discussion with Olympic swimming gold medallist Tracy Stockwell OAM on the International Women’s Day theme of Balancing The Scales; in particular how to find balance between training, challenges, disappointment and happiness.

The conversation was flowing as much as the wine and support as updates were shared on how funds raised by WomenKind were being used to support women in our community.

WomenKind Inc is a registered charity, dedicated to inspiring women to thrive in every aspect of their lives, both personal and professional.

Womenkind Founder and Board Director Josanne Falla celebrated the incoming chair Annie O’Connor and the Kitty Kats got the girls up and dancing to wrap up a beautiful afternoon of connection and community fundraising.

PASSPORT TO Flavour

Bandita is evolving its beloved cantina menu beyond Mexico and into bold new Latin flavours. Ida Fink Gundtoft discovers what’s cooking.

There’s something exciting simmering at Bandita … and it’s not just the hot sauce.

Overlooking the glistening Noosa River on Gympie Terrace, the neighbourhood cantina many locals know and love is preparing to turn up the heat with an evolution of dishes that will incite a revolution of flavours: Bandita is going Latina!

Think of it as a slow, delicious road trip across South America. Mexico might still be the starting point, but the journey now winds through Brazil, Peru, Argentina and beyond – a gradual evolution that promises new flavours, fresh inspiration and plenty of spice along the way. So grab your metaphorical passport and loosen your belt a notch. This is a flavour tour worth INdulging in.

Despite the evolution, the heart of Bandita isn’t changing. The laid-back atmosphere overlooking the river still sets the scene for long lunches with sunset cocktails and casual dinners that last well into the evening. The high standard of service remains and flavour bombs still linger. And of course, the margaritas will still be shaken!

The commitment to making everything in house is non-negotiable. From marinades to sauces and salsas, Bandita’s kitchen remains a hands-on operation where flavour comes first. But like any good chef, co-founder of Bandita Jason Jones is always curious about what else might be possible.

“We’re growing and diversifying to offer more exciting flavours,” he said. “I am so excited for the evolution!”

The menu will dip its housemade tortilla chips into other South American cuisines, adding layers of flavour without losing Bandita’s identity.

“We’ve been adding some dishes already and the response has been so great - people love to discover new

flavours,” Jason said.

A perfect example arrives in the form of the Moreton Bay Bug Cracker, which might just be the ultimate bite-sized passport stamp.

The star of the dish is the sweet, local Moreton Bay bug meat, hugged by a delicate cracker made from yuca floura staple across much of South America, particularly Brazil. Think of it as a cousin to tapioca, lending the cracker a light, crisp texture that allows the seafood to shine. Add bergamot gel and a scattering of lemon balm for freshness and the

result is a delicate, punchy and entirely gluten-free explosion of flavour.

If that’s the opening act, the Tapioca Fritters turn the flavour dial up a notch. These crunchy golden bites come with their own international backstory. First introduced to Jason in Singapore, the recipe later revealed its Brazilian roots when he worked alongside a South American chef who introduced him to the wonders of tapioca-based cooking. Naturally, he couldn’t resist adding a few cheeky twists of his own.

Inside the fritters you’ll find melted Comté cheese alongside a little jalapeño for a playful kick. They’re crisp on the outside, soft and cheesy within, and dangerously addictive. But the sauce is where things really get spicy. A rich quince and morita chilli sauce brings sweetness, smokiness and just enough tang, while a drizzle of habanero-infused honey finishes the plate with a slowbuilding heat. Sweet, spicy, sticky and savoury all together. It’s a dish that literally tangos across your tastebuds!

Casting the culinary net across the continent, Jason next takes us to Peru.

“Peruvian cuisine carries strong Japanese influences thanks to waves of immigration, driven by Japan’s economic hardship and Brazil’s need for coffee plantation labour,” Jason says. “The result is a fascinating culinary fusion known as Nikkei cuisine, a meeting point

Argentinian Steak, Peruvian Chicken, Tapioca Fritters and Moreton Bay Bug Tostada.

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

Naturally, he couldn’t resist adding a few cheeky twists of his own.

of fresh seafood, citrus, herbs and delicate spice.”

Jason’s take carries those flavours with a Peruvian-style grilled chicken marinated in amarillo chilli, a vibrant yellow pepper that delivers a gentle but distinctive kick.

“The chicken is simply grilled over fire until smoky and charred, then served with aji verde, a creamy herb-packed sauce layered with green chilli, lime and yoghurt,” he says.

Dip generously and prepare for a flavour combination that’s bright, mouth-watering and totally compelling.

Over to Argentina where steak is not just dinner, but something closer to a national ritual. Bandita’s Argentinian Steak honours that tradition with a beautifully marbled Ribeye marinated overnight in a porcini rub before hitting the grill.

“The earthy mushroom notes deepen the flavour of the meat, while a vibrant

red chimichurri made with sweet piquillo peppers brings sweetness, acidity and a herbal touch,” Jason enthuses.

A squeeze of lemon, a spoonful of sauce and you’re transported to a Buenos Aires barbecue!

Brazilian fritters. Peruvian chicken. Argentinian steak. One menu, many destinations. It’s a tasty tour of South America, and Bandita is only just getting started.

Alongside existing crowd favourites is one that comes with a ‘if you know you know’ wink. The Chicken Quesadilla remains something of an insider secret; an off-menu classic that can be ordered as a special request when booking.

Back at the bar, another story of flavour and community is quite literally fermenting. Bandita’s housemade hot sauces have become something of a cult favourite, with each bottle featuring produce from locals eager to share their abundant harvests. The Bandita kitchen ferments them into hot sauces bursting with personality including Green Chilli Tomatillo; Passionfruit Habanero and, when the season allows, a sweet and fiery mango blend.

Enjoy them at Bandita and the best part? You can buy a bottle to take home.

The flavours may be evolving, the menu may be expanding, but at Bandita, the adventure is only just beginning.

Amy Watts & Jason Jones

Chicken Quesadilla

Lanka Sri LOVE LETTERS TO

Ida Fink Gundtoft discovers something electrifying about watching a woman step fully into her calling to deliver heartfelt food from her homeland.

At Colombo Foodies opposite the river at Noosaville, energy comes in shades of turmeric gold, hot chilli red, in coconut cream silkiness and curry leaf crackle. There is laughter, conversation and salivation with flavour-packed food that is unmistakably from Udeshika ‘Udee’ Suradasa.

Udee was born in Colombo, near the southern beaches of Sri Lanka, where the humidity is high and streets vibrant – and where food is less of a meal and more a ritual of gathering your community. Udee grew up cooking with her mother, aunties and grandmother. There were no measuring cups. No written recipes. Just intuition. They would wander into the backyard and pick what the land offered – coconuts, herbs, vegetables – and return to the kitchen guided by instinct.

“There were coconuts everywhere,” she laughs, recalling that in her childhood, food was language, comfort and culture all at once.

“We cook all the time, it’s like a love language,” she says of Sri Lankan women. Lunch wasn’t a plate for one; it was a feast.

Five curries with rice, sambols and whatever protein she had handy. So many colours on one plate.

“That’s exactly how we eat in Sri Lanka,” she says of what inspired her now-famous five-curry lunch offering at Colombo Foodies.

As a young girl, she would watch family and friends return from Australia

In her childhood, food was language, comfort and culture all at once.

with suitcases full of gifts. It was the highlight of the year (almost better than birthdays). Australia shimmered in her imagination like something mythical.

At 18 she asked her father if she could go. At 19, she landed, wide-eyed and determined, and enrolled at TAFE to study cooking.

“I’m lucky I found my passion early on in life,” she says.

For 20 years, she worked in other people’s kitchens starting in Melbourne for 12 years, Canberra for two and eventually Noosa, where she would plant roots. She trained in classical European styles, navigating French technique and Italian precision, working under strong personalities and strict hierarchies.

For years, creative freedom was a distant dream. She cooked what she was told to cook. She followed systems. She absorbed pressure. Being a woman in professional kitchens was not always gentle. There were sleepless nights and tears after shifts, followed by mornings when she rose despite being awake all night with her children who were young at the time.

“There are no shortcuts for success,” she says simply. So she kept going.

In Noosa, she counts herself lucky to work with chef Peter Kuruvita at Noosa Beach House (now known as Cibaria Noosa). His passion for cooking Sri Lankan food resonated deeply with Udee who says that his commitment to celebrating Sri Lankan cuisine and culture had been a guiding light for her.

“This career saved me,” she says and today, as owner and head chef of Colombo Foodies on Noosa River, she stands in a kitchen that is finally, unequivocally, hers.

“Creative freedom,” she smiles. “I don’t need to ask anyone for anything.”

Her cooking is still guided by intuition, memory and touch; the ingredients themselves actually ‘touch her’, she says, leading the way as much as any recipe ever could. She keeps a long list of Sri Lankan and South Asian classics with her supplier – jackfruit, okra, curry leaves, exotic herbs.

“At least give me one out of this list every day,” she told him. He accepted the challenge. Every morning, she and her team unpack deliveries like children at Christmas.

“It’s always interesting to see what my supplier shows up with,” she says. “We come in and look at the deliveries like, ‘What’s on today?’ Every day is different.”

When curry leaves arrive, they don’t just land in curries – they find their way into cocktails, like the Curry Leaf Mojito. Nothing is wasted and everything is celebrated. A philosophy that keeps her

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

playful and curious… and very much alive to the endless possibilities of what each new ingredient might become.

Her food is a love letter to Sri Lankato her family; her upbringing; and her culture.

“I want people to come here for the experience, not just because they’re hungry,” she says. “I am talking to people through the food.”

And she really does talk. Udee moves through the restaurant chatting with diners, checking plates, sharing stories. She wants guests to feel as though they are in her private kitchen. Once, a customer asked her, “Is this something you would cook for your family and do you love cooking it?” She was taken aback. “Yes,” she replied. “Then I’ll have it,” he said. That moved her deeply.

“There’s a lot of trust between the chef and the customer here,” she says. “This is a people business.”

If Colombo Foodies is her professional dream realised, it is also a family affair. Her chef’s jacket, she says, is the most comfortable piece of clothing she owns.

“It’s like I’m breathing much easier when I am wearing it,” she says. It is armour, comfort and pride all at once.

Behind the scenes is family: her

husband, who sometimes has to drag her home because she could keep going all night, and her children, who have their own uniforms for working in the restaurant. The youngest, just eight years old, basically begs Udee to come and help out on weekends. Since opening on Boxing Day 2025, they have been open seven days a week. No breaks.

“It’s not like I’m working,” she shrugs. “It’s like I’m just feeding the community.”

Her eldest daughter, she says is her ‘backbone’. In a house full of kids and a restaurant full of customers, that support

has been everything.

“I couldn’t do any of it without the support of my family,” Udee says.

When building the business, Udee chose local tradies, community connections, and small operators. She wanted to build something that fed more than just appetites. In return, the community has embraced her.

“I feel that I can grow here,” she says of Noosa. “The creativity can grow.”

Two decades in a foreign country, and she feels she is only just beginning.

In a world that often measures success in gold stars or status, Udee measures it in something else: full tables, empty plates and conversations that linger into the night. ‘Kings and Queens’, she calls her guests. And she feeds them as such.

Dreams do not arrive fully formed; they are kneaded, tempered and simmered over time. And as Udee would know first hand, demanding resilience and risk at every stage. Udee has lived that truth in every chapter of her journey. From coconut-laden backyards in Colombo to the colourful plates of Noosa, she has worked her way to the top, not by shortcut, but by heart.

And in every dish that leaves her kitchen, you can taste it.

Udee Suradasa

Sunshine Beach Surf Club’s new menu brings the world to the coast with dishes inspired by South Africa, France and Brazil, adding depth and flavour to an already popular offering. Kathy Sundstrom writes.

Global Flavours

There are few places more quintessentially coastal for a delicious meal than the Sunshine Beach Surf Club, where panoramic ocean views and the steady rhythm of waves create a setting as memorable as the food itself.

Catering to more than 1,900 meals a day during the peak summer period, the club remains a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike.

It is the combination of great food, changing menus and signature dishes that saw the Club named Best Family Dining Venue for South East Queensland at the Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excellence last July.

But this autumn, the kitchen crew, led by head chef Darren Sandilands, are taking the menu in a fresh direction.

This gastronomic gang will introduce a series of new dishes inspired by the home countries of the chefs, each one reimagined through the lens of local produce.

Food, after all, is far more than sustenance. In the hands of a thoughtful kitchen team, it becomes a sensory experience capable of transporting diners to another country or culture with a single, well-balanced bite.

Drawing on their collective heritage and professional journeys through Africa, Europe and South America, Darren and his team have crafted new additions that reflect their own stories while also celebrating the multicultural makeup of modern Australia.

It makes the evolution of a tried-and-

LOCAL HEART

Each dish tells a story of where we’ve been and what we’ve learned, brought together with the best produce our coast has to offer.

trusted menu feel natural rather than forced.

Darren’s own journey is one of travel and experience, before returning to his Sunshine Coast home.

“I did my apprenticeship in Hastings Street in 1978,” he says. “Then I travelled to different places before returning to the region and starting at the Sunshine Beach Surf Club 15 years ago.”

Under his capable hands, the club has grown into one of the most sought-after dining venues on the Sunshine Coast, employing over 60 staff and 16 chefs who work together to create a menu that is memorable without the costly price tags.

The much-loved classics remain firmly in place on the new menu, yet they now sit comfortably alongside dishes that speak of travel, tradition and shared tables.

For some diners, it is the comfort of traditional cooking not experienced since leaving their place of birth to make Australia home.

South African-born chef Jan Tuzee has introduced Cape Malay Pickled Fish, a treasured dish from his homeland defined by its interplay of sweet, sour and gently spiced flavours.

It invites even first-time tasters to smile and declare it ‘lekker’ (an Afrikaans word meaning “nice” or “sweet” that is used in a variety of contexts to describe pleasure).

Creating culinary delicacies that reflect local flavours is in Jan’s DNA. The large South African-born contingent who now call Noosa home may remember his family-owned restaurant, Dixies, a popular, long-standing dining spot in Glencairn, Cape Town.

French-born chef Florence Dablanc has contributed a Moroccan-style chickpea and vegetable tagine to the menu that reflects the historical ties between France and North Africa.

It delivers slow-cooked warmth and fragrant spice perfectly suited to cooler autumn evenings by the sea.

Brazilian-born chef Alex Mascia has added marinated pork cutlets based on a recipe passed down through generations of his family, bringing a sense of homestyle comfort elevated by quality local produce and careful technique.

For Darren, these additions are not about novelty for its own sake, but about thoughtfully broadening the offering as the menu transitions from lighter summer fare to heartier seasonal options while maintaining balance and authenticity.

Jan Tuzee, Florence Dablanc and Alex Mascia

Rather than creating a fusion free-forall, the kitchen has ensured each dish respects its origins while celebrating the region’s seafood, seasonal vegetables and carefully-sourced meats, anchoring every plate firmly in the Sunshine Coast.

For diners, this means genuine choice, whether settling in with a beautifully executed pub staple or venturing further afield without ever leaving the expansive deck that frames the ocean beyond.

The new menu feels like a natural extension of the club’s energy — relaxed

yet considered and adventurous without ever straying into intimidation, inviting exploration in a way that feels welcoming rather than overwhelming.

Sustainability has also played a key role in the revamp, with the team prioritising seasonal produce and strengthening relationships with local suppliers to ensure fresher ingredients, reduced food miles and a tangible connection between kitchen and community.

As the seasons shift and chefs continue to share their ideas, diners can expect

regular specials that showcase different culinary traditions, creating an everevolving experience where the world’s flavours meet the warmth of a Sunshine Beach welcome.

For a surf club, it is a confident move that acknowledges today’s diners are increasingly curious and keen to explore new tastes even during a casual dinner with friends, and at its heart the menu remains a celebration of connection between cultures, between chefs and community, and between land and sea.

Cape Malay Pickled Fish

Marinated pork cutlets

Moroccan-style chickpea and vegetable tagine

A HAT HELD

High

Four consecutive Chef’s Hats, global acclaim and enduring elegance. A proof that true excellence is not always a moment, but a masterpiece sustained over time. Ida Fink Gundtoft celebrates local brilliance with Bella Venezia.

There is something powerful about consistency.

In an industry where trends flash and fade like summer storms, Bella Venezia stands with the calm confidence of a restaurant that knows exactly who it is.

That confidence has once again been recognised, with the Mooloolaba icon retaining its coveted Chef’s Hat in the Australian Good Food Guide for the fourth consecutive year, placing it in the top one per cent of restaurants nationwide.

Four Hats in a row. Thirteen points once more. A score that signifies not only excellence, but endurance.

The Australian Good Food Guide Chef’s Hat remains one of the nation’s most respected dining honours, recognising not only technique and flavour, but consistency and the complete guest experience. To earn 13 points is to be recognised as outstanding. To hold that

standard for four years straight speaks to discipline behind the scenes and devotion to the craft.

Last year, Bella Venezia took its place on the global stage with an extraordinary sweep at the World Luxury Restaurant Awards in Singapore, winning Best Fine Dining Cuisine, Best Italian Cuisine and Best Luxury Beachside Restaurant across Australia and Oceania. Closer to home, it secured a Three Glass Rating in the Australian Wine List of the Year Awards, TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best Travellers’ Choice Award 2025 (placing it in the top one per cent worldwide) along with a Best of Queensland Experience Award and of course its Chef’s Hat. A defining year, and one that obviously continues to echo into 2026.

For owners Kristine and Todd Young, retaining the Hat marks more than a milestone. It is affirmation of a

philosophy that has shaped their hospitality journey for decades. That exceptional dining is built on precision, maintenance and genuine care.

Established in 1983 and calling the vibrant Esplanade home ever since, Bella Venezia has long been woven into the fabric of Mooloolaba.

While the beach lies just beyond, glimpsed from the alfresco Champagne garden that invites guests to linger that little bit longer.

Inside there is a sense of special occasion. Plush blue velvet seating. Burgundy booths. Tables angled toward ocean glimpses. It is coastal elegance, delivered with Italian soul.

Premium produce arrives daily from trusted Sunshine Coast suppliers. Seafood comes straight from the boats just down the road and sourced from the ocean beyond. Australian-made Italian delights

PHOTO: IAN WALDIE

Head Chef Ben Hosking, owners Kristine and Todd Young and Executive Chef Ben Achurch.

Excellence isn’t a single moment of recognition, but a standard upheld every day.

bring local heart to time-honoured tradition.

Yet ingredients alone do not create globally award-winning recognition. It is what follows - the balance, the devotion, the artistry and the way each element is handled with intention and respect and transforming beautiful produce into something truly exceptional.

Crayfish ravioli arrives like a small masterpiece, bathed in prawn and crayfish bisque, crowned with Oscietra caviar. Eye fillet is paired with asparagus, peperonata puree, pickled onion and finished with a potato crisp that shatters delicately under the fork. Each dish is thoughtful without being theatrical; elegant without ever being excessive.

Under the steady leadership of Executive Chef Ben Achurch (whose influence spans both Bella Venezia and Fish House Steak & Grill) the menu

continues to evolve while honouring its Italian foundations. Creativity is guided by clarity and flavour by technique. Service, too, remains integral. There is a quiet choreography to Bella Venezia’s dining room: glasses refilled seamlessly and plates arriving with grace. It is hospitality that feels attentive rather than intrusive. Warm, assured and unmistakably Sunshine Coast.

For Kristine and Todd, the fourth Hat affirms a belief they have held for years.

Excellence isn’t a single moment of recognition, but a standard upheld every day.

“Bella Venezia earning its fourth Hat in a row is a testament to consistency, commitment and care,” Kristine said.

And those three words feel fitting: commitment to standards that do not slip when seasons change; care for a team that shares the same pursuit of detail; and consistency that guests can rely upon, whether it is their first visit or their fiftieth.

The recognition also strengthens Mooloolaba’s growing reputation as one of Australia’s most exciting culinary destinations. Once known primarily for its surf breaks and seaside holidays, the Sunshine Coast restaurant scene now

commands national attention for what is happening on its plates.

Bella Venezia has been central to that evolution. A flagship that helped define the standard and continues to uphold it.

And perhaps that is what makes this fourth Chef’s Hat so resonant. In a region of constant reinvention, Bella Venezia has not lost momentum. It has refined what it already does beautifully. And there is distinction in that kind of confidence.

On any given evening, as dusk settles over the Esplanade and candlelight flickers against velvet and vino, diners lean back in quiet satisfaction. A final sip of Barolo. A shared panna cotta. The low murmur of contentment that follows a meal executed with precision. Awards may hang on walls, but their true measure is felt at the table.

For four consecutive years now, the Australian Good Food Guide has affirmed what locals and loyal visitors have long known. Bella Venezia remains one of Queensland’s most awarded Italian restaurants for a reason.

Not because it shouts. But because it delivers consistently, year after year. And in hospitality, that is the rarest achievement of all.

Expectations

Convenience has often stood in the way of sourcing ethical, organic meat that simply tastes better. Kathy Sundstrom speaks to a local butcher who has introduced the Meat Club - a new delivery model that brings paddock to plate values straight to the front door, without compromising flavour, standards, or choice.

It’s Wednesday night, you have just arrived home from work and the kids are hungry. You are hungry. You open the fridge and the shelves are bare, as the delicious meat you bought from Eumundi Meats on the weekend was demolished at Sunday’s barbecue.

What do you do?

Many people will go for the convenience of plastic-wrapped, anonymous meat from the supermarket aisle around the corner.

Convenience wins, but it rarely feels, or tastes, good.

In a region that celebrates the environment and the outdoors, what goes on the plate matters. People want to know the story behind the steak, the ethics of the farm, and the undeniable difference that proper husbandry makes to the final flavour.

Eumundi Meats has spent years as the antidote to supermarket fatigue. Tucked inside Belmondos Organic Market in Noosaville, it has quietly set the benchmark for what a local butcher should be.

This is not just a place to buy a kilo of mince. It is a hub for organic, free range and pasture-raised produce, where staff know the farmers - and most of the customers - by name.

The business has built its reputation on trust and transparency, proving that

quality is not just a marketing buzzword, but a standard that can be tasted in every mouthful.

For many, the only hurdle has been time. Between work, the school run and the pull of the ocean, getting to Noosaville during business hours is not always a reality. When the call for dinner arrives again with its annoying predictability, a quick dash to the supermarket is often the easiest option.

Eumundi Meats decided that high quality, ethical food should not be a logistical challenge. The result is Meat Club, a subscription-based home delivery service that brings premium butcher quality straight to the front door, covering the Sunshine Coast from Caloundra to Noosa.

It is a club dedicated to the centrepiece of the dinner table.

The idea for Meat Club was born from conversations over the counter with customers who don’t want to compromise.

Owner Jono Emblin saw a community that cared deeply about food, but was often stretched thin by the demands of modern life.

“Life happens, and for many people, shopping happens where it is convenient,” Jono says.

“The goal was to remove that barrier and make it as easy as possible to eat

When animals are raised properly and allowed to graze on natural pastures, the texture and taste are on a completely different level.

well, without having to settle for less.”

The Meat Club is intentionally designed to be the opposite of the rigid, pre-packaged meal kits that have flooded the market.

It is built on a philosophy of “your box, your rules”. There is no pressure to accept a preset selection of cuts.

Instead, the service is fully flexible.

Customers choose exactly what goes into their box, whether that is grass fed beef, lamb, pork, veal, or the popular range of sausages and offal. The frequency is also entirely up to the individual, with options for weekly, fortnightly, or every three to four weeks.

“It really is the customer’s kitchen and their rules,” Jono explains.

“If someone wants a delivery of nothing but premium steaks for a celebration, then next month they want slow cooking cuts for the family, we can make that happen.

“There are no lock in contracts.” People join because they want access to the best produce on their own terms. This level of customisation makes it an easy solution for families and food enthusiasts who like to plan meals without sacrificing values.

With free delivery on orders over $200, it also offers a practical way to manage the household budget while supporting local industry. Unlike the anonymous meat often found in larger chains, every cut from Eumundi Meats has a traceable lineage rooted in sustainable farming.

“The focus is on working with farmers who are as committed to animal welfare and land management as we are,” Jono says. “That respect for the process brings the flavour.”

Quality cannot be shortcut.

“When animals are raised properly and allowed to graze on natural pastures, the texture and taste are on a completely different level,” he said.

That commitment to quality does not stop with the humans in the household.

Understanding that pets are central to the Sunshine Coast lifestyle, Eumundi Meats partnered with Dr Renée from The Natural Vets to develop the Bella and Boots range for furry family members.

This is not standard pet food. It is organic, nutritionally balanced, and made with the same care as everything else in the showroom.

“There is no second tier standard for pets here,” Jono says.

The Bella and Boots range can also form part of a regular Meat Club order.

Eumundi Meats already has a deeply loyal community. It is rare to find a business with a 100 per cent recommendation rating on Facebook, alongside a near-perfect Google rating.

Long time customers like Isabella often point to staff expertise as much as the meat itself. Her Facebook review: “By far the best butcher on the Coast with the friendliest staff.”

While the showroom at Belmondos remains a destination for those who enjoy the ritual of the butcher shop, the reach of Eumundi Meats extends far beyond Noosaville.

The brand is now stocked in more than 55 gourmet grocers across Queensland and New South Wales.

Whether through a local stockist, a visit to the flagship store, or a delivery from Meat Club, premium quality remains within reach.

It is a bridge between paddock and

Meat Club allows you to enjoy premium, butcher-selected meats, packed fresh and delivered cold.

• Delivery Zone: Door-to-door service across the Sunshine Coast, from Caloundra to Noosa.

• The Subscription: Fully customisable selection of cuts and delivery frequency (1, 2, 3, or 4 weeks).

• The Produce: Choose from 100% organic, free range, and pasture raised meats including beef, lamb, pork, and poultry, including Eumundi Meats famous organic sausages.

• No Strings Attached: No lock-in contracts; subscriptions can be paused or cancelled at any time.

• Bonus: Free delivery for orders over $200 with regular Subscriber Rewards.

• Pet Range: Access to the Bella and Boots organic pet food range, co-developed with holistic vets.

• How to join? Scan the QR code or sign-up online at www.eumundimeats.com.au

plate that prioritises integrity, flavour and freedom.

The experience remains the same: meat that meets expectations and then exceeds them. Now, made even easier to access and enjoy.

OUR MEAT CLUB IS NOW LIVE!

Handcrafted in Noosa and made for life’s sweetest milestones, this magical place transforms everyday gifting into something INtentional, INdulgent and unforgettable. Ida Fink Gundtoft takes her sweet time at the Noosa Chocolate Factory.

Sweet

CELEBRATIONS

There is a particular kind of joy that comes with unwrapping high quality chocolate. It is a slow process, almost ceremonial. The gentle crack of a perfectly tempered slab. The first inhale of rich cocoa. The anticipation before that initial first bite. At Noosa Chocolate Factory, that joy isn’t a happy coincidence – it’s the intention behind the creation from the very beginning.

In a world of rushed gift-giving and last-minute purchases, this familyowned Noosa institution invites us to choose something made with intention: to give a gift that feels considered, crafted, and utterly luxurious.

From Christmas stockings to birthday surprises and Easter baskets, to Mother’s Day delights, Noosa Chocolate Factory has built its reputation on elevating every occasion into something worth savouring. And with Easter and Mother’s Day fast approaching, there may be no sweeter time to rediscover the magic made within their factory walls, right here IN Noosa.

Step inside their retail store in Noosa’s industrial heartland and you are greeted by abundance. Shelves stacked high with glistening chocolates of every imaginable shape and size, and overwhelm the senses in the best possible way.

Macadamias, almonds, pistachios and hazelnuts; strawberries, raspberries, sultanas, blueberries and crystallised ginger; salted caramel, coffee beans and golden brittles; Turkish delight and the best vegan chocolate ever made and pillowy marshmallows folded into rocky road - Noosa Chocolate Factory is Willy Wonka for grown-ups… although children will be equally spellbound. And here is the sweetener: it’s made onsite.

Behind the scenes, artisans temper,

pour, spin and dip in what seems like a deceptively effortless dance. A range of nuts, fruits and jellies are generously mixed with chocolate, spread and cut into slabs by hand. For the connoisseur, indulgent slabs of plain chocolate are dusted with options such as freezedried fruit, chilli or sea-salt. And children and adults alike can’t go past a range of hand-moulded chocolate eggs and bunnies. It is cut, hand-finished and packaged into pouches of treasure. Every piece is handled by skilled chocolate makers who understand that quality begins long before the ribbon is tied. Small-batch production means nothing is rushed. Ingredients are thoughtfully sourced. Where possible, local produce is celebrated. Queensland pineapples and ginger transformed into vibrant fruit slabs; Sunshine Coast macadamias folded through creamy milk chocolate - it is chocolate with the taste of our own,

Small-batch production means nothing is rushed.

little, tropical paradise.

Local love is not a marketing spin. When you purchase from Noosa Chocolate Factory, you are supporting a family business that, in return, supports other local growers and suppliers. The gift extends beyond the box - and gifting is where they truly shine.

It’s safe to say Noosa Chocolate Factory delights in creating special editions for special occasions – and they deliver without disappointment.

Easter at Noosa Chocolate Factory is next level. The bunnies alone are enough to cause a spike in your dopamine before you even sink your teeth into them. Handcrafted, glossy and impossibly charming in a range of sizes and flavours. There are eggs of all colours, rocky road slabs for the indulgent and chocolate covered macadamias for the traditionalist. Each piece is beautifully finished, and made to be remembered long after the wrapping is discarded.

Because what Noosa Chocolate Factory truly delivers is not just chocolate, but memories. Who could forget the iconic Christmas reindeer, milk chocolate snowmen wrapped in white chocolate scarves and crowned with dark chocolate hats, raspberry and white chocolate Christmas ornaments; the heart shaped Valentine’s Day freeze-dried strawberries coated in Ruby Red chocolate; or the legendary 6.5kg Easter Bunny?

PHOTOS: MEGAN

Dads don’t miss out with homemade licorice bullets crafted especially for Father’s Day. And with Mother’s Day just around the corner, a thoughtfully chosen slab, perhaps studded with roasted nuts or sea salt, or jewelled with freeze-dried raspberries is a gift that feels personal. Intentional. Giant chocolate hearts in decadent flavours speak the universal language of appreciation far better than a store-bought card. Love-themed gift boxes lift the gesture further, transforming gratitude into something tangible… and tantalisingly delicious.

And how about the chocolate slabs?

Gloriously thick. Generously flavoured. Impossible to share (so just get two). They sit alongside bags of brittles that snap with caramelised crunch, choccovered freeze-dried fruit in velvety cocoa, and chewy clusters of jelly and marshmallow, all made in-house. Every imaginable cocoa combination is on offer, whether dark and dramatic or nostalgic milky memories.

What sets Noosa Chocolate Factory apart is not simply variety (though the variety is staggering). It is the sense that every product has been made by someone who cares about how it will be received.

Chocolate softens hard days and amplifies joyful ones – and truly saves

the afternoon energy slump we all suffer.

For birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, graduations, retirements, teacher thank-yous, weddings or those precious ‘just because’ moments, the answer is always chocolate. Specifically, chocolate handcrafted right here IN our backyard. The small-batch approach ensures these treats are worlds away from massproduced alternatives. There is character in the swirl of a slab, authenticity in the scatter of nuts, personality in every hand-poured mould.

Noosa Chocolate Factory makes special occasions more special because it honours the ritual of giving. It respects the craftsmanship behind what appears, at first glance, to be something simple. It reminds us that chocolate is not merely confectionery; it is love, disguised in melted magic.

So as Easter baskets are assembled and Mother’s Day plans begin to take shape, don’t resist a visit to the nearest Noosa Chocolate Factory store, grab a basket and embark on your own choco-licious tour. Or browse online for next-level gifting delivered to your door.

Handcrafted chocolate turns a moment into a memory. And that is the sweetest gift of all.

MOTHER OF ALL BUNNIES!

Try the 6.5kg Mother of All Bunnies – a chocolate lover’s ultimate dream, crafted exclusively by Noosa Chocolate Factory. Made with their signature, velvetysmooth milk chocolate with white and dark chocolate detailing, this colossal bunny is the perfect blend of indulgence and wow-factor, making it an unforgettable (and delicious!) centrepiece at Easter.

Nestled in the heart of Noosa, we create mouthwatering, handcrafted chocolates that celebrate the joy of every bite. From the finest locally sourced ingredients to our passion for small-batch, artisanal methods. Visit us in-store to taste the Noosa difference

Noosaville - Factory, Cafe and Retail -

factory.com.au

Gourmet FOOD + Artisan BEERS

House

John Caruso discovers that what’s poured into your glass can change what you expect from beer altogether.

PROOF IS IN

The Glass

Late afternoon at Copperhead Restaurant Brewery, the light changes and the bar fills with a quiet energy as customers settle in, beers in hand, conversation unfolding the way it does when there’s no rush and the beer’s worth drinking.

Brewer Simon Grasby has spent 11 years chasing the fundamentals of a good brew. Not the noise or the hype that came with the craft beer boom, but quality ingredients, precision brewing, and a tasting room that feels less like a bar and more like, well, a church!

“I want to say modern day church,” Simon says, pausing over the comparison before committing to it. “Without taking anything away from religion, people still want human connection, a community.”

He’s not wrong. Copperhead isn’t just a space where beer is poured. It’s where people gather. Where mates catch up and strangers bond over a shared appreciation for a well-crafted brew. It’s the kind of place where the beer is excellent, but the company and food makes it transcendent.

“You could be having a mediocre beer with the best company and that beer becomes THE best beer,” Simon says. “It doesn’t get better than that.”

At Copperhead, the food is divine but the beer also stands on its own merits. Fourteen taps, each one representing a different brew - some traditional, some experimental, all held to the same exacting standard. There’s the Hefeweizen, a classic German-style wheat beer brewed with traditional W-68 yeast, bringing notes of banana, clove and subtle spice. Unfiltered, creamy, endlessly drinkable. After a decade of trying to sell German beers in Australia, this one’s finally found its audience.

“In the last 10 years of professionally brewing, it’s been really hard to sell German beers,” Simon says. “I don’t know whether it’s the spelling because people don’t want to look like an idiot when they’re ordering or maybe it’s a lack of people understanding what it is. Regardless, it was one of our highest

selling, most praised beers over summer.”

The same holds for the London Ale. After languishing in the shadow of pale ales and lagers, people are finally getting it. Minds are opening. Palates are expanding. Education takes time.

Simon’s been around the longest as a brewer on the Coast. He started the Sunshine Coast Home Brew Club back in 2014 when getting into the industry seemed impossible. These days, he’s the one setting the standard, working with quality suppliers like Gladfield Malts, a family-run malting company out of Canterbury, New Zealand. They share the same values, quality, integrity and respect for the craft.

Everything at Copperhead is in-house. No trucks. No cold storage somewhere off-site. No compromises. Simon controls every step, from the ingredients to the pour, and it shows.

“The proof is in the glass. No matter what happens, it’s always going to be where it has to shine,” Simon says.

That’s the philosophy. It doesn’t matter if you’re having a bad day, what trends are surging; when you step up to that brew stand, you give it everything. It takes one to three weeks to get into the glass, and when it does, it needs to be as close to perfect as humanly possible.

“We won’t put on anything that we don’t green light at the brewery,” Simon shares. “Everything needs to be at a certain quality and we need to make sure that we’re maintaining that standard.”

The beer menu generally rotates on a three-month cycle, with one or two taps kept fresh and interesting with shorterrun experiments. Simon respects tradition, but craft is also about expression and stepping outside the box.

There’s room for both. A perfectly executed lager alongside something wild, something unexpected. Broccoli beer? Why not. If it’s done right, anything’s possible.

“Nothing’s ever off the table when it

comes to experimenting,” Simon says. “I think that’s good. I think that’s one of the valued things in the craft area.”

The rockstar era of craft beer seems to have slowed and has gone through trend-chasing and overexpansion. What’s left are the breweries with good tasting rooms, good beer, and a genuine connection to their community.

Copperhead delivers. You don’t have to sit down for a meal, though the food is excellent. You can sit at the bar, order a beer, talk to Jimmy about cocktails if that’s your thing; it’s inviting, homely.

Simon keeps it tight on wholesale, just a couple of venues that align with Copperhead’s values. Mapleton Public House is one of his favourites and he delivers the kegs himself, chats with everyone, takes in the view. There’s also Sasquatch Bar & Eatery in Chermside, run by an old colleague from his days at Glasshouse Brewery. Small bars. Community-focused. The kind of places where people come to drink good beer and talk to good people.

“Tasting rooms are modern day churches or extensions of people’s lounge rooms,” Simon says. “It’s not about going to the pub and getting sloshed. It’s about coming together, sharing ideas and catching up.”

Beer’s been around for a long time. Civilizations have been built on it. And while trends come and go, the fundamentals don’t change: quality, community, connection.

At Copperhead Restaurant Brewery, those fundamentals are alive and well. The proof, as Simon says, is in the glass.

WANT MORE? Download the interview with Simon from our podcast.

Simon Grasby

PHOTO: MEGAN GILL

Home to the Best Queensland Distillery for two years running, Tony Cox discovers how to make the most of the experience.

Cheers TO THE

CHAMPIONS!

With the days getting shorter we start to look for things to do which vary from the usual beach, bush or boating experience. Why not opt for something a little different where you and friends, including the family dog, can sit back with a rainforest backdrop and sample the wares of the place crowned Best Queensland Distillery at the 2025 AND the 2026 Royal Queensland Distilled Spirits Awards?

Home to Nil Desperandum Rum and Sunshine & Sons Premium Spirits at Woombye where the winds drift around to the west and southwest, you can sit outside, out of the breeze totally bathed in sunshine. What better place to pack a picnic or enjoy a selection of Woombye Cheeses onsite while enjoying the warmth of a few Nil Desperandum rums?

Australia Certified Organic, wild fermented, double pot distilled, and aged in bourbon barrels emptied of Sherry and Port, it’s no wonder that Nil Desperandum’s Premier Rum was crowned Champion Rum/Cane Spirit with the Artfully Corrupted Spiced Rum also crowned Champion Feature Rum/Cane Spirit at the 2026 Royal Queensland Distilled Spirits Awards! Just the latest in a long line of national and global awards bestowed upon Nil Desperandum.

Of course, you can always stick to the equally award-winning gin and vodka selections as part of the Sunshine & Sons offering should that be your preferred tipple. Why not take it a step further, have a little fun and gain some insight and knowledge along the way by booking one of the three onsite experiences?

The half-hour Distillery Experience offers a guided tour and tasting of the key spirits in the Sunshine & Sons and

Nil Desperandum range. Not just relaying the story behind the brands but also explaining the key processes of fermentation, distilling and maturation. It provides great insight into why the individual spirits taste the way they do, depending on the starch/carbohydrate source and whether or not they incorporate barrel ageing, even the different types of barrels, what liquids have been in them prior, and the level of toast applied to the barrels. At $15 per person it piques the interest for a more in-depth experience.

The Cocktail Masterclass gives your group full access to your own mixologist for approximately two hours where you learn about the different spirits and are taught how to make three cocktails, using different techniques and what mixers work with respective spirits. At $99 per person you leave with skills and a repertoire you can utilise at home for when that knock off wine or beer just won’t cut it.

Take your appreciation and understanding of the brand to the next level with the Founders Tour, where you get a tour and tasting with one of the founders, Michael Conrad or Matt Hobson, for a deep dive into not just the product side of things but to learn about the journey to date and the vision of where the destination might end up – an experience which personifies the brand and the people behind it. At $159 per person this is a great experience and includes a bottle of your favourite spirit and a pair of etched tumblers .

With Mother’s Day not far off, don’t forget mid-April sees the launch of a limited release Mum’s Rose Bouquet Gin Visually stimulating, being a bright

fuchsia colour, it combines rose petals, rosella and rose hip to deliver a fragrant aroma that is sophisticated and memorable. Long after the flowers have wilted Mum can continue to savour the delights of Mum’s Rose Bouquet Gin.

SIP, SHAKE & WIN!

Visit the award-winning Distillery Door daily from 10am to 5pm. Free entry for tastings and purchases. Perch at the outdoor bars, enjoy a tasting, order a cheese platter or BYO picnic rug and enjoy the sunshine.

Visit www.sunshineandsons.com.au to book a Distillery Experience, Cocktail Masterclass or Founders Tour.

Sunshine & Sons Premium Spirits 104 Nambour Connection Rd, Woombye WIN a Cocktail Masterclass for two! Our good friends at Sunshine & Sons are again offering to the chance to WIN a Sunshine & Sons Cocktail Masterclass for two - the ultimate way to sip, shake, and savour the Sunshine Coast spirit. Scan the QR code to enter by 26 April 2026.

Brain THE DIGITAL

At the end of 2025, Australia introduced one of the most significant cultural changes of our time: a nationwide ban on social media for children under the age of 16. The move sparked debate across the country, but behind the controversy lies a shared truth: our next generation deserves a childhood less consumed by screens and more connected to real life. Jackie Hillegers shares her advice on how to navigate this shift.

WHY THE CHANGE MATTERS

In my younger days, social media was almost non-existent, yet over the past decade, it has become both a tool and a trap. Platforms designed to connect us have, ironically, disconnected many from the present moment. Studies show rising levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness among young people, linked to endless scrolling and unrealistic highlights of other people’s lives. Childhood, once defined by imagination and outdoor play, has now been replaced by algorithms and filters.

The new laws in Australia apply to platforms where the main purpose is social interaction, with the intent to protect young people from online harm, cyberbullying, and explicit content. Deep down we know that this has become a huge issue, and steps are needed to restore more balance to the next generation. By removing social media from the hands of children still developing their identity and self-worth, the hope is to rebuild healthier habits and nurture genuine human connections.

LIVING BEYOND THE FEED

As a society, we now face a greater challenge: learning how to live meaningfully without relying on digital validation. For years, many of us have measured our happiness in likes, shares, and followers. The next step is to rediscover fulfilment and change in the slow, mindful rhythm of manual living.

Manual living means doing things with our hands, our hearts, and with our full attention. It is the joy of painting, cooking, gardening, journaling, or walking without a phone in hand. It is about creating, not consuming. This shift doesn’t mean rejecting technology altogether - it means using it intentionally, not habitually.

MINDFULNESS AS A MODERN COMPASS

Mindfulness is our greatest ally in this transition. It will teach us to be aware of our thoughts, habits, and our impulses - especially the urge to reach for our phone every time it makes a noise. Practising mindfulness can help us set clear boundaries around technology and remind us of what really matters.

Try these mindful steps to reset your relationship with social media:

1. Create Tech-Free Zones: Keep devices out of your bedroom at night, switch your phone to silent, make mealtimes tech-free, and be more aware of excessive scrolling. Allow your brain to rest and reconnect with the real world.

2. Notice the Pull: Each time you feel the urge to check your phone, pause and ask, What am I looking for? Often, it’s not information - it’s comfort or distraction.

3. Replace Scrolling with Sensing: Step outside. Feel the sun, smell the air, and listen. The more you engage in your senses, the less appeal the screen will hold.

4. Use Social Media Mindfully: If you do use it, follow accounts that uplift, educate, or inspire you - and unfollow any accounts that lead to comparison, or do not align with your beliefs.

5. Reclaim Time for Creativity: Paint, write, sew, or cook. The act of creating something in the present moment brings you a sense of satisfaction and achievement; it may even lead to a side-hustle or income stream.

THE BALANCE AHEAD

Our mental health, personal relationships, and creativity depend on reclaiming attention from devices that constantly demand it. For our children and the next generation, growing up with limited social media could mean rediscovering what we’ve lost: boredom that leads to imagination, conversations without distraction, and confidence built from real-world experiences instead of virtual approval.

A favourite word of mine is ‘curiosity’. If we watch the world go by, it actually becomes so much more vivid and exciting! We see things we would not normally notice – we can pick up on other people’s energy as they walk by, question their choice of style and where it came from, and inhale the constant chatter and laughter that sings to us. Our brain loves to be challenged and pushed out of its comfort zone; it thrives and sparks new neural pathways. Nature, movement, nutrition, and being present

Childhood, once defined by imagination and outdoor play, has now been replaced by algorithms and filters.

are also hidden treasures when it comes to reducing anxiety and boosting our nervous system. So, pop your phone on silent today, and choose to make a change for more creative freedom.

RETURNING TO THE ART OF LIVING

As we move toward a future less tethered to screens, we have an opportunity to redefine connectionnot through pixels, but through presence. The ban on social media for under-16s is more than a policy change; it is a cultural reset. It invites all of us, young and old, to step away from virtual validation and return to the art of living fully - offline, awake, and together.

Living fully and ageing beautifully is the goal for those of us lucky enough to call Noosa home. Carlie Wacker chats with Chloe Regan about finding the balance between enjoying sunny days and reducing sun damage from the rays.

Inside Chloe Regan’s Cosmetic Studio is a team of people and products putting in the work to maintain, rejuvenate and repair the dermal issues relating to a coastal lifestyle.

For those of us fortunate to live, work or play in Noosa, the sun isn’t just a backdrop, it’s a way of life. Boats, beach walks, jet skis and long lunches by the water. We live outdoors and we love it but that lifestyle comes with a price many Australians know all too well: pigmentation.

For Chloe and her team at this coastal skin studio, pigmentation isn’t framed as a flaw to be erased; it’s understood as a complex, deeply individual skin story shaped by sun exposure, hormones, genetics, heat and time.

Their philosophy is refreshingly realistic – to protect and enjoy life in summer, then treat with intention through the cooler months.

“Most of our clients don’t want to give up their lifestyle,” Chloe explains. “And they shouldn’t have to. The key is education, preparation and choosing the right time to treat.”

Pigmentation affects people of all ages and backgrounds but it’s particularly prevalent in coastal climates like Queensland’s.

UV exposure, heat, pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause can all overstimulate pigment cells.

For some, it’s surface freckles and for others it can be deeper hormonal pigmentation such as melasma. Add genetics into the mix and suddenly skin tells a very personal story.

“When looking at any treatment, we always start with assessment,” Chloe says. “You can’t treat pigmentation properly until you understand what kind it is, where it’s sitting, and what’s triggering it.”

Every pigmentation journey at Chloe Regan Cosmetic Clinic begins with a complimentary consultation that includes advanced skin imaging using the highly advanced Visia Skin Analysis System. The technology allows the team to see pigment forming beneath the skin’s surface often before it’s visible to the naked eye.

“It also gives people context,” Chloe explains. “The system compares your skin with others of the same age, skin type and gender globally. Sometimes clients realise their skin is actually very normal, especially for where they live.

“That reframing matters,” adds Chloe “Normalising pigmentation, rather than shaming it, is central to our ethos.

While summer is about protection, winter is when real change happens. Cooler weather reduces heat-triggered pigment activation and lowers the risk of post-treatment complications.

“If you’re treating pigment in peak summer, you’re often fighting against the environment,” Chloe says. “In autumn and winter, treatments are safer, results are better, and recovery is smoother.”

Pigmentation cannot be treated with a single solution so Chloe and the team customise treatment plans depending on skin type, lifestyle, pigment depth and downtime available to the client.

There are many approaches available in the clinic including IPL (Intense Pulsed Light), Cosmelan, needling and peels.

Cosmelan is the king of powerful results for stubborn, hormone driven pigmentation. This is a process I have experienced and the results are epic but you will need downtime to manage the process of skin tightening, peeling, redness and you absolutely must stay out of the elements – the payoff is that it works like a dream.

IPL has been around for many years and is still considered a gold standard for sun-related pigmentation.

A treatment plan may include multiple IPL sessions along with peels and skin needling.

Professional peels are brilliant for lifting surface pigment and revealing fresh new skin immediately.

Chloe says that skin needling is the unsung hero in the world of cosmetic treatments as it improves overall skin health and tone. She also mentioned cellular organisation which piqued my interest (who knew our cells could also present as a hot mess?).

“Healthy, well-organised cells behave better,” Chloe explains. “When skin functions properly, pigment often starts to regulate naturally.”

Diving deeper into disorganised cells uncovers the fact that any pigment will eventually come back if you don’t keep those cells in order. Maintaining regular needling through each season will get those cells behaving in a manner that will straighten out many skin issues.

That’s when the bigger treatments stand the chance of being long lasting. Let’s get those cells organised people!

This is why Chloe Regan Cosmetic Clinic professionals carefully prep the skin in the lead up to treatments with

targeted home care including vitamin C, A or barrier-strengthening products. This not only improves results but significantly reduces risk.

“We don’t rush,” Chloe says. “Sometimes the best thing you can do is prepare the skin for a few weeks first.”

Downtime is an honest part of pigmentation treatment. Skin may darken before lifting or shedding and Chloe is upfront about the process.

LED light therapy plays a key role in recovery, helping calm inflammation, accelerate healing and stimulate collagen and elastin.

“This is a partnership,” Chloe says. “What we do in the clinic matters but what happens at home is just as important. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s confidence, education and longevity.

“Pigmentation is often part of your DNA, your hormones, your life,” Chloe

says. “We can absolutely improve it but we also want women to feel comfortable in their skin, not at war with it.”

And perhaps that’s what sets this studio apart. It’s not about hiding from the sun forever, it’s about understanding your skin well enough to live fully, protect wisely and treat expertly when the time is right.

With the cooler weather approaching, the window is open to explore your options for treating pigmentation so give the team at Chloe Regan Cosmetic Clinic a call and get your cells sorted.

Award-Winning Cosmetic Clinic

Radiate. REPAIR. RENEW.

As the golden days of summer come to an end, our reflection in the mirror has naturally changed with the season. Freckles have deepened, pigmentation has crept in, and that sun-kissed glow? It’s starting to look a little… parched.

After months beachside and blissfully basking in the sun, this is the season to reset. To repair and replenish.

At Noosa Body & Skincare, the team see it every year. Clients come in autumn with skin that has loved the sunshine, perhaps a little too much. With a suite of advanced treatments and a dedicated team of therapists who live and breathe skin health, this is where the recovery and transformation begins.

I asked four of the expert skin therapists from the salon to share which treatments and products they reach for when skin needs serious aftercare, and who they’re best suited to.

VERITY: LUMINFUSION

If you’ve heard whispers of ‘glass skin’ and wondered whether it’s achievable without extensive downtime or drama, Verity knows just what you need. Her favourite treatment, Luminfusion, is designed to deliver instant luminosity while working deeply on skin renewal.

Using the Dermalogica Pro Pen with a nano-cartridge (no needles here), active ingredients like retinol and hydroxy acids are infused into the skin without breaking the barrier. Combined with advanced exfoliation and LED red light therapy, the 50-minute treatment resurfaces, refines and rejuvenates in one session to deliver brighter, smoother, more hydrated skin with softened fine lines and visibly improved texture. Who it targets: The treatment is particularly powerful for mature skin, pigmentation and anyone wanting to accelerate cell turnover - a perfect post-summer reset for those over 30, whether preventative or corrective. The only aftercare? Stay out of the sun for a couple of days afterwards.

“Book it in the afternoon to let your skin rest and regenerate,” Verity advises. Verity’s HOT TIP: Change your pillowcases and sheets regularly. Clean

linens that are free of dead skin, pollution and excess makeup are an underrated skincare essential.

AVRIL: PROFESSIONAL PEELS

For Avril, the humble peel is anything but basic. In her hands, it becomes one of the most versatile and transformative treatments in the clinic.

“We can tailor peels for any age or skin type and for acne, pigmentation, hydration or anti-ageing,” she says.

From mild to high-strength, peels can be layered and built gradually to strengthen skin integrity over time.

By gently shedding mini layers of dead skin, they reveal a complexion that’s smoother, softer and unmistakably brighter. With UV levels lowering, the skin can safely focus on repair and renewal.

Who it targets: All ages! Whether you’re a teenager battling breakouts or someone noticing uneven tone and sun spots creeping in, there’s a peel protocol to suit.

After months of sun-drenched days and perhaps a little too much sun, Ida Fink Gundtoft asks the experts how to give back what summer has taken and how to restore luminosity and radiance.

Avril’s HOT TIP: Always double cleanse and always hydrate the skin.

“Do you want to look like a grape or a sultana?” she asks, eyebrows raised.

The image says it all. Plump, juicy, luminous skin, always.

HEIDI: PRO MULTIVITAMIN FACIAL

For skin that feels stressed, dulled or downright exhausted, Heidi reaches for the Pro Multivitamin Facial: a powerhouse treatment that feeds the skin with exactly what it’s craving.

Packed with concentrated vitamins A, C and E, the treatment works in synergy to smooth, strengthen and revive.

Using ultrasonic and microcurrent technology, the multivitamins are infused deep into the skin, while resurfacing elements refine texture.

One of the products used within the treatment is the Multi Vitamin Power Recovery Mask which Heidi says is “like an ambulance in a tube!”

Who it targets: Particularly loved by clients aged 40 and over – and especially those who have worshipped the sun over the years; the Pro Multivitamin Facial restores elasticity and glow to tired complexions.

“But truly,” Heidi says, “anyone can benefit.”

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

Heidi

Avril

Verity

Heidi’s HOT TIP: Passionate about at-home support, Heidi swears by Dermalogica’s Phyto Nature e2 Regenerating Daily Exosome Leave-On Treatment, which she says increases elasticity and collagen dramatically in just days.

“It really works,” she said, having trialled it on her own skin. In a clinic where results matter, personal testimony carries weight.

JENNY: THE FRESH-UP HERBAL PEEL

Jenny’s favourite has history. The Fresh-Up Herbal Peel has been around for over 60 years, and is a true plant power potion! A natural herbal peel equivalent to four microdermabrasions, it’s massaged into the skin to stimulate blood circulation and metabolism. The result is improved texture, refined tone and a smooth surface.

Who it targets: “It works for all ages, all skin types,” Jenny said. Interestingly, the healthier your skin, the more you may peel, which is a sign of active renewal. Best performed between May and September, it’s a seasonal ritual that aligns beautifully with autumn.

Jenny’s HOT TIP: Jenny is a firm believer in gentle exfoliation at home using salon-quality products.

“Not too much, not too little,” she said. “Consistency is key.”

What becomes clear when speaking with the skin therapists at Noosa Body & Skincare is the depth of expertise and knowledge within the salon. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. With a broad menu of advanced treatments, from nano-infusion and LED therapy to chemical and herbal peels, vitamin infusions and more, each client’s skin

journey is considered, customised and carefully guided.

As we move into autumn’s softer light, there’s an opportunity to give back to our skin. To repair the pigmentation, rehydrate the dryness and soften the fine lines etched by months outdoors.

The experts are ready. The treatments are waiting. And your post-summer skin? It deserves nothing less than a little seasonal devotion.

Finalists in the Australian Beauty Industry Awards for the best Salon/ Spa QLD 4 treatment rooms or less 2019, 2022, 2023 & 2024. Finalist for best Eco Salon 2021. Dermalogica Gold stockist Salon 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2024.

Jenny

Feeling your skin’s glow has gone dim? Deb Caruso tries a collagenboosting multitasker that promises plump, radiant results without the drama.

The Glow TURN UP

Somewhere in my early 50s, my face stopped matching how I felt inside. The lines on my forehead dug in a little deeper, my cheeks didn’t bounce back as quickly and my neck started revealing more than I cared to share. I wasn’t chasing perfection, but I did want my skin to look more ‘timeless’ rather than ‘tired’.

It crept up slowly. One day I caught my reflection and noticed that my make-up wasn’t sitting as nicely, my cheeks looked a little deflated and the skin along my jaw and neck was starting to soften in ways that didn’t feel very ‘me’. I wasn’t chasing a new face – I simply wanted to get my glow back.

That quest for a natural refresh led me to Cosmedic Lab in Noosaville and a conversation with cosmetic nurse and founder, Bianca Dyda.

After assessing my skin and my needs, Bianca recommended advanced skin needling and a treatment called Opuluxe.

Rather than promising a new identity, the focus was on boosting what I already had: better texture, more even tone and a little more plump in my profile.

“Most of our clients don’t want to look different,” Bianca said. “They just want their skin to look healthier – smoother, clearer, more radiant.”

In simple terms, Bianca explained that skin needling was essentially a collagen workout. Ultra-fine needles create thousands of tiny microchannels in the skin, triggering a controlled healing response that stimulates fresh collagen and elastin.

Over time, that means plumper, stronger, more resilient skin.

Opuluxe takes this a step further. Described as an 8-in-1 Korean skin booster, it pairs the needling with a supercharged serum that’s delivered through microchannels. Think firming, brightening, hydrating and smoothing in one session. Book me in!

“You’re getting the benefits of collagen induction and a high-performance skin booster together,” Bianca said. “It’s a real multitasker.”

Think of it as strength training for your skin.

The Opuluxe formula reads like the ingredient list of a dream skin cocktail. There’s PLLA, the same collagenstimulating ingredient used in Sculptra, to help firm and smooth; PDRN (trout or salmon DNA) to support repair and skin vitality; glutathione to even out pigment and dial up brightness; hydrating hyaluronic acid; plus amino acids, vitamins, postbiotics and botanicals to support the barrier and overall skin health. It’s designed to target crepey skin, enlarged pores, uneven texture, dullness and early volume loss in one go.

We decided Opuluxe would be ideal for my combination of mild sun damage, fine lines, some patchy pigment and that general ‘blah’ feeling that arrives in your 50s. Importantly, we included my neck in the treatment as I felt I was starting to resemble Noosa’s iconic bush turkeys!

“Women will religiously put SPF on their face and forget their neck and chest,” Bianca said. “You can do all the

work on your face but your neck will tell your age, especially in Queensland.”

I was pleasantly surprised at how relaxing the treatment was. We started with a double cleanse to remove makeup and sunscreen, followed by time under the LED light to awaken and ready my skin cells for the treatment.

“We like to activate the cells with LED first so they’re at their maximum potential,” Bianca said. “Then, once we start the microchannels, we want the healing response to build slowly and steadily for the best collagen production.”

Bianca showed me the small vial of Opuluxe serum.

“This is your firming and glow in a bottle,” she said. “We’re going to glide it in through the needling rather than inject little deposits, so it absorbs evenly.”

The device itself sounded more intimidating than it felt – a soft buzz as the tiny needles lightly penetrated my skin.

Bianca worked methodically over my face and neck in a cross-hatch pattern, adjusting the depth depending on the area. Bony or delicate spots like the forehead and upper lip felt a bit sharper but never caused me to draw breath.

Some areas such as forehead and under my eyes were a bit ‘spicy’ but not painful and by the time my brain registered a sting, it had already moved on.

“We’re not chasing blood here,” she said as she worked. “We’re aiming for clean microchannels so the Opuluxe serum can soak in and do the heavy lifting.”

Before I knew it, we were done and a divine cooling mask was applied to take out the heat my skin was generating.

If you’re wondering about downtime, this is where Opuluxe is very manageable. Immediately afterwards my face was pink and hot but was settled by the time I returned to the office. That night, my skin felt warm and tight; over the next few days it moved through what Bianca calls the ‘journey phase’.

Day one: flushed and glowy. Days three to five: a bit dry and slightly flaky in places as old skin sheds. By day seven, my skin looked and felt smoother, clearer and softer and was visibly radiant. Bianca keeps the aftercare simple: for the first week, a gentle cleanser, nourishing moisturiser or oil and diligent sunscreen; waiting a week for stronger actives, exfoliants and retinoids.

I received lots of comments on my skin with a few people questioning whether I had had botox. Winning!

Bianca says that most people have a course of three to six Opuluxe or advanced needling sessions, spaced about four weeks apart, with improvements in firmness, texture and tone continuing for six to twelve months as new collagen forms.

“Think of it as regular strength training for your skin,” Bianca said. “You wouldn’t go to the gym once and expect to stay fit forever. Collagen behaves the same way – consistency gives you the best results.”

Clients, she says, notice changes in how makeup sits, how light reflects off the skin and that elusive ‘bounce’ that’s hard to describe but easy to see. I concur.

Bianca shared the story of a client who found the deeper anti-ageing protocol quite intense with a lot of deep breathing – yet she was back the next week to book another session.

“She’d never had so many positive compliments on her skin,” Bianca said. “That’s what we hear the most after skin needling and Opuluxe – people saying others have noticed, even if they can’t pinpoint what’s different.”

For me, the biggest shift wasn’t just in the mirror but in how I felt about my skin. It looked smoother and clearer, but it also felt stronger and more resilient –less fragile, less tired. My foundation went on better, I needed less of it and I found myself only needing lighter coverage because there was less to hide.

If you’re in your 40s, 50s or beyond and feeling like your skin no longer

reflects how vibrant you feel, Opuluxe skin needling is a clever way to turn up the glow without turning yourself into someone you don’t recognise. It works with your own collagen, honours your features and rewards a little patience with a quiet but very satisfying transformation.

GLOW GUIDE

What it is: An 8-in-1 Korean skin booster, delivered via microneedling, to hydrate, brighten, smooth and support collagen in one treatment.

Who it’s for: Anyone noticing crepey skin, fine lines, enlarged pores, uneven texture, dullness, sun damage or early volume loss.

Key actions: Firms (PLLA), repairs (PDRN), brightens (glutathione), deeply hydrates (hyaluronic acid) and nourishes with amino acids, vitamins and postbiotics. Areas treated: Face, neck and décolletage can be included in the one session.

Course & downtime: Typically 3-6 treatments, four weeks apart; expect 1-2 days of redness, a few days of dryness or light flaking and visible glow from around days 7-10.

To find out more or book a consultation with a Cosmedic Lab skin professional, scan the QR code or visit www.cosmediclab.co

Caring for you inside and out

Cosmedic Lab is the home for custom skin and anti-ageing treatments. Every consultation and treatment is unique to each individual ensuring they feel safe, understood, and their treatment is effective.

Guide AUTUMN GLOW

ALGIZOME PRO-AGEING EXOSOME SKIN

BOOSTER BY SYNERGIE SKIN

BIANCA DYDA, COSMEDIC LAB

People often forget a strong skin barrier is our body’s natural defence for keeping out harmful bacteria, pollutants and allergens. This AlgiZome serum harnesses Synergie Skin’s trademarked delivery system of human-identical biomimetic exosomes and marine bioferments to visibly firm, hydrate and restore skin youthfulness.

Ready to hit reset on your sun-soaked summer skin? Our experts share their hydration heroes to repair, rejuvenate and restore a radiant glow.

DERMALOGICA PHYTO NATURE E2

REGENERATING DAILY EXOME LEAVE-ON TREATMENT – JENNY WILSON, NOOSA BODY & SKIN CARE

If your skin needs a fresh start, this next-gen bioactive serum resurfaces and regenerates in one step. The daily leave-on treatment helps maintain a radiant glow powered by plant-derived exosomes, pumpkin enzymes, and firming botanicals that gently help clear dull cells to repair and hydrate, leaving skin smooth and luminous. Ideal for dry, dull, sensitised or post-retinol skin

ULTRACEUTICALS ULTRA C+

REJUVENATING C CHEBULA SERUM –ANGIE LAMB, ABOUT FACES NOOSA

Vitamin C is a total game-changer for brightening and protecting skin after sunny months. This Ultra C+ Rejuvenating C Chebula Serum is

IKATAN SPA NOOSA ANTI-AGEING BODY OIL –

Our body needs just as much nourishment as our face – especially when the air dries is lightweight, luxuriously rich in botanicals with a floral, yet earthy aroma that absorbs easily, leaving says

With 35 years of experience, an impressive 184 five-star reviews, Angie Lamb is celebrated for exceptional client care, advanced technology and extensive qualifications. Known as Noosa’s Skin Whisperer she creates healthy beautiful luminous complexions for all ages with transformative results.

ADVANCED SKIN &

LASER

TREATMENTS

• Pico Laser - Pigment-Melasma

• Skin rejuvenation - Tattoo Removal

• Vascular - Roseaca - Acne

• Ablative Fraxel - Sun Damage

CRAVE SKIN, COLLAGEN PLUS MOISTURISER

– CHLOE REGAN, CHLOE REGAN COSMETICS

Enriched with Manuka honey and sea buckthorn, Crave Skin’s Collagen Plus Moisturiser delivers soft, supple skin with a youthful glow, every single time. Deeply hydrating, it nourishes while reducing fine-lines and pigmentation, without leaving a greasy residue.

• Rosacea - Age Spot Treatment

• Acne

• RF Needling - Tixel - Dermapen

• Skin Tag, Mole - Sun spot removal

• Laser Hair removal - Waxing - Brows

• Vaginal Rejuv - Strech Marks - Scars

• Bespoke Facials - Micros - Peels

• Lash Lifts - Tints - Makeup - Beauty

• Cosmetic Injectables - Fillers

• Bespoke Jewellery

Angela Lamb

SKIN, BEAUTY & LASER PROFESSIONAL Noosa Waters P 0411 699 227 aboutfacesnoosa@gmail.com www.aboutfacesnoosa.com.au

GOOD GUT

In a town that knows the art of feeling good there’s a quieter kind of reset happening behind the doors of Bottoms Up Colonics Noosa. Carlie Wacker takes a cheeky look at how colonics can regenerate your inner eco-system. This topic is not flashy and it’s not Instagrammable in the conventional sense but for the people who book in, colonic hydrotherapy often becomes a surprising and addictive addition to their wellbeing story. In my experience it is equal parts physical release, nervoussystem exhale and a reintroduction to what ‘gut health’ can actually mean.

Certified Rojas Colon Hydrotherapy

Practitioner Orion Kelly smiles when she remembers her own first impression of colonics (she smiles all the time – she is the sweetest human I’ve met). Like many, she assumed it was simply about feeling flatter and clearing out waste.

“But it’s actually so much more,” she says. “The deeper shift isn’t just what leaves the body but what returns afterwards: calm, clarity, groundedness.”

Orion’s pathway to this work began in mainstream healthcare but when colonic hydrations were recommended she noticed her relationship to her own body change and she openly shares her “why” with clients.

Garden

“I noticed such a change in my mood, a change in my head space,” she recalls. The most memorable part was the emotional contrast between arriving and leaving. “I’d walk in there feeling like I was in fight or flight, and I’d walk out looking at the birds and the bees, observing the world. Present. Grounded.”

That gut–mood connection is a recurring theme in Orion’s work at Bottoms Up. She speaks about the digestive system like an environment “an ecosystem,” she calls it, where the balance of bacteria, enzymes and digestion impacts everything from cravings to energy.

Orion explains dysbiosis as a gut ecosystem that’s struggling to function well – more bad bacteria than good. That imbalance can be driven by stress, sugar-heavy diets, alcohol, yeast overgrowth or a gut that’s simply overwhelmed.

Her point is practical: if the internal environment is inflamed or out of balance, it can change what you crave, how you digest, and how you feel day-to-day.

Now since I have started to think about my gut as an ecosystem (my gut garden) it has changed the way I consume – the mind-gut connection is transformative and I am not the only one feeling the benefits of Bottoms Up.

One client, Mitchell, describes his

I noticed such a change in my mood, a change in my head space...

experience as a process that unfolded in layers; not a one-and-done event.

“Getting a series of colonics was one of the best decisions I made for my health and healing,” he said. “I didn’t really know the extent or depth of the cleanse until we moved through it in phases.”

Mitchell had 6-9 colonics over 6 weeks with some of the treatments back-toback with a session on a Monday and another immediately on a Tuesday.

He recommends doing at least a few sessions to promote a deep cleanse of the system and says the team will give you customised recommendations for support in any case.

“After a few colonics and with Orion’s facilitation, I let go of a nasty parasite nestled in my Cecum,” he says. “No joke; it looked like something from a sci-fi movie! Humour aside, it was a much deeper process than a simple physical parasite removal.”

The parasite was surrounded by kilograms of hardened black stool which Mitchell says was a physical manifestation of anger that he was

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

Orion explaining the digestive system

holding onto from a historic traumatic event from nearly 20 years ago.

“I received some valuable guidance from Orion at Bottoms Up to let go of that experience in my body, which enabled me to have the full release of that experience and the resulting purge of the parasite and the surrounding ancient faeces,” he said.

“One of the main highlights from the colonics is how deeply grounded I feel afterwards. Grounded physically and as a result, mentally and emotionally more centred.

“A priceless shift, and clearer connection and harmony with Spirit within me.”

Orion’s wisdom and service is incredibly attentive, attuned and heart based. I highly recommend her care and expertise in this service and am very grateful that she answered her calling.

In Orion’s world, Mitchell’s experience sits at the far end of what can happen not because everyone will see something dramatic but because it illustrates her larger point: the gut doesn’t just hold yesterday’s meals. Sometimes it holds years of stress patterns and the ripple effects of living in survival mode. And sometimes, when the body finally feels safe enough, it lets go.

While most sessions are far more ordinary, mine was also unexpected – usually in the first session it’s unlikely to see any parasites but there were two cheeky lil critters hanging out in my gut garden and that’s why I mentioned earlier that this can become addictive. I now wish to clear my garden of any nasties so the journey continues for me at Bottoms Up.

I felt lighter, less bloated, calmer and happier after my first session. I appreciate and understand more about the complexity of our gut and the capabilities of our bodies.

In Noosa, where wellness is part of our lifestyle, Bottoms Up offers something more intimate: a reminder that healing can be practical and profound at the same time.

Sometimes it’s simply about elimination. Sometimes it’s about releasing what your body has carried for far too long and walking back out onto the street feeling, as Orion says, “present enough to notice the birds and the bees”.

Get your gut garden in order this autumn with the special offer from Bottoms Up Noosa of three colonics for $333 over 3 months. Valid until 31 May 2026.

To find out more, make a booking and for full terms and conditions, call 5231 9765.

Cataracts are one of the most common causes of vision loss as we age, but modern surgery is transforming outcomes and restoring clarity for many locals. Kathy Sundstrom looks at how new technology is helping people see the world again.

SEEING NOOSA

Clearly

Life in Noosa is defined by clarity, from wide blue skies and sparkling ocean to long lunches with friends and time spent outdoors enjoying the region’s natural beauty.

When vision begins to blur, colours appear faded or glare creeps in during a twilight drive, those everyday pleasures can quietly become more difficult to enjoy.

For many people the cause is cataracts, a common age-related condition in which the eye’s natural lens gradually becomes cloudy, softening vision and reducing contrast over time.

Dr Madeleine Adams, principal ophthalmologist and director of Insight Eye Surgery, says many people are surprised to discover how much their sight has changed by the time cataracts are diagnosed.

Cataracts usually develop slowly and many people adapt to the change without immediately recognising how much their vision has altered.

Menus may become harder to read in dim light, night driving may feel uncomfortable and bright sunlight can create glare where once there was only warmth.

Over time those small frustrations can begin to affect independence, confidence and the simple enjoyment of daily activities.

The reassuring news is that cataracts are entirely treatable, and advances in cataract surgery now offer patients better outcomes and far more personalised options than were available even a decade ago.

Madeleine explains that a cataract forms when the clear lens inside the eye becomes cloudy.

“This is most commonly the result of the natural ageing process,” she says. Medical conditions such as diabetes or previous eye problems can also contribute.

“Once the cloudy lens has been surgically removed, patients often notice colours are brighter, contrast is sharper and everyday tasks feel easier again,” Madeleine says. “A lot of patients don’t realise how their vision has slowly deteriorated until the cataract is removed.”

Because cataracts develop gradually, many people simply ‘put up with it’ and delay treatment, but there can be a hidden cost to waiting.

Driving at night may become difficult, and reduced vision can potentially put holding a driver’s licence at risk.

Declining vision can also affect depth perception, increasing the risk of trips and falls.

In more advanced cases, cataracts may

...patients often notice colours are brighter, contrast is sharper and everyday tasks feel easier again.

become denser, which can make surgery technically more complex, although the procedure remains very safe and highly effective.

Earlier treatment often means clearer vision sooner and fewer lifestyle compromises along the way.

Cataract surgery has also advanced considerably.

The procedure involves removing the cloudy natural lens and replacing it with a clear artificial lens known as an intraocular lens.

For many years these lenses restored vision at only one distance, usually for driving or watching television, which meant reading glasses were still required for many everyday tasks.

Modern intraocular lenses can correct astigmatism as well as short or long sightedness, and advanced designs can also restore near and intermediate vision, reducing the need for glasses altogether.

Madeleine says selecting the right lens is a highly individual process that takes into account each patient’s lifestyle and what they hope to achieve from their surgery.

PHOTO: IAN WALDIE

Dr Madeleine Adams

“There is no single lens that suits everyone,” she says.

“Some people want the clearest possible distance vision while others are hoping to reduce their reliance on reading glasses, and we now have the ability to tailor that choice far more precisely.”

Insight Eye Surgery uses the latest technology to assess and measure every patient’s eyes before surgery.

With this improved accuracy, Madeleine can tailor the vision correction to focus light at a range of distances, helping deliver the best possible visual outcome.

Earlier generations of advanced lenses sometimes came with trade-offs, such as glare or halos around lights.

Newer designs have dramatically reduced these side effects, offering a natural range of vision suitable for everyday activities, from reading and cooking to walking along Hastings Street or enjoying a sunset by the water.

Patients often describe the experience as rediscovering colour and contrast they did not realise they had lost.

It is very common to hear people say

they simply wish they had done it sooner.

Insight Eye Surgery also maintains independence from lens manufacturers, allowing Dr Adams to recommend the most suitable technology for each patient rather than relying on a single product range.

Another important development has been the growing focus on eye health before cataract surgery.

Conditions such as dry eye can affect both comfort and visual results, so treating the surface of the eye beforehand can help improve healing and enhance the final outcome.

Modern therapies such as Intense Pulsed Light treatment are increasingly used to manage dry eye and improve ocular surface health prior to surgery.

Cataract surgery is available through both the public and private health systems.

Public hospitals provide treatment using standard lenses that restore vision at a single distance, while private surgery offers additional options including advanced lens technology and treatments tailored to the individual that can further refine visual results.

For anyone experiencing changes in their vision, Madeleine says the first step is usually a visit to an optometrist or GP, who can arrange a referral to an ophthalmologist if further evaluation is required.

Clear vision is not simply about seeing better. It is about maintaining independence, confidence and the freedom to enjoy everyday life.

In a place like Noosa, where so much of life is lived outdoors beneath bright skies and wide horizons, that clarity makes all the difference.

MOVEMENT Matters

Ida Fink Gundtoft discovers a sanctuary where exercise and expertise matters and where thoughtful, individualised science-based support is delivered with humanity to redefine what strength and recovery can be.

IN a town built on movement, we rarely think about it… until it’s taken away. When injury, illness or persistent pain interrupts the quality of life, it can feel deeply unsettling so there’s something quite reassuring about walking into Exercise Matters in Noosaville.

The space feels calm and considered, more like a health studio than anywhere you’d go to “work out”. It’s light-filled and welcoming, designed to put you at ease from the moment you arrive.

This is a rehab studio where the focus is primarily on how you move, how you feel, and how you can get back to doing the things you love. It’s less about pushing through pain, and more about rebuilding strength and confidence, one thoughtful step at a time.

Exercise physiology can sound clinical or confusing. For many, it sits in that hazy space between physiotherapy and personal training. Dr Sven Rees, Director of Exercise Matters and Noosa Mind & Body Allied Health Hub, wants to change that.

“I think if people knew exercise physiology and the approach, a lot of people would actually go straight to them,” he said.

At its heart, exercise physiology is about using evidence-based movement as medicine. It is structured, individualised exercise prescribed by university-qualified Accredited Exercise Physiologists to treat injury, chronic disease, neurological conditions and persistent pain.

It’s not a bootcamp. It’s not a quick fix. It’s long-term rehabilitation designed to rebuild strength, restore motor skills and return people to living fully.

“We’re not just treating symptoms,” Sven explained. “We’re providing more long-term rehab for regaining motor skills and where the process of doing it actually

gets people confident and comfortable with their movement patterns.”

And confidence, here, is everything.

With over 25 years of clinical and academic experience, a PhD in Exercise Physiology and a career spanning elite sport through to complex neurological rehabilitation, Sven brings both depth and humility to the studio floor. He has worked with Olympians and individuals navigating chronic disease. But ask him what matters most and he speaks about hope.

“If someone has hope that they can get better,” he said. “That’s where it starts.”

Hope looked like a seven-year-old client, who arrived after brain cancer had stripped function from his entire left side. He couldn’t hold a pen. He couldn’t balance. School felt impossible. Through careful neurological rehabilitation –breaking down balance, gait, hand function and finger dexterity into retrainable skills – the team rebuilt him piece by piece. Today, he is back at school and back in sport.

Working with children, Sven admits, requires creativity. Exercises must be disguised as play and it’s an area where fellow Accredited Exercise Physiologist Liam Tarr shines.

A Noosa local and former kiteboarding instructor with dreams of professional basketball, Liam understands both performance and injury firsthand. His own sporting setbacks shaped his path into rehabilitation.

He has a particular passion for paediatric exercise physiology and NDIS work, believing every child, regardless of condition or disability, deserves to experience the joy and benefits of movement. Sessions are ‘gamified’, imaginative and alive with energy.

“You’re really having to think outside the square,” Sven said. And Liam does, helping clients of all ages build confidence as much as capacity.

Then there is Ebony Blackstone, Sunshine Coast born and bred. With experience spanning neurological, cardiovascular, metabolic and musculoskeletal rehabilitation, Ebony brings both global perspective and local heart.

As a former national representative swimmer, she understands athletic development and injury prevention intimately – and has herself dealt with similar struggles to many of her clients during her career. Her clinical interests

Liam Tarr with client

range from athlete development to women’s health, navigating pre and postpartum recovery, perimenopause and long-term chronic conditions. Ebony’s approach is grounded in education and precise technique – and having navigated her own experiences as a swimmer, she brings a personal level of empathy and understanding that many clients find deeply reassuring.

Annika Coyne brings more than eight years of experience and a fierce dedication to women’s health. Her own sporting injuries sparked her journey into exercise physiology, and today she specialises in injury rehabilitation and prevention, alongside supporting women through the many transitions of life. From prenatal training to menopause management, Annika creates safe, informed spaces where women can regain mobility, reduce pain and feel strong again, physically and mentally. She believes exercise physiology goes beyond prescribing exercises; it is about equipping people with tools for life.

“In the end, everyone’s qualified to do everything,” Sven said. “But some people have their specific area of expertise.”

That diversity means whether you’re an adolescent athlete, a new mum, someone living with neurological change, recovering from surgery, managing chronic pain or simply feeling older than you’d like, there is someone who understands your path.

The science is compelling. Research increasingly shows that structured exercise rehabilitation delivers outcomes comparable to (and in some cases better than) surgical interventions over one, two and three years.

“We know exercise is medicine,” Sven said. “But it only works if you do it.”

That’s often the hardest part. Booking the appointment. Walking through the door. Letting go of the fear that movement might hurt.

Exercise Matters removes that intimidation. The studio is clean, energetic and modern, with state-of-the-art technology. There is health and longevity testing for those curious about their baseline and every program is individual. There is no template, no one-size-fits-all prescription. Just assessment, education and gradual, intelligent progression. And perhaps most importantly, belief.

In a town like Noosa – where we surf, swim, hike, garden and spend time on beaches or strolling by the river, movement is woven into daily life. When injury or chronic pain interrupts that rhythm, it can feel like losing a piece of yourself. Exercise physiology offers a way back. Not overnight. Not magically. But methodically, sustainably and with expertise guiding every step.

If you’ve been wondering whether this kind of support is for you, consider this your nudge. The worst hurdle is already behind you once the booking is made.

Inside the calm rehab studio, strength is rebuilt slowly. Confidence returns gradually. And sometimes, as one brave seven-year-old proved, life opens up again in ways that once felt impossible.

• VO2 Max Assessment

• DEXA Scan - Body Composition & Bone Density Scan

Injury Rehabilitation

Back Pain Treatment

Knee, Hip and Shoulder Injury Rehab

Neuro Rehabilitation

Osteoporosis Treatment

ONERO Classes • Perimenopause and Menopause Support • Pre and Postnatal Exercises

Ebony, Liam, Dr Sven, Dr Carl, Annika

Ebony Blackstone with client

Parenting PEACEFUL

Quality sleep is essential, not a luxury, and when children sleep, families thrive. Jodie Cameron meets a Noosa-based infant sleep consultant and midwife, who is helping families reclaim their calm – one gentle night at a time…

It’s 2am. Your baby has been awake since midnight and still hasn’t drifted off. Every time you gently peel away, stop patting, pause the rhythmic bounce or dare to step on that one creaky floorboard – they stir. And just like that, you’re back at square one.

Even now, I can feel the flicker of anxiety that defined those early months with my two boys – the negotiation between consistency and pure exhaustion, the quiet hope that this might finally be the stretch of sleep that carries through to morning.

As parents, we tell ourselves the good nights and the bad nights are simply part of the journey – a phase, and something to endure. But what if sleep didn’t have to feel like a nightly battleground?

For Jo Sweeney, founder of Cradle Consulting, it isn’t.

After more than two decades supporting families, she’s built a science-backed, personalised approach that helps parents reclaim their nights and their confidence because exhaustion doesn’t discriminate and everyone deserves more than forty winks.

Hailing from Bristol in the UK, Jo is an Internationally Registered Midwife, Certified Infant and Toddler Sleep Specialist, and trusted Night Nanny. Having worked in leading postnatal wards in hospitals across the UK and Australia, she knows firsthand the struggles new mothers face when support is scarce.

A mother of three soccer-loving boys, Jo combines medical expertise with genuine empathy, guiding parents through the challenges of early

...the result is not simply a sleeping child, but a calmer, happier and more peaceful home.

parenthood with practical, evidencebased solutions.

Jo understands that despite all the advice and support, sleep issues can vary and so it is a subject that generally gets shelved. Cradle Consulting was born to fill that gap between birth and burnout.

“It’s natural to focus entirely on the birth, especially for first-time mothers,” Jo says. “But in reality, it’s such a small window compared to a lifetime of parenting and there’s very little support given for what comes after the birth.”

“Sadly, in public health there’s just not enough time to dig deep with a new mother,” Jo explained. “There’s barely

time to check the health of both mother and baby, discuss breastfeeding, weigh the baby, and other tests.

“Most parents just want help with getting their baby to sleep. Time is not allocated for that.”

From preparing to go home and navigating newborn behaviours to establishing healthy sleep patterns, Jo provides clarity, calm, and confidence from birth to age five.

She has helped families around the world – from Noosa to the UK, Dubai, Luxembourg and Norway – proving just how powerful personal recommendations can be.

“The hardest parenting decisions aren’t made in daylight, they’re made at 2am – when you’re exhausted and just want rest,” she says.

“It’s in those small, dimly lit hours where patterns of desperation are formed, often leading to google for a solution which often creates more confusion.”

Education during pregnancy is vital and Jo’s Confident Beginnings package, shares what to expect in those early weeks, revealing the honest realities about your baby, your body and the science behind it.

“Breastfeeding hormones peak between midnight and 4am, which is why many young babies naturally wake during that time. That’s intentional biology - not a problem to fix,” Jo says. “Understanding the science helps mothers develop realistic expectations.

“Mothers will develop real expectations as everything I recommend is evidence-based and personalised.”

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

As mothers, we do what works – until it doesn’t.

During our chat, I shared with Jo how my four-year-old son had been waking after years of good sleep. Jo gently helped me unpack what might be happening, reminding me of the small routines that consistently led him to good sleep. Mum-guilt is the worse, but Jo had my back. That night? He slept through and has every night since.

“What you think is the cure is often the cause,” she says. “Waking is the symptom – not the problem. It’s my job to unpack that so families can avoid burnout before it takes over their lives.”

After gaining accreditation as a qualified sleep consultant, Jo learned how poor sleep affects every facet of parenthood. When sleep improves, so does everything else.

Did you know a baby is born with enough melatonin from the placenta and breastmilk to last a month? Every new parent needs to know things like this.

“You return home with a baby who sleeps for a month, so parents think ‘great, I’m nailing it’,” Jo shares.

“Then everyone disappears, partners return to work, family support dies off, and suddenly your baby needs help to fall

asleep. That shock is even greater when there are older children in the mix.”

But it’s more than just sleep. Anyone can be a sleep consultant. Jo is a sleep architect – designing thoughtful blueprints by studying a child’s biology, temperament, feeding, health, environment, and daily rhythms without compromising connection.

“Just like any skills, babies need to be taught how to sleep,” she explained. “My clients stay in contact and often when a sibling arrives, I help them tweak things, assessing the patterns and the environment and gently shaping a new routine so babies learn how to sleep.”

Having supported more than 500 families, Jo offers bespoke sleep packages worldwide. Including a premium threenight hotel service where parents can book interconnecting rooms so Jo can establish their baby’s sleep overnight while also giving them the rare luxury of dining out child-free and enjoying uninterrupted sleep. Families return home rested and rejuvenated with a baby who now sleeps soundly.

True refinement isn’t loud – it’s intentional. Jo’s work is not about rigid formulas; it’s about creating sleep that is structurally sound, developmentally aligned, and respectful of connection.

Every detail and recommendation has a purpose, and the result is not simply a sleeping child, but a calmer, happier and more peaceful home. There’s a quiet confidence in something that’s been thoughtfully designed just for you and your child, not just a cookie cutter approach.

Jo is helping families break the patterns to reclaim the night, because if we don’t break the patterns, the patterns will eventually break us.

SLEEP MATTERS

Discover what some of Jo’s clients say: “Jo has been our guiding light. Her support with our son’s sleep and routine has completely transformed our home into a calm, thriving space...”

- Jay, Gen & Huddy, Mount Coolum. “Jo is by far the best investment we have made for our family postpartum. She is the only person I trust to care for our newborn and I sleep so soundly knowing that my baby is in the best hands...”

- Mat, Elizabeth, August & Soleil, Doonan. To book a FREE 15-minute discovery session, call Jo on 0418 840 185, email j.sweeney@cradleconsulting.com.au. Follow @cradleconsulting, visit www.cradleconsulting.com.au or scan the QR code for more.

Australian

ADVANCED STYLE

The best things are built to last. For this editorial, we set out to capture the essence of Australia in fashion, not as a cliché but as a feeling woven into clothing. The textures of natural fibres, the earthy tones of the landscape, the vibrant Aussie people behind the businesses and brands.

At the heart of the shoot is an Australian icon: Akubra. For more than a century, Akubra hats have been part of the Australian story, worn by stockmen, adventurers, musicians and everyday Australians who value practicality as much as character. Each hat carries with it a sense of place — a reminder that fashion, at its best, reflects the land and the people who wear it.

The studio setting is simple but that’s the point: Australian style has never needed excess. It lives in the detail - the tilt of an Akubra, the roll of a sleeve, the confidence of clothes designed to be worn, not just admired.

Carlie Wacker @worldofwacker

Top to bottom: Traveller in Spice, Tablelands in Sand, Leisure Time in Light Sand, Dusty Dawn in Coffee, Coober Pedy in Fern from Akubra, 0477 384 137

Coober Pedy in Fern from Akubra, 0477 384 137 Jeanie Sculptural top in chocolate from Wacker Clothing Company, wackerclothingcompany.com.au

14k White Gold drop earrings with diamond highlights featuring Sleek Boulder Opal.

“The Winterlarkin Pendant” - 18k White Gold Pendant featuring 8.04ct Queensland Boulder Opal and 64 Diamonds, with 45cm 18k White Gold snake chain from Opals Down Under, 5494 5400

Affectionately named “Winterlarkin”, this stunning 18k White Gold Boulder Opal Pendant was designed and created by Swiss-born jeweller Peter Baer in 2007.

Featuring 64 diamonds, the design is based on a town in Switzerland named Interlarkin, that is positioned between two lakes. The opal captures the colour of the lakes, while the diamonds symbolise the winter snow, emphasising the pristine scenery the township cherishes.

Released from the rough, carefully shaped, and polished to perfection. It's rare, it's precious and utterly unique. There will never be another one like it.

We know that what we do is something very special because there is nothing quite like the moment when an opal captures your heart.

Celebrating 40 years of sharing our love of Australia’s National Gemstone

14k Yellow Gold Ring featuring 3.23ct Queensland Boulder Opal and 26 Champagne Diamonds

14k White Gold Ring featuring 1.12ct Lightning Ridge Black Opal and Diamond

available from Opals Down Under, 5494 5400

Savannah dress in Liora and purple beads from Soul Song Life, 0412 246 550 Camper Pelotas Soller in blue from Feet First Noosa, 5447 2211

Shimla Dust Coat in white and handcrafted jewellery from Soul Song Life, 0412 246 550

Emerson dress from Wacker Clothing Company, wackerclothingcompany.com.au

Frankie4 Rome in Ecru from Feet First Noosa, 5447 2211. Earrings, model’s own.

Lola Dress in tea party print, Stella straw bag, Perri mixed metal earrings from Wacker Clothing Company, wackerclothingcompany.com.au

Frankie4 Rome in Ecru from Feet First Noosa, 5447 2211

Kantha Bed Cover, Wash Bags and handcrafted

jewellery from Soul Song Life, 0412 246 550

Camper Pelotas Soller in blue from Feet First Noosa, 5447 2211

Arrabella Nightie in white and Marie Jo Bra in Daisy Noir Black from Ladybird Noosa, 5455 4070

Jenny belt from Wacker Clothing Company, wackerclothingcompany.com.au

Dusty Dawn in Coffee from Akubra, 0477 384 137

wackerclothingcompany.com.au

Marie Jo Bra and High-Waisted Brief in Daisy Noir Black from Ladybird Noosa, 5455 4070

Journey Jacket in red organza from Wacker Clothing Company,

Tangier Ikat Boyfriend shirt and wide leg pant and Flabelus Claire shoes in sand, Nadia Dafri clutch from Sara Leonardi,

Jeanie Sculptural top and Joanie skirt in chocolate linen, chain belt and Michelle earrings from Wacker Clothing Company, wackerclothingcompany.com.au Frankie4 Rome in Ecru from Feet First Noosa, 5447 2211

Camper Pelatos Soller in pink from Feet First Noosa, 5447 2211

Leisure Time in Light Sand from Akubra, 0477 384 137

Matilde top and Ainsley skirt in Aurelia, Silver Beaded Choker from Soul Song Life, 0412 246 550 Ecco Soft 7 in Pure White Gold from Feet First Noosa, 5447 2211

Fashion Editor: Carlie Wacker @worldofwacker

Creative Direction: Ali Smith @graphicali

Photographer: Ian Waldie @ianwaldiephotography

HMUA: Craig and Lara Argent

@pony_beauty_bar_noosa

Model: Christine Billings @christine.the.muse.ik

Assistant: Kiki Argent @pony_beauty_bar_noosa

SHOP OUR ONLINE

See something you like?

Shop the HOTTEST looks and local labels online!

Simply scan the QR code to access the Autumn 2026 Lookbook with shoppable links to take you from curious to catwalk-ready!

Iconic AKUBRA

On Hastings Street where beautiful boutiques meet beachside ease, Carlie Wacker discovers an unmistakably Australian symbol has taken its place among the fashion houses and foodie spots.

The arrival of Akubra to Hastings Street Noosa marks more than the opening of a new retail store; it represents the continuation of a 150 year story deeply woven into Australia’s cultural identity.

From cattle stations to city streets, military uniforms to fashion runways, the Akubra hat has long stood as a symbol of durability, craftsmanship and national character. Now for the first time, visitors to Hastings Street can step inside a dedicated Akubra store and experience the brand in a way few Australians ever have before.

For store manager Claire and her team, the location is the perfect fit.

“An iconic brand on an iconic street,” she says. “It just feels right.”

The story of Akubra began in 1876 when Kensington Hat Mills was established near Hobart by Benjamin Dunkerley. In the early 1900s the Keir family took control of the business and moved operations to Waterloo, New South Wales.

In the 1970s Kemspey became the new home of Akubra however it wasn’t until 2012 that the business formally changed

the name and secured the Akubra trademark.

Today the company honours that heritage while securing its future under the ownership of Dr Andrew Forrest AO and Nicola Forrest AO through the Tattarang group, which also owns R.M.Williams. An acquisition that ensures the brand remains proudly Australian.

The most incredible part of this story is the hats are still made exactly the way they always have been by skilled artisans who have passed the craft down through generations.

“For the past 50 years, the hats have been made in Kempsey using the same machines and the same processes that were used 150 years ago,” Claire explains.

This is music to my fashion-loving ears in an industry increasingly defined by global supply chains and fast production cycles, Akubra remains one of the rare companies in the world that manufactures its entire product from start to finish in one country.

Each Akubra hat is a testament to slow

fashion - a philosophy that prioritises quality, longevity and craftsmanship.

The process takes six weeks from start to finish. During that time the hat passes through 162 separate steps, is handled more than 200 times and crafted by over 60 pairs of hands!

For many customers including myself, these statistics come as a surprise.

“Nobody realises what goes into making an Akubra,” Claire says. “When we explain the process, people suddenly understand what they’re buying. It’s incredible craftsmanship.”

The hats themselves are made from rabbit fur felt - a material prized for its durability and weather resistance. The fur is a by-product sourced from Europe where rabbit is widely consumed. The fur is transformed into a dense felt through a matting process before being shaped into the iconic hat forms.

In fact, six layers of rabbit fur felt give the hats their strength and resilience, allowing them to withstand decades of wear. Many owners keep their hats for life, passing them down through generations. This means you are buying

Claire in the Hastings Street store

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

something that will likely become a family heirloom and a piece that holds a family tree of memories.

While Akubra’s identity is deeply tied to Australia’s outback and rural heritage, its reach extends far beyond and has become a global icon.

The hats are worn internationally by farmers, adventurers, military personnel and even members of the British royal family. We’ve seen them on the big screen and in magazines. In Australia, they are supplied to industries ranging from agriculture to education and defence. Yet despite its global reputation it wasn’t until recently the brand operated its own retail stores.

“Traditionally we were wholesalers,” Claire explains. “You’d find Akubra in shops that sell lots of different hats.”

The move toward dedicated retail stores is, in my opinion, game changing. Locations currently include Bondi, Byron Bay, Kempsey, Sydney’s Strand Arcade - and now, Noosa.

What makes the Hastings Street store special is not just the product but the experience. I compare it to buying a designer handbag – it’s a moment to cherish and indulge.

Claire has carefully designed a fivestar service approach for customers stepping through the door and it is one that reflects the craftsmanship of the hats themselves.

“When someone is spending around $400 on a hat, they deserve a luxury experience,” she says.

The process begins with conversation.

The Akubra experts ask about lifestyle and personal style – a hat worn on a cattle property will differ from one designed for beachside walks or weekend adventures.

Then comes the measuring. One must

...Akubra remains one of the rare companies in the world that manufactures its entire product from start to finish in one country.

be seated while staff measure the head — a surprisingly important detail as measurements taken standing can shift slightly. Accuracy matters but it’s not just about size.

“We also look at head shape,” Claire says. “Some hats work better for certain head shapes and others don’t.”

From there, the team selects styles suited to the individual, often discovering that their first instinct proves correct.

“You’ll put a hat on someone and they’ll love it,” Claire laughs. “Then they try others but they almost always go back to the first one.”

Once the perfect hat is chosen, customers are guided through cleaning, storage and care techniques, ensuring the hat will last for years.

An important piece of advice surprises many first-time buyers: hats should be purchased slightly larger than their natural fit.

Over time, heat and perspiration cause the internal band to shrink slightly, allowing the hat to mould perfectly to its owner’s head.

“It actually becomes your hat that is unique to your head,” Claire says.

The Hastings Street location has already attracted attention from locals, tourists and curious passers-by. Tradies walking past double-take when they see the familiar brand name in the window; visitors stop to photograph the store. Families come in together, sometimes buying hats for multiple generations.

“We sell hats to everyone,” Claire says. “Two-year-olds right through to grandparents.”

Every style of hat is unisex so they appeal to a broad audience.

While I was in store, I witnessed two German tourists buy their first Akubra and the excitement was palpable – they left the store with a very special, lifelong memory and experience from their holiday in Australia. Witnessing that moment made me incredibly proud to be an Aussie. For Claire, the location couldn’t be more perfect.

“If you could work anywhere in the world,” she says with a smile, “why wouldn’t you choose Hastings Street?”

In a place known for sun, style and effortless luxury, Akubra’s arrival feels almost inevitable.

After 150 years of Australian heritage, the story continues - now with a new chapter written in Noosa.

Discover Akubra at 2 Hastings Street and find your perfect fit - for today and generations to come.

www.akubra.com.au

Michelle and Claire

FRESH STEPS

With new ownership, and a refreshed vision, Feet First on Hastings Street is stepping confidently into its next chapter, as Carlie Wacker discovers.

On Hastings Street you’ll find barefoot beachgoers and sense that shoes might be optional, yet tucked among Noosa’s boutiques and cafés, Feet First has quietly become a long-standing destination for footwear that blends comfort, craftsmanship and style.

Now, after three decades serving locals and loyal visitors alike, the store is entering a new era under the guidance of owners Mitch Ogle and Chris Wicks.

The lads bring a fresh energy while honouring the foundations that made the shop a staple of the street.

For Mitch, owning a footwear store has been a long time coming.

“This is actually my second ever job,” he says with a laugh. “I started as a casual at Athlete’s Foot and worked my way up over 15 years.”

Buying a store of his own was always part of the plan. When the opportunity arose to take over Feet First Noosa the move felt like the perfect fit both professionally and personally.

“Having the beach thirty seconds away is pretty handy,” Mitch says. “I’d spent my whole working life inside shopping centres, not seeing the sun. It was a bit

soul-destroying. The lifestyle here was definitely a big factor.”

Originally from Queensland, Mitch grew up moving around the state while his father worked in mining safety. From North Queensland to Central Queensland and later Brisbane, his career eventually brought him to Noosa when the chance to purchase the store appeared.

While the location was part of the attraction, Mitch also recognised the potential within the business itself.

“The previous owners had done a great job and built a loyal following over 30 years,” he explains. “I’m all about keeping what people love about this shop but also letting a younger generation know there’s something here for them too.”

That philosophy has shaped the store’s evolution. Core brands remain firmly in place with familiar names that long-time customers trust.

“We’ve still got Birkenstock, Frankie 4, Ecco, Sperry, Pikolinos and Hispanitas,” Mitch says. “They’ve been big sellers for years.”

In fact, they have an entire wall dedicated to Birkenstock and would have

to have one of the biggest ranges in the region.

Alongside the classics, the range has expanded with brands Mitch knows well from his time working with podiatrists, physiotherapists and performance footwear specialists.

“We’ve brought in Brooks Running, which I believe is one of the best running brands out there,” he says. “It was consistently the number one brand recommended by podiatrists when I worked in Brisbane.”

For serious runners or anyone seeking proper support, Brooks helps fill a gap in the store’s athletic offering.

“We’ve got Hoka at one end with big, cushioned soles, and On which is lightweight and low profile,” Mitch explains. “Brooks sits nicely in the middle for more of a traditional runner.”

Then there are brands chosen specifically with Noosa in mind.

One of Mitch’s favourite additions is Olukai – a super cool Hawaiian surfinspired label that perfectly captures our coastal lifestyle.

“It’s just perfectly suited to Noosa,” he says. “Casual but still smart, really

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

Mitch Ogle

...and yes, sandy feet are welcome.

comfortable and there are some beautiful premium styles as well.”

The connection runs deeper than aesthetics. The brand’s relaxed ‘beach to bar’ philosophy mirrors the rhythm of Hastings Street itself where mornings begin with ocean swims and afternoons often drift into long lunches or sunset drinks if you’re lucky.

“Michael from Noosa Longboards came in and was absolutely raving about them,” Mitch says. “There’s that shared Hawaiian surf culture which ties in nicely.”

Beyond everyday footwear, Mitch is also developing new specialty areas. Golf shoes are one category he believes holds strong potential.

“With eight golf courses around the region, it’s definitely something I want to build,” he says. “We’ve always stocked Ecco Golf for men and women, but now we’ve added Asics golf shoes for men as well. I’m always looking at what the market needs. Watch this space.”

Inside the store, the changes are visible

too. In the first year alone Mitch and Chris invested in refreshing the space to give the store a lighter, more contemporary feel while keeping the welcoming atmosphere that regular customers expect.

They launched a Loyalty Program and revamped the website which is now a hub for shopping the latest range, sale items and accessories with free delivery for orders over $100.

Through the transition some things stayed the same, like some of the team.

Julie has been with the store for three years, Vicky for five, while Danielle, Dana and Preston, a local teen triathlete who

finished school last year, round out the friendly crew.

“They’re fantastic,” Mitch says. “Our team genuinely want to help you find a style that works for you and to ensure that you receive the proper fit. That’s a big part of what we do. If we don’t have your size or a particular colour, we can generally order it in for you.

Oh and yes, sandy feet are welcome.

“People can walk in straight off the beach and we’ll look after them and ensure they put their Feet First,” he says. In a place like Noosa, that seems entirely “fitting”.

Putting Feet First on Hastings Street for over 30 Years

ART

Moves THAT

The Sunshine Coast’s most alive and exhilarating form of art returns in July at a bold new location. Jodie Cameron discovers the 2026 Australian Wearable Art Festival…

When the lines between fashion and sculpture, theatre and design, imagination and engineering blur, art learns to move and becomes undeniably magical.

This July, that magic returns to the Sunshine Coast in spectacular style as the Australian Wearable Art Festival (AWAF) enters its sixth year – marking a bigger, bolder chapter and a more globally connected celebration than ever before. At its heart, the Festival remains grounded in the spirit of our region –innovative, sustainable and unapologetically original.

Expect an elevated, immersive experience perfectly suited to the drama, storytelling and WOW-factor moments it’s known for, as the Festival makes its debut at its new location the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort – promising another awe-inspiring spectacle that lingers long after the lights go down.

Festival Co-Founder and Curator Wendy Roe says the move allows the Festival to accommodate the artists with more space while elevating the entire audience experience.

“For the first time, we have the scale to match the ambition of the work with a purpose-built, u-shaped 40-metre runway, immersive environments, and space for audiences to step inside the world of wearable art,” Wendy says.

“From the moment guests arrive, they’ll feel encased in an artistic journey, whether they’re seated along the runway, engaging directly with artists, or discovering playful, imaginative experiences throughout the venue.”

The event has become a platform not just for established designers, but for emerging visionaries who see waste not

as an endpoint, but as the beginning of something beautiful.

This year’s 34 finalists represent an extraordinary cross-section of talent, including 19 returning AWAF artists and 15 exhibiting for the first time including entries from as far away as Romania, USA, Indonesia and Poland.

From intricate works crafted from reclaimed materials to avant-garde silhouettes pushing the boundaries of engineering, these artists are storytellers, environmental advocates and designers all at once.

Sustainability remains a central thread, with many garments constructed from discarded plastics, natural fibres, recycled metals and everyday materials transformed into haute couture.

Among those celebrating the next chapter are 2025 Supreme Award winners Dan Draper and Evita Camilleri, known as Derby Cross, who have given new meaning to the humble cable tie. Their runway creations are nothing short of breathtaking, consistently wowing

“It’s such a unique opportunity for artists and one of the first events to showcase our work.

audiences they credit AWAF as a pivotal platform in their creative journey.

“It’s such a unique opportunity for artists and one of the first events to showcase our work,” Derby Cross says.

“From our first showing in 2022 to winning the Supreme Award and then being recognised as finalists at World of WearableArt in New Zealand, AWAF has been instrumental in our growth.

“That trajectory simply wouldn’t have been possible without a festival creating space for artists to be seen and supported.”

After a few full years, 2026 is about consolidation for Derby Cross, who

2025 Supreme Award Winners Derby Cross

haven’t entered this year, instead focusing on new material directions and preparing entries for World of WearableArt in New Zealand and SWELL Sculpture Festival on the Gold Coast.

For audiences, the experience is both electrifying and captivating – every second commands attention, you literally don’t want to blink. Unlike a traditional gallery setting, wearable art is completely alive. It moves, and it tells stories as models glide down the runway, embodying each artist’s vision. Feathers sway, metal shimmers, repurposed plastics ripple like silk. Every piece is revealed in a carefully choreographed moment designed to elicit absolute awe.

For those wanting to elevate their evening, the Art Lover’s Table – the Festival’s most sought-after ticket –offers a premium way to experience the show. Available as individual seats at tables of ten, it puts guests at the heart of the action, combining social fun with artistic immersion.

Your evening begins in the VIP Welcome Tipi with live jazz, roaming models and photo moments. Enjoy a cocktail and gourmet canapés before an exclusive backstage tour meeting artists and models, seeing wearable artworks up close, and witnessing the magic before it

hits the runway. As the lights dim, take your seat with the best views in the house, two bottles of complementary champagne, artisan grazing boxes, and a decadent dessert platter served tableside, allowing you to fully enjoy the spectacle without moving a muscle –other than lifting your jaw when the show begins!

Whether you’re a long-time supporter or a first-time attendee, now is the time to secure your tickets. Early-bird tickets are sold-out, and round two tickets and Art Lover’s Tables are on sale – and they won’t last long. The Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort is also offering discounted accommodation for all ticketholders, so stay the night or make a weekend of it and kick up your heels!

Wearable art challenges the conventional – it’s art you can’t hang on your wall, intentionally. AWAF is not just an event; it’s a statement. It champions sustainability in a celebratory way, showcasing innovation without losing accessibility, proving that creativity flourishes when given a platform and a community who supports it.

Prepare to be surprised. Prepare to be inspired and prepare to see sustainability transformed into spectacle. This July, the runaway and a world of wonder awaits!

TICKETING INFO

Australian Wearable Art Festival 2026 Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort, Twin Waters

• Matinee - Saturday, 11 July, 1pm

• Gala - Saturday, 11 July, 7pm

GENERAL ADMISSION

• $85 TO $210

ART LOVER’S TABLE + VIP EXPERIENCE

• $350 - includes welcome drink, canapes, VIP backstage tour, complementary champagne, grazing box + dessert platter. For more information and to book tickets, scan the QR code or visit www.australianwearableart.com.au

TWO MATINEE TICKETS!

Thanks to the Australian Wearable Art Festival, we have two General Admission tickets valued at $290 to the Matinee show on Saturday 11 July at 1pm! Scan the QR code and enter by 24 May 2026 for your chance to WIN!

SATURDAY 11 JULY MATINEE 1PM & GALA 7PM NOVOTEL SUNSHINE COAST

National and international artworks take to a 40 metre long stage, this is Australia’s preeminent showcase of wearable art - where high-end fashion and the sculptural world of art collide together.

TO BOOK TICKETS or for MORE INFORMATION visit australianwearableart.com.au or scan the QR Code

Sustainability

Winner 2025, Antoaneta Tica

‘Duality’

Photo: Colin McLellan

Less THE ART OF

When it comes to art, Noosa Regional Gallery Director Michael Brennan provides his insights into how the art of less can often offer more.

Abstraction can be a bit of a challenge for some people. If it’s to be more than background noise or interesting interior decoration, then some effort is required on the part of the viewer.

It can take a bit of work to find a way in. And then there’s the idea that if a painting doesn’t look like something tangible, then it requires less skill and effort on the part of the maker and is therefore less admirable than something that looks realistic or something that is relatable because it depicts a recognisable thing from the world around you.

Of course, that’s not true.

There’s nowhere to hide with well resolved abstract painting.

Recognisable things come with a host of associations – wants; memories; emotions. What you, as a viewer, bring to the thing that’s being depicted means that you contribute perhaps as much to your reception and appreciation of the work as the artist does.

And maybe there’s a little of that in

PHOTO: MEGAN GILL

Andrew Hillhouse, Adrift on the Coral Sea, 120cm x 240cm, acrylic on canvas, 2026

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Andrew Hillhouse

non-objective painting too (another fancy way of describing purely abstract art). We all have different associations with colour, tone, texture, space, but we don’t have memories of enjoying holidays in those abstracted elements, nor hoping to find one of them under the Christmas tree with a big red ribbon around it.

What abstraction does offer – for those willing to give it some attention – is a chance to stop and reflect on something beyond everyday practical functions and experiences. It opens up spaces that can be both more philosophical and more primal.

Andrew Hillhouse is a painter based in the Noosa Hinterland. And while his large canvases hint at expansive fields, reflective surfaces and atmospheric voids, they resist ever locking into a depiction of the world around us.

Instead, they provide us with a space to experience something common to all these things – something essence-like, perhaps.

Spending time with the potency of these works allows the receptive viewer to tap into a larger energy that courses through us all.

Similarly, Daniel von Sturmer considers different properties of perception with the purity of paint. Stripped back to black and white and zoomed in to almost microscopic detail (well, maybe not quite that small), von Sturmer uses his material to prompt reflection on perception itself, our biases, and how they impact our view of the world.

That’s some pretty heavy lifting for paint to do. And the kicker is, von Sturmer’s painting is actually a video of the stuff, dripping down a wall.

Both artists have concurrent exhibitions at Noosa Regional Gallery this autumn. Von Sturmer’s comes courtesy of the National Gallery of Australia’s Regional Initiatives Program – an initiative that sees significant works from the national collection lent out to public galleries across the regions.

Between them, they open a shared space for thinking about how we see, how we interpret external stimulus, and how we construct our understanding of the world through visual impressions.

ABSTRACT EXCELLENCE

Experience and appreciate the works of these artists at Noosa Regional Gallery until 19 April. Free entry.

ANDREW HILLHOUSE: There is Another Sky

DANIEL VON STURMER: Limits of the Model (Sequence 3) Noosa Regional Gallery, 9 Pelican Street Tewantin. www.noosaregionalgallery.com.au

Limits of the Model (Sequence 3) is supported by Metal Manufactures and Haymans Electrical and Data Suppliers through partnership with the National Gallery of Australia’s Regional Initiatives Program.

Image: Daniel von Sturmer (artist), Limits of the Model (Sequence 3) [still], 2006, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, gift of Andrew and Cathy Cameron 2021. Donated through the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program, © The artist

noosaregionalgallery.com.au

DANIEL VON STURMER

Andrew Hillhouse, There is Another Sky, 150 x 300cm, acrylic on polycotton, 2026

Bigger for sharing profits with you. Big on community.

Bank local and help your money do more for Noosa.

Ask us about banking local.

Mon–Thu 9:30am–4pm Fri 9:30am–4:30pm 5440 5289 Local decisions. Local impact.

Community Bank Tewantin-Noosa

Combining art, storytelling and business, Jodie Cameron meets a local artist helping bridge the gap between creativity and commerce…

Commerce CREATIVE

After years of connecting communities through vibrant large-scale artworks, Sunshine Coast based street artist, creative entrepreneur and podcaster Sarah Sculley is bringing her signature style to an unexpected space: the world of banking.

Known for her bold use of colour, typography and the female form, her work comes to life across canvases, murals, surfboards and skate decks –and most notably, the walls of Bendigo Bank’s Tewantin branch.

A long-time supporter of communityled creativity, and inspired by the Tewantin landscape and people, Sarah painted the branch’s mural on International Women’s Day in 2021.

The artwork celebrates connection, collaboration and place, even incorporating an augmented reality element where butterflies appear to fly from the wall via a mobile app.

“For me, murals are visual storytelling and a way of capturing the spirit of a place through colour, movement and local inspiration,” Sarah says. “I love colour and art because they symbolise joy.”

Sarah’s creative journey has taken her far beyond the Sunshine Coast. After studying graphic design and visual culture at the Queensland College of Art, she held her first solo exhibition in Shanghai in 2005. Since then, her work has travelled across the UK, USA, Asia and Australia, featuring in magazines including Home Design, Grand Designs and was chosen to be the front cover artist for our sister publication Hello Sunshine Magazine in Autumn 2023 – an artwork that also came to life through augmented reality.

Despite international success, Sarah remains deeply grounded in her local creative community. Working full time as an artist for more than eight years, she balances motherhood alongside mural commissions with mentoring, workshops and online education, supporting artists at

every stage of their careers.

“So many artists have the talent but often need support and practical tools to turn that talent into a sustainable career,” she explained. “The business side of art doesn’t have to feel overwhelming, and my goal is to make it approachable, empowering and even exciting.”

Sarah loves the freedom and autonomy of running her own business, taking time off to rest or hustling a little harder when she’s dreaming of an overseas holiday.

She values community education and loves new ideas, teaching and seeing the imaginary light bulb going off in someone’s mind.

Teaming up with Bendigo Bank's Community Bank Tewantin-Noosa, Cooroy and Marcoola branches, Sarah is now blending art, storytelling and business education to help local creatives turn passion projects into sustainable careers.

“I love helping artists feel empowered not only to create, but to thrive professionally through their work,” she says.

That philosophy underpins her upcoming Business of Art workshop, presented in partnership with Bendigo Bank. Designed to demystify the commercial side of creativity, the workshop will cover pricing, commissions, marketing, income streams and long-term planning for artists wanting to build viable creative businesses.

Bendigo Bank’s genuine commitment to community made the collaboration a natural fit.

“Connection and community are at the heart of everything I do, so working with an organisation that actively invests in local people and projects feels incredibly meaningful,” Sarah shared.

When she’s not painting walls in the heat or running workshops, Sarah records her podcast Art + Business + Murals, sharing

...I love helping artists feel empowered not only to create, but to thrive professionally through their work…

practical advice on pricing, confidence and creative sustainability. Her studio –a converted shipping container in the Sunshine Coast hinterland – is equal parts sanctuary and organised chaos, filled with paint, stencils and the sounds of kookaburras, her days are spent sipping green cordial and listening to Mumford & Sons.

“I struggle with imposter syndrome daily,” she admitted. “I make at least one mistake on every mural, and often I’m the only one who sees it, but each mistake makes me a better muralist.”

Through art, education and collaboration, Sarah continues to prove that creativity and commerce don’t have to exist at opposite ends of the spectrum.

With support from community-minded organisations like Bendigo Bank, she’s helping ensure local art – and artists –can truly thrive.

BRUSH UP ON YOUR CREATIVE SIDE

Business of Art

Workshop + Creative Process

To learn more about Sarah Sculley’s work on social media, follow her on @sculleydesign or visit www.sculleydesign.com

To sign up to Sarah Sculley’s workshop, scan the QR code or visit: www.bankingthatbenefits.com.au

Sarah Sculley

PHOTO: IAN WALDIE

A new exhibition at Studio One Noosa invites visitors to move beyond simply viewing art and step into a deeper digital dialogue with the artists behind the works. Kathy Sundstrom reports.

Wall OFF THE

Art galleries have traditionally been places of quiet observation, where visitors pause, reflect and absorb the work on the walls as one static moment in time.

Studio One Noosa’s latest exhibition gently challenges that tradition by inviting audiences to take the next step.

Running until 2 May, Clique Bait is an evolving group exhibition that blurs the boundary between physical and digital experiences, encouraging viewers to interact with artworks in a new and unexpected way.

The exhibition title plays deliberately on the dual meanings of ‘clique’ and ‘click’, hinting at both the close-knit group of artists involved and the digital action that unlocks another layer of the experience.

Each artwork in the exhibition is accompanied by a QR code, allowing visitors to instantly access the artist’s broader creative world through their phone.

With a single scan, the viewer moves beyond the wall label and into the artist’s extended practice, discovering more about the ideas, processes and influences behind the work.

The experience allows visitors to fully benefit from the layered offerings of today’s digital world while engaging in a pleasure as old as time – marvelling at an artist’s physical creation on a wall.

For curator and artist Juanita Van Den Bergh, the concept reflects the changing ways audiences encounter and engage with art today.

Rather than simply presenting a static

exhibition, Clique Bait evolves over its eight-week run, with new works and additions appearing throughout the show.

Returning visitors will find something different each time, creating a sense of discovery that mirrors the fast-moving and ever-shifting digital world the exhibition quietly references.

“It’s about moving from observer to participant - that single click allows people to step deeper into the work and into the story behind it,” Juanita says.

The exhibition brings together a carefully curated group of contemporary Australian artists, each with a distinct visual language but connected through a shared curiosity about perception, attention and connection.

Among the artists featured are Rick Matear, Bronwyn Barton, Wendy Rennie, Juanita Van Den Bergh and Bill Botten, alongside a broader collective contributing to the evolving exhibition.

Rick Matear is widely known for his refined explorations of light and landscape, capturing quiet moments shaped by water, reflection and memory. His work often sits somewhere between representation and atmosphere, inviting the viewer to pause and absorb the subtleties of the environment.

Wendy Rennie approaches painting through expressive abstraction, using colour, movement and layered surfaces to evoke the emotional rhythms of coastal landscapes.

Bronwyn Barton draws inspiration directly from Noosa’s subtropical

...that single click allows people to step deeper into the work and into the story behind it.

bushland, translating natural forms and textures into richly layered, semi-abstract compositions that feel both organic and intuitive.

Juanita Van Den Bergh’s own work explores abstraction as a contemplative space, where layered gestures and shifting tones reveal emotional depth and psychological tension over time.

Bill Botten brings an expressive language that moves fluidly between abstraction and figuration, exploring themes of identity, memory and the landscapes of the mind.

Together, the artists form a thoughtful and visually compelling collective, each voice distinct yet contributing to a broader conversation about how we see, choose and connect with images.

Rather than offering a fixed narrative, Clique Bait creates what Juanita describes as ‘a liminal space’.

“It reflects the contemporary experience of navigating choice, access and curiosity in real time, where discovery often happens through interaction,” she says.

Importantly, the exhibition avoids making overt commentary about technology or digital culture.

Clique Bait exhibition at Studio One Noosa

Instead, it invites viewers to quietly become aware of their own role in the process of looking, selecting and engaging.

The relaxed yet culturally curious backdrop of Noosa provides a fitting setting for the concept.

Here, art is often encountered not just in galleries but within homes, workplaces and hospitality spaces that value creativity as part of everyday life.

Studio One Noosa has long positioned itself at the intersection of those worlds, connecting artists with collectors and interior designers; and providing a go-to community for art lovers and the art curious who might seek pieces that resonate with both place and personality.

The gallery’s curated exhibitions are known for bringing together diverse practices under a unifying theme, often encouraging visitors to look at familiar ideas from a fresh perspective.

Clique Bait continues that approach while adding a contemporary twist.

By inviting audiences to scan, explore and discover more about each artist’s practice, the exhibition expands the gallery experience beyond its physical walls.

It is a simple gesture, yet one that reflects how art is increasingly experienced across multiple platforms and spaces.

“We’re

Visitors may arrive expecting a traditional gallery visit. They may leave having followed an artist’s practice online, explored a new body of work or discovered a connection they had not anticipated.

That sense of curiosity and discovery sits at the heart of the exhibition.

It also reflects the broader philosophy behind Studio One Noosa, where art is presented not as something distant or exclusive, but as something personal and accessible.

Looking ahead, the gallery will soon take its artists onto an even larger stage when it will represent five artists at the Brisbane Affordable Art Fair, presenting a curated collection built around dreamlike colour palettes and contemporary themes.

The showcase will feature works by Debra Hutton and Juanita alongside fellow Gateway Drive artists Fiona Bastow, Jo Cook and Dallas Lesley highlighting the gallery’s commitment to championing Australian artists both locally and beyond.

For now, however, the focus remains on the evolving conversations unfolding inside the gallery walls.

In Clique Bait, the act of looking becomes something more active. A pause, a scan, a click. And perhaps the beginning of a new connection. That’s SO Noosa...

evolving into something that feels so much more Noosa.

We connect you with art that feeds your soul, from unknown hidden studios to celebrated artists—because great art should be both accessible and unforgettable.

Our selections are bold, courageous, a little luxe and absolutely unapologetic.”

Here, creativity is curated, considered and always unmistakably SO… Noosa.

CLIQUE BAIT

When: until 2 May

Where: Studio One Noosa, 10/64 Gateway Drive, Noosaville

Artists include: Rick Matear, Bronwyn Barton, Wendy Rennie, Juanita Van Den Bergh, Bill Botten and more

What makes it different:

Each artwork includes a QR code allowing visitors to explore the artist’s wider digital world and creative process.

Coming soon: Studio One Noosa will also represent five artists at the Brisbane Affordable Art Fair from 7-10 May, showcasing contemporary Australian works to a broader audience.

The Quiet Between, Juanita Van Den Bergh

SCULPTURED

Stories

Blending sculpture and design with a deep love of the ocean, Jodie Cameron meets a local boatbuilder-turned-artist weaving marine life and meaning into every piece… Every artist has a story, and Kevin Dick, founder of Kellick Marine Concepts, has been carving his for half a century.

Step inside his Noosaville studio and from floor to ceiling, it’s nothing short of breathtaking. Turtles are suspended mid-swim, whales breach overhead, giant sea shells gather like treasure, and timber, resin and light merge into works that stop you mid-step.

The master craftsman started his career building boats, but for the past ten years, his focus has been on sculpture, using his exceptional skills to craft large and small pieces from wood and composite marine resins.

For Kevin, this isn’t just art – it’s 55 years of craftsmanship finding a new horizon.

Growing up on the creek in Brisbane, Kevin left school at 16 and went straight into a boatbuilding workshop. Over decades he designed and built highquality vessels, earning a reputation for precision across Australia.

Timber wasn’t just a material, it became a language and the ocean wasn’t just scenery, it was home. Retirement didn’t slow him down; it simply redirected his course.

“I call it a full-time hobby,” he chuckled. “I love the ocean. I grew up sailing and fishing, so I’ll happily work away in my workshop for 10 hours a day. My wife often has to come and find me.” His workshop, arguably the most enviable man cave on the coast, features a beer fridge and striking timber ceiling, reminiscent of something from Grand Designs

Unsurprisingly, the sea remains his greatest muse. Dolphins, whales, turtles, birds, sharks and stingrays glide through his works, often carrying deeper environmental messages. You’ll also find

Bonnie & Clyde, Shane Warne emerging from a cricket ball, brilliant birds, impressive Moby Dick-inspired pieces, and even the occasional alien.

Now focused on competition pieces, Kevin lights up when speaking about his People’s Choice win at the 2025 Sculpture on the Edge.

The piece captures a surfer riding a wave that transforms into an albatross mid-break, referencing the maritime belief that lost souls return as seabirds.

“I love entering competitions to showcase my work alongside other artists and to a different audience,” he says.

That symbolism carries through in his tribute to one of Australia’s favourite surfers. Titled Riders of the Storm, the sculpture portrays the surfer flanked by the spirits of his two late brothers, embodied as albatrosses soaring above him.

Storm clouds represent depression; the breaking wave resilience. It’s layered, intimate, and unexpectedly moving.

Perhaps his most profound work steps beyond the ocean entirely. In a piece reflecting on Australia’s Stolen

Generation, Kevin carves chains, separation, and ultimately reconciliation – a white hand and an Aboriginal hand joining together. Created in consultation with Indigenous voices, it’s a poignant reminder that sculpture can hold history, pain and hope all at once.

Kevin doesn’t take commissions; he creates what moves him. If someone connects with it, they take it home.

Collectors are beginning to do just that, with pieces now travelling to Dubai and Scotland.

“What keeps inspiring me is making something different every day.” Kevin smiled.

Look out for Kevin at the Barung Landcare Wootha Prize, one of the nation’s most respected and environmentally focused woodworking competitions held in Montville from 1 to 4 May; Noosa Open Studios from 14 to 23 August and Sculpture on the Edge later in the year.

His studio is located at 4 Production Street, Noosaville. Pop in for a stickybeak, prepare to be amazed – and possibly walk away with a whale, or two.

www.kellickmarineconcepts.com.au

PHOTOS:

IAN WALDIE

Bonnie & Clyde

Arts RADA R

CA GALLERY

UNTIL 28 MARCH

MICHAEL BRENNAN: ROCKET SCIENCE

An exhibition alluding that we’d be collectively better served if we focused our attention on making our planet a more habitable place, as opposed to scheming to escape to a new one.

5/43 Access Crescent, Coolum Beach 5471 7366 | www.coolartgallery.com.au

STUDIO ONE NOOSA

UNTIL 2 MAY

MULTIPLE ARTISTS: CLIQUE BAIT

An evolving exhibition with an intersection of social grouping and digital action, where curiosity leads and a single click can open an entire world.

10/64 Gateway Drive, Noosaville 0481 155 287 | www.studioonenoosa.com.au

POMONA RAILWAY STATION

BANANA SHED, 28 MARCH-22 APRIL

SUELLEN TOMKIN: ONE VIEW

A single landscape view in various forms, ranging from semi-abstract to entirely abstract impressions.

23 MAY-17 JUNE

TRISH SHEPPARD: OCEAN TO BUSH

Capturing the spirit of place and people through photography and painting.

CARRIAGE ROOM, 4-29 APRIL

STAR & LEO BECHAZ: LOVE & LIGHT

A whimsical blend of 3D glass and colourful pottery sculptures.

2-27 MAY

NIKKI HAHN & SKYE BYRNES: BUSH, BIRDS & BUGS

Mother and daughter showcasing their unique styles using acrylic, watercolour, pen, sculpture and mixed media.

30 MAY-24 JUNE

BARBARA MILLS: FACES, SPIRITS & STORIES

Works inspired by real people that tell a story – wrinkles, expressions, body language & small symbolic details that hint of a lived life.

10 Station Street, Pomona | 5485 2950 www.pomonagallery.com

BENDIGO COMMUNITY BANK – COOROY

8 APRIL-1 JUNE

RIDGEWOOD PHOTO FAIR @ RIDGEWOOD HALL – QUEENSLAND

Explore photography from the 2025

This season’s exciting new exhibitions in Noosa's galleries, studios and arts centres.

competition winners and place getters, ahead of the 2026 competition. 36a Maple Street, Cooroy | 5447 7131

BENDIGO COMMUNITY BANK – TEWANTIN-NOOSA

10 APRIL-15 MAY

TARA STOWER: @TARA_STOWER_ART

Bespoke art capturing fine details and organic beauty of her subjects.

15 MAY-3 JULY

MULTIPLE ARTISTS: COLOUR MY WORLD

Vibrant local art to brighten your day! 114 Poinciana Avenue, Tewantin 5440 5289

THE G CONTEMPORARY

16 APRIL-3 MAY

BRANDI HUGHES: I LOVE YOU BUCKETS FULL

An invitation into the world of motherhood and her journey with her inner child, exploring the tender spaces where childhood and motherhood intertwine. Opening night 18 April, 5.30-7.30pm

4-31 MAY

DIRECTOR’S CHOICE: CHRISTOPHER PHILLIPS

Visually compelling paintings that fuse architectural gravity with emotional resonance.

1-30 JUNE

DIRECTOR’S CHOICE: PEGGY ZEPHYR

Works spanning textiles and sculpture that pull apart and reconstruct personal narratives, conveying what words cannot say.

6/32 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads 0400 716 526 | www.thegcontemporary.com

NOOSA REGIONAL GALLERY

UNTIL 19 APRIL

ANDREW HILLHOUSE: THERE IS ANOTHER SKY

Immersive and atmospheric works built through hundreds of small gestures drawn on the legacies of impressionism.

DANIEL VON STURMER: LIMITS OF THE MODEL (SEQUENCE 3)

A video exhibition approaching paint as an event unfolding in time.

24 APRIL- 14 JUNE

ANDREW QUILTY: AFGHANISTAN

A photographic exhibition capturing the complex tapestry of daily life tin

Afghanistan, and an intimate glimpse into a nation too often defined by conflict.

9 Pelican Street, Tewantin | 5329 614 www.noosaregionalgallery.com.au

COOROY BUTTER FACTORY ARTS CENTRE

UNTIL 19 APRIL

MULTIPLE ARTISTS: BENEATH THE SKIN

Works examining the aesthetic and stories of skin.

ARTS CONNECT INC: SENSE OF PLACE II

Exploring connection to landscape, people, culture, or emotions that shape identity and artistic vision.

26 APRIL-24 MAY

SANDY VAN HEREBERGHEN: THE GODDESS WE ARE Paintings and sculptures honouring the sacred energy within every woman.

KARGILLIS GROUP: EARTH

Dioramas of prehistoric and contemporary scenes, ceramic sculptures and paintings by four female artists.

CLINTON WOOD: BEYOND THE ROAD

A photographic journey of riding motorcycles through the Himalayas, where extreme terrain and vast silence shape the body and spirit.

MAKAELLA CONIAS: FOREVER IS NOW Abstract expressionism honouring the fragile beauty of now, before it slips beyond reach.

11A Maple Street, Cooroy | 5442 6665 www.butterfactoryartscentre.com.au

LEIGHTON CONTEMPORARY

24 APRIL-22 MAY

MULTIPLE ARTISTS: BETWEEN SALT & LIGHT

Exploring how natural forces – salt, water, light – act as both material and measure on canvas, linen, board and paper.

5/64 Gateway Drive, Noosaville 0413 477 947 www.leightoncontemporary.com

AFFORDABLE ART FAIR

7-10 MAY

BRISBANE AFFORDABLE ART FAIR

For lovers of landscapes, sculpture or abstracts, find something to suit your taste, space and budget. Look for the Studio One Noosa stand with local artists on show!

www.affordableartfair.com

KIM WALLACE CERAMICS

Noosa’s boutique studio and gift shop. Showcasing unique handcrafted ceramics, dinnerware and local treasures, perfect for thoughtful gifts! Open weekdays 8am - 4pm 10 Leo Alley Road, Noosaville Phone 0488 588 477 kwceramics.com.au

Specialist in oil, water colour & acrylic Art for Interior Styling Residential & Commercial Projects Commissions | Workshops | Art Retreats. Sunrise Beach. Phone 0407 673 674 tarastowerstudio.com

Through my fine art photography I reveal the beauty of the animal world, raising awareness, honouring them, and inspiring respect so we may live together for a better future.

Exhibition Saturday 9 May at The Kin Kin Hotel concept-photography.com.au

LEIGHTON CONTEMPORARY

A boutique contemporary art gallery and art consultancy representing dynamic emerging and mid-career artists.

5/64 Gateway Drive, Noosaville 0413 477 947 leightoncontemporary.com

Dianne captures nature in acrylic and oil paintings and transformative glass that deliver interpretations of the natural world.

6/33 Gateway Drive, Noosaville Open Tuesday-Saturday 10am-1pm @diannemcinerneyartist

Artist and curator, creates intuitive, layered works exploring memory, place and colour. Artist in residence at Studio One Noosa, she champions authentic, timeless creativity.

10/64 Gateway Drive, Noosaville Phone 0418 155 287 juanitaart.au

DINAH WAKEFIELD

Contemporary abstract landscapes reflecting the natural beauty of Noosa. Dinah is known for the tremendous sense of movement in her paintings and the beautiful ambience her work creates.

Studio visits by appointment Phone 0419 491 323 dinahwakefield.com

TRISH SHEPPARD ART

A fervent lover of nature, Patricia’s work embodies the essence of the environment. Her current works depict the harsh beauty of Australia’s outback in a vibrant array of colours.

33 Hilton Esplanade, Tewantin Phone 0418 758 210 trishsheppardart.com.au

JUANITA VAN DEN BERGH

TARA LOREL STOWER

DIANNE MCINERNEY ART

Magic

MADE-TO-MEASURE

From cruise ships and grand hotels to Coolum’s industrial estate, Melanie Moore has stitched together a Sunshine Coast success story that proves skilled craftsmanship and collaboration will always be in style, writes Deb Caruso

Step through the doors of Peregian Curtains and Blinds and you’re greeted by the possibility of what could be to the soundtrack of a soft rustle of fabric, the hum of sewing machines and the low murmur of ideas being brought to life.

Bolts of fabrics and textiles line the walls, rug designs beckon and sample books brim with prints and textures sourced from around the world. This is where window dressings and soft furnishings stop being an afterthought and start to shape how a space looks, feels and functions.

At the centre is Creative Director Melanie Moore, who still measures, designs and – when needed – jumps on the workroom floor to demonstrate the kind of meticulous stitching she learned

decades ago in London.

“There’s no formal training for soft furnishings anymore,” she said. “I’ve had to train my own team from scratch because what we do is a dying trade –but the demand for handmade, longlasting curtains and blinds has never been stronger.”

Melanie’s introduction to high-end textiles came via a British company that specialised in refits for cruise ships and iconic London hotels such as The Savoy and The Ritz. There, she mastered interlined silk curtains, hand-stitched hems and the sort of invisible detail that makes fabric fall just so. Those skills travelled with her as family life and her husband’s work took them from England to Holland, Belgium, New Zealand and Melbourne before finally landing on the Sunshine Coast.

“Wherever we went, I found ways to keep sewing, keep learning and keep creating,” she said.

Today, Peregian Curtains and Blinds is very much a family affair. Melanie’s husband Steve lends entrepreneurial flair behind the scenes and two of their four daughters have learned the craft, with one forging her own path as an interior designer whose award submissions proudly feature pieces made in the Coolum workroom.

If there’s a common thread through Melanie’s story, it’s a refusal to compromise on craftsmanship. While many window furnishings are now churned out overseas, every curtain, blind and cushion that bears the Peregian Curtains and Blinds name is cut, sewn and finished in-house by a tight-knit team of seamstresses.

“We’re not pressing a button on a

If you can dream it, we can make it...

robot machine,” she said. “We’re working with our hands, one stitch at a time, so our clients know exactly who made their pieces and how.”

That focus on quality doesn’t mean the showroom is only for those with limitless budgets. Melanie is adamant that good design should be accessible, so alongside artisan wallpapers and hand-carved Armadillo rugs in silk and wool, you’ll find reliable, well-priced sheers and Warwick’s Weave rug collection to help deliver the look without blowing the budget. Sometimes a client will invest in a hero rug or statement fabric, then build the rest of the scheme around more affordable options that still look and feel beautiful.

The product range is broad: custom curtains; Roman and roller blinds; plantation shutters; awnings; and marine-grade outdoor solutions that can stand up to Sunshine Coast sun and salt, plus cushions, bespoke upholstery, wallpapers and rugs. The team can even help you design and order sun umbrellas from coastal brand Three Beaches, choosing everything from fabric and trim to scallop detail for a personalised poolside moment.

Where the experience really comes alive is in the way clients are guided through the process. You can book an in-home visit where Melanie or a team member will assess your space, check fabric options against your walls and lighting, and take the time to understand how you live – pets, kids, privacy needs,

Melanie & Steve Moore

room orientation, all of it.

“I’m always thinking about practicality,” Melanie said. “Washable fabrics for busy families, wipe-down wallpapers for high-traffic areas, insulated curtains or UV blockout blinds if energy efficiency is a priority.”

Those who love to see and touch everything can make an appointment at the Coolum showroom – a design playground where interior designers, builders and homeowners alike can spread samples across large workbenches to build their schemes from the ground up. Collaboration is strong with tiles and stone samples from neighbouring businesses, kitchen finishes, carpet swatches and paint chips all laid out alongside fabric and wallpaper options so that it all works together from day one.

Behind the scenes, Melanie keeps a close eye on international trends, particularly the annual Déco Off design event in Paris, which she describes as an art trail for interiors. Right now, the future looks richly textured and warmly coloured, with bold patterns, large-scale prints and wallpapers that double as artwork; decorative trims, frills and tassels; and deep shades of brown and mulberry emerging alongside neutrals.

“People are moving away from flat, all-white spaces and embracing layers – pattern, texture, depth,” she says.

Sustainability is another focus. Beyond choosing durable, high-performance fabrics that stand the test of time, the workroom avoids single-use plastic; instead, offcuts are sewn into sturdy fabric bags and wraps used to transport curtains, tracks and other pieces, which are then reused.

On the energy front, clients can choose motorised blinds and curtain tracks that link to a smart hub and sync with voice assistants to automate daily routines – opening in winter to welcome the morning sun, closing in summer before the heat hits, or lowering at dusk when no one is home.

For Melanie, teaching is as important as making. She has formal training and assessment qualifications and brings a structured approach into the workroom. New staff start with the basics, gradually building their skills and responsibilities under her watchful eye, keeping traditional techniques alive while giving the next generation of makers a future in the industry.

From a single room refresh to a whole-house fitout or a commercial project with serious design credentials, Peregian Curtains and Blinds offers a rare combination of old-school skill, contemporary design smarts and genuine care for how people live in their spaces.

As Melanie puts it: “If you can dream it, we can make it –beautifully, thoughtfully and built to last.”

PATTERNS, TEXTURE, TECH: WHAT’S IN FOR 2026

• Patterns are back: From statement wallpapers to patterned sheers, large-scale prints and mural-style designs are turning walls and windows into artwork.

• Deep, earthy colour: Think browns and mulberry teamed with greens, stone and marble-inspired neutrals for depth without overwhelming the room.

• Details that delight: Frills, trims and tassels on cushions, curtains and upholstery, adding personality and movement.

• Tactile textiles: Heavy embossing, textured weaves and handcarved rugs create layers you can see and feel - ideal for relaxed living zones and bedrooms.

• Smart shade solutions: Motorised blinds, linked to a smart hub and your phone, make it easy to manage light, privacy and temperature with a tap or voice command.

Email Melanie at info@peregiancurtainsandblinds.com.au or call 0430 127 944 to book a showroom appointment!

Custom Curtains, Blinds, Shutters and Furnishings

Our team create hand-crafted soft furnishing right here on the Sunshine Coast. Browse our extensive collections in our beautiful showroom. Peregian Curtains and Blinds will infuse luxury and quality into your home and commercial projects.

CURTAINS | BLINDS | SHUTTERS | UPHOLSTERY

Elodie Rose Interiors

CONNECT TO A NEW

Frequency

Ida Fink Gundtoft discovers the secret to shaping mood, clarity, creativity and energy that is purpose-scent.

There is a moment, somewhere between the spray of a High Frequency Mist and the soft settling of scent in the air, when the room changes. Not visually. Not audibly. Energetically. The air feels lighter. Softer. Charged. Like something invisible has rearranged into alignment.

This is the world of The Frequency Collection and what founder Meagen Kwiatkowski calls “food for your energy system.”

There is constant chatter around wellness - green juices, gym memberships, supplements and sleep trackers. But rarely do we talk about the role of energy. The undercurrent beneath our mood, creativity and relationships. The frequency we broadcast without realising it.

“Most people ignore their energy,” Meagen says gently. “But there is a link between how you are feeling and where that shows up energetically.”

Her voice softens when she speaks about it. She sees people. Their exhaustion and their looping thoughts. Their self-doubt. Their heartbreak.

“It’s not just life with its ups and downs,” she says. “It’s an energy that’s been creating havoc in your life.”

The High Frequency Mists were designed intentionally with each one created to support a specific energetic need. And they are powerful –powerhouses, actually – as well as statement pieces in the home that energy is drawn to. They are made, not just to scent a space, but to elevate it.

“The High Frequency Mists support your energy system,” Meagen explains. This isn’t just about aesthetics. This is about alignment. There are several mists already in the collection: Grandé, Uniqueness, Opulence, Elegance, Noble, Joy, Exotica - each named for the purpose

they serve.

One mist in particular has developed a cult following - breathtaking and bright with lemongrass, Grandé is designed to open and support the energetic gateway to clarity, ideas and higher perspective.

“It supports and opens the Crown Chakra so you can access new clarity,” Meagen says.

In other words, it helps you get out of your head and while she shared her thoughts with me, something subtle happened. She paused mid-sentence. She had felt a shift and while I hadn’t consciously reacted, she sensed that my energy had responded.

“You need Grandé,” she said and immediately reached for the mist with the magic of someone deeply attuned. I laughed in disbelief. My mind does run a million miles an hour and on the list in front of me, I had already circled Grandé

For those of us living in a mental marathon with thoughts looping, decisions spiralling and overanalysing every possible outcome, Grandé is a revelation. I now spray it everywhere, feeding the frequency of the room. Sometimes I layer it with others. It becomes intuitive. What does my energy system require today? There is no rulebook, just resonance. And something shifts. Clarity lands, the mental fog lifts and decisions feel cleaner.

So yes, dear fellow overthinkers: Grandé is a must-have, an entry point to the energetic reset you’ve been needing.

Second in popularity is Uniqueness, a creamy blend of vanilla and magnolia designed to support and expand intuition. This one is for the creatives, the artist, the musician, or even the entrepreneur staring at a blank page. It

Support your energy system, your chakras, your environment and your life.

is for those who need a gentle but firm energetic push into their own brilliance. While supporting creative flow, it also reminds you that your ideas are not accidents, but energetic transmissions waiting to be trusted. After spraying, you may not even know why you feel different. But you do. It’s new energy.

“Support your energy system, your chakras, your environment and your life,” Meagen says.

A simple, but often forgotten truth.

And then there is Opulence. Rose-led and utterly divine, it works through the Heart and Root Chakras supporting those navigating rejection, trauma, heartbreak or emotional contraction.

If Grandé clears the mind and Uniqueness ignites intuition, Opulence supports the heart. It brings in the energy of love and acceptance.

There are more mists to be discovered, each delivering a different role and in Meagen’s presence, you feel her purpose, passion and a deep desire to help and support humanity to elevate.

These mists are more than nicely scented room sprays. They are energetic tools.

And more so, the High Frequency Mists ignite discovery and conversation about

how we are actually feeling, why we are feeling that way and where energy might be trapped in our body, holding us back.

Through her work and products, Meagen is creating a new language around the energy system. If you feel flat, depleted or stuck, perhaps it isn’t motivation you lack. Perhaps it’s energetic nourishment. Food for your frequency.

And when the space settles after that final spray, and your shoulders drop without you noticing whilst clarity arrives without force, you might realise something subtle but profound: Everything is energy.

Explore the range designed to elevate your space, your chakras and increase your energetic frequency. Discover them at Ivory Collective Haus in Maple Street, Maleny or online via www.thefrequencycollection.com

MEET

THE MISTS AND WIN THE ENTIRE COLLECTION!

Explore the full collection designed to elevate your space, align your chakras and increase your energetic frequency:

GRANDÉ - supports your crown chakra and connects you to brand new clarity + clear thoughts + ideas + decision making and supports the removal of confusion. A must-have for your home and office. Chakra: Crown. Keynote: Lemongrass.

UNIQUENESS - Designed to support and expand your intuition. Very Powerful! Chakra: Crown. Keynotes: Vanilla + Magnolia.

OPULENCE - Brings in the love + frequency of overflow + ‘Cloud 9’ + bliss + opulence. Pure bliss in a bottle. Chakras: Heart / Root. Keynote: Rose.

ELEGANCE - Designed to connect you and your environment to the energy and frequency of elegance. Chakras: Crown / Third Eye / Throat / Heart / Solar Plexus / Sacral / Root. Keynotes: Jasmine + Neroli + Gardenia

NOBLE - Connect to the energetic being of noble and support new levels of understanding on a higher-self level. Strength + new support. Chakras: Crown / Third-eye / Throat / Heart / Solar Plexus / Sacral / Root. Keynotes: Sweet Orange + Frankincense + Bergamot.

JOY - Designed to support new joy + light + ease into your environment and energy flow. Chakras: Crown / Heart / Solar Plexus. Keynotes: Lemon + Lime.

EXOTICA - Supports you to connect with high flows of love of self + excitement whilst stabilising into the energy of calm. Chakras: Crown / Third Eye / Throat / Heart / Solar Plexus / Sacral / Root. Keynote: Cinnamon.

To WIN 50ml bottles of the entire High Frequency Mist collection, valued at $480, simply scan the QR code to enter by 20 May 2026.

The complete collection of 7 High Frequency Mists to Elevate your space, Align your Chakras and Increase your Energetic Frequency.

From Canberra to Noosa, Jodie Cameron meets a dynamic duo bringing laid-back luxury to the Noosa homes.

Luxury LAID-BACK

A rug does more than cover a floor. It anchors a space, softens acoustics, absorbs the chaos of family life, and sets the tone for how a home feels. In a coastal town like Noosa – where sandy feet, open-plan living, and indooroutdoor flow are part of everyday life, what sits underfoot isn’t just decorative, it’s practical and personal.

For husband and wife, Felicity and Adrian Lemke, rugs are a part of that daily rhythm. Since taking over Noosa Mats & Rugs, the couple have been thoughtfully shaping the long-standing local business to reflect the lifestyle of the community they now call home.

Their path to Noosa began far from the beach. After a year-long caravan adventure around Australia with their daughters, they found themselves falling in love with Noosa. With its beachside sophistication and village vibe, they instantly felt at home. And let’s be honest – Noosa decides if you stay.

When they reached the town, the decision quietly made itself. Known to locals as the Noosa effect. Sometimes life has a funny way of steering you toward exactly the right place.

“We always had in mind we wouldn’t go back to Canberra,” Felicity says. “We knew we wanted a sea change, we just didn’t know exactly where we would land. Noosa ticked every box – lifestyle, great schools, sport for our girls, it just felt right.”

As I mosey around the Noosa-Eumundi Road showroom, half the shop instantly catches my eye.

It’s not all rugs and mats, you’ll find a treasure trove of hand-selected homewares, furniture, cushions, and decorative pieces perfect for business, play or leisure. I could quite happily move in!

Felicity and Adrian are constantly introducing new designer rug ranges to keep the shop exciting and they love

finding new rugs and homewares for customers monthly, so keep an eye out for new drops every month.

“From jute to coastal luxe, earthy tones to bold statements - we’re here to help you ground your home in style,” Felicity says.

Life in Canberra had kept Felicity and Adrian as ships passing in the night. They missed each other’s company and wanted more than a place to live – they wanted a project to tackle together, one that complemented their individual skills.

“We survived a whole year in a caravan together with two kids – if you can do that, you can do anything!” Adrian chuckled.

When the opportunity to purchase Noosa Mats & Rugs arose, it felt perfectly aligned. Established, respected, and woven into the local community, the business offered a foundation without the pressure of starting from scratch.

Felicity, a former gold medal Olympian and a gym owner, spent years mastering discipline, focus, and teamwork – skills she now brings to running a family business. But her real strength lies in connection.

“Elite sport and retail seem worlds apart, but mindset is mindset,” Felicity says. “It’s about showing up every day, being consistent, and wanting to do things well.

“I love understanding what people need – whether they have kids, pets,

From jute to coastal luxe, earthy tones to bold statements - we’re here to help you ground your home in style...

high traffic areas – and finding something that works for them.”

Adrian’s background in sales and marketing ensures the operations run smoothly. He’s been quietly tackling efficiencies, modernising systems and tracking purchases so returning customers can match previous selections.

“We’re not here to reinvent the wheel,” Adrian says. “The business has served this community well for years, so we’re focused on refining and evolving with families moving into the area.”

That evolution includes introducing contemporary styles to suit younger households, while maintaining the durability that coastal living demands. Many suppliers are Australian-based, with an increasing emphasis on ethical sourcing and sustainable production.

“We match products to people’s lifestyles,” he says. “We’re bringing in more modern, affordable options that can stand up to family life, while still keeping the quality high.”

But beyond stock and systems, it’s the

community that resonates most with Felicity and Adrian.

“Community has always been important to us,” Felicity says. “In Canberra, our gym was like a second family. We’re already building those connections again here – meeting locals, chatting with designers, and getting to know the people who’ve supported this business for years.”

Like many newcomers, they’ve quickly discovered the unique magic of Noosa – where everything feels close, life slows, and the natural environment offers daily inspiration.

From caravan life to coastal retail, their sea change has been both intentional and organic.

Under their care, Noosa Mats & Rugs remains what it has always been – a trusted local business – now gently layered with fresh energy, thoughtful systems, and a shared vision.

After all, in a town where sandy feet are part of everyday life, the right foundation matters.

Visit www.noosarugs.com.au or head in-store to explore the range and be INspired! You can also follow them on social media @noosarugs for all the latest looks.

RUGS MADE EASY + DESIGNER PERKS

INTERIOR DESIGNERS: Get in contact with Noosa Mats and Rugs today and be a part of their trade program.

TAKE-HOME RUG TRIAL

Not sure if a rug really fits your space? Take it home for a test run before you commit. Conditions apply. Scan the QR code to get in touch, follow them on social media @noosarugs and visit www.noosarugs.com.au

The Perfect Rug Awaits

WHERE WARMTH MEETS LIFESTYLE

From expert guidance to professional installation, BBQ & Fireplace Centre helps you choose more than a fireplace—we help you choose how you live.

TRADING HOURS: MON - FRI: 9AM TO 5PM | SATURDAY: 9AM TO 4PM | SUNDAY: 10AM TO 3PM

Many Personalities ONE FIRE PLACE,

On the Sunshine Coast, the chill of the winter nights can surprise even long-time locals. Kathy Sundstrom sparks a conversation with the people that know fireplaces best, and who understand that they offer more than warmth.

There is a misconception people often have about the Sunshine Coast, that it doesn’t get cold in winter. Sure, the days are often full of sunshine and the ocean rarely dips below 20 degrees, but nights can tell a different (freezing!) story.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology, the average evening temperature in July is in single digits (9 degrees) and it has been known to drop below zero! Coolum Beach reached -4.7 degrees on 21 July, 1970 and there have been reports of snow at Maleny.

On crisp winter evenings, nothing compares to the sight, smell and shared experience of sitting in front of a fire where conversations linger, phones are forgotten, and people come together.

While fire has remained a source of heat since the beginning of time, the fireplaces for our homes have evolved to suit our modern lifestyles.

Homeowners can now choose from a wide range of styles and technologies, each offering its own rhythm, mood and lifestyle promise. And after decades of helping locals warm their homes, the family behind the BBQ and Fireplace Centre have come to believe that the fireplace you choose says a lot about you and the lifestyle you are looking for.

“One fireplace can live many lives,” says Renee Bedford, who manages the Birtinya BBQ and Fireplace store alongside her husband Gavin.

“People think they are just choosing heat, but really they are choosing how they want to spend their evenings, who they want to gather with, and how much effort they want the ritual to involve.

“They are so much more than a source of heat, the fireplace is a quiet declaration of how we live, what we value, and how we invite warmth into our spaces.”

For traditionalists, nothing beats

a wood-burning fireplace. There is a romance to it that cannot be rushed. Chopping wood, building the fire, tending the flames. These are people who value ritual, nostalgia and a slower pace.

“Wood fires attract people who love tradition,” Gavin Bedford says. “They want the crackle, the smell, the whole experience. It becomes a winter routine, not just a way to stay warm.”

Gas fireplaces tend to appeal to a different kind of homeowner. With instant heat and precise control, they suit those who want comfort without complication.

“Gas is about ease,” Renee explains. “Press a button and the room warms up straight away - perfect for busy households or people who want that cosy feel without the maintenance.”

Electric fireplaces are increasingly popular with design-conscious homeowners, apartment dwellers and renovators. Sleek, flexible and surprisingly realistic, they are chosen as much for visual impact as for warmth.

“Electric fires suit people who are adaptable,” Renee says. “They might move house, renovate often, or want something that works with modern interiors. It is about style as much as function.”

Then there are ethanol fireplaces, which turn fire into art. Minimal, sculptural and often portable, they attract those who see fire as an aesthetic experience.

“Ethanol customers are usually creative types,” Gavin says. “They like clean lines, flexibility, and making a statement. It is less about heating the whole house and more about atmosphere.”

Outdoor fireplaces complete the picture, and in Noosa they are as much about connection as warmth. These are

for natural hosts, the people who love long dinners, impromptu gatherings and lingering conversations under the stars.

“Outdoor fires bring people together,” Renee says. “They extend your living space and turn a backyard into a social hub, even on the coldest nights.”

Behind this understanding of lifestyles is a family business that has grown alongside the Coast itself. For more than thirty years, the BBQ and Fireplace Centre has remained hands-on and proudly family-run. Gavin and Renee manage the Birtinya store, while Brendan and Jess Bedford shape the personality of the Noosaville location.

“There is pride in knowing our customers and treating them like family,” Renee says.

“We give people the opportunity to come in and speak to someone who takes the time to understand what they are looking for and find the best solution that applies to where they live on the Sunshine Coast. We are proudly local, not a faceless online store,” Renee says.

People leave feeling confident in their choice, and excited about the moments that fireplace or barbecue will create.

Because on the Sunshine Coast, winter may be brief, but the memories made around a fire last far longer.

BURNING DESIRES

Your fireplace can say a lot about you:

• Wood-burning: perfect for traditionalists who value ritual, nostalgia.

• Gas: convenient and controlled for those who think comfort should be effortless.

• Electric: design-forward, apartmentfriendly for the adaptable and designconscious.

• Ethanol: artistic, minimal, nomadic for those who see fire as art

• Outdoor fireplaces: you are a natural host who values connection and nature.

Beauty

ON EVERY ANGLE

Steep blocks don’t have to spell disaster. Kathy Sundstrom meets a couple turning challenging slopes into stunning, custom designed homes perfectly shaped to the land.

Beachside land on the Sunshine Coast is scarce, and the few new estates that do appear often sit on steep, sloping blocks that send nervous buyers scrambling, worried about budget blow-outs before they’ve even begun.

But for Iziko Designs, a boutique custom building design studio owned by building designer Rustin Obery and his wife Bernadette, tricky blocks aren’t a deterrent, they’re an invitation.

“People are often put off from buying sloping land because they’re afraid of the unknown and extra costs,” Bernadette says. “But sloping sites aren’t a problem. They’re an opportunity. You just need the right team from the start.”

Iziko Designs has carved out a niche where many building designers and architects hesitate. Rustin and Bernadette view sloping blocks as a chance to design homes that feel anchored to the land, capturing views and breezes flat sites simply can’t offer.

Equally important is keeping a homeowner’s dream grounded in reality and in budget. Too often, clients abandon projects or leave them halffinished because costs spiralled out of control.

“So many clients come to us after having a beautiful but unrealistic design done somewhere else,” Bernadette says. “They loved the look, but no one could build it. And no one spoke about budget

Sloping sites aren’t a problem. They’re an opportunity. You just need the right team from the start.

upfront. That is why we bring the builder in early to discuss what’s possible, it avoids disappointment later.”

Simply, Iziko Designs doesn’t produce extravagant concepts that look good on paper but never get built. They design homes that will be built and built well.

And they work with their clients to ensure their dream matches the reality.

“We work closely with our clients to ensure every detail is tailored to their needs,” Rustin says.

The couple have focused on developing a deep understanding of local building codes, regulations and construction costs, allowing them to create homes without hassles.

Many builds can blow budgets before construction ends, but Iziko Designs ensure that designs are aligned with real costs from day one.

To achieve this, they work closely with a select group of trusted builders,

especially for sloping blocks.

“These builders understand the complexities of excavation, retaining, drainage and access long before construction begins,” Bernadette explains.

This early collaboration allows Iziko Designs to give clients clarity fast.

“People want to know what they’re in for,” Bernadette says.

“We can quickly establish a budget with about 95% accuracy because we’re working with builders who know the process inside out.”

One of the few housing estates close to the beach still offering new builds is Coolum Horizons, just minutes from Coolum Beach and the vibe of Coolum village.

The estate includes level and sloping homesites, but it’s the slopes that particularly excite Rustin.

“They create opportunities for splitlevel homes, better layouts, and more interesting design,” he says.

The couple love the estate and the potential of its sloping sites so much, they’re building their own family home there.

For each design, Rustin takes time to walk the block first, understanding its unique orientation, breezes, access, and the natural features that will enhance a home before committing to a concept.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

To help clients then visualise what’s possible and see it through Rustin’s experienced eyes, Iziko Designs uses detailed 3D renders that show exactly how a home will sit within the slope and capture its outlook.

Their approach is always grounded in practicality so that clients can build what they design, not just dream about it.

It is this simple, practical, and holistic philosophy that is earning Iziko Designs a loyal following across the Sunshine Coast with design projects on the go in

Noosa, Tewantin, Coolum, the hinterland, and beyond.

Coast for more than 30 years, and Rustin for nearly a decade.

Their clients range from those with multimillion-dollar budgets to far more modest means, all looking to use expertise in shaping a property that is personal.

“We treat everyone the same,” Rustin says. “We help people create homes that suit their land, lifestyle, and budget.

“With sloping sites, this does not have to be scary. It can be spectacular.”

Bernadette has lived on the Sunshine

Their connection to the region is personal, and it shows in their work.

“We love this place,” Bernadette says. “Designing homes that belong here is what drives us.”

As the Sunshine Coast continues to grow, sloping blocks will become more common.

For Iziko Designs, that is not a challenge. It is an opportunity ready to be explored.

Bernadette and Rustin Obery

Let the sunshine in and the musty smells out! Jodie Cameron gets the dirt on how to keep your curtains and blinds fresh, sparkling, and perfectly breezy for a fresh new year.

NEW YEAR

Refresh

We all love flinging open the windows to a bright new year – there’s nothing quite like fresh autumn scents drifting through your home and feeling cleansed for the year ahead.

While we may have been busy tidying the gardens and prepping for pool hangs and barbeques, our curtains and blinds are quietly sulking in a layer of dust, allergens, and a hint of winter gloom on the horizon.

With a little professional TLC from the local heroes at Amazing Clean, your tired window furnishings will be refreshed and ready in no time. Their clever technology and gentle touch will have your curtains looking lustrous, your blinds crisp, and your home smelling fresh – so you can soak up the sun without sneezing, sniffing, or side-eyeing your own décor.

Locally owned and proudly Australian, Amazing Clean is all about helping homes feel brighter, healthier, and more comfortable. Before you start your sprucing, I caught up with Sunshine Coast Owner, Steve Kolaroski to get the lowdown on how to give your blinds and curtains the lift they need – because let’s face it, no one wants musty curtains.

“During summer and autumn we naturally start opening more windows and this is when dull blinds and curtains can really stand out,” Steve says. “A professional clean helps freshen the air, brighten your rooms, and creates that light, breezy feeling we all love.”

So, how do you know when your blinds and curtains need professional attention rather than a quick DIY dusting?

It sounds simple, but one many of us can overlook in the day-to-day shuffle.

A casual sniff or glance can reveal it’s time for a professional touch – long before things get seriously grimy. But here’s the amazing part, Amazing Clean combines care with technology, to tackle even the trickiest window furnishings.

“We use ultrasonic cleaning systems, which clean right into the fibres using gentle sound waves – no harsh scrubbing or chemicals,” Steve says. “It’s safe for everything from delicate sheers to heavy drapes, and it removes built-up grime, mould, and odours that home cleaning can’t touch. Our technicians treat each fabric type individually, so you get a deep clean without the risk of damage.”

Whether your curtains are heirloom silks or everyday cotton, Amazing Clean can restore them without compromise. For busy households, the idea of taking down, cleaning, and rehanging blinds or curtains can feel daunting – but Amazing Clean makes it effortless.

“We offer a hassle-free service where we can take care of everything, and have your blinds and curtains rehung, often on the same day,” he says. “No mess, no waiting weeks, just your home looking and feeling fresh, with minimal disruption.”

“If your blinds aren’t as crisp as they used to be, or your curtains have lost their lustre, that’s a good indicator,” Steve explained. “Musty smells, visible stains, or sneezing when you open them are also giveaways. Dirt and allergens build up over time, so that’s when a deep clean makes a difference.”

Regular light maintenance can go a long way, and even small routines throughout the year can make your home feel instantly lighter and more inviting.

“Give blinds and curtains a gentle vacuum with a soft brush attachment every few weeks, and let in some airflow to reduce moisture,” he says.

“Avoid sprays or detergents as they can damage certain fabrics.”

And, of course, schedule a professional clean once or twice a year to keep them sprightly and in top condition.

A clean set of window furnishings makes a room feel lighter, healthier and welcoming – perfect for a fresh new year.

So, what are you waiting for?

Open your windows, let that sunshine in and let Amazing Clean take care of the rest – so your window furnishings can sparkle.

WANT BEST DRESSED WINDOW DRESSINGS?

Here are some top tips from the experts at Amazing Clean to ensure your window dressings are best dressed:

• Spot the signs: musty smells, visible stains, dull fabric, or sneezing are all clues it’s time for a professional clean.

• Regular TLC: vacuum gently with a soft brush attachment every few weeks & keep airflow circulating.

• Ditch sprays & detergents: chemicals can damage delicate fabrics.

• Professional refresh: schedule a deep clean once or twice a year to remove built-up dust, mould & allergens.

• Convenience counts: many services, like Amazing Clean, will take down, clean, and rehang your blinds or curtains on the same day.

To find out more or for an obligation-free quote, scan the QR code or visit: www.amazingclean.com.au

Future BUILDING THE

A multi award-winning construction and modular home specialist has refreshed its brand as it steps confidently into a new era of growth from its Coolum headquarters. Kathy Sundstrom explores the evolution of Saltair.

Australia’s most awarded modular builder has entered a new era, refreshing its identity to reflect a business that has grown well beyond homes and now delivers major commercial, government and community projects across the country.

Launching on the Sunshine Coast in 2013, Saltair Modular will now be known as Saltair, signalling an evolution from residential modular builds to full turnkey construction solutions including site preparation, principal contractor services and multi-storey modular projects of up to 10 storeys.

For Saltair Managing Director Steve Bridger, the shift is about substance, not just brand. It reflects the company’s expanding capability, leadership depth and increasingly diverse project portfolio, while maintaining modular construction at its core.

“Modular will always be at the core of what we do, and we’re proud to be the housing industry’s most awarded modular builder,” Steve says.

“But with a highly experienced team and senior leadership involved in billion-dollar in-situ infrastructure projects, it was a natural progression to broaden our offering. Saltair reflects a more holistic construction business.”

That broader offering now spans residential housing, commercial developments, education facilities and large-scale accommodation projects, positioning Saltair as a comprehensive

construction partner rather than solely a modular home builder.

A key driver of the company’s growth has been its ability to shift much of the construction process into a controlled factory environment.

In Queensland, where traditional builds are often delayed by rain, humidity and trade shortages, modular construction provides greater program certainty and quality control.

By reducing exposure to weather disruptions and limiting reliance on scarce onsite trades, Saltair can maintain tighter timelines while still engaging regional contractors for site preparation and installation, supporting local economies.

At its core, Saltair represents certainty, combining innovative building methodologies with proven delivery across residential, commercial and government sectors to provide clients with confidence in the program, compliance and outcome.

“We’re at a point where we can deliver more projects, across more sectors, with greater certainty and efficiency than ever before,” Steve says.

The company has significantly strengthened its presence in the government and education sectors, including appointment to the Queensland Government education panel.

A detailed education catalogue enables the delivery of institutional buildings at

We’re at a point where we can deliver more projects, across more sectors, with greater certainty and efficiency than ever before.

scale across multiple sites, reinforcing Saltair’s credentials in repeatable, high-quality infrastructure delivery.

Residential, however, remains a cornerstone of the business.

Award-winning homes continue to be delivered alongside larger social and community housing initiatives, with the Coolum industrial showroom offering prospective homeowners a tangible insight into design possibilities and construction quality.

Saltair’s evolution is also reflected in its operational growth.

The company now employs more than 80 full-time staff and is supported by a strong network of local and regional subcontractors.

It operates across three integrated facilities, including a strategic expansion into Brisbane that strengthens its ability to service the Brisbane, Gold Coast and Northern New South Wales markets. This expanded footprint has increased

Sunshine Coast Airport

Mapleton Lilyponds Retirement Village

Aspen 222

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

production capacity, streamlined logistics and enhanced project coordination.

Saltair’s output now sits at approximately 2,000 modules per year and continues to grow, supporting projects ranging from bespoke homes to multi-storey apartments, institutional buildings and large-scale accommodation developments.

An award-winning modular project at Sunshine Coast Airport marked a pivotal moment in the company’s trajectory, demonstrating the viability of off-site construction in a high-profile commercial environment and reinforcing its credibility beyond detached housing.

Recognition from the Housing Industry Association, including Innovation in Housing and multiple category awards such as Best Modular Home and Best Custom Home under $400,000, has further validated Saltair’s technical leadership and consistent performance.

For Steve, the advantages of factory-based construction are clear.

“As we all know, you can have the perfect program in building, but the minute one of your tradies doesn’t turn up, your whole program’s gone haywire,” he says.

“In our factory, homes are getting inspected five times a day rather than once a fortnight, and that level of oversight makes a significant difference to the finished result.”

This controlled environment enables improved safety standards, consistent quality assurance and faster project delivery, without compromising compliance or craftsmanship.

The company’s capability also extends to multi-storey modular developments suited to hotels, townhouse communities and other large-scale accommodation projects.

This is also a reflection of modular construction’s growing acceptance as a mainstream solution for complex builds and that, when it comes to construction capabilities, there is very little modular cannot do.

The transition from Saltair Modular to Saltair signals business maturity, stronger commercial positioning and confidence in the expanding role modular construction will play in addressing housing supply and infrastructure demand.

As construction pressures intensify and expectations around sustainability, speed and design continue to rise, Saltair’s refresh is more than a name change.

It is a strategic repositioning that reflects a company building at scale, with certainty, and with its sights firmly set on the future.

SALTAIR BY THE NUMBERS

• Founded on the Sunshine Coast in 2013

• Over 80 full-time staff

• Three integrated Queensland facilities

• Approx. 2,000 modules per year production capacity

• Appointed to the Queensland Government education panel

• Multiple Housing Industry Association awards

• Multi-storey capability up to 10-storeys

ALL IN-HOUSE, ALL IN CONTROL

Redefining Smarter Building

Saltair delivers construction solutions across residential, commercial, government, health, education, tourism and resource sectors with the flexibility to meet any project demand.

Autumn

A change of season brings good reason to get your garden in good order. Alison Smith discovers the Top 5 tasks for autumn gardeners from the expert at Manawee Garden Centre, Simon Van Roy

1. PRUNE AND TIDY

The best time to prune any flowering or fruit producing tree is generally after they have produced flowers or fruit– so now is the time to get in, remove any dead or damaged stems, old flower stems and prune back to nice healthy growth. Think about the long term shape of your tree and prune with this in mind. It may be to limit the overall height of shrubs, or to open up a fruit tree to maximise sunlight and healthy growth for next seasons fruit. Whatever shape you are trying to make, getting things pruned up before winter is key.

2. LOVE YOUR LAWN

TOP 5

Your lawn has probably taken a beating over summer with backyard cricket, garden parties, kids play and parking the caravan on it over Christmas – so now it’s time to start the repair phase. While it’s still warm, manage any weeds which may have gotten hold. You might need to hand pull some, or get a selective herbicide, to stop them getting worse. Anything you don’t manage now will be much worse next season! Once you have these managed, it’s time to fertilise and top dress, fill up those divots and worn patches. Our lawns get a lot less sun over winter, so get the recovery and growth happening now while you still can.

3. PREPARE SOIL FOR WINTER PLANTING

It may sound pre-emptive, but many of our favourites to plant in the cooler seasons require special soil preparation and often by the time winter comes along, it’s too late! If you have plans for new roses, deciduous trees like crepe myrtles or maples, even strawberry runners, raspberry canes, grapes, rhubarb crowns or asparagus, all need a well composted soil and this doesn’t

happen overnight. So now is the time or add well rotted manure, compost and slow release fertilisers into the soil. Even the veggie patch needs attention if you are planning to plant broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage or spinach for the winter season.

4. FERTILISE

This is one of the last few chances to do a good general organic slow release fertilise around the garden. Once the temperature gets too cool, a lot of fertilisers slow down, and your plants are slower to uptake the nutrient. If you can get a good application in now, you can support strong growth which will be much more resistant to any issues over winter. This also means if you have plans for some cheeky winter flowers, your soil will be alive with microbes, ready to go!

5. MONITOR YOUR WATERING SYSTEMS

As the days become shorter, nights cooler and our gardens slow down, it also means that water requirements change. You still want to be applying water in the

mornings, using a slow and deep application – but check how often your sprinklers are coming on and how often you need to water. Wet soil is cold soil, so it will be more prone to disease. Check your soil and if it’s still damp when you plan to water, then consider if you can wait another day – you can enjoy the savings, and your plants will actually be better off.

A little preparation now will go a long way to winter growth. Happy gardening!

DIG IT!

Family-owned and plant-passionate Manawee Garden Centre at Buderim offers friendly, expert advice and a wide range of plants, pots, garden supplies and gifts. Scan the QR code or visit www.manawee.com.au to find out more and sign up to the Plant News enewsletter

Prune flowering and fruit trees

Fertilise now to support plants

Prepare your soil before winter

John Caruso discovers why one Noosa business refuses to accept ‘good enough’ and how the pursuit of perfection has seen this business blossom.

Excellence PLANTING

There’s a moment that happens on most building sites, usually late on a Friday when everyone wants to be somewhere else. The foreman shrugs. Close enough. Good enough. She’ll be right.

Stuart Bain and his Earth Creation Landscapes team don’t do that moment.

When Stuart looks at a completed timber screen, he’s looking to see whether the screw lines are perfectly level. Not approximately level. Not level to within a few millimetres. Perfectly level. It’s the sort of detail most clients wouldn’t notice, which is precisely why it matters to him.

“I look at a completed job and go, ‘that’s beautiful’, that’s what I love and what my clients love me for,” he says.

The problem with the landscaping industry is the same issue that plagues most trades, an acceptance of mediocrity dressed up as pragmatism. The job gets done. The client’s happy enough. Move on to the next one.

Stuart’s been refusing to accept that model for 32 years. He started Earth Creation Landscapes after training at Burnley Horticultural College and working at Kew Gardens in London, where standards weren’t suggestions. He watched other landscapers operate and recognised a gap between what was being delivered and what could be delivered by someone who cared about the small details.

The gap wasn’t about horticultural knowledge or design ability. It was about rigour. About building a business where “good enough” wasn’t in the vocabulary. Every member of his 14-person team holds either a Certificate III in Horticulture or a Certificate III in Landscape Construction. He’s put five staff through additional courses. His construction foreman Chris Kidd operates

with the same precision Stuart demands. So do his maintenance foremen Toli Hadoulis and Derick Payne.

Stuart said the work culture at Earth Creations runs on a simple principle: “You’ll never hear me say, ‘I don’t care, just get it done’. You’ll only ever hear me say, ‘just get it done properly’. I don’t care if it takes an extra two hours; if we have to come back tomorrow and finish it as long as it’s done perfectly.”

This approach adds roughly 20 per cent more work to running the business. The insistence on perfection may mean projects take a little longer. The refusal to compromise means turning down jobs that don’t fit the model. But it also means something else, clients who’ve had one project delivered by Earth Creation Landscapes come back for a second. And often, a third.

“The building of relationships is really lovely,” Stuart says. “To be able to have a client tell their next-door neighbour that we’ve done three gardens for them and that the team who work for me are fantastic, that’s the stuff I love to hear.”

The business operates within a tight geographic triangle, Peregian Beach to Sunshine Beach, through Noosa to Tinbeerwah and Doonan. It’s a deliberate constraint. While other landscapers chase work from Brisbane to Gympie, Stuart keeps his crew local. Thirty-minute commutes instead of 90 minutes. More time at home. Less burnout. Better work.

“I prefer my team to spend an extra hour a day going to the gym or a walk on the beach with their family, I think that’s more important,” he emphasises.

The culture this creates shows up in unexpected ways. When one of Stuart’s foremen faced a serious health challenge recently, the team donated sick days without being asked. The company matched them. It’s the sort of gesture

that can’t be mandated in a handbook.

Stuart learned his approach to standards at a good school in Victoria, where socks stayed pulled up and ties were knotted properly. He watched his father, a sheep farmer in the Western District, maintain perfect fencing and livestock practices even when the work shed descended into chaos. He absorbed the lesson; excellence isn’t about perfection across everything. It’s about knowing what matters and refusing to compromise on those things.

For Earth Creation Landscapes, what matters is the finished work. The screw lines. The plant placement. The drainage that works in five years, not just five months. The garden that looks as good at the end of the maintenance contract as it did on installation day. Equipment and a team that are as clean and polished as can be, despite the often-dirty work.

Stuart’s 50 now, pulling back from the 7pm client meetings and Saturday office sessions. He’s had his own health challenges, lost his father last year, started thinking about work-life balance with the seriousness it deserves. But the standards at Earth Creation Landscapes haven’t shifted.

Because here’s what Stuart understood 32 years ago and proves with every project, the difference between good enough and genuinely good isn’t visible from a distance. You have to look closely. You have to care about screw lines being level. Most people won’t. But the ones who do will notice. And they’ll return.

Stuart from our podcast.

Earth Creation Landscapes team with Site Supervisor Billy Dog

PHOTO: SAM FRYSTEEN

There is only ONE Noosa when it comes to eye-watering property sales and being voted in the Top Ten of the Most Welcoming Places on Earth, enthuses Helen Flanagan

LIMITED ONLY BY

The Horizon

Compliments for our extraordinary slice of paradise with its abundance of natural assets are commonplace and for good reason, the latest capturing the hearts of travellers from overseas as well as Australia.

Decided by more than 370 million verified reviews from travellers globally, the Top Ten of Most Welcoming Towns/Cities on booking.com’s awards’ list, celebrating those who consistently deliver standout hospitality, was Noosa Also capturing the hearts of travelloving Australians by taking out the title of Best Town in the Australian Traveller Magazine’s Reader Choice Awards 2025, was Noosa. However, shouldn’t that really be plural, given Noosa is the destination aka region, and top towns include Noosa Heads with its squeaky white-sand Noosa Main Beach, vibrant Noosaville abutting the sparkling Noosa River, and the famous eastern coastline from Sunshine Beach and Sunrise Beach to Peregian Beach, amongst numerous other beautiful places.

For many decades, towns and communities up and down the Queensland coast were eager to be “the new Noosa” with a sprinkling of its extraordinary magic. Alas, the rarity of innumerable beauty spots such as world-famous Noosa National Park, idyllic sub-tropical climate, and its unrivalled harmony between Nature and enchanting design standards, remain impossible to replicate.

Whether a beachfront apartment, riverfront residence, a blue-chip village location or serene Hinterland retreat,

…standout performance like no other … Queensland’s highestever residential sale already finalised.

it’s this enduring love that drives the extraordinary demand for property, and a chance to invest in success on all levels, including an enviable life unmatched anywhere in Australia.

When it comes to achieving exceptional results, CoreLogic, Australia’s most trusted property data source states Tom Offermann Real Estate sold more than the next six Noosa agencies combined for the year 24/25.

Entrepreneurial principal Tom Offermann maintains his self-effacing attitude, refreshing candour, and gratitude to a collaborative team of dedicated support staff, media professionals, and of course leading property marketing agents, giving every valued client the ultimate edge every step of the way.

“Unlike traditional agencies operating in silos, the entire team has an important role to play in every sale and purchase,” explains Tom. “Equally distinctive is the brand’s unwavering commitment to excellence with unrivalled local insight, powerful data base built over three-plus decades, creative and dynamic

multimedia presentations with premium positioning for maximum exposure, all enhancing perceived value and trust.

“Limited only by the horizon, diverse and forward-thinking brand power, makes marketing more potent, setting itself apart from others in this rarefied world of prestige property where dominance is never accidental. In fact, it is the product of foresight and innovation.”

At the heart of its clearly defined strategy is audience, with arguably the region’s largest social media following few competitors can rival. Campaigns are strategically boosted and precisiontargeted, connecting high-end properties with affluent buyers across Australia and globally.

Sophisticated SEO strategies and digital targeting ensure qualified purchasers don’t just stumble upon a listing, they are guided directly to it, all thanks to a defining move in 2018, when the company anticipated the seismic shift towards content-driven property marketing. This has since proved transformative.

“Today it’s all about being on the cutting edge,” explains producer Anthony Caligari. “Harnessing the latest technology, advanced editing platforms and emerging AI tools, cinematic campaigns with remarkable speed and precision, are crafted. Turnaround times are swift, yet quality remains uncompromising.

“Just as important, the team remains fluent in evolving social media trends,

ensuring every piece of content is not only beautifully created, but genuinely engaging and highly watchable.

“Presentation defines perception, perception drives a sale, and Tom Offermann Real Estate has positioned itself not simply as a premier real estate company, but also a media powerhouse with a property arm.”

“In an era where attention is currency, it’s this combination of collaboration, credibility and modern marketing, leveraging every available technology to elevate every listing,” adds Tom. “This defines the brand’s difference and its unwavering benchmark of premium property service.”

Powerful global interest for the brand has also escalated via luxuryrealestate. com, a worldwide portal many times larger than Australia’s major property website, with 38,000 member-only agencies amongst the who’s who of international real estate. Tom Offermann Real Estate is privileged to be one of only two invited from Queensland.

A remarkable 2025 wrapped up with $750m+ in sales including the Top Ten:

• $27m, Maravilla on Sunrise Beach

- highest residential sale, Noosa & Sunshine Coast

• $18m, 45 Witta Circle, Noosa Heads

• $16.95m, 78 Noosa Pde, Noosa Heads

• $16.5m, 92 Hilton Tce, Noosaville

• $15m, 2/1-7 Bayview Rd, Noosa Heads

• $13.25m, 11/11 Little Cove Rd, Noosa Heads

• $11m, Allambi Rise, Noosa Heads

• $10.5m, 40 Seaview Tce, Sunshine Beach

• $9.5m, 17 Wyuna Dve, Noosaville

• $9.25m, 30 Enterprise St, Sunshine Beach

Did you know 84% of beachfront sales since 2019 are attributed to Tom Offermann Real Estate?

Included are 33 Ross Cres Sunshine Beach which sold for $28m in 2024 and 17 Webb Rd Sunshine Beach, sold in 2023 for $34m.

Meanwhile prestige sales started with gusto in 2026.

Two properties back from the beachfront in Sunshine Beach sold for $12m+ and $15m+ and there was a standout performance like no other with Queensland’s highest-ever residential sale already finalised.

“Watch this space as demand will remain roughly half local and half from interstate and overseas,” states Tom.

“Reinforcing the area’s long-standing position as the ‘affluent northern suburb’ of Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane.

“It is not the most affordable market, and that gap may widen; however, for buyers who can afford it, the value proposition, safe, sophisticated living in an amenable climate, remains compelling.

“Expect fewer opportunities to buy, strong competition for the best ones, and a market that rewards quality.”

ON YOUR MARQUES

Get set for the 4th annual Noosa Concours d’Elegance. Australia’s leading international award-winning luxury motoring and lifestyle event, reimagined reinvigorated and returning to Hastings Street on Saturday 18 July 2026.

More exceptional cars will be added to the multi-million-dollar event display with an expanded footprint showcasing elegance, heritage, and contemporary automotive excellence, plus a special Brabham anniversary display, standalone Supercar Circle, and curated collections from leading motoring marques, alongside the 50 rare and iconic classic cars in the official Concours display.

“The spirit of Concours is so exciting and everyone benefits,” says proud Founding Major Partner Tom Offermann.

“It is so much more than a motoring event, it is a powerful expression of the Noosa brand on a national and international platform. It cultivates communities united by excellence, passion and precision, all values central to Tom Offermann Real Estate.

“The event’s international recognition, including Rising Star Award at the Historic Motoring Awards in London, reinforces Noosa’s global appeal and strengthens our connection to an influential audience who appreciate rarity, craftsmanship and distinction.

“Supporting the Concours is our way of investing in local cultural and economic vitality whilst aligning our brand with such a prestigious event.”

NOOSA CONCOURS

D’ELEGANCE

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Noosaville

Noosa Heads

Noosa Heads

Jennifer Swaine discovers the changes and challenges that are in play in the property market as a new year gets underway.

Energy NEW YEAR

Autumn always brings a shift in energy.

The summer rush has eased and, according to Noosa buyers’ agent Kirstie Klein-Hunter, the tone of the market has shifted with it.

“Buyers have had time to recalibrate,” she said. “The conversations we’re having now are less reactive and far more deliberate. People are asking better questions.”

Noosa remains Noosa. The lifestyle, the scarcity and the long-term appeal have not changed and, if anything, Kirstie believes the region’s pull has strengthened. Demand for quality property remains steady, particularly from interstate buyers. But what has evolved is the way decisions are being made.

“There’s less assumption,” she explains. “More scrutiny. Buyers want to understand exactly what they’re purchasing - not just how it looks, but how it performs and whether it complies.”

THE PLANNING WINDOW IS CLOSING

One of the more significant and timesensitive influences this year is the transitional window under the amended Noosa Plan.

Until September this year, applications can still be lodged under the previous planning framework. For certain property owners, particularly in medium-density zones outside the designated Tourist Zone, that window could affect future options.

“We’re having conversations now that simply weren’t happening twelve months ago,” Kirstie said. “Buyers who understand planning are moving earlier. Owners who were undecided are seeking advice before the opportunity disappears.”

It is not a dramatic shift, but it is a defining one.

Noosa is a finite market. There is no broad release of new land, no outer corridor steadily expanding supply. What exists today is largely what will exist

tomorrow. That structural scarcity underpins its price point, its exclusivity and, inevitably, the barrier to entry.

“It’s a tightly held destination,” Kirstie says. “There’s very little new stock coming online, so buyers are competing for a limited pool of quality property.”

For investors, the equation is equally clear. They are seeking assets that deliver reliable return, particularly through short-term letting, while preserving the flexibility to enjoy the property themselves in the future.

“They want performance, but they also want optionality, the ability to use the property personally if and when it suits them,” she said.

In a market with no meaningful new supply and strong lifestyle demand, planning and timing carry real weight. Understanding what can and cannot be done with a property - and when, is increasingly central to long-term value.

SHORT-TERM

LETTING - A CLEAR DIVIDE

The distinction between Tourist Zone properties and other residential holdings has become increasingly pronounced.

Approved, compliant holiday properties remain tightly held and highly sought after. Buyers recognise the income certainty they provide. In contrast, homes without approval are being assessed very differently.

“Short-term letting approval isn’t a ‘nice to have’ anymore,” Kirstie says. “For many investors, it’s fundamental to the acquisition strategy.”

At the same time, efforts to reduce short-term letting stock have produced some unintended outcomes.

Kirstie notes that some larger homes transitioning out of holiday letting are being rented room-by-room.

“That may solve one issue,” she says, “But it can create different pressures within residential streets.”

As always, the market adapts to regulation. For investors, however, permit history and compliance are now central to value - not peripheral details.

THE ISSUE FEW BUYERS SEE COMING

One concern Kirstie says is becoming more prevalent is the number of properties carrying unapproved renovations.

“We’re walking into beautifully presented homes that have additional bedrooms, decks or extensions that were never formally approved, and it’s not always obvious at first glance,” Kirstie said.

The implications can be significant. Retrospective approvals may take months and are not guaranteed. Insurance coverage can be affected.

For investors, non-compliant works may jeopardise short-term letting eligibility.

“Due diligence has never been more important. Presentation can conceal the complexity that sits below the surface,” Kirstie said

However, none of this diminishes Noosa’s appeal. It simply reinforces the need for informed, careful acquisition.

THE HINTERLAND - HIGH EXPECTATIONS AND HIGHER COSTS

Interest in the hinterland remains strong, particularly in tightly held pockets such as Doonan, Eumundi and Cooroy.

The two-acre lifestyle property within easy reach of Hastings Street continues to attract buyers seeking privacy without isolation. What has changed though is the appetite for renovation.

“Many of these homes are 20 to 25 years old. They are structurally sound, but buyers need to understand what modernising actually costs,” Kirstie said.

Kitchen renovations well into six figures and major outdoor upgrades approaching similar numbers are no longer unusual in the hinterland.

With construction and labour costs remaining elevated, buyers are acutely aware of what comprehensive modernisation truly involves.

As a result, fully renovated, walk-in ready properties are commanding a premium.

“The dream of transforming a property is still there, but buyers are far more measured about the real cost and the time involved,” Kirstie said.

COASTAL SCARCITY REMAINS

Across Noosa Heads and Noosa Hill, supply continues to tighten.

Properties offering views, proximity to water and compliant holiday letting capability are attracting strong competition.

Noosa hasn’t become easier, but buyers are clearer about what they want and what they’re prepared to pay.

In Little Cove, where homes are often held within families for decades, much of the available stock requires significant refurbishment.

“Budgets in the upper brackets are common, but even at that level, finding the right location, compliance and condition isn’t straightforward,” said Kirstie.

Off-market transactions remain an important part of the landscape, reflecting how relationship-driven the Noosa market continues to be. While a modest lift in listings may emerge later in the year, broad oversupply appears unlikely.

“Many owners here are long-term holders and there is no urgency to sell,” she said.

BUYING WELL IN 2026

Asked to describe the current market

Klein Hunter Property Buyers specialise in sourcing and negotiating residential property purchases for local, interstate, and international clients.

in a single word, Kirstie says it’s “considered”.

“People are thinking things through more carefully and they are not rushing in the way they might have a few years ago,” she said.

“Buyers are asking more questions before they commit and sellers are expected to have the answers. Investors are paying closer attention to what a property will actually cost to hold, and what it can realistically return.

“Noosa hasn’t become easier, but buyers are clearer about what they want and what they’re prepared to pay,” Kirstie said.

The fundamentals haven’t changed. Noosa is still tightly held and it’s still a lifestyle destination people aspire to own property in. What has changed is the room for error.

“In this market, you need to understand exactly what you’re buying,” Kirstie says. “You need to understand whether the approvals are in place, what the renovation will really cost, and how the property fits your long-term plans.”

As the year progresses, it’s that level of preparation, and not speed, that will make the difference between simply securing a property and securing the right property.

Our professional team expertly project manages every step of the acquisition process, from researching, sourcing and negotiation through to settlement - removing the stress and uncertainty from your property purchase.

Contact Kirstie today for a no-obligation discussion about how a local, independent Buyer's Agent can help you secure your piece of paradise.

Kirstie 0449 640 204

kirstie@khpb.com.au noosapropertybuyersagent.com.au

List with Noosa experience.

List your property with the Kate Cox Team.

For over 16 years, Kate Cox and her team, Tony Cox and Erin McCartin, have been helping clients make confident, informed decisions about their next move - whether it’s selling the family home or finding the perfect low-maintenance lifestyle opportunity.

Your property journey doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With Kate’s extensive market knowledge, honest advice and step-by-step guidance, you can plan your future with clarity and ease.

From understanding your property’s value to knowing the right timing, costs, and opportunities - Kate’s market experience is key.

Wondering what your home could be worth in the current market? Get in touch and we’ll happily put together an up-to-date appraisal for you.

Scan the QR code to connect.

Phone: 0438 695 505

Follow us: @kate.cox_noosa

Email: kate@reedandco.co www.reedandco.co

The Kate Cox Team: Erin, Kate & Tony

John Caruso learns that the best forever homes don’t happen by accident. They happen because someone, somewhere along the way, had the wisdom to plan ahead.

THIRD ACT,

First Move

Most of us spend the better part of our lives working towards the perfect home. The right suburb, the right size, the right price. But somewhere in our fifties and sixties, a quieter and more deliberate question begins to surface: where do I want to spend my third act?

Jane Fonda talks about it. That stretch of life from sixty to ninety, your third act, is not a winding down. It is, if you plan it well, the richest chapter of all. The catch is that the planning part takes more thought than most people give it, and the window to do it well is shorter than people realise.

Kate Cox and her team from Reed & Co Noosa, has spent years watching what happens when people leave this conversation too late.

“People wait until they’re eighty and then decide the stairs don’t suit them anymore, or the yard’s too big,” she says. “By then, it’s too late. You should start looking at your forever home before you’re seventy, and even if you’re not ready to move, that’s the time to start working out what your needs will be.”

The language matters here and Kate is deliberate about the words she uses with clients, and she sidesteps the term ‘downsizer’ with good reason. In her experience, a surprising number of people in this life stage are looking for more space, not less.

“We deal with a lot of people who want a bigger home,” Kate explains. “They want their family to visit.”

Far from retreating, these people are building a home that can hold a full life, a base for family from around the world.

Kate encourages clients to think deeper than floor plan and location, though those matter enormously. Practical considerations such as single-level

living, wider hallways, step-free access from the garage, walk-in showers without a bath to climb over.

“If you look for those things when you’re a bit younger, you’ve got time to make changes,” Kate says. “There’s time to make your showers wider, to look for two bedrooms that are light-filled.”

The point is not to catastrophise about the future, but to remove its friction before it arrives.

Automation, she says, is one of the great unsung advantages of planning ahead. Voice-operated systems, electric gates, features that make life easier.

“Automate now rather than finding it too hard and confusing later,” she says.

Then there’s the garden. Not just the size of it, but the potential. Whether there’s room for a pool if you want one in a decade. Whether there’s space for hedging that gives you privacy, or a lemon tree that makes the back corner feel like yours. These are small things that can compound into something meaningful over the years.

Location is perhaps the most personal calculation of all. Some people want to be walking distance from the beach or the river, anticipating a day when driving is no longer appealing. Others want to be close to shops, to their children, or to a community they already love.

Kate herself, who recently celebrated a milestone birthday, is already running through her own options, not urgently, but with the quiet focus of someone who knows the value of thinking ahead.

“I’m working out where I want to live and am looking at options,” she says.

The value of community is one Kate returns to with warmth. Moving into a neighbourhood while you’re still active,

able to meet the neighbours, strike up friendships across generations, become a known and knowing presence in the street, is something that cannot be manufactured later.

Relationships that are forged early, tend to look after you in ways that are hard to quantify. The young family next door who end up mowing your lawn. The neighbour who checks in. A community you’ve grown into rather than arrived at as a stranger.

Kate is equally clear about what this kind of planning protects against: the loss of choice.

“If you do it while you’re young enough, you’re making the decision, not somebody else making the decision for you,” she says. “Whereas if you leave things too late, others take over.”

There is a generational shift at work here, too, and Kate sees it in her clients. The sexagenarians she works with today are not the same as previous generations.

“We’re young at heart now. We’re fitter. We’re not in our sixties looking at traditional retirement villages,” she says.

“We’re looking at alternatives because we are healthier than we’ve ever been. We’re seeking options that our families are comfortable with, that we’re comfortable with, that allows us to live our lives with our own choices,” says Kate.

That word, ‘choices’, is the one that keeps returning. Your third act, Fonda would say, is where you get to write your own lines. The homes that support that, the communities that sustain it, the planning that makes it possible: none of it happens by accident.

The best time to start thinking about your forever home is probably earlier than you think.

Choice THE PEREGIAN

What makes someone leave a global city for a coastal village?

In Peregian Beach, the answer lies in sunrise swims, genuine community connection and a life lived with intention. For interstate movers and overseas expats alike, this is a place that warmly welcomes newcomers, as expat and ex-city girl Ida Fink Gundtoft discovers.

There is a moment in Peregian Beach, just before the sun breaks the horizon, when everything feels possible. The ocean is glassy, the dunes glow pale gold and early risers trace paths along the sand before the crowds arrive. Surfers paddle out in silhouette. Friends greet each other barefoot with a familiarity that suggests this isn’t just where they live – it’s where they belong.

For many interstate movers and overseas expats, that moment is the reason they chose to build a life in this little pocket of paradise.

According to Luxe Coastal Property Buyers Principal and Founder Christine Mount, relocating to and investing in sought-after destinations like Peregian Beach is almost never a coincidence. It is a conscious decision made by people asking themselves a bigger question: where in the world do I want to live?

Through her Live Your Luxe Life podcast, Christine speaks with business owners, investors and returning Australians who have intentionally chosen the Sunshine Coast as their home. Again and again, the same themes surface – connection, nature, accessibility and a sense of serenity.

Peregian Beach holds a particular magic. From the shoreline, there are no high-rise buildings interrupting the view. You see dunes, pandanus and endless blue. Expat mortgage broker Shona Stephenson, who featured on Christine’s podcast, describes sitting on the beach and feeling as though she was in a national park.

The region forms part of the UNESCOrecognised Noosa Biosphere, and that environmental protection shapes both the

landscape and the lifestyle.

Yet Peregian Beach is not isolated. It sits comfortably between Noosa and the Maroochydore City Centre, with Brisbane within reach and growing infrastructure strengthening connectivity ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games. For expats returning from overseas, or for families relocating from interstate, this balance is compelling. You can operate a global business, travel with ease and still be home in time for an afternoon swim.

Shona works with clients across Australia and internationally, yet from her Peregian Beach home she can quite literally see whales migrating along the coast. She speaks about being able to walk home via the beach after a night out dining at one of the local restaurants, and about the ease of becoming a part of the local community while building her house. Everyone, she observed, had chosen to live here. And now she was a part of that.

That sense of choice matters. Peregian Beach is not a temporary postcode. It is a community of people who've deliberately designed their lives around lifestyle.

Christine sees it every day in her work with Luxe Coastal Property Buyers. Many of her clients are Australians returning after years abroad. Others are families seeking a healthier pace. Practical considerations are important: good schools, reliable infrastructure, airport access and space for visiting family.

“It’s important that family can come and visit,” Christine said. For expats especially, home must feel expansive enough to welcome loved ones from afar.

But beyond logistics, there is something harder to measure.

Emma Stephens, director of Artemis Finance and another guest on Christine’s podcast, once moved to Melbourne to advance her career. Yet despite professional success, she felt disconnected. She recalls sitting on trams in the cold, watching commuters stare into their phones, dreaming of the boardwalk at Noosa Main Beach.

“Once you are living here, you cannot unsee it,” she reflected.

Her version of a luxe life is simple:

PHOTO: TOURISM NOOSA

...a community of people who have deliberately designed their lives around lifestyle.

rising at 4.45am to meet the sunrise on Peregian Beach. Feeling free to enjoy the outdoors without it costing a cent. Meeting familiar faces in the surf and along walking tracks.

“Community,” she said, “is the defining difference. People are warm, friendly and willing to connect.”

That connection is woven into daily routine. Christine herself walks the boardwalk of Noosa most mornings, chatting with locals and grounding her thoughts before the workday begins. When she needs clarity, she looks to the outdoors to reset. The environment provides both perspective and order.

The climate and landscape naturally attract active, health-conscious people. Life happens outdoors. In the ocean, at the markets, over coffee in the village square. Children grow up surrounded by nature. Emma laughed that kangaroos are a regular part of the school commute. It’s a detail that feels almost whimsical to

overseas buyers, yet entirely normal here.

From a property perspective, Peregian Beach has evolved into a tightly held market. Christine’s role is both strategic and deeply personal. She guides clients through the nuances of the area –continuous ocean views and beachside pockets, long-term capital growth, council overlays and future infrastructure planning. For expats unfamiliar with local regulations, having an advocate on the ground is invaluable.

But the transaction is never just about square metres.

Christine understands that relocating from interstate or overseas is a reorientation of identity. Clients are not simply buying homes; they are investing in lifestyle. Less time in traffic and more time on the sand. Children growing up in an environment that feels open, natural and secure. And a place that, no matter where you’ve come from, feels unmistakably like home.

With the Sunshine Coast continuing to grow and Brisbane’s Olympic future drawing global attention to South-East Queensland, demand for lifestyle destinations like Peregian Beach is only strengthening. Yet despite this momentum, the village atmosphere remains intact.

Perhaps that is the true luxury. In Peregian Beach, luxe is not defined by excess. It is defined by space – physical, mental and emotional. It is the space to rise with the sun. To greet neighbours by name. To see whales from your window. To finish work and be on the beach within minutes.

For those scanning the globe and asking where they truly want to live, Peregian Beach answers softly but convincingly: here.

LIVE YOUR LUXE LIFE PODCAST

Curious about what it really means to live well on the Sunshine Coast?

Live Your Luxe Life hosted by Founder and Principal Christine Mount, is a candid and insightful podcast exploring lifestyle, property, investment and community through conversations with locals who have intentionally chosen this region as home. From expat stories and interstate relocations to property strategy, economic insights and personal journeys, Christine Mount sits down with business leaders, investors and changemakers to unpack what “luxe” truly looks like.

Scan the QR code to listen or visit www.luxecoastal.com.au

Explore our latest podcast episodes, where we have conversations with expats and locals on finding homes & investing in properties on the Sunshine Coast. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Google Play.

S03, E05 - Emma Stephens Community, Connection & the Peregian Beach Lifestyle

S03, E03 - Shona Stephenson Why Expats Choose Peregian BeachLifestyle & Legacy

S02, E18 - Carolyn Jansen Key Considerations for Investment Properties in SEQ

S01, E15 - Kate Cox Exploring Noosa, Noosa Waters & Noosaville

Christine Mount www.luxecoastal.com.au

+61 448 288 080

christine@luxecoastal.com.au

As Noosa sellers stand at the crossroads of buying and selling, Kathy Sundstrom speaks to a local agency that is helping clients navigate what comes next with clarity and care.

Real Estate REDEFINING

Your home is more than the place where you cook dinner, celebrate milestones and watch your family grow. For most Australians, it is also their single biggest financial asset.

And when the time comes to sell, buy, rent or reposition, the people you choose to guide you through those decisions matter more than ever. Particularly when those decisions no longer happen in a neat, linear order.

In a market defined by complexity and caution, clarity has become a rare commodity. In Noosa, one agency is building its reputation on providing exactly that, not just at the point of sale, but through the uncertain weeks and months that often follow.

Cove Property is a family-led, multidisciplinary real estate business offering sales, rentals, buyer advocacy, marketing and development expertise under one roof. It is a model designed not just to transact property, but to support clients through the full arc of transition. For many sellers, that transition now includes periods of pause, temporary renting or strategic buying before a permanent move is made.

“People don’t just want to sell and hope for the best anymore,” says Cove Property Director Donovan Biss. “They want advice on what comes next. That’s where having everything aligned makes a real difference.”

Founded on the philosophy of lifestyle by design, Cove positions itself as a premium agency with a deeply local lens.

The name reflects a safe harbour, a place where clients are guided with care, discretion and foresight through what can often be an emotional and uncertain process, especially for long-term Noosa residents weighing up whether to stay local, downsize or start again elsewhere.

“We’re not just selling homes. We’re helping people make decisions that shape the next chapter of their lives,” Donovan says.

That approach is proving particularly relevant in the current Noosa market, which he describes as nuanced rather than uniform.

“Entry-level and mid-range homes across Tewantin, Noosaville, Noosa Heads and the hinterland are selling strongly, while higher price points are

We’re not just selling homes. We’re helping people make decisions that shape the next chapter of their lives.

taking longer as buyers carefully weigh their options,” he says.

“Tewantin is performing exceptionally well,” he says. “It has a long-standing community feel, it’s increasingly gentrified, and it still offers value across a wide range of price points.

“It’s no longer seen as a compromise suburb. It’s a destination in its own right.”

Donovan Biss and Tara Morris

PHOTO: IAN

WALDIE

Across Noosa, tightly held homes owned for ten, twenty or even thirty years are beginning to come to market as owners look to capitalise on steady growth of five to six per cent annually in entry-level sectors.

Yet many sellers remain hesitant.

“We’re seeing a lot of indecision,” Donovan says. “People are achieving strong sale prices, but they’re unsure whether to stay in Noosa, move locally or relocate entirely. The challenge is buying back into the same market.”

It is here that Cove’s integrated model comes into its own. With in-house buyer’s agents, a dedicated rentals team and strong interstate referral networks, the agency is able to support clients well beyond the sale sign.

“One recent Noosa riverfront home, achieved around five million dollars,” Donovan explains. “We helped the owners secure a unit in Brisbane and are also helping them with the process and working with agents on the Gold Coast for a new duplex purchase.

“That strategy still left them with capital working for them.”

Behind the scenes, Cove Property Manager Tara Morris plays a pivotal role in ensuring that level of continuity and

care. As the operational backbone of the business, she works closely with clients navigating overlapping timelines, multiple decisions and emotional milestones.

“Our job is to reduce the pressure,” Tara says. “When someone sells a home they’ve lived in for years, it’s emotional. If we can manage the moving parts and keep them informed at every step, the process feels far more achievable.”

She says access to quality rental options is often the missing piece.

“Many clients need breathing space between selling and buying,” Tara explains. “Having access to good rentals allows them to transition comfortably rather than rushing into the wrong purchase.”

Cove’s team structure also sets it apart. Agents work in carefully paired partnerships, blending experience, perspective and deep local knowledge.

“It means no one is ever doing this alone,” Tara says. “For our clients, that translates to better communication, better strategy and better outcomes.”

With several off-market sales underway and a strong understanding of upcoming releases and developments, Cove Property continues to position itself

USEFUL TIPS FOR BUYERS AND SELLERS

• Minimise the number of agencies you deal with. Working with one team that offers sales, rentals and buyer advocacy can significantly reduce stress.

• Thinking of selling but unsure what’s next? Start exploring your options early so you’re prepared when the time feels right.

• Choose an agent with strong local knowledge who can provide both historical context and insight into future growth.

• Don’t be afraid to look just beyond your preferred suburb. Homes can be up to 40 per cent more affordable only a few streets away from a blue-chip area.

BEST ADVICE:

Keep your journey with one agency to minimise stress and maximise clarity.

as a trusted advisor rather than a transactional service.

“The best advice I can give is to align yourself with an agency that does it all,” Donovan says. “When you have one team carrying you from A to Z, the entire journey becomes clearer.”

Buy. Rent. Projects. Holiday.

If you’re already emotionally invested in Noosa – the holidays, the rituals, the escape – why not turn that love into something lasting?

Jodie Cameron meets a formidable duo who understand the magnetic Brisbane-Noosa pull because they live and breathe it…

COASTAL

Confidence

For many Brisbane families, couples and downsizers, Noosa already feels like home – they just haven’t bought one yet.

More than a holiday destination, Noosa is a guaranteed lifestyle shift but with that shift comes a series of considerations that are easy to overlook when emotion leads the way.

Not on Bronwen Stacey’s watch! Founder of boutique buyers’ agency Home Scouts, Bron helps clients turn dreams into smart coastal investments – whether the move is imminent or years away - she offers buyers clarity, confidence and an insider’s edge so they can take the leap and plunge into those turquoise Noosa waters!

Property decisions aren’t always about moving immediately. For many, a holiday home can serve as a lifestyle investment now and a permanent home later. Navigating that path is far easier with trusted guidance on the ground, particularly in a sought-after region like Noosa. That’s where Bron’s longstanding partnership with Brisbane buyers’ agent Sandra Connors proves invaluable.

A friendship spanning more than 35 years, forged in the schoolyard at Somerville House and grounded in shared values of integrity, trust and care, the duo bring a rare dual perspective to the buying process.

With lives split across Brisbane and Noosa, they understand both the mindset buyers are coming from, and the reality they’re moving towards.

“We instinctively understand how Brisbane buyers think about space, schools, commutes and value,” Bron explains. “Together, we offer a continuity between city and coast; a dual lens of the Brisbane mindset and the Noosa reality.”

Bron’s relationship with property began early. Growing up in Brisbane with a mother who worked as a town planner, property always felt familiar, with afternoons spent among development plans at city council offices.

After relocating to Noosa 15 years ago, she gained first-hand insight into how priorities shift once the holiday glow fades and day-to-day life begins.

“Moving to Noosa showed me how expectations translate – or don’t – once people make the move,” she says. “That lived experience helps our clients buy with clarity, not just excitement.”

Based in Brisbane, Sandra brings a complementary perspective. Having grown up renovating and moving homes with her family, she understands how property decisions shape lifestyle over time, as well as the realities buyers are leaving behind – career pressures, long commutes and schooling logistics.

Together, they help clients look beyond the obvious.

While many buyers focus on beach proximity, views and how a property

Together, we offer a continuity between city and coast – a dual lens of the Brisbane mindset and the Noosa reality…

feels during a short stay, Home Scouts encourages a broader view – one that considers how a home functions yearround and across different life stages.

“Storage, layout, privacy, maintenance, community feel and long-term resale appeal all matter,” Sandra shared.

“Those less glamorous details are often what protect both lifestyle and value over time.”

A key part of the Home Scouts approach is slowing the process down just enough to ensure emotion doesn’t cloud judgement. Decisions like location fundamentals, demand, scarcity and long-term suitability are tested against reality; not just how a property feels in peak season.

“We ask practical questions to understand things such as what the primary purpose of the purchase is, how it will work during off-peak periods when Noosa feels very different and more,” Bron explains.

“That balance allows buyers to enjoy the excitement while still making a smart decision.”

Timing also plays a crucial role. Buying now, even if the move is years away, allows buyers to secure the right location at today’s prices, establish a foothold in a tightly held market and plan the transition on their own terms.

“For many, it’s the difference between hoping to live in Noosa one day and knowing they can,” Bron says.

Perhaps the biggest mindset shift for holidaymakers becoming owners is realising Noosa is not a single experience. It’s a collection of neighbourhoods, routines and communities, each with its own rhythm.

The real value lies in everyday life –quieter beaches, weekday rituals and local connections that visitors rarely see.

So what advice would Bron give Brisbane dwellers stuck on the Bruce Highway after a magical weekend away?

“Use the emotion as a signal,” she says. “Then do the work to understand where and how that lifestyle fits long term. The right Noosa home isn’t the one that feels magical for two days – it’s the one that still works beautifully on an ordinary Tuesday, ten years from now.”

With insight across both markets, Home Scouts are trusted locally, recognised nationally and accredited by Australia’s peak buyer’s agent associations REBAA and PIPA.

Bron and Sandra help buyers move beyond the dream and towards decisions that feel considered, supported, and ultimately, like coming home.

Scouts honour!

WANT MORE?

If you’re thinking about making the move to Noosa or whether to buy an investment property but are unsure where to start, check out the Home Scouts blogs for things to consider. Scan the QR code, follow @home_scouts or visit www.homescouts.com.au

Remote property purchases can be overwhelming. We're your local edge on the ground, helping you avoid costly mistakes and find the home or investment that feels like it was made for you.

Scan to get started with your free Home Buyers Checklist

hello@homescouts.com.au 0413 444 864 homescouts.com.au

As demand for Noosa property continues to surge, more buyers are looking beyond the idea of moving in straight away. Instead, they are searching for homes that can work hard now and still feel like home later. But in a town where short term letting rules are anything but simple, understanding what you are really buying has never mattered more, as Kathy Sundstrom discovers.

BUYING IN A

Complicated Market

There has been a noticeable shift in the type of buyers enquiring about Noosa property over the past 12 months and, according to Noosa Buyers Agent principal Kristy Bruggy, many are not looking for an immediate sea change. They are looking for opportunity.

“More and more enquiry is coming from people who want to secure a foothold in Noosa now,” Kristy says.

“They might be planning to move here in five or ten years, but in the meantime they want a property that is flexible for personal use and to either generate income, or help cover the outgoings.”

That trend has placed renewed attention on short term accommodation, an area where Noosa has long marched to its own beat.

Unlike other lifestyle destinations, Noosa’s approach to short term letting is now tightly regulated, evolving in 2021 in response to community pressure, housing supply concerns and the desire to protect neighbourhood amenity.

“Noosa is unique,” Kristy says. “Short term letting approvals are very specific and you can’t assume that because a property seems like it would be an ideal holiday home, that it can be

automatically used that way.”

For buyers unfamiliar with the area, that assumption can be costly.

Kristy says she regularly speaks with people who are basing their purchase on inflated rental projections, only to discover those figures are based on hypothetical income rather than what the property is legally allowed to earn.

“One of the first things we do is strip it back to what’s real,” she says. “What approvals are in place, what’s permitted, and what income is actually achievable, not just projected.”

Over the past six months alone, Noosa Buyers Agent has helped several clients secure property in tightly held pockets in blue chip Noosa locations, many of them looking to relocate to Noosa in the future or to purchase a property as a second home rather than pure investment.

“These aren’t straightforward purchases,” Kristy says.

“Every property is unique, especially in areas like Little Cove where there are very few comparable sales and they span over several years. Pricing is not always black and white.”

In a recent case, a high-end property

...local insight is what separates a buyers agent from a general property search...

required a two-month negotiation.

“It was about timing, patience and really understanding where the value sat,” Kristy explains. “Without local knowledge and a deep analysis of each sold property, it would have been very easy to overpay.”

That local insight is what separates a buyers agent from a general property search, particularly in a market where emotion often runs high.

Education is key and often clients learn through extensive guidance that stock is limited and there may not be another opportunity to secure a similar property that matches their criteria for years.

Kristy says some buyers arrive with fixed expectations about returns or pricing that simply don’t align with reality.

Kristy Bruggy

PHOTO: IAN WALDIE

“People might say they want a five percent return from short term accommodation, but the property itself has to support that,” she says. “We make sure our clients are educated about what the market is actually doing, not what they hope it’s doing.”

Importantly, Kristy is quick to point out that Noosa Buyers Agent is not focused solely on investment property.

Many clients are purchasing their primary place of residence, second homes, lifestyle properties or future family residences, with short term letting considered only as part of a broader strategy.

“We’re seeing clients buying high-end second properties now and using them regularly, renting them where appropriate, and planning to make Noosa home in the future,” she says. “It’s about flexibility.”

That flexibility is underpinned by a deeply personalised approach. Noosa Buyers Agent works with a limited number of clients at any one time and never represents buyers with the same brief.

Established in 2006, the boutique agency draws on more than four decades of local knowledge and an extensive network that often unlocks pre-market and off-market opportunities.

“Our role is to remove stress and uncertainty,” Kristy says. “From in-depth due diligence to negotiation and settlement, we’re there the whole way.”

For clients, that support can be the difference between a confident purchase and a costly mistake.

One recent testimonial describes the experience as “first-class, individualised service,” praising Kristy’s clear communication, market insight and ability to secure the right property at the right price.

In a market as nuanced as Noosa, where lifestyle, legislation and long-term planning intersect, that guidance has never been more valuable.

“Buying here isn’t just about finding a beautiful property,” Kristy says. “It’s about understanding how it fits into your life now and in the future.

“That’s where we add real value.”

BENEFITS OF A BUYER’S AGENT

• Save time and money by putting your property search in experienced hands

• Benefit from unrivalled local knowledge

• Access to exclusive off-market properties

• Invaluable network of professionals

• Support throughout the buying journey.

In a market often defined by speed, competition and momentum, Ida Fink Gundtoft meets a local real estate agent who has built her reputation on something far more enduring: connection. With more than two decades in property sales and a deep-rooted love for the Sunshine Beach lifestyle, this agent is redefining what it means to guide people home.

LISTING FROM

Legacy TO

It’s morning in Sunshine Beach. Waves roll in as Open Home signs are set out and buyers clutch their coffees, hopeful about finding their forever home.

Before inspections begin, the founder and director of Sun & Sage Real Estate, Kathy Wise, is walking the shoreline with her dog, keeping pace with the tide.

The day ahead will be full, yet she knows success here is about balance as much as momentum. A quick swim, a friendly chat, takeaway coffee and then it’s back to work in the office, where the ocean background is a reminder of the lifestyle her clients are dreaming of.

For Kathy, it’s more than a beautiful way to start the day. It’s a reminder that she doesn’t just sell the Sunshine Beach dream. She lives it.

With more than 20 years in the property industry, Kathy’s path to launching her own boutique agency has been anything but linear; and is all the more powerful for the experience. She began as a buyer’s advocate in rural Queensland, guiding national and international clients through complex purchases with clarity and care.

It was there she honed her gift for qualifying buyers, reading the market and negotiating outcomes that stood the test of time.

opportunity to go out on her own, which she’d previously rejected. However, that day on the roads of Noosa, she received another phone call asking the same question. Before the question was fully formed, she had her answer: “Yes, you know what? I’m ready.”

Her first real estate transaction as a selling agent was, fittingly, close to home… very close. Kathy sold the property she was renting; the roof over her own head. At the same time, she took on another stagnant listing that had sat on the market for two years.

For her, it was a litmus test.

“I knew if I could sell that property, I could sell any property,” she reflected. She secured a multi-offer result.

Then came COVID. And while the world shut down, Kathy locked in. Renovations at home. A son in his final year of school. And at one point, two to three property sales a week.

“I love being thrown in the deep end and figuring out how to swim,” she said.

A resilience instilled early on in life by her father.

There is often a moment in everyone’s life when you know it’s time to grow.

For Kathy, it came while driving along the roads of Noosa. She was already a top-performing agent in Sunshine Beach and had begun to feel confined, filtering her ideas through structures that no longer fit. She’d outgrown the status quo.

Then the phone rang. In the past, Kathy had received multiple phone calls with the

Her children had left home. The timing felt aligned. It was her season to spread her wings.

And so, Sun & Sage Real Estate was born. At its heart, Sun & Sage is about doing things differently. Not louder, not bigger, but more intentionally.

Kathy envisioned an inclusive, teamoriented model. One where vendor, photographer, copywriter and agent all collaborate from the outset. Where properties are not just listed, but branded.

“These homes have had real people living in them, real memories made,” she said. “We love packaging that into a dream the next owner will love and appreciate.”

Her background in building, construction and interior design gives her clients an edge. She understands structure as well as style. Add to that her negotiation skills, open communication and genuine warmth, and it’s little wonder many clients return (and refer to her) time and again.

She was daunted in the beginning.

“Anything worth doing makes your knees knock together,” she admitted. But encouragement came from unexpected quarters. A respected industry

principal reminded her: You don’t have to be grand to make something grand. It was the reassurance she needed.

Her husband remains one of her biggest supporters, still placing Open Home signs at dawn and delivering coffee on busy weekends. Her one-year anniversary brought reflection and validation. In twelve months, she had established and renovated an office, employed staff, opened a work hub, and achieved recordbreaking sales. All done organically.

This year began with the highest sale in the agency’s history. Yet Kathy is equally energised by diversity, from cosy units to multi-million-dollar homes along the eastern beaches.

Real estate, after all, is as old as time, as Kathy points out. The need for shelter is universal. What evolves is how we deliver it.

For Kathy, the true reward lies in the relationships. She is building the kind of relationships that extend far beyond settlement day. Where past clients wander into her office years later just to say hello and share a hug, and where buyers happily insist on shouting her coffee at the local café.

These moments, woven between contracts and campaigns, sustain her.

It can be emotional terrain, and often the largest financial investment of a lifetime, with complex negotiations and high stakes involved. But when the right buyers move into the right street and become part of the fabric of a neighbourhood, that’s the magic.

“I live the lifestyle I sell,” Kathy said simply. And that may be Sun & Sage’s superpower. It’s not just about square metres or sale prices. It’s about early morning swims, ocean glimpses, conversations between locals and the serenity that draw so many here.

I love being thrown in the deep end and figuring out how to swim.

New listings are already secured across Sunshine and Sunrise Beach, and the focus remains clear: helping people create their dream life in a place that offers both energy and ease. A place where sunshine and sage advice exist in perfect balance.

Wise Strategies, Seamless Sales

From the moment we met Kathy, we knew she was the right agent for us.

Her professionalism, knowledge of the local market and friendly demeanour made what could have been a very stressful time, far less so. Kathy is part of a very professional team and we felt supported through the whole selling process.

SELLER

Shop 2/28–34 Duke Street, Sunshine Beach

Kathy Wise 0407 968 300

PHOTO: BEN MOUNTFORT

Dollars DETAILS AND

There’s a quiet frustration that follows a lot of property sales. The house sells. The contracts are signed. Everyone moves on. But somewhere in the back of a seller’s mind, a question lingers: did we leave money on the table?

Often, the answer is yes.

It doesn’t happen dramatically. There’s no single catastrophic mistake, no obvious moment where everything went wrong. It happens in the accumulation of smaller things. The way the property was introduced to the market. The way early interest was handled. The way a negotiation played out or, more precisely, didn’t. The value was always there. It just wasn’t retrieved.

This is the problem that Jason Robertson has been quietly solving since planting his flag in the local real estate landscape. Not with volume listings and a full team working the phones, but with a careful, considered approach that treats each property as a single project and its sale as something worth getting right.

“Property rarely sells for its full potential by chance. The strongest results are usually the outcome of careful decisions made well before the final contract is signed,” Jason says.

Ask where most value is lost, and he’ll

tell you it happens early, often before the first open home, sometimes before the photographer arrives.

First impressions in real estate aren’t just important; they’re irreversible. A property that hits the market poorly presented, cluttered, dim, priced without strategy, fails to generate the anticipation that draws serious buyers. Once that moment has passed, it’s extraordinarily difficult to manufacture it again.

Price reductions, extended campaigns, refreshed listings; all of them carry the whiff of a property that didn’t sell when it should have.

Jason’s remedy is methodical. Before a property goes anywhere near the market, he walks through it with the seller, looking at the space as a prospective buyer would. Not as someone who has lived there for a decade, grown attached to the big entertainment unit and the collection of ceramic figures.

“Sellers aren’t seeing it from the perspective of someone fresh coming in. You want to make sure the lawns are mowed, the bins are out of sight, you’ve given the driveway a pressure wash. Then inside, light, space, and a sense that someone could see themselves living there,” he explains.

Selling well isn’t about volume or velocity. It’s about precision! John Caruso meets one local agent who’s quietly made that his point of difference.

He describes a recent property where a client had, with the best of intentions, furnished a living room in a way that made it feel much smaller than it was. A long entertainment unit dwarfed a modest television. Books and personal collections filled every surface. Jason’s team physically moved the heavier pieces, carried them downstairs into storage beneath the house, then repositioned the television, the coffee table, the sight lines. The room began to breathe. Not every seller is immediately open to that kind of intervention. Jason is frank about it.

“You can’t just walk in and tell people their things are the problem. You’ve got to be sensitive,” he says. His approach is to earn the right to those conversations and to offer practical compromises when full changes aren’t feasible.

There’s a widespread assumption among sellers that pricing is a mechanical exercise. Look at what the neighbours got, add a buffer, list accordingly. Jason treats that assumption with polite scepticism.

“Pricing is not simply a reflection of recent sales. It’s part of a broader strategy designed to encourage engagement and build confidence among

buyers,” he says. “Price a property incorrectly and you either leave money on the table or, worse, set a ceiling you can’t recover from. Get it right, and the process gains a momentum of its own. Interest compounds, competition emerges, and the final number reflects what the property was always worth.”

The same discipline applies when the deal is in progress. Jason talks about negotiation with a candour that’s unusual in an industry not always known for self-reflection. He speaks about the temptation to fill silence, to have all the answers on the spot, to talk when listening would serve the process better.

“Listening, marinating in that discussion and then being able to come up with an appropriate plan. Some agents shoot off at the mouth and immediately find themselves in a hole,” he says.

In the quiet space after a buyer makes an offer, or before a seller responds to one, a great deal of value is either won or surrendered. Jason knows that restraint in those moments isn’t weakness. It’s craft.

Perhaps the most tangible expression of his philosophy is the one that hits the bottom line most directly: his commission structure.

In an industry where most agents

...the difference between a sale that simply happens and one that delivers what a property was always worth.

charge a flat percentage regardless of outcome, getting paid the same whether they achieve a middling result or an exceptional one, Jason operates on a performance-based model.

There’s a base commission agreed at an assessed property value. Beyond that, if he achieves more for the seller, his commission rises accordingly. His incentive and the seller’s incentive are, quite deliberately, the same thing.

“It’s not rocket science and it creates a shared commitment to the result,” he says. “We succeed when our clients do.”

For sellers, the practical implication is significant. You’re not engaging an agent who is financially neutral about whether your property achieves its potential.

You’re engaging one who has a direct personal interest in pushing every negotiation as far as it will go, because

his return depends on it. It’s a model that tends to attract sellers who are serious about outcomes. And it suits an agent who is serious about his work.

The fundamentals of listing, presenting, and selling a property are not mysterious. Most buyers are already on the major platforms. You can’t force someone to purchase a home they don’t want.

What you can do is give a property every possible advantage: prepare it carefully, price it with intent, manage the process with patience, and negotiate with both rigour and restraint.

These are not dramatic acts. They’re quiet ones. They’re the difference between a sale that simply happens and one that delivers what a property was always worth.

“The difference is rarely dramatic or obvious. More often, it’s found in the details, and it’s in those details that value is either protected or quietly left behind,” Jason says.

Most people sell a handful of properties in their lifetime, at most. Each one carries weight.

The question worth asking before you list isn’t just who can sell my property. It’s who is going to make sure I get what it’s worth.

Elevated Luxury

There’s a place, perfectly positioned where the Sunshine Coast stretches out in every direction. Ocean, river and hinterland unfolding in symphony, breathtakingly framed for viewing from an exclusive collection of penthouses. It’s here, at the pinnacle of the region’s tallest residential tower, that a new chapter of coastal luxury is unfolding and nature’s energy is balanced by the buzz of a vibrant City Centre, as Ida Fink Gundtoft discovers.

The newly unveiled Penthouse Collection at SOL by Walker is redefining what it means to live in luxury on the Sunshine Coast. Rising above the Maroochydore City Centre, the collection comprises four dual-level residences that crown the region’s tallest residential tower, commanding panoramic views of the ocean, the Maroochy River, Point Cartwright and the hinterland.

This is Maroochydore as it has long promised to be: vibrant, connected and confidently urban, without ever losing its laid-back coastal soul.

Once known primarily as a seaside town good for fishing and camping, Maroochydore has evolved into a thriving city hub. Now, it’s a place where saltwater mornings and city ambitions coexist with ease, and sunset drinks are just a stroll away.

Cafés and restaurants buzz from early morning into night, and boutiques and cultural spaces sit seamlessly alongside green parks and waterfront walkways.

It’s a lifestyle built on balance, ease and choice, and one that increasingly appeals to those seeking sophistication without compromise.

The Penthouse Collection captures this evolution perfectly, offering an elevated urban experience grounded in the natural beauty that defines the Sunshine Coast.

Walker’s Group Executive of Development Peter Saba said the collection reimagines city living to deliver unrivalled luxury.

“These residences cater to the growing

mix of people choosing to live and invest on the Sunshine Coast, adding to the diversity of high-quality homes available at SOL by Walker,” he said.

Comprising just four dual-level residences with private lifts across Levels 17 and 18, the Penthouse Collection is intentionally limited, designed for those who value privacy, space and thoughtful design. Available in three or fourbedrooms over two levels with sweeping staircases, generous living zones and expansive outdoor terraces complete with private rooftop plunge pools as well as a multi-purpose room which is fully customisable as extra living or a secluded master suite or guest retreat.

These are homes designed not only to impress, but to live in – spaces that adapt to quiet mornings, family gatherings and evenings spent watching the buzz of the city below.

The interiors, crafted by awardwinning studio Mim Design, reflect a deep understanding of both luxury and location. Rather than compete with the view, the design elements enhance it.

“The material palette draws from the changing tones of the landscape,” Mim Design’s Founder Miriam Fanning said.

Natural timber, brushed metals and tactile ceramics create warmth and stability, while limestone bathrooms and mosaic detailing add understated elegance. Terracotta marble anchors the entry and private wine cellar, setting a tone that is refined yet welcoming.

Sculptured Onde Rosa marble

benchtops with a 3.5m long kitchen island bench paired with premium Miele and Sub-Zero appliances, Verde Atlantis marble joinery accents and polished plaster promise to capture the natural light and reflect a sophisticated finish.

Every detail has been carefully considered, from the way light moves through the rooms to how materials age gracefully over time.

The result is a series of residences that feel timeless rather than trend-driven, offering a sense of calm luxury that resonates with the Coast’s way of life.

The unveiling of The Penthouse Collection comes as demand for highend, low-maintenance living continues to rise across South East Queensland. Owner-occupiers are increasingly seeking homes that combine premium design, wellness-focused amenity and connectivity – and Maroochydore City Centre is emerging as a natural choice.

Billions of dollars in infrastructure investment, coupled with the region’s lead-up to the 2032 Olympics, are accelerating the city’s transformation. With strong local demand and a near sell-out of SOL by Walker’s first tower, confidence in Maroochydore’s future has never been stronger.

As Maroochydore continues its ascent, these penthouses don’t just sit above the city, they embody where it’s headed. Available by appointment only, The Penthouse Collection at SOL by Walker represents an address designed for those who want it all – and understand the value of securing it early.

Many equate retirement villages to waiting rooms, however John Caruso learns that new residents at Sunrise Beach Village are too busy planning winery tours to care what you think.

Adventure CHOOSE YOUR OWN

Michael Masters has heard it before - the subtle shift in tone when he mentions where he lives. The slight pause. The unspoken assumption.

“They hear ‘retirement village’ and assume it’s death’s door,” he says.

The stigma runs deep. For decades, retirement villages carried the aesthetic of waiting rooms, places you went when life had finished with you, not when you were still living it. Sterile corridors. Dated furniture. The slow tick of institutional time. But Michael, 71, and his wife Melissa Cowie aren’t waiting for anything. Since moving into Keyton’s Sunrise Beach Village in December 2025, they’ve been too busy with social clubs, hosting happy hours that stretch into the night, and watching sunsets over the ocean.

The couple relocated from Tewantin after eight years in a house they’d bought when Michael’s work brought them north from Brisbane in 2017. For three years, Melissa commuted between the two while Michael settled into Noosa life. They retired during COVID, but it wasn’t until late last year that they started seriously looking at what comes next.

They’d done the research. They’d watched Michael’s father end up somewhere he never wanted to be because he’d waited too long, refused to plan, let circumstances decide. They’d seen Melissa’s parents take the opposite approach, moving into a retirement village while they still had choices, still had energy - and loved every minute of it. The lesson was clear: choose early, choose well, or someone else chooses for you.

“We’ve got no kids,” Michael says. “My sisters and Melissa’s sisters are executors of the will. We figured if we get into a place like this, they don’t have to worry about looking after us.”

But practicality only tells half the story. What sold them was seeing it done right. When Michael and Melissa visited friends

in New Zealand last July, they didn’t see resignation. They saw people getting on with it. Walks. Book clubs. Trips. Lives that hadn’t stopped, just simplified.

Back on the Coast, they started looking for something similar to no avail until Sunrise Beach Village started going up on Grasstree Court in Sunrise Beach.

“The location struck us first. It’s new, the villas are a decent size, and we’re sitting at the highest point looking west,” Michael says.

They put down a $1,000 holding deposit and eventually settled on Alexandria, one of the largest designs with three bedrooms, a lounge running south to north, and double doors opening onto a balcony that doubles the living space when the weather cooperates.

“The second bedroom’s my office, my man cave; and the third’s for guests,” Michael says. “But the balcony’s where we spend most of our time. It’s like having another room that just happens to overlook half of the Sunshine Coast.”

They moved in alongside seven other households. The social club’s first happy hour went from five o’clock to nine at night. Not because anyone got stuck but because no one wanted to leave.

“We’ve gelled well,” Michael says. “There’s a good cross-section of people from different backgrounds and professions. It doesn’t matter, everybody gets on. Same with the new residentswe’ve got a nice community forming.

There’s a morning coffee catch-up in the communal lounge, afternoon drinks and a bloke named Geoff, Michael’s neighbour, runs the espresso machine and quietly organises most things.

“We tell him he’s the boss,” Michael says. Sunrise Beach Village Manager, Carrie, has given them the green light to form a residents’ committee even though the place isn’t full yet.

They’ve already booked a winery tour

for once the vehicle arrives. First stop, somewhere out west with decent reds and a long lunch.

Here’s what Michael reckons people miss when they dismiss retirement villages outright: this isn’t passive living; it’s deliberate living. The research on Blue Zones, those pockets of the world where people regularly live to 100 years of age, points to a few common threads: strong social ties, purpose, movement, and a sense of belonging. Sunrise Beach Village doesn’t hand you longevity, but it removes the obstacles.

You’re not mowing lawns, fixing gutters or wondering if you’ll need to sell the house when one of you can’t manage the stairs. Rather than being isolated in a big house that feels emptier every year, you’re having coffee with new friends - people who chose the same path at the same time.

“It’s not for everybody. Some people can’t get their head around it,” Michael admits. “They don’t think they’re ready and that if they take this step, it’s one of their last, but it’s not,”

He doesn’t push. But when someone at a barbecue asks what Sunrise Beach Village is like, he tells them to come and have a look. See the people. See how they live. Because the gap between perception and reality is wide enough to cost you years of good living if you wait too long.

At Sunrise Beach Village Michael and Melissa are watching sunsets, planning winery tours, extending happy hour well past 60 minutes, Michael’s setting up his man cave, Melissa’s joining Pilates and they’re showing up for morning coffee, afternoon drinks and whatever Geoff may organise.

They haven’t given up on life. They’ve worked out how to keep living it without the house they own, owning them.

“Give places like this a look. You might surprise yourself,” Michael says.

Michael Masters

PHOTO: IAN WALDIE

BarefootTHE CORPORATE

WARRIOR

Fright? Flight? Paul Bird offers advice for those considering retirement in a two-part series.

Part I – Time To Go? If so, Think. Prepare. Legendary investor and frugal living exemplar Warren Buffett, 95, retired as CEO of corporate juggernaut Berkshire Hathaway on 1 January this year. He, like many others decided to put off the retirement phase of the modern life cycle for as long as possible. People living and continuing to be physically and mentally capable for longer is a happening trend. The working 70+ cohort is a recent and noticeable workforce phenomena that is most likely here to stay. All power to them.

At the other end of the spectrum are those adherents of the FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement – madly saving as much as they can, adopting spending and saving hacks and plotting a pathway to their idea of freedom – they are in a hurry to retire.

There is also a cohort which seem afraid of retirement and risk going on so long working that when they eventually do retire their time left on this mortal coil is characterised by poor health and mental/emotional distress.

We all know the stories of people retiring and being dead within a year. The sage heads shake – they hung on too long and were completely worn out by the time they stepped back.

We are aware of the real concern around financial longevity and running out of money before the end, leading to a miserable, final few years.

I see heightened levels of fear as people approach retirement ‘age’ when real decisions need to be made – fear of change, relevance, loss of status, mental and emotional struggle, being consigned to the ‘too old to have an opinion’ category in a youth-obsessed culture. I have even introduced myself to people since I became (mostly) retired as, “hello, I used to be Paul Bird”. This is my wry nod to the widely-held notion that we become somewhat invisible in retirement and that our best and most relevant days are now behind us. I ‘get’ the fear of retirement angle. However, if you want to decide whether it is time to retire I suggest

listening carefully to yourself.

I have been a longtime observer of the shifting sands in the Noosa River. Sand banks and channels come-and-go and the incessant movement of water brings constant change. Nothing remains the same with the passage of time. So it also goes for us and our lives.

A couple of years before I moved into being (mostly) retired I could feel a change. The ‘edge’ which gave work its attraction had dimmed (slightly). The highs of being in business, those moments of success were less likely to excite me. I still liked work, just not as much as I had previously. I was restless. Something was on the move. The winds were blowing and I started to take notice of them, in the most positive way possible. My advice? If the winds of change are blowing in you, take notice, don’t resist. And then, take meaningful action before they blow you away!

And (for men particularly), don’t ignore your feelings. They might just be your saviour. Continuing to beat your head against the wall is only going to result in a headache. Feel the winds and let them buoy you forward. It might help avoid a mess later. Overcome the fear. Take flight.

So, how do you get ready?

Have the self-awareness to recognise that something has changed, or is changing, in you. Don’t ignore the feeling, embrace the shift. Focus on what the change might mean in a positive sense and resist the urge to interpret this as a negative. You are not ‘washed up’, ‘finished’ or ‘burnt out’ just because you understand something is going on. Start to focus on what changes you would like to make. Share this with your significant other/close mate/s so that when you begin preparations for change this does not come as a shock to you or them. To make the change as smooth as possible, begin planning for the move to a non-routine way of life at least two years ahead of when work stops. Once the financial concern is put-to-bed, focus on the human elements –

Come to the edge. We can’t. We’re afraid. Come to the edge. We can’t. We will fall! Come to the edge. And they came. And he pushed them. And they flew.

- French poet Guillaume Apollinaire

developing new habits and interests/ hobbies or re-kindling lost or dormant ones such as spiritual development, social, physical and healthy living, travel, volunteering, relationships - and FUN!

Prepare because if you don’t make it happen, no-one else will. The ideal is a rough plan for the first five years in retirement and I am not just talking about money. Think beyond that.

But on that, will you have enough?

As Benjamin Franklin once said: “There are two ways to increase your wealth. Increase your means or decrease your wants. The best is to do both at the same time.”

Someone else also said that the definition of wealth was simply if your means exceeded your needs then you were indeed wealthy.

If you fit the typical late career stereotype you are no longer financially supporting children, you own/almost own your home and have saved enough to either rely on Super or a combination of Super and Government pension.

I am not a financial adviser but one thing I realised one day as I was wandering around the family home was that there were quite a few empty rooms.

As sad as this was, there were two benefits: firstly, our family home, as sentimentally important as it was, was an asset available for powering up a retirement change through the miracle of downsizing. Secondly, our base cost structure had changed significantly… and for the better. Many costs had simply disappeared. It gave us an annual figure to work towards when it came to the income we would need to generate to fund our retirement. The fear around the money question reduced significantly.

Finally, everyone deserves a farewell tour, a lap of honour in recognition for facing the challenges, the achievements and the sheer hard work over the course of a career. You deserve it, don’t question your worthiness for it. If others won’t oblige, give yourself one before you go.

Next Edition: Part II – Retirement. It’s Happened or Oh My God What Do I Do Now?

PERSPICACIOUS LIKE NO OTHER

Nothing succeeds like success. Never an accident, rather the result of genuine intention, sincere effort, intuitive direction, skilful execution, and entrepreneurial vision to see hurdles as the power to propel prosperity into life’s ultimate success.

When it comes to achieving exceptional results, experience does make the difference. CoreLogicAustralia’s most trusted property data source stated Tom Offermann Real Estate sold more than the next six Noosa agencies combined, for the year 24/25.

Taking the crown for the highest 2025 residential sale in Noosa and across the Sunshine Coast of $27m, was Maravilla at Sunrise Beach.

An early start to 2026 was a standout performance like no other with Queensland’s highest-ever residential sale already finalised.

Powerful global interest for the brand has escalated via luxuryrealestate.com, a worldwide portal many times larger than Australia’s major property website, with 38,000 member-only agencies amongst the who’s who of international real estate. Tom Offermann Real Estate is privileged to be one of only two invited from Queensland.

BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

Soak up Noosa’s ideal year round climate beside our heated pool, with direct beach access and Concierge Services to cater for your every need. Relax at the ‘Paris’ end of Hastings Street, with dining and shopping at your doorstep and Noosa National Park only minutes away.