IN49 SPRING IN NOOSA

I’M YOURS, TAKE ME! ISSUE #49 | SPRING 2026

IN NOOSA MAGAZINE

CONNECTING COMMUNITY THROUGH STORYTELLING

| ISSUE #49 SPRING 2026

WWW.INNOOSAMAGAZINE.COM.AU

FRESH

Catch

more than a magazine www.innoosamagazine.com.au

INFORM

INDULGE

INSPIRE

ENDURING POWER OF EXCELLENCE Unrivalled commitment to a sharp diverse strategic lens and forward-thinking brand power make marketing more potent, setting itself apart from the others.

Limited only by the horizon is genuine intention, sincere intuitive direction, skilful and innovative content creation, execution and engagement, also an entrepreneurial vision to see hurdles as the power to propel prosperity into life’s ultimate success.

Using effective intelligent communications and collaborations across all media, from myriad print, digital platforms and more, formidable results are achieved and maintained. Dynamic teamwork ensuring gold class client experiences each step of the real estate way, makes the dream work. Every time.

According to Cotality, Australia’s most trusted property data source, Tom Offermann Real Estate sales totalled more than the next five Noosa agencies combined over the past year.

INVEST IN SUCCESS

Bo

PHOTO BY PAUL SMITH

O F F I C E LO C AT I O N S

Phone: (07) 5449 2500

62 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads

sales@offermann.com.au

92 Noosa Parade, Noosa Heads

offermann.com.au

T H E E S TAT E

BEACHES

TOM OFFERMANN

THE TEAM

Editor’s Note I love this time of year when the whales are finishing their annual migration, the bees are abuzz with fresh blooms, new season produce inspires passionate chefs to dish up fresh new creations, and Sculpture on the Edge brings creativity to the hinterland.

DEB CARUSO

PAUL BIRD

JOHN CARUSO

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.

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.

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.

ALI SMITH

PIP CASEY

STEVEN COX

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, on her bike, running or in the gym with her husband.

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.

With a media sales career spanning newspaper, radio, television and now magazines, and a few diversions along the way, Steven is passionate about connecting with local businesses. On weekends you’ll find him drinking coffee or wine somewhere on the Coast with his wife, chasing his grandkids or working in his garden.

PUBLISHER + EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

It’s also a time when we look to spruce up our home, garden and health - and you’ll find lots of advice from local experts and businesses inside this edition.

We also share inspiring stories from people in our community who are giving back plus we celebrate local success with Sunshine & Sons and Bella Venezia winning awards against the best in the world. Closer to home, The Woodshed at Kin Kin Hotel was announced the Best Destination Dining in the country and Queensland’s Best Restaurant at the 46th Gourmet Traveller Awards. We’ve proudly been part of their journey since the early days so have created a very special event that you won’t want to miss (see page 50)!

And if you want to feel like a winner, enter the competition for your chance to win a print by our cover artist Heidi O’Brien or a Laifen Glowy Vanity Mirror.

Be sure to sign up to our weekly enewsletter for the latest events, special offers and more. Plus our “Everyone Has A Story: Conversations from the Sunshine Coast and Noosa” podcast is full of INteresting stories from our community - tune IN! Spring to it!

CONTENT + CREATIVE DIRECTOR

PUBLISHER

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

WRITER + PODCASTER + MC + DISTRIBUTION

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

MICHELLE TAIT

NICOLE MAY

SENIOR CONTENT CREATOR

WRITER + WEBSITE

Michelle has a Bachelor of Business plus 30+ years’ Administration experience in 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’.

With a communication degree majoring in journalism and public relations, and over a decade in print media, Nicole loves the art of storytelling and the people power of journalism. When she’s not creating, you’ll find Nicole reading, at Pilates, or by the ocean with her husband, two children and two border collies.

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 boys and furry love, a Staffy x Red Cattle dog, Rudi.

HELEN WALKER

CARLIE WACKER

ELIZABETH MONTHE

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.

Elizabeth has a passion for writing, editing, publishing, and photography and is in her final year of a Bachelor of Creative Industries at UniSC. She is a writer and editor for the university’s newspaper, The Student Correspondent, where she creates and edit articles while working collaboratively within a creative team.

ACCOUNTS + ADMINISTRATION

Deb

JODIE CAMERON

Deb Caruso

FIND US

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

SUMMER DEADLINES

Bookings close: 26 October 2026 Art Deadline: 2 November 2026 hello@inpublishing.com.au www.innoosamagazine.com.au IN Noosa Magazine

CONTENT + DESIGN

Helen brings 20+ years of creative design experience, transforming complex ideas into clear, engaging visual communication across private and government sectors. Off the clock, you’ll find her walking in nature, cycling with her husband, gardening, paddling on the Noosa River or enjoying a cocktail at home with her cats.

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FASHION EDITOR + WRITER + MC

INTERN WRITER

IN FORM

CONTRIBUTORS HELEN FLANAGAN TRAVEL + LIFESTYLE

MICHAEL BRENNAN ART

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!

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.

MATT GOLINSKI FOOD

DIANA ROBERTSON STRENGTH & FITNESS

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.

Di-Fit as she is known, brings more than 30 years’ experience as a fitness and strength coach, with a focus on women’s health and body transformation. Diana has empowered women to discover strength, confidence and energy. Her philosophy, Finish Strong, is about more than fitness, it’s a whole-life approach to wellness through movement, nutrition and balance. She runs women’s group training from her private performance facility.

JACKIE HILLEGERS MINDFULNESS

STUART BAIN GARDENING

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.

Stuart Bain is the owner and Managing Director of Earth Creation Landscapes, with more than 30 years of experience creating award winning landscapes across the beautiful Sunshine Coast. He believes a successful garden is measured not by the day it’s completed, but the memories it creates over the years that follow. Stuart shares the stories, seasons and simple observations that have shaped a lifetime in the landscape industry.

PHOTOGRAPHY + DESIGN

IAN WALDIE

ianwaldie.com

MEGAN GILL

megangillportrait.com

AN EVENING WITH OSCAR @ THE WOODSHED Join IN Noosa Magazine for an intimate and unforgettable evening at The Woodshed Kin Kin, awarded Australia’s Best Destination Dining and Queensland’s Restaurant of the Year! Spend an evening fireside with Head Chef Oscar Holgado and experience a seven-course, paddock-to-plate degustation, country hospitality and meaningful conversation.

The food. The experience. The conversation.

Thursday 22 October, 6pm The Woodshed, Kin Kin Welcome cocktail, canapés, seven-course degustation and exclusive welcome and IN Conversation with Oscar $200 per person, Accommodation options with a divine farmhouse breakfast are available but limited.

Be quick as tickets to this exclusive event are limited and will sell-out!

Scan the QR code to book or visit www.kinkinhotel.com

STEVE WILSON

wetdogdesign.com.au

DISCOVER OUR PODCAST

Discover 200+ interviews on the Everyone Has a Story: Conversations from the Sunshine Coast and Noosa podcast!

Efficient, transparent solutions for property buyers and sellers, from a leading law firm specialising in residential and commercial conveyancing.

BUYING AND SELLING - OFF THE PLAN - COMMERCIAL - PROPERTY TITLES - SUBDIVISIONS - DECEASED ESTATES

Shop 7 ‘The Pavilion’, 19-21 Sunshine Beach Road, Noosa Heads | 07 5238 8110 | coast2coast.net.au 5

SPRING 2026

IN SIDE

MORE THAN A MAGAZINE Print | Digital | Social | Podcast | Events

Stay INformed with our e-newsletter: www.innoosamagazine.com.au FOUNDER/EDITOR-IN-CHIEF/PUBLISHER: Deb Caruso, 0428 853 224 deb@inpublishing.com.au CO-PUBLISHER: Paul Bird ADVERTISING: Pip Casey sales@inpublishing.com.au Jakki Goodall 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 locally-designed 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.

IN Noosa Magazine

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DULGE

Join us for an exclusive and intimate dinner and conversation at the place that was just awarded Australia's Best Destination Dining and Queensland's Restaurant of the Year!

ON THE COVER Sardines by Heidi O'Brien.

Discover Heidi's art and her story on page 12. @heidiobriendart

WIN!!

Scan the QR code to WIN one of Heidi's prints.

We would like to acknowledge and pay respects to the traditional owners, the Gubbi Gubbi/Kabi Kabi people, whose country we create on and we would like to extend our respect to their elders, both past, present and emerging.

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SPIRE

Discover how a local restaurant has earned its place on the World's Best Wine List Awards.

+ IN NOOSA Magazine is printed on 100% recyclable paper.

Made with love. Please enjoy!

106 FORM

Find spring fashion inspiration amongst the lush landscapes of Living Valley.

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SPIRE

Discover the sustainable luxury of eco-friendly bedding and linen for a good night's sleep.

152

SPIRE

Dig into essential gardening advice from the local expert.

FINALISTS 2022 SUNSHINE COAST BUSINESS AWARDS CREATIVE INDUSTRIES

WINNERS 2019 SUNSHINE COAST BUSINESS AWARDS CREATIVE INDUSTRIES WINNERS 2021 SUNSHINE COAST BUSINESS AWARDS CREATIVE INDUSTRIES - LARGE BUSINESS

PrOFESsIoNAL COMmERcIaL LAuNdRY SERvICES High-Capacity Commercial Equipment | AirBNB | Resorts | Day Spas | Gyms | Restaurants

COMmERcIaL LAuNdRY SERvICES

SELf SERvE LAuNdROMAT

DrOP OFf / WASh-DrY-FOLd

Fast and Reliable Turnarounds | Experienced and Friendly Staff Flexible Service Tailored to your Business Needs

Phone 0450 187 541 www.sunnylaundromat.com.au U4/37 Gateway Drive, NOOSAVILLE + MARCOOLA + MAROOCHYDORE 7

SPRING 2026

IN TOWN

Visit www.innoosamagazine.com.au for more social pics and subscribe to our e-newsletter for the latest events.

FOR THE KIDS Event: Travis Schultz Noosa Winemakers Lunch for SunnyKids Location: The Woods, Noosa Heads The inaugural Travis Schultz Noosa Winemakers Lunch for SunnyKids, raised an outstanding $210,000 for vulnerable local children and families. Held as part of the prestigious Noosa Concours d’Elegance within the exclusive Travis Schultz & Partners Supercar Circle, the sold-out event welcomed business leaders, philanthropists, wine lovers, motoring enthusiasts and passionate supporters for an unforgettable afternoon.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

FEAST OF ART Event: Noosa Open Studios Prestige Art Auction Venue: Sunshine Beach Surf Club Guests enjoyed a long lunch and an afternoon of conversation and community raising funds for the volunteer-led Noosa Open Studios as well as the McGrath Foundation. Our own John Caruso hosted a Q&A with Archibald artist Michael Zavros while guests bid online for original artworks, limited edition prints, pamper packages, holidays and more! There was even a spot of whale watching from the aptly-named Ocean View room at Sunshine Beach Surf Club PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

IN Noosa Magazine

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T

Tag yourself and your friends at our events #innoosa or head to Facebook and Instagram for more photos @innoosamag

IN TOWN

YAMAS!

Event: Hello Sunshine Magazine Winter launch #23 Venue: Stavros Restaurant & Bar, Kawana Shoppingworld We celebrated the winter edition of Hello Sunshine Magazine Greekstyle at Stavros. Guests were soaking up the vibe as much as the Housemade Pita was soaking up the traditional Greek dips, and while the Cypriot Haloumi, Flash Fried Calamari and Yia Yia's meatballs were devoured - the housemade Baklava that stole the show and the hearts! Thank you team Stavros! www.hellosunshinemag.com.au PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

FAB FOOD

Event: Noosa Food & Wine Festival Venue: Festival Village, Noosa Woods The sun was shining, the fans were hungry and Noosa Food & Wine delivered! While restaurant and signature events paired celebrity chefs with local stars and produce, the Festival Village dished up plenty of food, drinks, laughs and a few surprises with chefs taking centre stage. Save the date for 17-20 June 2027 when the much-loved festival returns promising unmissable Signature Events, a mouth-watering new Restaurant Series and the return of the Festival Village.

PHOTOS: AIMEE DODGE 9

SPRING 2026

INTHE KNOW

IN THE KNOW

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

PROPERTY, THROUGH A DIFFERENT LENS With more than 25 years across design, property and client advisory, Cate Young brings a unique perspective to residential real estate.

Now a Property Partner with The Agency, specialising in Noosa Heads and the Eastern Beaches, Cate understands the details that make people connect with a home - and how presentation, positioning and strategy can influence both buyer response and value.

Her approach combines an experienced design eye with a deep understanding of buyer behaviour, backed by The Agency’s collaborative national network, marketing capability and extensive buyer reach.

It’s a natural evolution for Cate, bringing together everything she has always loved people, property and place.

Before you sell, let’s talk.

DON’T HOLD BACK! TOWN TAKEOVER The Potbelleez are ready to headline a first-of-its-kind town takeover. Coolum is turning up the volume on Saturday 31 October when the inaugural CoolumLive: Rooftop Session takes over town.

The Potbelleez will headline a dusk-todark set from a Coolum rooftop, with the performance livestreamed into participating restaurants, bars and venues across town.

Saturday 31 October 2026 CoolumLive Rooftop Session Coolum Beach The Potbelleez DJ Set LIVE from the rooftop. A town takeover. And everyone is invited!

Stay tuned for more details!

Cate Young Property Partner The Agency | 0417 270 268 cateyoung@theagency.com.au @cateyoungnoosa

DID YOU KNOW?

Source: Visit Noosa

Noosa was declared a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 2007 and is one of only three in Queensland, along with the neighbouring Great Sandy and Sunshine Coast Biosphere Reserves.

Expect sunset views, good food, drinks and plenty of reasons to stay out late.

Adding to the energy, the Sunrise Sisterhood will host a beachside Silent Disco for up to 500 people.

44%

It is free, it is local and it is set to be one big night out. Gather your friends and be part of CoolumLive!

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Coolum Business & Tourism | 5370 1705 www.coolumbusinessandtourism.com.au info@coolumbusinessandtourism.com.au IN Noosa Magazine

Complimentary Private Property Consultation

10

of all Australian bird species are found in Noosa distinct ecosystems can be found in Noosa

Noosa is home to 1365 species of plants and 711 species of native fauna

IN

INTHE KNOW HAT’S OFF TO HARBOURSIDE HATS! Harbourside Hats at Noosa Marina has a new owner, and she knows a thing or two about finding the perfect fit.

After five years running a successful hat shop elsewhere, Tracy Atkinson has returned home to Noosa and taken over the Noosa Marina favourite. She has already moved the store into a larger space, filling it with one of the region’s biggest hat collections. From XXS to XXXL, there’s something for every age, style and head size - whether you’re beach-bound, bushwalking, boating or seeking sun protection with a fashionable edge.

Harbourside Hats, Noosa Marina, Tewantin | 5474 4902 www.harboursidehats.com.au @harboursidehatsnoosamarina BARE IT WITH CONFIDENCE THIS SUMMER Warts, plantar warts, molluscum are the spots people notice right before sandals and swimwear season but never get around to sorting.

Sunshine Coast Wart Clinic is the region’s only Swift microwave therapy clinic - no freezing, no cutting, no downtime - with most people clear in one-to-three visits spaced about a month apart.

Starting now means clear skin well before peak season.

Wart are you waiting for?

MOVE OVER, PAIN! Cooroy has a new physiotherapy clinic with Cooroy Physio & Wellness Clinic on Maple Street, giving locals easier access to treatment close to home. Owned by long-time Cooroy resident Lisa Talbot, the clinic was created in response to growing demand for local allied health services. Its team treats everything from neck and back pain to sporting injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation and chronic pain, with a dedicated exercise and rehabilitation space on site. New patients welcome.

Sunshine Coast Wart Clinic 9/247 David Low Way, Peregian Beach www.sunshinecoastwartclinic.com @scwc_2026

Cooroy Physio & Wellness Clinic | 2/42 Maple Street, Cooroy www.cooroyphysio.com.au | 5309 1155 @cooroyphysio POWER IN PERFORMANCE Cooroy’s newest live-performance space is proving that great nights out do not need a huge crowd. The Nook is an independent, intimate 40-seat venue bringing artists and audiences together to celebrate the art of storytelling - whether that be through music, comedy, poetry and performance. Expect raw, real and unique performances from emerging local talent and touring artists, all close enough to feel part of the action.

The Nook is also available for private gatherings, workshops and creative events, with BYO drinks making it an easy choice for a catch-up with friends.

Keen to take the stage? The Nook welcomes both established acts and performers finding their feet, with music equipment available for use.

The Nook Cooroy, 0491 047 150 11/1 Diamond Street, Cooroy www.thenookcooroy.com @thenook_cooroy 11

SPRING 2026

Salty INSPIRE

Soul

Jodie Cameron meets our spring cover artist, who paints the ocean she grew up in and the life she’s built around it…

I take the coast road on my way to interview local artist Heidi O’Brien.

There’s a stretch of ocean just before Sunrise Beach where I always slow down – nothing behind it or beside it, stretching endlessly like it could carry you anywhere.

It’s Heidi’s stretch of coast too, where she’s spent a lifetime learning its rhythm off by heart. I first met Heidi earlier this year at the Noosa Festival of Surfing while moseying around the twilight mini market before the IN Noosa fashion parade. A shell lover from way back, her lifelike Cowrie Shells caught my eye.

A full circle moment as I arrive at Heidi’s home and her infectious laugh draws me in. She’s busy moving things around her home studio, stepping over bikes and other big-boy toys. I spy the bevvy of surfboards on the wall, assuming they’re her sons’, but with a cheeky laugh she declares they’re mostly all hers.

Standing in her sunlit kitchen, she has an easy going, radiant energy of someone who’s exactly where she should be in life, and it shows before she’s said a word about her art.

It’s clear Heidi is a true salty soul, and the Noosa landscape suits her perfectly.

Her story has a beautiful shape to it, not dissimilar to one of her beloved longboards – from Byron Bay to Paris and back to the Noosa points. Her friend Jade was working for a Parisian atelier, so, she barely needed convincing to visit.

“I went to Paris to visit a girlfriend for two weeks and ended up staying a year,” Heidi says, admitting she never picked up more than a few words of French.

It’s a story she tells lightly yet points IN Noosa Magazine

Monica

I paint what I feel... to a woman who says ‘yes’ to first and works out the details later – a thread that runs through her whole career.

Long before Paris, before the business degree she completed because it was the sensible thing to do at the time, Heidi was a Byron Bay-turned-Noosa kid learning to surf with her father from the age of eight.

It’s a relationship that still shapes her work today, more than any formal training ever could – these days she paints the ocean that raised her, while raising her two boys the same way. Her boys, unsurprisingly, are already avid surfers.

“They don’t have much choice,” she laughs.

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Sardines Heidi paints from a home studio that carries more of her family’s history than most might notice at first glance. Tucked among the canvases sits an old timber trolley that belonged to her grandmother.

It’s a small, unassuming thing, but it holds the paint, brushes – tools for a life her grandmother never quite got to live,

PHOTO: MEGAN GILL

INSPIRE

Bloom in Glass

Pothos from it. It’s purely for fun,” she says.

“If an audience connects with the work, that’s the bonus but never the point.”

Heidi’s not slowing down either. This year she’s shown work at Noosa Longboards in Noosa – a record-storeturned-gallery space above the shop that hosts art nights, film nights and exhibitions.

Heidi O’Brien her dream skipping a generation.

“My grandmother wanted to be an artist,” she says, “but that wasn’t a real career path for women of her generation.

It was too promiscuous apparently, so she became a medical secretary instead.”

Ask what shows up in her paintings that she never consciously chose, and she doesn’t have to think about it.

“The ocean, surfing – that pops in without trying,” Heidi says. “If I’m not in the mood to paint, the ocean is the easiest thing for me to transition into, because I have a connection to it. It’s not difficult for me to do, it just flows.”

She paints the Noosa points from memory, not photographs, working from the feeling of being out on the water rather than a fixed image of it.

By contrast, she finds still life and portrait work challenging, but it’s new ground she’s only recently begun exploring and enjoys.

Her breakthrough moment arrived almost by accident, as part of the Noosa Festival of Surfing.

Around five years ago, she approached Tracy Naughton – a local surf photographer, artist and organiser of She to Sea Art Show and asked if she could bring some pieces to an exhibition at Halse Lodge.

“I took five paintings and no expectations,” Heidi says. “I had no

Mid Cool labels, no pricing on anything and didn’t expect to sell anything.

“People kept asking how much for this one, and that one. I was just making it up. Putting a little sticker on each as they approached me.”

She sold every piece and walked out with nothing left to carry.

“That was such a huge boost for me,” she says.

Heidi was working almost entirely in watercolour back then; the move into oils came later, self-taught, inspired by artists she admired.

“I just wanted to move into something else, to keep learning, and keep changing,” she says.

There was no dramatic turning point, more a steady current carrying her from one medium into the next – the way a wave doesn’t announce itself so much as it arrives.

“I paint what I feel, for myself,” she says. “My creativity comes from something inside me. I’m not painting because I’m trying to predict what someone else is going to like.”

She traces that instinct back to childhood, to the freedom of drawing and painting without any thought of whether anyone would like it.

“When you’re a kid, you just draw and paint anything you want. There’s no wondering whether you can make money 13

Her work also featured at the Melbourne Affordable Art Fair with Stevens Street Gallery and will again in Sydney later in the year.

Closer to home, her pieces hang at Brisbane Gallery in Taringa, and she continues to exhibit locally through the small, community-built shows that first gave her a room to stand in.

“I feel quite comfortable sharing all of my artwork now, even if I don’t think it’s any good,” Heidi says. “I guess it’s just part of growing as a process.”

Between talks of motherhood, sips of lemongrass and ginger tea and the big hug Heidi gave me on my way out, something passed between us that didn’t need explaining. A warmth in her soul, a twinkle in her eye, and the steadiness of a woman who has built a beautifully purposeful life on her own terms.

You can find Heidi’s work, get in touch about commissions, or follow her salty adventures @heidiobriendart

WIN!

Heidi is offering Seashell an A3 print of Seashell (above) valued at $120 to one lucky reader!

Simply scan the QR code for your chance to WIN! SPRING 2026

INSPIRING

Hand

Jodie Cameron goes beyond the racks to meet two of Noosa’s kindest souls…

Jackie Andrews and Roy Meese As a kid, I thought op shops smelt musty and were full of other people’s cast-offs.

These days, I’m a proud thrifter, and my local op shop saves things for me because they’ve gotten to know me so well.

Now with two kids in tow, it’s one of our favourite pastimes because we are giving back to our community and love the thrill of finding something that feels like it’s been waiting for us to give it a new home. So, when I was asked to interview Queensland Day Award winners, Waves of Kindness volunteers, Jackie Andrews and Roy Meese, I felt like I had won the lottery.

Of all the racks I’ve run my hands along, Waves of Kindness in Noosaville has long been my favourite, just ask my colleagues – I’m known for nabbing a bargain or two. I couldn’t wait to meet the people who spread more than a little kindness to Noosa locals every day.

There’s something comforting about a familiar face who remembers your name, asks how your week’s been, or simply takes the extra minute to help you find what you’re after. Kindness costs nothing and it means everything.

The store might look like an op shop from the street, but it’s so much more than bulging racks and daily bargains.

IN Noosa Magazine

This Noosa charity runs a care centre offering emergency relief, food vouchers and counselling to locals doing it tough, alongside a weekly women’s friendship group. For people experiencing homelessness or sleeping in their cars, the care centre offers a discreet, appointment-only service – a quiet, private space, a cup of tea, and an hour of someone’s undivided time, no judgement attached.

Waves of Kindness works alongside other local agencies rather than in competition with them and has become a hub of hope - Centrelink visits every Friday, Carers Queensland comes monthly to help with NDIS applications, as does the Department of Housing for social housing and rent subsidy support - sparing people the runaround of queues and navigating it all alone. If someone needs new tyres, their rego paid or a bed for their kids, they work together to cover what they can. Every Wednesday, the charity also delivers food to 13 local schools through its Breakfast Club, working alongside Foodbank to make sure no child goes without.

Jackie Andrews has been part of the Waves of Kindness family for four years, and with her gentle demeanour and sparkling eyes it doesn’t take long to 14

Up

understand why she was nominated. She has a way of making a stranger feel like a regular within minutes – a big smile, a friendly hello, and a shop that plays music loud enough that customers occasionally break into song - guilty!

“People come in and they might be having the most awful day,” Jackie says, “But the music, it does help lift you.”

It’s the quieter moments Jackie remembers most. She recalls a woman who came in recently and simply broke down, overwhelmed and out of options.

Jackie and Cooroy shop manager Teri took her out the back for a cup of tea, nothing more complicated than that. The woman came back the next day and said it was exactly what she’d needed and that she could finally focus again.

“That’s what happens here,” she says.

“You get people who in a moment just need some help, some nurture. It’s that wraparound support they need.”

It’s a kind of care Jackie understands well. She spent years volunteering with other local charities before finding her way to Waves of Kindness, and what’s stayed with her is how much shame people carry asking for help. For Jackie, kindness isn’t a handout – it’s a hand up and it’s not always who you’d expect

INSPIRING PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

THE RIPPLE EFFECT

Waves of Kindness, by the numbers…

• $344,870 given back to the community • 674 families and individuals helped through emergency relief • 88,000 breakfasts served to students across 13 local schools through Breakfast Club • 1,500 support visits through the Care Centre • Contributed to seven major community projects, including the Noosa Salvos Safe Carpark and Noosa Flexi School Driving Program • Around 90 volunteers and 26 staff $15,000

$6637 Figures unaudited,$10,000

Sunshine Beach School Youth Program

provided

by Waves ofQLD Kindness Supporting indigenous communities in Foodbank Alice Springs hunger drive

Waves of Kindness contributed to seven projects in collaboration with other organisations including:

$15,000

$6637

$10,000

$11,000

$15,000

$10,000

Sunshine Beach School Youth Program

Supporting indigenous communities in Alice Springs

QLD Foodbank hunger drive

Families with medical hardship

Noosa Flexi School Driving Program

$25,000

Noosa Salvos Safe Carpark

Noosa Santa’s Classy Helpers

walking through the door.

and I can’t envisage stopping,” he says.

“If my body tells me to stop, I’ll stop.

“There’s people who’ve never had to But until then, I’ll keep working.” ask for help but now need to, and they’re $11,000 she says. $15,000 $10,000 ashamed,” At an$25,000 age when most have long since Families with Noosa Flexi Noosa Salvos Noosa Santa’s put their feet up, Roy is proof of what People who never imagined a run of medical School Driving Classy Helpers Safe Carpark staying useful and busy can do for a bad luck, rising rent prices, or a brokenhardship Program person. He puts it down to more than down car could tip their life sideways. good genes – it’s the routine, the Breaking down that shame, one exercise of getting up and out four days conversation and one cup of tea at a a week, and the good company. time, is what Jackie considers the real work. Now based at their store in Cooroy, for Jackie, the reward is simple.

“It’s giving back,” she says. “I’ve had a pretty good life, but I’ve worked hard for it, and so has my husband, and I now have a little bit of time to give back to help other people.”

If Jackie is the shop’s welcome, Roy Meese is its steady heartbeat. At 80 years old, he still volunteers four days a week, testing and tagging every electrical item that comes through the door – a skill sharpened over 45 years working as an electrician.

“It’s a satisfying role,” Roy says, “because I know it like the back of my hand.”

Roy moved to Australia 22 years ago and has clocked up 20 years of volunteering since, 15 of those at Waves of Kindness. Before that, he spent a decade volunteering at NoosaCare Carramar in Tewantin, often doing both at once. Ask him what keeps him going now and he answers without hesitation.

“I’ve always worked hard all my life,

It’s something Roy and the team have seen play out, people who retire can sometimes lose their purpose, and often don’t last long once they do. What he’s found in the role is something a wage never quite gave him.

“Satisfaction,” he says. “I haven’t got that pressure – that’s what kills, work pressure.”

No stock targets, no KPIs to chase, just the steady, useful rhythm of a job done well. Roy has watched Waves of Kindness grow up around him.

When he started, the operation was based around the corner on Rene Street, a little more haphazard, a little less polished. These days it runs from a purpose-built shed the charity has called home for a decade – proof of just how far the whole operation has come.

Behind the shopfront is aisle after aisle of neatly sorted stock, all of it deemed shop-worthy before it ever makes it out onto the floor. In one corner sits more than a dozen crates of brand-new Christmas stock, still in its original 15

packaging, leftover from a Christmas in July sale.

Some of what doesn’t sell locally still finds a home. Around five shipping containers a year are sent as far as the Northern Territory, Alice Springs, Fiji and the Solomon Islands. We’ve become a throw-away society now, fast fashion and impulse buys made to be discarded within a season – so it’s a strange kind of miracle to see so much perfectly good, unopened stock waiting patiently for someone to want it. Nothing here is treated as rubbish until proven otherwise.

As I drive home, The Kindness Song comes on my playlist. It’s a timely reminder that kindness rarely needs planning, more just a pause, a moment of thought before you speak or act. Your smile might be all someone needs.

Next time you’re driving through Cooroy or Noosaville, pull into Waves of Kindness – you might just find something you didn’t know you were looking for which might make a world of difference to someone in need.

REACH OUT

To find the nearest Waves of Kindness location, to seek help or to volunteer, donate or support, scan the QR code or visit www.wavesofkindness.com.au or call 0499 091 352.

If it is urgent please ring 000 or Lifeline on 131 114.

SPRING 2026

INSPIRE

LIFE OF

Service

From service stations to serving the community. John Caruso sits down with a remarkable individual.

Jocelyn Walker was alone in the house when the letter arrived. She read it at lunchtime, sat with it for a few hours, then drove to her son’s place after dinner and put the envelope on the table without a word.

He picked it up, read it, and said: “Mum, that’s pretty special.” He’s not one to overstate things. But then, neither is she.

The letter was from the Australian Government. It informed Jocelyn that she had been awarded the Order of Australia Medal, King’s Birthday 2024 - for services to the community of the Sunshine Coast. The ceremony was held later at Parliament House in Brisbane, with The Governor Dr Jeanette Young presenting.

Jocelyn Walker AM, in her own words, counts it among the most memorable days of her life. Those who know her well would say it was overdue.

She was born in Allora, a small town on the Darling Downs between Warwick and Toowoomba, and left at 19 to take a job at the Ipswich Post Office, working the telephone exchange. From there she moved to work the reception desk at the Ford Motor Company in Brisbane, which is where a friend’s brother brought Vic Walker into the picture.

He was area manager for Townsville at the time. The distance was considerable, the relationship required effort, and they made it work. That combination distance, effort, result - would come to define much of what followed.

In 1980, after Vic had spent years in the corporate machinery of Mobil Oil and decided he’d rather own something than manage it for someone else, the Walkers opened the first 24-hour self-serve service station in Queensland - on the old Bruce Highway at Glenview.

There were no fuel stops at all between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast at that IN Noosa Magazine

...I’ve had the most extraordinary experiences. point. They filled the gap, literally, and discounted heavily to bring drivers around to the idea of filling their own tanks, which was a novelty that not everyone embraced. Jocelyn recalls more than a few motorists winding up their windows and moving on.

“We had the least expensive fuel on the Sunshine Coast and even in Brisbane, and we were providing a supply where there’d been none,” she says.

They operated the Glenview site until 1989, eventually adding both sides of the new Bruce Highway as it opened, timing their northbound launch to coincide with World Expo ‘88 - a decision that proved 16

as astute as it sounds. Jocelyn also worked at the Australian Pavilion during Expo ‘88 - three days a week, four or five hours a shift, in uniform, walking the floor as one of Lorraine Martin’s Expo hostesses. She had two children at home and a husband who in those early years barely slept. His mother lived across the road. The family managed.

The afternoons were Jocelyn’s preferred shift. She’d take the kids to the beach in the morning, drop them at her mother-in-law’s, then drive out to the site. At the end of the night, she’d count the cash - and in those days it was a great deal of cash - roll it into a leather clip bag and drive home through Caloundra alone to deposit it in an afterhours safe. Different times.

Vic Walker passed away in 1996.

Jocelyn was, as she puts it, reasonably young. The business years were behind her, the children older, and the shape of what came next was not yet clear.

Professor Paul Thomas invited her to

INSPIRE join the foundation board at the University of the Sunshine Coast from its earliest days, and she accepted. She would stay for 23 years.

That phrase - a wall of friendships - is worth pausing on. It’s not the language of someone who drifted into philanthropy through comfortable circumstance. It’s the language of someone who, faced with loss, chose to build. The wall metaphor is exact: deliberate, structural, constructed piece by piece over time. It is also, it turns out, an apt description of everything Jocelyn has done since.

The Jocelyn and Vic Walker Legacy Scholarship at UniSC is ongoing, managed by the university, and now available to students as far north as Gympie. It is a two-year scholarship, chosen and administered by the institution, funded

by Jocelyn. It keeps Vic’s name in the building long after his passing.

Then there’s LifeFlight. Jocelyn has been connected to the organisation for around 30 years, initially through the founders - Bill Freeman, Hayden Kenny, Jim Campbell - attending small fundraisers and charity balls. Nine years ago, she was invited to chair the Regional Advisory Committee for the Sunshine Coast base, with a first order of business to secure funding for a new hangar.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

“After my husband passed away, I built a wall of friendships,” she says. “And being involved with the university was an opportunity for me to make a difference and get out of bed every day.”

The official opening of the new $18.5 million LifeFlight Sunshine Coast base, March 2026. mission type: trauma. A significant impact on the region it serves.

The Lifeflight Jocelyn Walker Visitor Experience and Education Centre at Sunshine Coast Airport - named in her honour - officially opened on 29 June.

Another wall. Another piece of built legacy that will carry her name long after the hard hats come off and the ribbon is cut.

Her diary, she admits, stays full.

Her son lives 15 minutes away at Point Cartwright; her daughter is at Yandina, where she runs Fraser Isle Spanner Crab, supplying high-level restaurants along the coast and across Australia. The grandchildren are close. She has, to use her own metaphor, built well.

The $18.5 million hangar was funded by the Queensland Government and was the most significant infrastructure project delivered in LifeFlight’s 46-year history on the Sunshine Coast. The base features crew accommodation for six, a patient transfer room, new training rooms and simulators to assist with doctor training and seminars onsite.

She has also travelled widely, mostly in pursuit of golf - Augusta, Pebble Beach, courses through Europe and America. She has one place left on the list: the Maldives, where she intends not to play a round but to swim in a lagoon.

It is a good goal for a woman who has spent the better part of six decades in motion.

Jocelyn chaired that committee for three years before being appointed Vice Regional Patron for LifeFlight Sunshine Coast and South Burnett - a role that took her to every base in Queensland, from maintenance centres at Archerfield, to training academies in Brisbane, and to the Roma base, Mount Isa, Toowoomba.

“I’ve lived a magical life,” Jocelyn

“That role has provided so many opportunities to me around all of Queensland. Until then, I hadn’t realised the magnitude of it and it’s been a privilege,” she says.

In 2025, the impact of LifeFlight in the Sunshine Coast and South Burnett showed 672 people helped, 990 hours flown and 174 of the most frequent

says. “The first part was a lot of hard work, and once I was in the position to be able to travel, I’ve had the most extraordinary experiences.”

When I told her, at the end of our conversation, that her story was remarkable, she said she felt like crying.

She explained that compliments of that kind tend to have that effect on her.

Given everything she’s built since 1996 - the scholarship, the committee, the centre, the wall of friendships – it’s not hard to understand why recognition still lands with such force. She has spent nearly three decades giving without making much noise about it.

The wall holds. The name endures.

The diary stays full.

Thank you Jocelyn for all you have done and all you have given to our community. We are at your service.

WANT MORE? Listen to the full interview with Jocelyn from our podcast.

EXPERIENCE & EDUCATION

The LifeFlight Jocelyn Walker Visitor Experience and Education Centre is an immersive experience for the community and visitors to learn about LifeFlight’s history in the region and its impact.

Open Mon-Fri, 10am-3pm.

FREE entry. Scan the QR code to find out more about LifeFlight and to donate or visit www.lifeflight.org.au 17

SPRING 2026

INSPIRE

THE PAUSES

That Matter We talk more than ever and hear less. John Caruso writes on the lost art of the pause - and why silence might be the most generous thing you can offer someone.

Step into any café along the river or walk down Hastings Street on a Tuesday morning, and you will hear it: the ambient buzz of daily banter. We’re a community that loves a good conversation. Yet if you pay close attention to the pace of our exchanges, a pattern emerges.

David Williamson

Most of us are no longer listening to understand; we are listening to respond.

We wait for that brief half-second pause in the dialogue -not to absorb what was just said, but to launch our own preprepared thought. It’s quick, efficient, and entirely surface-level.

When I started the Everyone Has a Story podcast, I wanted to see what would happen if you deliberately took away the rush. The setup was simple: two people, no ticking clock, and a genuine license to wander. What began as a personal project quickly turned into an extraordinary education in human nature. Sitting across from hundreds of locals – from world-renowned playwrights and seasoned entrepreneurs to quiet hinterland artisans – made one thing abundantly clear. People do not just want to talk; they crave the rare luxury of being truly heard.

Spring brings a natural urge to refresh our lives. We open the louvres, shrug off what we call winter, and look for a fresh start. Yet the most rewarding reset we can give ourselves doesn’t come from a clean-eating regime or a shed clear-out.

It comes from changing the way we pay attention to the people around us.

Learning the art of deep listening transforms relationships, sharpens our understanding of the community, and opens doors to wisdom we might otherwise walk straight past.

The first step in shifting from passive hearing to active listening requires getting comfortable with silence. Modern culture treats a pause in conversation like a fault line that needs to be filled immediately with noise, and that certainly was the case when I presented IN Noosa Magazine

Andrew Wilcox a live radio program for many decades. With the podcast, however, the magic almost always happens in the quiet space between sentences.

Jocelyn Walker

During our conversation with playwright David Williamson, celebrated for decades of capturing Australian life in his work, it became clear that real depth only emerges when you give people room to think. Most people arrive with a polished version of their story, neatly packaged like a corporate media release.

When you allow a beat of silence to hang in the air rather than jumping in to fill the vacuum, it gives the speaker permission to move past the rehearsed material.

That pause is where the genuine narrative lives.

That beat of silence is an act of generosity. Whether sitting at a café table or catching up with family over Sunday lunch, resisting the urge to jump in with a personal anecdote changes the entire dynamic. It signals that you are more interested in understanding another person’s experience than validating your own.

18

The second pillar of deep listening is abandoning the need to steer the conversation toward a predetermined destination. Most of us approach discussions with an agenda. We want to persuade, compare, or solve a problem.

But the most compelling stories emerge when you surrender control and let curiosity lead the way.

This mindset was on full display in my chat with local hospitality figure Andrew Wilcox, whose drive and passion for leadership have shaped his approach to life and work. Reflecting on mentorship and personal growth, Andrew highlighted the value of approaching every opportunity with total commitment, while recognising that true leadership begins with listening rather than having all the answers.

When you stop trying to prove what you know, you leave space to learn what you do not.

When we apply that to our daily lives,

INSPIRE routine exchanges suddenly become fascinating. The barista, the neighbour over the fence, the local business owner navigating changing times – each carries a unique repository of hard-won wisdom. Discovering it simply requires asking “how” or “why” instead of a flat “what,” and then getting out of the way.

Finally, deep listening demands a total suspension of judgment. We live in a world where people are routinely categorised before they even finish a sentence. Long-form conversation acts as the ultimate antidote to that habit. It forces you to slow down and appreciate the subtle nuances that make human beings so complex.

In a recent episode with local philanthropist Jocelyn Walker, her life story stood as a testament to hard work, sharp instincts, and a deep commitment to community service. From her early days working at an Ipswich telephone exchange to co-founding one of Queensland’s first self-serve service stations and later driving major initiatives for LifeFlight and the University of the Sunshine Coast, Jocelyn’s journey proves that resilience exists in unexpected places.

If you only look at the surface of a person’s life, you miss the machinery

What began as a personal project quickly turned into an extraordinary education in human nature. underneath. That realisation is perhaps the greatest gift of podcasts as longform audio.

At a time when we’re encouraged to skim the surface, diving deep reminded me that empathy is not a vague feeling – it’s a practical skill built through undivided attention.

When you sit with someone and truly listen to their journey, you realise that our shared humanity is far stronger than any superficial differences.

As we step into spring, the invitation is simple: take off the metaphoric boxing gloves of daily debate, put down the phone, and try engaging with someone without a timer running.

John Caruso Our community is full of extraordinary characters with fascinating stories.

You don’t need a recorder and headphones to unlock their insights just a bit of patience, a genuine curiosity, and a willingness to let them finish their thought. If years behind the microphone has taught me anything at all, it’s that everyone really does have a story worth listening to.

WANT MORE? Browse all episodes at www.innoosamagazine.com.au

Ask a thoughtful question, embrace the pauses, and genuinely listen to the response.

EVERYONE HAS A STORY. Conversations

FROM THE SUNSHINE COAST AND NOOSA

MORE THAN 200 CONVERSATIONS TO BE DISCOVERED DOWNLOAD TODAY - IT’S FREE! Including: Suzy Wilson • Matteo Galletto • Kristine and Todd Young • Jason Jones • Tom Offermann • Oscar Holgado • Stuart Bain • Marshall Hamburger • David Williamson • Andrew Wilcox and many more

www.innoosamagazine.com.au www.hellosunshinemag.com.au

And all good podcast platforms

@conversationsinnoosa

19

MORE THAN A MAGAZINE

Print | Digital | Social | Podcast | Events

SPRING 2026

INFORM

AI

DIRT POWERS Everyone chased the AI boom through Silicon Valley. John Caruso learns how Australia’s been supplying the raw ingredients the whole time.

There was a period of my life, not long ago, when I fancied myself as a day trader. I had the platform, the charts, the moving averages stacked up like Christmas lights, and a conviction that I could out-think a market that had been humming along quite happily since before I was born.

I lost sleep. I lost money. I developed a genuine fondness for the phrase “support and resistance,” despite having no clear idea what either was resisting.

Somewhere around 2am, staring at a candlestick pattern that apparently meant something called a “bearish engulfing,” I made the sensible decision that professionals exist for a reason.

That’s when I started talking to Morgans Noosa. Letting someone qualified manage the whole business turned out to be a far better use of my evenings - and kinder to my blood pressure.

Back in my technical trading days, the big conversations were about the big Australian names, the banks, the miners, the household staples that had been paying dividends since Federation.

Then Silicon Valley arrived with its hoodies and its market caps, and everyone wanted a slice of Microsoft, Google and Meta instead. Resources felt old hat. Mining felt like something your grandfather did.

Which makes what Brent Plasier told me somewhat amusing.

Brent is a Senior Private Client Adviser at Morgans Noosa, and when Andrew Stafford, Principal at the Noosa office, IN Noosa Magazine

suggested I talk to him about how the resources sector is feeding into the AI build, I assumed I’d be filed under niche interest, low readership.

Instead, I got a lesson in irony: the AI boom, that shiniest and most Californian of stories, is being built out of the same dirt Australia has been digging up for a century.

“The AI build needs a lot of materials, copper, lithium, aluminium and everything associated with batteries. You also need NdPr, which are the magnets that go into robots and things like that,” Brent says.

NdPr, for the uninitiated, and I certainly was, stands for neodymium and praseodymium, a pair of rare-earth elements that Brent abbreviates for anyone without a chemistry degree. They go into the permanent magnets used in everything from electric motors to the robots now populating data centres worldwide.

Here’s where it gets interesting for someone who occasionally has strong opinions about our balance of trade.

China refines roughly 65 per cent of the world’s lithium and controls around 80 per cent of rare-earth processing.

Australia, despite sitting on a wealth of the raw material, refines about one per cent of it.

“Australia has a lot of these resources, but China does most of the refining. The opportunity now, over the next decade, when we’re building these data centres, is for us to supply a lot of this stuff,” Brent says.

20

It isn’t only the glamour metals either.

Take tin, a commodity about as exciting as it sounds, until you learn it solders together the semiconductors inside every device we own.

“China controls a big chunk of that tin supply too, and the rest of the world realises that we need to find producers outside of China,” Brent says.

Some of that finding is already underway. Lynas is the largest producer of NdPr outside China, running its operations out of Western Australia and Malaysia. Pilbara Minerals produces hard-rock lithium and is building its own processing facilities rather than shipping the raw product offshore.

Iluka Resources is constructing a government-backed rare-earths refinery at Eneabba, near Geraldton, designed to process both light and heavy rare-earth oxides onshore for the first time.

Independence Group runs its own lithium interests through a joint venture with a Chinese company, a reminder that even our own resource sector hasn’t fully extracted itself from Beijing’s orbit.

Brent doesn’t treat that as a flaw so much as a fact of the current landscape, one his clients are increasingly comfortable investing around rather than waiting to see resolved.

Then there’s Rio Tinto, which took a view on all this, years before it became fashionable. The company bought its way into lithium through the Arcadium acquisition, added it to an existing base of copper and aluminium, and has been telling shareholders it’s playing a

PHOTO: IAN WALDIE

INFORM into something you can almost feel the weight of.

Governments have noticed too. In the United States, the Trump administration struck a deal with rare-earths producer MP Materials that guarantees a floor price of $110 per kilogram for NdPr oxide, a direct response to China’s habit of using its dominance to set prices, and occasionally to make a geopolitical point.

Brent Plasier ten-year game, not a ten-week one.

“They can supply 70 per cent of what needs to go into a data centre from what they produce,” Brent says. Rio’s own recent half-year result backs him up, with copper, aluminium and lithium now making up more than half the company’s earnings, a shift its chief executive has put down directly to the data centre build.

For a sense of scale, Brent offered up a detail that has stuck with me longer than any percentage.

“In a data centre, there’s the weight of a blue whale in lithium alone and then with every robot that’s built, there’ll be two to two and a half kilos of lithium in there,” Brent says. It’s an image that turns an abstract commodities market

“China’s been using these commodities to influence decisions, and now everyone’s starting to get on that page,” Brent says. Canberra has followed suit, backing several of the local processing projects Brent mentions, on the theory that a country that digs up the ingredients ought to have a hand in refining them too.

None of this makes the humble ASX resources stock suddenly as glamorous as a Nasdaq tech darling. It probably never will be, and I suspect most people involved prefer it that way. But if you want exposure to the AI story without buying into a Californian valuation that requires a leap of faith, Brent’s clients are increasingly looking at the companies, and the ETFs that bundle them, supplying the copper, lithium and rare earths this entire build depends on.

The AI build needs a lot of materials, copper, lithium, aluminium and everything associated with batteries.

“It’s our way of playing that game,” Brent says.

As for me, my trading platform is long gone, deleted along with whatever remained of my faith in candlestick patterns. These days I leave the analysis to Brent and the team at Morgans Noosa, and I sleep considerably better for it.

Somewhere out there, in a data centre I’ll never see, there’s a blue whale’s worth of lithium doing more useful work than I ever did staring at a chart at 2am.

Which, at close to sixty, feels like the smartest trade I never made.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is of a general nature. Please seek professional advice tailored to your specific circumstances before making any investment decisions.

Your local team of financial specialists Morgans Noosa offers you all of the services and products you need to achieve your investment goals; delivered in our friendly and professional style.

• SMSF & Superannuation Advice • Financial Planning • Retirement & Estate Planning • Stockbroking & Corporate Advice

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Morgans Financial Limited | A.B.N 49 010 669 726 | AFSL 235410

21

SPRING 2026

THANK YOU

For supporting retailers, services and jobs in the community for the past 20 years.

Scan for events, offers and centre directory.

Or visit noosacivic.com.au

Big W • Woolworths • 100 specialty stores 28 Eenie Creek Road, Noosaville

INSPIRED

20 YEARS

Strong

As Noosa’s premium shopping centre turns 20, Jodie Cameron looks back at the memories, the milestones, and what’s still to come…

It was October 2006 and I was avoiding uni assignments when my mother showed me a newspaper spread about the opening of Noosa Civic Shopping Centre. I didn’t need convincing to leave my computer and check it out. Big W and a whole host of new stores on this side of the river felt like a small revolution - and I’m sure most of Noosa agreed.

Noosa Civic 2026

Fast forward twenty years and it’s become more than a shopping centre.

It’s a piece of local history that has grown with the community.

Opening day, 2006 same ambition that built it.

It wasn’t a decision about numbers; it was a decision about what matters.

The kids who were six when it opened are now visiting with children of their own, pushing prams down the same walkways they once raced along.

For the Stockwell family, Noosa Civic was never just an asset on a balance sheet. It was, and still is, an ongoing story being written with many exciting chapters ahead.

Teenagers who landed their first part-time job there are now bringing their parents in for a coffee after a doctor’s appointment. Noosa Civic hasn’t just kept pace with its community - it has grown alongside it, one birthday, first job and new baby at a time.

The centre instantly became part of Noosa’s own history, giving locals something they’d never really had: a relaxed, one-stop hub for everyday errands without the drive out of town.

What’s changed since isn’t the heart it’s everything built around it.

Businesses inside the centre have changed and evolved over the decades, but the core values of Convenience, Community and Family remain firmly in place. From bringing new retail and services to Noosa that meet the community’s needs, to free family activities and initiatives like The Little Community Pantry supporting OzHarvest, Noosa Civic continues to support the community that supports it.

The original vision has held its shape, with surrounding parcels of the Civic evolving to meet the region’s needs. The Medihub now brings allied health services and world-class cancer care closer to home. The Hof Apartments rose nearby, offering convenient living within walking distance of the centre. Plans for a Village Mixed Use precinct with cinemas continue to progress with council.

When the centre opened its doors on 12 October 2006, Managing Director of Stockwell, Mark Stockwell, was the reason Noosa Civic existed - and it remains a project close to his heart.

It’s slow, steady progress, the kind that’s easy to miss year to year, but impossible to ignore when you look back over two decades.

What most shoppers don’t know is that Stockwell sold the centre in 2012, only for Mark to buy it back seven years later.

Noosa Civic is still doing exactly what it set out to do. Stockwell is far from finished, with plans already on the table for the site’s next chapter, reflecting the 23

Ask any long-time tenant and they’ll tell you it’s the people, not the postcode, that make Noosa Civic what it is: an accessible, welcoming space for everyone, at every stage of life.

Retailers who’ve watched customers’ kids grow up, centre staff who know regulars by name, school holiday events that save parent’s sanity - because Noosa Civic is the place to be.

So if Noosa Civic has been part of your last twenty years – your first job, your weekly shop, your kids’ school holidays – this birthday is, in many ways, as much yours as it is theirs.

And if you love what it’s become and where it’s headed, there’s one simple way to help shape its future: if you love it, support it.

SPRING FUN & BIG WINS AT THE CIVIC

This season brings extra excitement at Noosa Civic, with free kids’ holiday activities and daily chances to win!

September School Holidays 21-25 September and 28 September2 October, 10am-1pm.

The Cheeky Monkey Club brings free entertainment including FREE eco jellyfish lanterns to take home.

20 Days, 20 Prizes Pop into Noosa Civic Shopping Centrefrom 6-26 October to enter the draw to WIN daily prizes!

SPRING 2026

INTHE SURF

Sundays It’s that time of year when Sunday mornings at Sunshine Beach are for sandy toes and zinc noses - nippers season is back. Jodie Cameron gets amongst it.…

As a parent, nothing brings more comfort than knowing your child understands water safety. As my own boys inch closer to Nippers age, I’ve found myself thinking more about what it actually means to grow up by the beach.

Noosa to Sunshine Beach is a stunning stretch of coastline, but it can also be unpredictable. Knowing how to read the ocean isn’t just a nice-to-have skill, it’s a necessity for growing up here and that’s exactly what the Sunshine Beach Surf Club Nippers program is all about.

Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club’s president Craig Law said that comfort starts with one thing above all else.

“The most important skill the club wants every child to walk away with, is knowing how to stay calm, recognise danger and respond safely if something unexpected happens in the water,” he said.

It’s a message Craig is keen for every family to hear, not just the sporty ones.

Nippers isn’t just reserved for confident swimmers or competitive kids – it’s for every child who visits the

IN Noosa Magazine

beach, swims in a pool, goes boating or simply spends time near water. Plus, along the way they build confidence, resilience and respect for the ocean all while having a ball and making friends for life.

“Nippers learn how to read the surf, identify rips and hazards, float, signal for help and make safe decisions,” Craig says. “They are serious life skills, but they are taught through fun beach activities, games, teamwork and plenty of time in the water with their friends.”

The club’s Junior Activities program – for kids aged under seven to under-14 – is built on five pillars: lifesaving knowledge, lifesaving skills, friendship, fun and family, with research showing kids are more likely to stay active in sport long-term when their parents are engaged alongside them.

Craig sees this play out every season.

Sunday mornings are filled with beach games, boards and laughter for the kids, while parents get their own chance to make friends and get involved, and become part of the wider Sunshine Beach Surf Club family without noticing.

“That sense of belonging is what brings people back year after year,” he says.

The program is also a real pathway.

Nippers begin with Surf Play at seven, learning the basics of beach safety, before working through age-based Surf

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PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

SALTY

That sense of belonging is what brings people back, year after year.

Life Saving Australia awards, Surf Aware, Surf Safe and Surf Smart, and for those who stick with it, the Surf Rescue Certificate at age 13.

Head Coach Wes Berg, a former Nutri-Grain Ironman who competed professionally for 21 years, and Assistant Coach Jade Berg, a former Uncle Toby’s Ironwoman, now lead the club’s next generation through the same waters they once raced.

“It’s incredibly rewarding watching a Nipper’s transformation from a nervous child dipping their toes in for the first time, and by season’s end, paddling a board and cheering on the next nervous kid to have a go,” Craig says. “Just as rewarding is watching former Nippers return as youth leaders, coaches, officials and patrolling lifesavers, passing on the same skills and friendships they once received.”

Fourteen-year-old Tylah Czajkowskyj is proof of that. A former Nipper who chose lifesaving over competition, Taylah performed a solo, textbook rescue last year that saved a man’s life. She’s now a volunteer lifesaver, completing a

INTHE SURF

teenagers – a stepping stone into hospitality, customer service, or flexible work alongside school and university.

It’s a nice full circle moment because everything from the bistro to the bar helps fund the lifesaving services, training and equipment that make the Nippers program possible in the first place.

school-based Certificate III in Business traineeship alongside Grade 10.

What starts as a Sunday morning on the sand, can take you somewhere extraordinary.

For plenty of Nippers, it also leads to a first job. Many Nippers go on to volunteer, coach, officiate or step into leadership roles, while others land their first job at the Supporters Club as

“Come along and give it a go,” Craig says. “Your child doesn’t need to be the fastest swimmer or the most confident in the ocean. Nippers meets kids exactly where they are, building water safety skills that could one day save a life, theirs or someone else’s.”

The program starts on 11 October and runs through until 7 March, but the Surf Club isn’t just for Nipper families. With the best views on the coast, there’s plenty happening beyond the sand for locals to drop in for. Visit the website to sign up for the 2026/2027 Nippers season.

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BEYOND THE SAND

There’s always something happening at the Sunshine Beach Surf Club.

Pink & Pinot 8 October, 6pm.

Breast Cancer awareness dinner with Lambrook Wines.

Faulty Towers 23 October, 6.30pm.

A hilarious interactive dinner show.

The Riviera Melbourne Cup 3 November, 11am.

3-course meal, 3-hour drinks package, Limoncello Spritz Bar, Fashions in the Field, Live entertainment.

Weekly Specials: Monday: Steak Special, $25 (250g rump) Tuesday: Dim Sum Banquet Wednesday: Steak Night, 20% off Thursday: Tacos & Margarita, $30/$26 members.

Open seven days - all-day dining from 11.30am-8pm (breakfast weekends from 8am) phone 5447 5491 to book. Free courtesy bus runs everyday. Scan the QR code for menus, bookings and more.

SPRING 2026

ADVENTURES IN

An abundance of natural assets has spawned a genius idea for more accessible - and of course fun - adventure tourism, enthuses Helen Flanagan.

By Earth and Ocean offers anyone - yes, anyone - the opportunity to paddle calm waterways, ride scenic coastal trails and enjoy an amazing yet accessible outdoor experience.

The multi-award-winning, familyowned business is run by the affable and profoundly enthusiastic Ben de Vaus and Matt Watts. Their range includes southern Noosa Everglades kayaking for first-timers, easy cycling adventures and more rigorous full or multi-day rides.

Ben’s passion for mountain bike (MTB) coaching opened his eyes to the wealth of cycling options on his doorstep, especially in the Hinterland, which he says is totally different from the traditional bike park.

“It has an incredible network of trails, gravel roads, forests, farmland and small towns all connected for a genuine experience,” he says. “No riding laps or chasing technical trails, just more about adventure and exploration.”

Private tours are led by experienced MTB coaches, who tailor distance, terrain and difficulty to the group. Surfaces, scenery and enjoyment are all considered - because the experience should never feel like a survival exercise.

It is ideal for families, mixed-ability groups and those keen to explore without

Paradise

the confidence to head into unfamiliar trails alone. Experiences can be stepped up with longer distances, more technical terrain and bigger days.

For independent explorers, self-guided options include maps with GPS directions and spoken instructions can be loaded onto riders’ phones. Routes cater for mountain bikers and gravel riders, with transfers meaning you do not have to finish where you started.

A premium multi-day cycling experience covers more than 120km across two or three days that is tailored to the rider’s ability and can include accommodation options include Kin Kin Hotel, Mayan Farm and Pomona Eco Retreat, with luggage transfers available.

All-star add-ons include a farm-to-plate degustation, massages, saunas, distillery visits and picnics.

Ben is continually surprised and impressed by the hinterland.

“Variety abounds beyond the coast,

from national parks, villages, rainforest, waterways, quiet back roads and trails, to wildlife, hills, and lookouts,” he says.

“On a bike you cover enough distance to see the landscape change, however you’re still travelling slowly enough to notice nature. You will also see parts of the region you probably wouldn’t discover otherwise.

“It’s not about turning everyone into a hardcore mountain biker,” Ben says.

“It’s more about making the region accessible to a wider range of people, from a family looking for an achievable adventure to independent explorers, high-end adventurers, or experienced riders looking for a new challenge. Above all it’s about matching the experience.”

Love to ‘ride’ on water too? Explore parts of the Noosa Everglades in stable, easy-to-use kayaks - perfect for wildlife spotting, calm-water paddling and discovering one of Australia’s unique natural landscapes.

Tours depart 7 days a week.

Find your experience at byearthandocean.com.au

From 3 hours to 3 days. Explore Noosa beyond the beach by kayak or ride scenic trails on an e-bike.

Easy, guided tours for all fitness levels. Award-Winning Tours for the perfect Noosa experience.

IN Noosa Magazine

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INNATURE

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GENTLE OCEAN

Safety The first usually arrive around mid-June - last year’s mums with their calves, curious young whales, and then the big, mature adults and pregnant females, all cruise steadily toward Hervey Bay and back until late October.

It’s one of those special Sunshine Coast moments: you’re driving along David Low Way and your passenger spots a splash offshore, or you’re swimming in the ocean and hear that unmistakably beautiful whale call echoing through the water. My favourite place to spot ocean wildlife is Noosa National Park - Dolphin Point, Hell’s Gates or Devils Kitchen. It’s these locations where you are most likely to see a tail slap or a breaching giant right from the headland.

We really do live in one of the most incredible places on earth.

And because our coastline is such a

quick warnings when needed, all without disturbing the whales, turtles, dolphins and other locals who share our ocean.

As the Queensland Department of Primary Industries continues to invest in SharkSmart drone trials and research, these tools are quietly becoming part of the future of beach safety.

Helen Walker explores the link between whale watching and the move toward wildlife-friendly beach safety.

The whale-watching season is back, and honestly, it never loses its magic. Every winter, thousands of humpback whales leave the chilly waters of Antarctica and make their way up the Queensland coast to breed and give birth.

INTHE WATER

huge part of who we are - our lifestyle, our tourism and our everyday joy, keeping people safe in the water while also protecting the wildlife we love is becoming more important than ever.

But the challenge is that traditional shark control methods, like shark nets and drumlines still used along parts of the Queensland coast, pose serious risks to migrating humpback whales.

Each year, whales travelling north can become entangled in these nets, leading to injury, distress and, in the worst cases, death.

It’s a heartbreaking and avoidable threat to the very animals our community treasures - and one of the key reasons locals and organisations such as Humane World for Animals Australia have been calling for safer, modern alternatives.

That’s where new technology is starting to shine. Drone surveillance is giving trained operators a bird’s-eye view of what’s happening along our beaches. They can spot potential risks, keep an eye on marine life and provide

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Lawrence Chlebeck, Marine Biologist at Humane World for Animals Australia, says the shift toward modern, wildlife-friendly safety measures is already underway.

“Drones give us a way to keep swimmers safe without harming the marine life that make our coastline so special. It’s a smarter, more compassionate approach - and it’s working,” he says.

With summer just around the corner, it’s a great time to remind beachgoers that there are modern alternatives to traditional shark nets and drumlines still used along our Sunshine Coast waters.

These newer approaches, already used widely in New South Wales, aim to keep swimmers safe while being kinder to the incredibly valuable marine life that defines our coast, from the whales we watch each winter and into spring, to the turtles and dolphins we see year round.

In a place where whales breach, dolphins play and locals love the water, choosing kinder ways to stay safe feels like the natural next step.

With new ‘friendly’ technologies available, we now have the exciting opportunity to protect everyone - people and our marine wildlife. It’s worth consideration.

SPRING 2026

INSPIRE

5-STAR FESTIVAL HITS

High Notes An unforgettable ten days of sheer delight and five-star magic kept Helen Flanagan on her toes, during a triumphant Noosa Alive!

Erik Thomson in Coping with Winter A jam-packed feast of arts and culture, world and Queensland premiere performances, sold-out theatres and rousing ovations, all hit the high notes.

Presented with a side of perfect weather to complement the backdrop, Noosa Alive 2026 has been hailed as arguably the most successful in the event’s 24-year history.

Opening honours once again went to the Queensland Ballet with a mesmerising world premiere of three new works all different, all entertaining.

Long time friends of the festival Li Cunxin (Mao’s Last Dancer) and wife Mary were special guests.

Another world premiere, and rave reviews for playwright David Williamson’s Coping with Winter. Proud son Rory Williamson was in the director’s chair doing justice to the script with plenty of biting social and political satire. Erik Thomson was in the lead role of ‘Prince of Darkness’ aka Gabriel Winter, Australia’s richest most powerful person; Renai Caruso played his wellness coach; and femme fatale Janneke Williamson, was supported by Glen Miller and Tom Middleton, obnoxious characters we all love to hate.

Bravo to the spectacular star-studded Opera Gala Dinner at Elysium Noosa.

Champagne followed by a sumptuous three-courses with matching wines, set the scene for an unforgettable evening.

IN Noosa Magazine

Divina Opera, and guest tenor Shannon Leonard, left the guests spellbound with classics from Phantom of the Opera to Puccini’s O Mio Babbino Caro.

It was stunning weather at Lucio’s Marina riverside with the legendary chef, food author, restaurateur and all-round fabulous Maggie Beer AO, in conversation with Carlie Wacker. Her passion is the Maggie Beer Foundation and its serious responsibility to ensure health, happiness, and quality of life for all older Australians. A second sell-out lunch took place at Peppers’ Park & Cove Restaurant.

A stellar literary program featured Blanche d’Alpuget and the crime fiction The Bunny Club. Other authors included Osher Günsberg, Amy Remeikis, Rosalie Ham, Mike Carlton, and Robert Forster a Brisbane-born musician and writer, who co-founded the internationally acclaimed rock band The Go-Betweens. And let’s not forget the gob-smacking conversation about the creation of Fly Girls with trailblazing aviator Deborah Lawrie, and playwright friends Genevieve Hegney and Catherine Moore.

Canapés and in conversation with Anthony Watson, had actor and author Bryan Brown in the spotlight. What a cracking event, not only talking about 28

… the down-to-earth larrikin kept the room in stitches sharing anecdotes from his illustrious career. his book The Hidden, but the down-toearth larrikin kept the room in stitches, sharing anecdotes from his illustrious career.

Breakfast with multi award-winning Louise Milligan, highly respected investigative journalists and acclaimed author, included a preview of her latest powerful novel Shellybanks.

It was a big turn-out for veteran journalist Kerry O’Brien, Indigenous advocate Thomas Mayo, former TruthTelling and Healing Commission member the Hon Roslyn Atkinson AO, and Stolen Generations survivor Billy Trott. Not a dry eye anywhere as panellists shared personal stories and reflected on pathways towards truth, justice and healing.

Suzie Miller and David Williamson in Conversation offered an insight into the

PHOTOS: TRAVIS MACFARLANE AND IAN WALDIE

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Maggie Beer

Lucio’s Marina

Bryan Brown and David Williamson

Divina

Bryan Brown

Opera Gala Dinner creative minds of two acclaimed playwrights. Their discussion explored the craft of storytelling and the power of theatre to illuminate complex social issues with intelligence and empathy.

Enthralling audiences, classical guitar duo Slava and Leonard, aka the Grigoryan Brothers, widely recognised as two of the finest guitarists of their generation, blended classical training with jazz, contemporary and multicultural influences.

Tapping the toes and tugging at the heart strings was the Queensland premiere of Olivia, an intimate production starring Tottie Goldsmith and supported by a talented musos and vocal ensemble. Through personal stories and songs, she paid tribute to her late aunt, Olivia Newton-John, celebrating the wisdom and spirit of the global superstar.

Li & Mary Cunxin Described as one of Australia’s most compelling performers and fresh from sellout performances at the Sydney Opera House, was celebrated actor and singer Ursula Yovich. Backed by an impressive live band her tribute to the sultry and hypnotic Nina Simone wowed the audience with a potent performance exuding fresh energy.

Another premiere, Songbirds reunited longtime friends and performers Gorgi Coghlan and Anna-Lee Robertson in a stunning celebration of music, friendship, emotion, a clever combo of classic and cabaret earning glowing reviews nationwide. highlight for foodies was ēthos restaurant at Alsahwa Estate in Palmwoods with an exceptional farm-toplate experience and accompanied by harpist Hayley Erin; Film with Food featured comedy-drama Big Night, and a menu from chefs Matt Golinski, Josh 29

Smallwood and Glen Barratt.

Hundreds arrived early for the Community Finale, a free family-friendly event and the Stars Alive youth talent showcase on the River Stage at Lions Park beside the Noosa River. Young singer-songwriter Milenka was declared the 2026 Stars Alive winner by Ian Mackellar and guest judges Amber Lawrence and Karen Knowles.

Festival Director Ian Mackellar who also conceived Stars Alive is believed to have a little black book of talent, more an encyclopaedia. He is perpetually on a mission to present another seriously exciting program of national and overseas performers and more, to visit Australia’s favourite destination.

After this triumphant year one wonders who’s already on the list for 2027? It is the 25th Anniversary Festival with new dates, Friday 30 July to Sunday 8 August.

SPRING 2026

INSPIRED

HERITAGE DESIGN, A sun-drenched celebration of class, characters, curves and chrome transformed Hastings Street into a multi-million-dollar showcase for Noosa Concours d’Elegance, effuses Helen Flanagan.

As the winter sun cast a golden wash over Laguna Bay’s glistening beachfront, the sounds of waves mingled effortlessly with the low, guttural purrs of V12s and the melodic tones of enthusiasts and cognoscente.

Unbridled Passion

Noosa Concours d’Elegance transformed the chic tree-lined promenade of Hastings Street into a veritable open-air gallery for its fourth year - an extravaganza of automotive excellence and captivating allure, to admire the country’s finest, rarest rides and gleaming top marques.

Representing more than a century of automative design and craftsmanship, around 100 pristine, buffed-to-the-gods Ferraris, Maseratis, Aston Martins, Porsches, ‘red Lambs’ and other beauties such as a singular two-tone Rolls-Royce Ghost Extended custom-finished in Silver and Midnight Sapphire to reflect Noosa’s coastline. All converged in front of fancy restaurants and cafés, high-end boutiques and antique jewellers on the closed-off street stretching into The Woods beside the Noosa River.

The extended world-class event has undoubtedly evolved into one of the most sophisticated motoring events in the Southern Hemisphere.

For owners and collectors alike, who are as keen to have their cars on-show, as fans are to see them, it is muchanticipated. Submissions far outnumber available places, organisers whittle the selection down, and each vehicle included in the official Concours display has been carefully selected for elegance, rarity, and historical significance.

The event kicked off on Saturday morning with a car procession. Crowds jostled for pole position along the route to Hastings Street. Once all had glided into their designated spots, it was time for some serious car-gazing, spectators beelining it to their favourites, reading up on their history, taking pics, chatting with owners and some even lucked it to IN Noosa Magazine

pose in driver’s seats.

Amongst the official Concours display of 50 rare and historically significant vehicles there was much adoration for a 1981 Lamborghini Countach LP400 S, a McLaren P1, a teal 1955 Ford Thunderbird convertible; a 1987 Porsche 959; and a wedge-shaped 1987 Ferrari Testarossa.

Honouring the legacy of legendary three-time Formula One World Champion Sir Jack Brabham AO, OBE, his 30

grandson, Sam Brabham had driven the 1967 Repco Brabham BT23 to the dedicated display of historic Brabham racing cars. It coincided with the 60th anniversary of Brabham’s historic 1966 Formula One World Championship victory, where he became the only driver in history to win both the Driver’s and Constructor’s Championships.

The inaugural 10-car Supercar Circle displaying modern hypercars and

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INSPIRED

Brabham Anniversary Collection

1954 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Coupe

2005 Pagani Zonda C12 S Roadster, 1969 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage, Brabham Anniversary Collection 2

expense-spared, restored 1969 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage in bespoke Mink colour. It was ‘fresh’ from unveiling in an exclusive event and given a star position, while Queensland mining magnate Clive Palmer, a huge fan of the event and a serious collector with at least a thousand cars, had his own area with a five-car display.

performance brand icons was a magnet for the younger generation, specifically a canary-yellow 2005 Pagani Zonda S, the only one in Australia, and a speculated value of AUD 25 million. Enough to make you sigh!

Everyone seemed besotted by the latest from Bentley, BMW, Corvette, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Land Rover, Porsche, Rolls-Royce and more. Similarly admired was a no-

Complementing Noosa Concours, luxury side quests were de rigueur with an exclusive tantalising and tasty program. Pommery champagne Masterclasses, long Italian lunches, premium wine dinners and a high-end fashion runway show were popular. Part of the official program, also reinforcing the event’s strong community focus, was the Travis Schultz & Partners’ annual decadent luncheon and charity auction raising much needed funds for SunnyKids, held this year in a lavish marquee in The Woods.

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1932 Cadillac Series 355-B “The 2026 event created a truly memorable experience for everyone who came to Hastings Street for the weekend, whether passionate collectors, automotive enthusiasts, locals or visitors,” said Event Director Alesha Gooderham.

“Enthusiasm and support this year has been extraordinary, and we’re already planning an even more ambitious and memorable celebration returns for year five on 17 July 2027.”

For event information visit www.noosaconcours.com.au SPRING 2026

INTENTION

PURPOSEFUL

Passionate, Playful

Alsahwa Estate is a destination shaped by intention – a place where thoughtful design, meaningful connection, and a deep respect for the land create an experience unlike any other – with three guiding principles - Mind, Body, Planet.

The 30-acre site houses gardens, lawns, hives producing the purest honey, a biodynamic, regenerative farm which provides spray-free food for the onsite restaurant, ēthos – and space for celebration, connection and conversation.

This is a place that has been designed for people to be present, whether they are here for a wander, workshop, wedding, corporate experiences, dining or a moment of forest bathing, exploring the stunning grounds.

For couples looking for an intimate, refined, and deeply meaningful place for their special day, Alsahwa Estate has launched Piccolo Weddings which General Manager Michelle Clark says are designed to be small in size, yet rich in intention.

“For couples looking to skip the overwhelm of planning a large-scale wedding, we offer something more personal and focused on connection, beauty, and experience to allow couples to celebrate in a way that feels both private and luxurious, with those who matter most,” she said.

Michelle points toward the ceremonial lawn framed by natural greenery that is known as the Tunnel of Love.

“It’s a picturesque, intimate and serene space for couples to exchange their vows and sets the scene,” she said.

This need to slow down and plan for the future in a meaningful place is also becoming a necessity for the corporate world too, where the always-on culture has left teams fractured.

“Within our Corporate Experiences, teams are experiencing so much more than just a change of scenery,” Michelle says. “It’s an invitation to slow down,

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Beyond ēthos and the gardens, Nicole May discovers curated celebration spaces for intimate experiences seasoned with purposeful, planet-loving connection.

be present, reconnect with nature, and appreciate the simple moments that often lead to our greatest ideas and strongest connections and conversations.

“Experiences such as beekeeping or farm tours, are great for team culture and can’t be replicated in a boardroom.”

Bringing it all together is ēthos, where meaningful Mediterranean-inspired dishes are shaped by the season, using spray-free ingredients harvested straight from the onsite kitchen gardens and local, sustainable producers. Awarded the Best New Restaurant, Sunshine Coast in the 2026 Hostplus Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence the spring menu will present the best of the season with asparagus and cherries leading the way as well as fresh mango and passionfruit, apple and parsnip, hazelnuts, watercress, and delicate herbs.

“Spring lamb will round it out,” Michelle says. “Tender, prime, and at its best this time of year.”

Confit Duck Maryland with asparagus, marinated cherries, apple and parsnip purée, toasted hazelnuts, baby watercress, and orange consommé will be a hit - as will a Mango and Passionfruit Mousse with coconut sorbet, tapioca pearls, and desiccated coconut.

Bookings are already being taken for Christmas functions and plans for festive season events are well underway.

The school holiday program has also been released with hands-on experiences celebrating the bees, the garden, and the wildlife that lives at Alsahwa Estate.

“While parents enjoy a coffee under the trees or relax on the lawns, the children can search for koalas, meet the beekeepers, dig, plant and go home with new seedlings and an appreciation for growing your own food,” Michelle said.

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Work has already begun on the food forest, a multi-layered garden ecosystem that will be self-sustaining and will work closely with the ēthos kitchen.

Come October, there will be a free community event to plant the food forest and be part of what is growing at the Alsahwa farm.

For Alsahwa Estate founder Jo Walker, this is a key part of planning for the future and the long-term legacy that she is planting - literally.

“The food forest represents what Alsahwa Estate is about - growing beautiful food while caring for the land that nurtures it,” Jo says. “It’s the first phase of a much longer commitment to regenerative agriculture, and something we hope our guests will be able to see, experience on the plate at ēthos, and learn from as it grows.”

It’s just one more way Alsahwa Estate is giving back more than it takes.

ESTATE EVENTS DON’T MISS: Aperitivo Hour, Wed-Sat, 2.30-5pm. Drink specials, bar snacks, no booking needed. Dog and kid friendly.

SCHOOL HOLIDAY PROGRAM Ages 5-12 Honey Heroes: Wed 23 Sept, Thurs 1 Oct Little Growers: Thurs 24 Sept.

Koala Detective Workshop: Wed 30 Sept Lawn Games: Sat 19 Sept-Sun 4 Oct, opening hours. Old-fashioned, barefoot fun while parents relax with drinks and food under the palm trees by Duck House Dam. Weather permitting, no booking required. Dog-friendly.

FOOD FOREST PLANTING: Sat 10 Oct. Free community planting followed by a BBQ on the farm.

Scan the QR code for more information, bookings and to subscribe to the enewsletter. www.alsahwa.com SPRING 2026

INSPIRE

10 THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT

Netanya Noosa If you’re looking for your next getaway, look no further.

Jodie Cameron has 10 very good reasons to choose Netanya Noosa…

Hastings Street is Noosa’s most iconic hotspot for good reason - the dining, shopping and connection to nature is unrivalled.

From Noosa’s Main Beach to Noosa Woods with its river access and stunning walks through Noosa National Park.

There’s too much to adore and explore in just a short stay. But when you’re so spoiled for choice – how does one choose where to stay? Well that’s easy, there’s only one worthy of our vote: Netanya Noosa Beachfront Resort.

First things first, there’s a reason Netanya Noosa has been turning heads on Hastings Street for almost three decades, and it isn’t just the view – although their unashamedly uninterrupted beachfront views are pretty special!

This is a resort that knows how to make your stay feel indulgent from the moment you arrive. Whether you’re checking in for a long weekend with the family, a romantic escape or a solo staycation, Netanya has a way of making you feel like the most important guest on the street in so many ways.

It’s a difficult assignment to capture what makes this place so special but we’ve put together our top ten reasons why everyone should choose Netanya Noosa…

IN Noosa Magazine

1. Location, Location, Location Perfectly positioned where Hastings Street meets Noosa Main Beach, Netanya doesn’t just sit near the ocean – it practically has its toes in the sand Wake up, walk downstairs, and you’re on the beach before your coffee’s gone cold.

Position is everything, and Netanya has the best seat in the house with undercover parking and almost everything within walking distance, the car can stay put.

2. Stunning Views and Sunsets Wake to sweeping views across Laguna Bay, then settle onto your private balcony with a glass in hand as another classic Noosa sunset rolls in.

From sparkling blue mornings to golden evenings, Netanya’s outlook is part of the experience – the kind of view that makes slowing down feel very easy.

3. Arrival Hamper First impressions last, and Netanya nails it right from the start. An arrival hamper waiting in your room is their way of saying ‘we’ve been expecting you’ in the nicest possible way.

Featuring local gourmet goodies from the onsite Providore On Hastings it sets the scene and provides tantalising tastes for the days ahead.

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4. Room to Move No cramped hotel-room shuffle here.

From one-bedroom apartments to luxury two or three bedroom suites overlooking the beach or the buzz of Hastings Street, each room has a separate bathroom, generous living areas, kitchenette with full-size fridge and amenities plus balcony to soak in the views.

It’s hard to choose between a private rooftop terrace or ground floor apartment that opens onto a generous lawn next to the beach.

Options for couples, friends and families to spread out without anyone getting on top of each other. Room to move has its own kind of laid-back luxury.

5. Ultimate Beachfront Pool Warning: Netanya’s pool will likely steal most of your holiday – the perfect escape for whenever the beach feels like too much effort. Heated to a comfortable 28 degrees year-round with its own shallow splash zone and surrounded by lounges overlooking the beach, it’s the hassle-free way to enjoy a little water therapy, afternoon nap or poolside relaxation

6. Providore On Hastings The perfect place to taste a little local love. Located on the ground floor, this gourmet grocer is your go-to for all the delicious essentials and local favourites

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INSPIRE

– Woombye Cheese, Eumundi Meats, Hum Honey, Noosa Fish Providore and Tanglewood Bakery, alongside gourmet charcuterie and ready-made feasts.

From a hearty and wholesome breakfast and quality barista coffee brewed with locally-roasted Sunshine Social beans to start the day, to gourmet sunset snacks and all the moments in between, Providore On Hastings is open seven days until 9pm and in-house guests can take full advantage of the hamper service for breakfast, BBQ, antipasto or cheese board and more.

Plus, the cellar has an impressive selection of beer, wine, spirits and soft drinks that can be stocked in your fridge prior to arrival or delivered to your door.

Because sometimes the best thing a resort can offer is not giving you a reason to leave the room.

7. The Penfolds Partnership Netanya’s pairing with one of Australia’s most iconic wine houses is proof this resort likes its indulgence with pedigree. Exclusively for in-house guests, Netanya and Penfolds have collaborated to present a selection of prestigious Penfolds wines to sip and savour whilst looking out at Noosa’s iconic point breaks from your balcony.

Included in the range, exclusive to in-house guests, is Penfolds Cellar

Reserve Wines and another iconic collaboration, the Champagne Thiénot x Penfolds Brut Rosé - perfect with oysters and seafood!

What better way to enjoy a welldeserved break than savouring a selection of the finest drops overlooking Noosa’s famous north facing beach?

8. Local Knowledge Counts Consider these legends your Noosa insiders to what’s hot in town. Whether it’s a dinner reservation, airport transfer, a sunset activity or tips and knowledge on where the locals go, Netanya’s concierge team turns your wishlist into an already-sorted itinerary with special access.

9. Cabana Hire and Games Just when you think they have thought of everything, the team at Netanya Noosa have a few more tricks up their sleeves.

Packing everything you need for an ultimate escape can be tricky. Leave the fuss at home and take full advantage of Netanya Noosa’s free Cool Cabana hire, 35

sand-free towels, wooden beach games, pool toys and more. Because sometimes doing nothing is the whole point of your getaway.

10. Perfect Noosa Base Think of Netanya as your launch pad in every sense – front-row seats to the beach and Hastings Street, with Noosa’s wilder side at your fingertips.

Check in, drop the bags, and let the team point you toward whatever adventure (or lack thereof) suits your mood.

An amazing resort gives you more than somewhere to sleep. Netanya Noosa gives you endless great reasons to return.

BOOK YOUR BREAK

With so much to enjoy at Netanya Noosa, book your ultimate getaway today.

Scan the QR code for more information, rates and bookings or phone 5447 4722.

Netanya Noosa 71 - 79 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads www.netanyanoosa.com.au SPRING 2026

INSEASON

SECRETS IN

Season

A new menu designed to honour the season and the spirit of a hinterland hideaway caught the attention of Helen Walker.…

The moment you arrive at Secrets on the Lake, the whole place seems to exhale around you. The canopy closes in, the air cools, and suddenly you’re in another world - one where treehouses perch above the forest floor, sunlight flickers through the branches, and Lake Baroon stretches out like a shimmering secret waiting to be rediscovered.

Then to top it off, from somewhere deep in the rainforest, you hear the distinctive call of the whipbirds communicating with one another a soundtrack that instantly slows your breathing and reminds you that you have stepped into a place where nature still sets the pace.

I’ve visited many places across the Sunshine Coast, but few manage to blend romance, nature and genuine hospitality quite like Secrets on the Lake. One of my favourite experiences is wandering along the elevated timber walkways, suspended gently above the forest floor. And if you’re someone who appreciates craftsmanship, then Secrets is a must experience destination.

Handcrafted timber elements are woven through every corner of Secrets, their warm tones and finely carved textures creating a cosy feeling that makes you instantly feel at home.

As winter draws to a close and the last IN Noosa Magazine

bite of cold air nudges guests toward the crackling fires and cosy treehouse hideaways, owners Aldy and George are already looking ahead.

Spring brings a fresh energy that’s reflected beautifully in their updated menu, crafted to celebrate the region’s finest local produce.

For Aldy, every meal they serve has a story with each ingredient carefully chosen for its quality, freshness and the people behind it.

That philosophy is clear the moment breakfast arrives. Warm artisan bread, still fragrant from the oven, mushrooms grown just down the road, handcrafted cheeses, and locally sourced meats all find their way onto the plate. Nothing is overworked or overstyled; just honest, seasonal and connected to the land it comes from.

Dining on the Deck, their award winning treetop restaurant, is where this connection truly comes alive. Sitting above the lake and suspended between sky and water with a menu that reflects the changing seasons.

Secrets on the Lake have always championed local growers and makers, highlighting the people and places that make local produce so special. It is an invitation for diners to taste the Sunshine Coast in its purest form.

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Sitting above the lake and suspended between sky and water with a menu that reflects the changing seasons.

“Choosing local is about more than simply buying close to home,” Aldy says.

“It’s about investing in our community, supporting local families and celebrating the season and exceptional craftsmanship. Great food doesn’t just begin in our kitchen.

“It begins in the paddocks, the dairies, the bakeries, the farms and the family businesses that work tirelessly to produce some of the Sunshine Coast’s finest ingredients.

“We are incredibly fortunate to have so many passionate local growers, makers and producers right on our doorstep, and we’re proud to support them wherever we can.”

From breakfast through to lunch, High Tea experiences, bespoke picnic baskets, in-cabin dining and functions and events, Secrets on the Lake is more than a dining destination. It’s a place to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, or simply the joy of being together.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED AND MEGAN GILL

INSEASON

SEASONAL SECRETS

On any given day, you’ll find couples exploring the Great Walk with gourmet picnic backpacks, settling into a secluded, secret Lakeside Boho Picnic styled beneath the trees, or indulging in the Ultimate Romance Package complete with massages and curated food experiences. The team encourages guests to tailor their stay, and it shows; everything feels personal.

Before leaving, I take up the offer of a treehouse tour and enter another world of handcrafted luxury woven into timber, glass and handcrafted artistry.

Standing on the balcony, overlooking Lake Baroon, I understood why so many couples return year after year. Secrets on the Lake isn’t just a getaway; it becomes part of your life’s story.

I leave with a sense of calm, a renewed appreciation for local makers, and the feeling that I’d stepped into a place built with genuine love. Whether you come to dine, stay, celebrate or simply reconnect, Secrets on the Lake offers an experience that lingers long after you’ve left.

And if you do visit, ask for the treehouse tour. Trust me, it’s worth it.

BOOKINGS FROM

Aug - Mid December

2026

S

Enjoy Dining on the Deck at Secrets on the Lake and celebrate the region’s exceptional local produce.

Dining on the Deck Open every Tuesday-Sunday.

Breakfast, 8am-10.15am Lunch, 11am-2.15pm All Day Desserts, 8am-4pm Don’t Miss! High Tea Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-2pm. Book ahead for Secrets Classic High Tea, Champagne High Tea or the Ultimate High Tea with extra goodies! The Early Bird / Petite Plate is available at 9.30am or 10am for a 1-hour sitting for just $30 per person offering a small selection of the menu with barista-made coffee and premium Basilur Tea. Celebration Cakes can be made to order and Group Packages are also available for special occasions in The Hideaway for up to 20 guests or The Gallery for up to 40 guests with full table service.

Weddings With on-site accommodation as well as four dedicated ceremony locations, four reception spaces and eight separate packages from 20 to 80 guests, Secrets on the Lake is the perfect venue for your perfect day.

Scan the QR code or visit www.secretsonthelake.com.au

ESCAPE FOR LONGER S

Stay a little longer and discover the true magic of Secrets on the Lake. For a limited time, enjoy reduced rates on extended stays, complete with a delicious breakfast each morning, in our enchanting rainforest retreat.

ry reeho ses

Mid-week Only

Includes Breakfast

Special Price

$575/Night

Booking Period: Sunday to Thursdays | 3 - 5 Night Bookings Stay Period: August to Mid December 2026

*Terms & Conditions apply - Cannot be used for current bookings

07 5478 5888

207 Narrows Rd, Montville, 4560 info@secretsonthelake.com.aun www.secretsonthelake.com.au

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SPRING 2026

! n o o s u o y e e S H B P , e v o l h t i W

xo

peregianbeachhotel.com.au

IN

SIPS BITES AND

What’s brewing, cooking and happening...

NEW FLAVOURS Zibros are back to where it all began.

Brothers Dario and Alessio Zichichi are the new owners of Noosa Waterfront Restaurant & Bar by Zibros! Same great faces, refreshed offer including BYO Thursdays with no corkage and Sunday sessions for walk-ins and no surcharge.

Pucca has reemerged on Gympie Terrace as The Mediterranean offering local produce, cocktails and plenty of Mediterranean joie de vivre. Open lunch and dinner, Wed-Sun. Laneway Noosa is heading down the road to the old Noosa Bakehouse site on Thomas Street follow your nose for fresh blooms, brews, bites and more.

Bean Theory on Hilton Tce, Tewantin welcomes new owners Gerry and Tracey.

Let’s Get Roasted and Toasted brings epic, gourmet toasties and barista coffee to Gateway Drive in Noosaville’s industrial estate.

Shopping at Noosa Civic just got more social with The Civic Social offering and all-day menu, super friendly service - plus it’s licensed. Cheers!

Bar Rosi is bringing a Basque breeze to

Hastings Street.

Expect share plates and drinks with a European flavour. It’s the latest from the team behind El Capitano, Doña Cocina Mexicana and Tanglewood Bakery, with group executive chef Matt Woodhouse steering the menu.

Noosa Chocolate Factory is opening in Bay Village, Hastings St with handmade chocs, Padre coffee plus divine iced and hot chocolate. The Noosaville factory is still the best place to see the artisan goodies being made by hand, including the amazing new Passionfruit Chocolate - 29% cocoa white chocolate; 100% pure freeze-dried passionfruit and coloured by dragon fruit!

Gusto welcomes Executive Chef Ben Fresser and some fresh spring specials and events, including a Bottomless Lunch, Sunday Roast and Sip & Snack Sunsets from 3-5pm weekdays with a drinks-and-nibbles menu, oyster hour ($2.50 a pop) from 3.30-4.30pm, and live music Wednesday and Sunday. (See page 54).

Lucio’s has refreshed both kitchen and front of house, welcoming head chef Tommaso Belforti and

Noosa Chocolate Factory

restaurant manager Marley Kuruvita (yes, he’s Peter’s son) and new offers, including BYO Thursdays (see page 58) and Sunday Italian aperitivo hour, with complimentary snacks alongside the aperitivo menu. More excuses to drift well beyond midday.

Bandita has welcomed Nicco Fagherazzi to the team (formerly of Nudge Nudge Wink Wink) - don’t miss Sunset Hour 3-5pm.

Choosing what to eat at Flo’s Crêperie just got harder with their divine French classic dishes now added to the lunch menu!

Croque, coq and a leisurely glass of something French?

Très bien.

Park & Cove welcome new head chef Murray Paterson with 30+ years of experience across Australia and Asia.

Don’t forget the Love Noosa Lunch with Ten Acres Sourdough, chef’s snack, main meal + drink. for $38pp, Mon-Fri; your postcode is your passport to 25% off food and drinks on Wednesdays from 5.30pm; and everyday is Social Hour with specials from 4.30-6pm.

SOCIAL SIPS It’s Happy Days at Miss Moneypenny’s everyday with $3.50 oysters and seasonal spritzers from 3-5pm; Pizza & Pours weekdays, noon-3pm and Fri nights with a signature Napoli pizza, paired with a house wine, beer or spritzer for just $25; plus Bottomless Lunches every weekend from 1-2pm and Dogs on the Deck daily.

Locale’s aperitivo

hour runs daily 4-6pm with $8 beers, $10 wines by the glass, $15 spritzes and margaritas, plus a five-for-$35 cicchetti special worth staying for. Try the Hugo Spritz - it’s sure to be a spring hit!

Head to Alsahwa Estate at Palmwoods for Aperitivo Hour, Wed-Sat, 2.30-5pm.

Drink specials, bar snacks, dog and kid friendly. Find out why they were awarded Best New Restaurant - Sunshine Coast at the 2026 Hostplus Restaurant & Catering Awards for Excellence.

GONG SHOW More local businesses have been busy filling the trophy cabinet. CAVU put its Nil Desperandum Rum range against the world’s best at Melbourne Royal Australian International Spirits Awards and won four golds PLUS the title of Champion Australian Distiller (Medium), and, for the second time in three years, the Raymond B “Spike” Dessert III Trophy for Champion Rum, awarded to The Triple Six from The 1871 Club. Meanwhile, Sunshine & Sons are about to release a small-batch Blueberry Gin in honour of the Mundubbera Blueberry Festival.

Bella Venezia just keeps scoring - this time winning Best Specialist Wine List in Australasia at the World’s Best Wine Lists Awards. Cheers to that! See page 74.

Noosa Black Garlic entered seven products at the Royal Agricultural Society NSW Sydney Royal Fine Food Show and 39

The Woodshed, Kin Kin Hotel walked away with a staggering seven medals – five gold, two silver, a perfect strike rate for every product they entered.

The hinterland is having a moment.

The Woodshed at Kin Kin has been named Queensland Restaurant of the Year in the 2026 Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards, as well as taking out Best Destination Dining nationally.

Chef Oscar Holgado’s sevencourse degustation menu where open-fire cooking, pickling and curing add plenty of flavour and character to produce from the restaurant’s garden and local farms, along with sourdough sensations from Richard and Kirsty Mundt of The Bakehouse.

DO NOT MISS THIS EXCLUSIVE EVENT! Join IN Noosa Magazine for an intimate and unforgettable evening at The Woodshed Kin Kin, awarded Australia’s Best Destination Dining and Queensland’s Restaurant of the Year! Spend an evening fireside with Head Chef Oscar Holgado and experience a seven-course, paddock-to-plate degustation, country hospitality and meaningful conversation.

The food. The experience. The conversation.

Thurs 22 Oct, 6pm The Woodshed, Kin Kin $200 per person including welcome cocktail, canapés, seven-course degustation and exclusive IN Conversation with Oscar.

Accommodation options with a divine farmhouse breakfast are available but limited.

Be quick as tickets to this exclusive event are limited and will sell-out!

Scan the QR code to book or visit www.kinkinhotel.com

NOW LOADING...

The Hinterland Craft Beer Festival returns to Eumundi on Saturday 10 October, with local breweries, food trucks, live music, games and an after-party from 8pm.

Entry is free from noon to 1pm, $5 at the door thereafter.

Melbourne Cup lunches and Christmas and New Year’s Eve events are selling out quickly! Do not delay - check out what’s on offer and book your favourite venue today.

It’s all happening IN Noosa!

Confirm special offers and pricing with venues, as details can change.

SPRING 2026

INDULGE

Nothing says spring quite like fresh, sustainable seafood! These simple and sensational recipes by Matt Golinski bring the full flavours to life. Quality seafood makes all the difference - get yours from Soulfish Noosa.

Scan the QR code for more recipes from Matt and other leading chefs. www.innoosamagazine.com.au

Simply Sensational

SERVES 4

KINGFISH SASHIMI WITH PICKLED JAPANESE PINK TURNIP AND CELERY, MISO DRESSING, SESAME AND SHISO

IN Noosa Magazine

INGREDIENTS:

METHOD:

• 400gm fresh Yellow Tail Kingfish, skin and bloodline removed • 100gm Japanese pink turnips, finely julienned • 100gm celery, julienned • 30gm pickled ginger, finely julienned • 50ml pickled ginger liquid • ½ tsp salt • 30gm white miso • 30ml light soy sauce • 15ml rice vinegar • 1 tsp sesame oil • 1 tsp sesame seeds, lightly toasted • ¼ cup shiso leaves

• Mix together the turnip, celery, pickled ginger, ginger juice and salt and leave to stand for 10 minutes.

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• Whisk together the miso, soy, vinegar and sesame oil.

• Slice the kingfish across the grain into 3mm slices and arrange on a platter or individual plates.

• Drizzle with miso dressing and arrange pickled vegetables on top.

Sprinkle with sesame seeds and fresh shiso leaves.

INDULGE

CHERMOULA PRAWNS WITH ISRAELI COUS COUS, FENNEL, PRESERVED LEMON AND OLIVES INGREDIENTS: • 1kg whole green prawns, peeled and deveined • 1 clove garlic, peeled • 20gm fresh ginger, grated • 3 shallots, roughly chopped • 1 small red chilli • 2 tsp ground cumin • 1 tsp turmeric • ½ tsp pepper • ½ cup fresh coriander leaves • ½ cup vegetable oil • 200gm Israeli (pearl) cous cous • 1 onion, finely diced • 1 clove garlic, sliced • 30ml olive oil • Pinch saffron threads, soaked in 2 tbs hot water for 15 minutes • 500ml chicken stock, heated • 1 small fennel bulb, finely sliced • 2 tbs preserved lemon, finely sliced

METHOD: • Blend the garlic, ginger, shallots, chilli, spices, fresh coriander and vegetable oil to a fine paste in a food processor. Mix through the prawns, cover and refrigerate until required.

SERVES 4

• In a medium saucepan, fry the onion and garlic in the olive oil until soft.

Add the cous cous and stir over a low heat for 5 minutes until it starts to colour slightly, then add the soaked saffron and the hot chicken stock.

Simmer slowly until all the stock is absorbed. Season with salt and pepper and cool.

• ½ cup green olives, pitted and chopped • ½ cup fresh coriander leaves • 1 golden shallot, finely sliced • 30ml lemon juice • 50ml extra virgin olive oil • Salt and pepper

• Fry or grill the prawns until cooked through, transfer to a large mixing bowl and mix with the cooled cous cous, fennel, preserved lemon, green olives, coriander, shallots, lemon juice and olive oil. Check seasoning and serve while the prawns are still hot.

MAKES 24

BETEL LEAVES WITH FRASER ISLE SPANNER CRAB, ROASTED MACADAMIAS, FINGER LIME, COCONUT YOGHURT AND TURMERIC CARAMEL INGREDIENTS:

METHOD:

• 24 betel leaves, washed and dried • 300gm cooked Fraser Isle spanner crab • 50gm Lindols macadamia chips, lightly roasted • 2tbs finger lime pearls • 100gm coconut yoghurt • 50gm palm sugar • 15ml lime juice • 15ml fish sauce • 1tbs grated fresh turmeric • 1 small red chilli, finely sliced • ¼ cup coriander leaves

• Drain the spanner crab in a sieve to remove any excess liquid.

• In a small saucepan, simmer the palm sugar, lime juice, fish sauce and turmeric for 5 minutes until the sugar has dissolved. Let it cool.

• Lay the betel leaves shiny side up on a platter and place a teaspoon of crabmeat in the centre of each. Drizzle with a small amount of turmeric caramel.

• Spoon a half teaspoon of coconut yoghurt on each and sprinkle on the macadamias and finger lime.

• Garnish with a slice of chilli and sprigs of coriander.

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SPRING 2026

INFORM

FINTASTIC

Find

Jodie Cameron discovers some reel good news for Noosa – fresh sustainable seafood is closer than you thought…

Spring to me has always been about the perfect catch - stunning, fresh seafood.

And my go-to is Soulfish Noosa - the supplier behind some of the region’s best seafood dishes in Noosa’s leading restaurants.

From their shop front at Noosa Fair Shopping Centre to the Noosaville outlet and Noosa Farmers Markets stall, locals don’t need a reservation to experience the wonder and delight of fresh seafood.

For co-owners Dan Learoyd and Matty Temple it comes down to careful sourcing, a quick turnaround from water to warehouse, and no compromise on where the fish comes from or how it’s caught.

“We’re lucky enough to live in Queensland, where quality and sustainability go hand-in-hand,” Dan says. “Our pristine waterways and good management within the seafood industry make sure of that.”

Soulfish takes it a step further by selectively sourcing from the best operators in the industry so that what lands on the plate is both fresh and

Quality and sustainability go hand-in-hand. responsibly caught. Every order is handled with the same care from the moment it arrives at the warehouse, right through to the moment it’s packed – a quality-control process the team credits for keeping both chefs and home cooks coming back for more.

They supply a broad mix of restaurants and chefs across the region, supplying everything from whole fish to prepared cuts, depending on what each kitchen needs. It’s a relationship built on consistency and reliability.

The restaurants they supply read like a who’s-who of Noosa dining from Sails, Rickys, Bandita, Lucio’s, Humble on Duke, New York Minute and Habitat to Spice Girls and Noosa Personal Chef to name just a few.

Soulfish also caters for private events

and functions, bringing the same restaurant-quality seafood straight to the table. Plus their outlets are open to the public with fresh catches as well as a range of pre-prepared meals.

It’s something a lot of people don’t realise. The same restaurant-quality, fresh sustainable seafood going to restaurants is available to anyone who walks in.

“We stock the same products in our outlets as we supply to restaurants,” Dan says. “Prawns, bugs, local snapper, local pearl perch, coral trout, and wild barramundi are all set to shine as the weather warms up,” Dan says. “Ask what’s fresh that day, and let the season not the shopping list, decide what’s for dinner.”

So next time you’re after something a little more fresh, flavoursome and succulent for the dinner table, you don’t need a reservation. Drop by Soulfish – it’s off the scale for a fresh, sustainable and restaurant-quality feast.

QUALITY AND FRESHNESS YOU CAN TASTE Fresh Seafood - Take Home Prepared Meals - Now Serving Lunch at Noosa Fair

soulfishnoosa.com.au Noosa Fair Shopping Centre | 5473 0881 | Shop 3 Lanyana Way, Noosa Heads. 9am-6pm Monday - Saturday 9am-4.30pm Sunday Noosa Factory | 5447 4502 | 11B Venture Drive, Noosaville. 9am-4pm Monday - Saturday 9am-12pm Saturday IN Noosa Magazine

42

INGOOD HANDS

HOSPITALITY IN EVERY

Helen Walker steps behind the counter to uncover how genuine hospitality and exceptional produce create a butcher with heart.

I’d always believed that great food and great service were inseparable. Maybe that was why I felt instantly at home the moment I stepped through the doors of Eumundi Meats Noosa.

There is a particular energy in a place where people genuinely love what they do, a hum of purpose and pride and as I discover, at Eumundi Meats Noosa that hum starts well before sunrise.

I meet general manager Pascal Turschwell (Paz) and his wife Kristie, who manages the marketing and within minutes, I realise this story wasn’t just about meat - it was about people, culture, and the kind of hospitality that makes you feel seen the moment you walk in the door.

Paz’s path here wasn’t traditional.

“I’m not a butcher,” he laughs, and it’s true. His background was restaurants, catering and front of house hospitality.

“I grew up in a restaurant,” he says “With a French chef for a father, food was simply part of life.”

After years of running restaurants, he found himself at a crossroads, ready for a new direction but still deeply connected to the world of food. When Jono Emblin, the owner of Eumundi Meats Noosa,

You walk to the customer, not the other way around. approached him to run the business, Paz initially said no.

“I thought ‘why me? I’m not a butcher’,” he says. Jono’s answer was simple: ‘because you know everyone, and you’re one of the hardest working guys in town.’

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Cut

Pascal Turschwell (Paz) products, packaging ideas, ready meal concepts: everyone has a voice.

And then there is ‘Smoko’. Every day, the team sit down to a freshly cooked meal prepared by their in-house chef.

“We’re all about quality, integrity and service,” Paz said. Their sourcing is meticulous: they don’t just buy organic for the sake of it, they buy what tastes good, has been raised well, and meets high standards for flavour and welfare.

That is the thing about hospitality people, they understand that service is a craft, and that the heart of any food business is the experience you create.

Paz’s hospitality background shapes the way the business is run.

I related to that deeply through my own experience in hospitality where I’d seen how the smallest gestures, a door held open, a warm greeting or a moment of genuine connection, could transform someone’s day. Listening to Paz, I heard that same understanding echoed back.

“Your staff are everything,” he said.

“They’re the face of your business.”

That instinct to anticipate, to greet someone the moment they enter, to make recommendations, to carry a box to the car, to make people feel important - it works. Eumundi Meats Noosa is more than a local butcher, it is becoming a trusted South-east Queensland brand with a growing list of stockists and Meat Club members.

At Eumundi Meats Noosa, that philosophy is lived, not just spoken.

The team are diverse - butchers, counter staff, packers and chefs. Every person is included in the creative process. New

For the team, it’s not just the quality of the meat - though that is exceptional - it’s also the hospitality and heart. The sense that good service and good food are two sides of the same coin.

“You walk to the customer, he said.

Not the other way around.”

OUR MEAT CLUB IS NOW LIVE! JOIN NOW for ongoing discounts and FREE delivery* *Terms and conditions apply. Ask in store for details. Orders over $200.

T H E B E S T P R E M I U M B U T C H E R I N N O O S A www.eumundimeats.com.au

Find us at Belmondos Organic Market - 59 Rene Street, Noosaville.

Open Monday - Friday 7am - 5.30pm. Saturday 7am - 3pm. Sunday 8am - 2pm.

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SPRING 2026

INDULGE

Season Starter The jumpers are off, the rosé is chilling and the calendar is filling fast. Jodie Cameron uncovers what’s afloat at this iconic Noosa River favourite…

I love winter, but I miss my salads and seafood way too much to call it my favourite season and this spring, the Noosa River is where it’s at.

Sunset snacks, seafood feasts, sips and celebrations are back in full swing at Noosa Boathouse. We’re talking fresh new flavours, the race that stops a nation, and the official freefall into the silly season is just around the corner.

This is your cue to start planning – the period everyone saves their holidays for has arrived. Spring in Noosa isn’t just lighter dishes and longer afternoons at the top-level Sunset Bar, it’s the kickstart to a run of events that carries from Melbourne Cup all the way to New Year’s Eve. You won’t want to miss it.

Noosa Boathouse co-owner Sarah Bradford said spring was when the venue really comes alive.

“Honestly, it’s is my favourite season in Noosa,” Sarah says. “The energy on the river changes, everyone’s out and about again, and it kicks off our busiest stretch of the year. It’s the perfect excuse to start planning ahead.”

Executive Chef Shane Bailey has used the change of season as a chance to bring some fresh dishes to the table, and they’re a proper celebration of what spring does best: fresh, bright, a little bit playful.

The Boathouse Sashimi is made with fresh Mooloolaba white tuna and served with cucumber, wakame and a dressing Shane calls ‘Smiling Tiger’. It’s his own spin on the classic Crying Tiger dressing, minus most of the heat, a friendlier name that’s friendlier on the palate.

IN Noosa Magazine

watch the river go by.”

Melbourne Cup has become one of our biggest days of the year.

Then there’s the Mooloolaba Prawn Cocktail, possibly the most Queensland thing on the menu. Juicy prawns, cos lettuce, avocado, new season mango, macadamia and a housemade aioli.

“Shane always cooks with what’s fresh and local, and spring gives him so much to work with,” Sarah says. “Both dishes are designed to be shared and enjoyed with a glass of something chilled.”

If there’s one date to lock in first, it’s Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 3 November. Tickets are on sale now, and this one sells out every year. There are two ways to celebrate. Upstairs in the River Room, the Premium Melbourne Cup Lunch ($249pp) is the full glamour treatment: a four-course feast-style lunch from Shane Bailey with three-hour free-flow beverage package including bubbles, beer and wine, Limoncello Spritzes from Dal Zotto Wines, a Fashions on the Field parade, sweeps, the race live on the big screen, and hosted by our Fashion Editor, Carlie Wacker.

The Little Boaty Coffee Bar has had a spruce up too, giving guests the perfect place to kick back and grab a coffee or hit the Kiosk for fish and chips and watch the boats go by.

Downstairs is more relaxed where the Boathouse Melbourne Cup Lunch ($179pp) offers a three course lunch or seafood experience with a two-hour free-flow beverage package, and all the same racing action and Fashions on the Field fun.

“We wanted to make the most of our absolute riverfront location, especially now the weather’s turning,” Sarah says.

“It’s such a lovely spot to sit and just

The River Room is for anyone who wants the glamorous experience, and the restaurant option is great if you want a slightly more relaxed long lunch to watch

44

PHOTOS: LUMEA PHOTO

INDULGE

View from the Sunset Bar Spanning three levels of waterfront space, the venue can host anything from an intimate lunch for 20 to a corporate celebration for up to 350 guests, including arrival by river cruise or boat transfer straight to the private jetty.

the race that stops the nation.

“Melbourne Cup has become one of our biggest days of the year,” Sarah says.

“People love getting dressed up and making a real day of it. It’s such a highlight.”

From here, the calendar moves quickly through Christmas parties and on to New Year’s Eve, and Noosa Boathouse is ready for it all.

From an intimate team lunch to a full corporate Christmas party, the team tailors the menu and the space to suit.

Gather your crew, round up your colleagues and call your family.

Whatever the occasion, Noosa Boathouse has a table with your name on it. The new dishes are worth the trip alone, so get in early and thank your future self later.

See you at the Boaty!

45

DON’T MISS! MELBOURNE CUP, Tues 3 November Choose from two levels of fun with Fashions on the Field with fabulous prizes, sweeps and races live on the big screen.

CHRISTMAS LUNCH, Fri 25 December Two options across two levels.

DAILY LUNCH & DINNER SPECIALS Lunch, Monday-Friday 2 Courses + Glass of Wine, $45pp 3 Courses + Glass of Wine, $52pp Dinner, Monday-Thursday 2 Courses, $45pp; 3 Courses, $52pp For details, including menus, events and functions and to book, scan the QR code or visit www.noosaboathouse.com.au

SPRING 2026

INDULGE

BANDITA

But Better A much-loved modern Mexican cantina has evolved into a bold celebration of Latin America with delicious new dishes and fresh faces. Deb Caruso explores why this riverfront restaurant deserves your attention.

There is a moment at Bandita when the sun drops behind the Noosa River, the margaritas arrive and the menu begins to traverse the fresh, bright flavours of Latin America.

From Mexico to Brazil, Peru and Ecuador, chef-owner Jason Jones is taking diners on a delicious tour of South America - one smoky skewer, rich stew and vibrant salsa at a time.

The Gympie Terrace restaurant may be known for housemade tostadas and ‘never-just-one’ margaritas, but Bandita Cantina Latina has evolved with exciting new flavours to explore.

“Inspired by everything from Tulum’s spice-lined markets to Argentina’s open-fire grills and the Nikkei influence of Brazilian dishes, expect vibrant dishes, smoky flavours, sunset margaritas, and unforgettable moments shared with your favourite people,” Jason says. “Bold flavours, local produce and genuine hospitality is what we’re all about.”

I love exploring new parts of the world one mouthful at a time so asked Jason to IN Noosa Magazine

be my virtual tour guide and take me through the dishes I need to know about - and how to pronounce them!

Let’s begin with Feijoada (feh-JEWAHda), Brazil’s national dish. It is a rich black bean stew loaded with smoked pork, beef, chorizo and pork hock, served with rice, sautéed greens, orange and farofa (fa-ROH-fa) which is toasted cassava flour, adding a nutty, crumbly texture to the hearty stew.

Presentation is everything and Jason engaged Pottery for the Planet to add extra magic to the experience of sharing what he describes as ‘a Brazilian cassoulet’.

“This dish is known for bringing everyone together and in Brazil, this happens almost weekly - Feijoada is put in the middle of the table and everyone just serves it up. It’s like a banquet,” Jason says. ” If feijoada is comfort food, Coxinha (koh-SHEEN-ya) is Brazil’s answer to the perfect snack. These teardrop-shaped potato croquettes are filled with confit 46

chicken and cream cheese, fried until crisp and served with Jason’s homemade chilli jam and a rich birria (a savoury Mexican broth made with goat, beef, or lamb slow-cooked in a spiced chilli broth) for dipping.

“It’s like a flavour bomb,” he says.

The Peruvian influence arrives in the form of Anticuchos (an-ti-KOO-chos) - traditionally barbecued skewers marinated with Peruvian spices.

Bandita’s skewer plate features freerange chicken thigh, Tasmanian lamb rump, Wagyu marble 9+ steak, plus king oyster mushroom and pineapple for vegetarians. Don’t be thinking these are ordinary backyard skewers - the flavour comes from aji panca and aji amarillo, two distinctive Peruvian chillies, before the skewers hit the charcoal grill.

“What makes it Peruvian is the marinade,” Jason explains. “It’s cooked over the flame, over charcoal.”

For the ultimate refreshment and most interesting flavour combination, try the Watermelon Tiradito (tee-rah-DEE-toh).

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

INDULGE spices, finished with tomato, coriander and fried plantain.

“Perfect for spring,” Jason says.

Don’t despair - there are still plenty of Bandita favourites, including Street Corn with chipotle mayo, queso fresco, pepita spice and lime; Puffed Pork Chicharron with pear and Davidson plum; and the Moreton Bay Bug Tostadita with celery, serrano chilli and chive cream.

Nicco & Jason Inspired by thinly sliced raw fish dressed in Peruvian-style citrus and chilli, Jason’s vegan version pairs watermelon with avocado, pickled ginger, Amarillo chilli and three-year-aged tamari. Not just any tamari - this one is aged in cedar barrels with only limited bottles released and is the hero of the dish with a deep, savoury flavour that brings a complex, umami-rich character to the watermelon.

Jason’s Ecuadorian Encocado (en-kohKAH-doh) brings the ocean to the table.

Sustainable swordfish sourced from Soulfish Noosa is cooked over the fire and slowly simmered in an Ecuadorian coconut sauce of coconut, citrus and

For sides, try Jason’s colourful Argentinian rice with red chimichurri folded through and topped with toasted rice, while weekly organic vegetables from Grub Farm bring a constantly changing element to the menu. Leave room for dessert - or a dessert cocktail!

Jason and Amy welcome the addition of Niccolò Fagherazzi to the team.

Formerly of Nudge Nudge, Wink Wink in Noosa Junction, Nicco’s arrival is a meeting of complementary strengths.

After a career spanning commercial kitchens, restaurant ownership, frontof-house leadership and wine service, the Venetian-born hospitality professional was drawn to Bandita by Jason’s food, humility and appetite for evolution.

Having seen the restaurant’s potential as a riverside gathering place, Nicco is

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helping shape the next phase: bringing the food, drinks and atmosphere together as one cohesive experience, while retaining Bandita’s easy-going character.

Margaritas remain firmly on the menu, but Nicco is expanding the conversation to include the spirits and drinking traditions of Brazil, Peru, Chile and Cuba.

A bright cucumber Pisco Sour puts a fresh spring spin on the classic cocktail made with Pisco - the grape-based spirit at the centre of a long-running Peruversus-Chile origin debate - while a coconut-inflected caipirinha introduces cachaça, Brazil’s sugarcane spirit.

There is also a Hemingway Daiquiri, delivering rum, citrus and a touch of old Havana, plus a non-alcoholic Brazilian lemonade made by blending whole lime with coconut water and condensed milk.

The result is tangy, creamy and slightly sweet - made for long afternoons on the terrace as the sun slips across the river.

Great restaurants are always hungry for more and Jason invites locals or visitors from South America to try his interpretations and to challenge him to create their favourite dish from home.

At Bandita, you don’t need a passport to experience the flavours of Latin America - simply take a seat and enjoy.

SPRING 2026

INSEASON

FRESH

Flavours One of Noosa’s favourite kitchens has a new chef, spring menu and enough weekly offers to make it a habit.

Jodie Cameron discovers what’s on and what’s cooking…

There’s some fresh energy at Park & Cove, the farm-to-table dining destination at Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas. Perched on the headland above Little Cove, with Noosa National Park on one side and Laguna Bay on the other, it’s long been the spot locals claim as their own – and it’s welcoming new head chef Murray Paterson to its kitchen just in time for some fresh spring energy.

Murray arrives with more than 30 years of experience across some of the country’s best-known kitchens, starting his career with a four-year apprenticeship at the Sydney Opera House before working at Hayman Island Resort and Four Seasons Sydney – that grounding took him from harbour to reef, setting the tone for a career spent moving between some of Australia’s most recognisable dining rooms.

Joining Accor in 1991, Murray has since held senior culinary roles across Australia and Asia, including executive chef positions at Sofitel properties in Thailand, Malaysia and South Korea.

Most recently, he was executive chef at Pullman and Ibis Hotels, Brisbane Airport, where he focused on current dining trends, and shaping menus using modern techniques.

His approach has always been guestled – reading what diners want and letting the produce do the talking. Now, he brings that same instinct to Noosa.

Food and Beverage Director, Andrew Wilcox said Murray would bring a level of craft and consistency that lifts what’s already happening in the kitchen.

“He understands produce, he understands guests, and he understands that Noosa diners want food that belongs to this place,” Andrew says.

Murray’s arrival coincides with Park IN Noosa Magazine

Spanner Crab Linguine

This is so much more than a resort restaurant. & Cove’s spring menu, which highlights the restaurant’s focus on local produce, where everything on the plate is sourced or foraged from the surrounding region, rather than flown in.

Tasty new additions include local fish served with crushed potatoes, greens and lemon butter, and a Fraser Isle Spanner Crab linguine finished with tomato, chilli and garlic – dishes designed to change as the season shifts.

It’s a menu built on relationships as much as recipes, working directly with 48

the same small producers, week to week, rather than sourcing from wherever’s easiest.

“Spring is when our region shows off and we’re spoilt for choice,” Andy says.

“Our growers and fishers are bringing in produce that speaks for itself – the crab, the local fish, it’s all about letting those flavours lead.”

And there’s plenty of reason to make Park & Cove a regular fixture, not just a special-occasion booking. Overlooking Laguna Bay and surrounded by lush greenery, it’s an ideal spot for an arvo beer, sunset snacks and watching the whales and dolphins offshore.

And, if you’re a local, Park & Cove are making it even more tempting to see you at the table more often.

PHOTOS: MEGAN GILL

INSEASON

Local fish with crushed potato Weekdays are for slowing down – from midday to 2.30pm with the Love Noosa Lunch for $38pp including sourdough, a chef’s snack, choice of main meals and a glass of wine or local beer.

day from 4.30pm to 6pm with drink and food specials and live music on Friday and Saturday nights.

Show your local ID on Wednesday nights and get 25% off food and beverage between 5.30pm and 8pm - a thank you to the community that supports the restaurant year-round; Thursdays are family night out where one child eats free per paying adult between 5.30pm and 7.30pm; and enjoy Social Hour every

“This is so much more than a resort restaurant – it’s a place for the community to gather at any time of the day or week.”

“We want locals to see Park & Cove as theirs,” Andrew said.

With a new chef, seasonal menu and special offers, the only thing left to do is pick a day and time and grab your people.

WHAT’S ON

Love Noosa Lunch - Monday to Friday, 12 noon-2.30pm. Sourdough, chef’s snack, main meal + drink.

Local’s Night - Wednesdays, 5.30pm8pm. 25% off food + beverage for locals.

Kids Eat Free - Thursdays, 5.30pm7.30pm. One child (12 and under) receives a free kid’s meal per adult.

Social Hour - daily, 4.30pm-6pm.

Cocktail and food specials with live music Friday and Saturday.

Scan the QR code for menus, bookings and more.

OPEN 7 DAYS @PARKANDCOVENOOSA 33A VIEWLAND DRIVE NOOSA HEADS QLD 4567

LOVE NOOSA LUNCH

12 - 2:30pm, Monday to Friday A S L BOOKINGS VIA PARKANDCOVENOOSA.COM.AU

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SPRING 2026

INSPIRE

THE WINNING

PHOTOS: TIMOTHY BIRCH

Woodshed

John Caruso discovers the converted woodshed in a town of fewer than a thousand people that’s just outcooked the country’s best restaurants.

Wareing at The Berkeley, and later Coombeshead Farm in Cornwall.

Kin Kin has a population of 844. In August, its restaurant beat every fine diner in the country to a national award - not a nomination, not a shortlist, but the win itself, announced amongst the crème de la crème of Australia’s food media, chefs and restaurateurs for the 46th Gourmet Traveller Restaurant Awards.

The Woodshed took out the coveted Best Destination Dining award- only the fourth time in the last 2o years that a Queensland restaurant took the honours - and, unsurprisingly, was also named the State’s Restaurant of the Year. Both categories are judged against the country’s full field - metropolitan and regional alike - at Australia’s longeststanding restaurant awards program.

For a room serving a seven-course set menu twice a week and adjoining a hinterland pub, in a town most Queenslanders would struggle to place on a map, that’s not a modest result.

Housed in what had been a derelict agricultural shed servicing the 112-yearold Kin Kin Hotel, The Woodshed has been carving its own future since opening just over a year ago. The transformation was part of a grand vision for David and Ellie Ezrine who bought the Kin Kin Hotel in 2021 and closed the doors for close to two years while they rebuilt and restored the public

IN Noosa Magazine

The invitation is to slow down, indulge and enjoy a four-hour, seven-course showcase of seasonality, sustainability and skill, cooked mostly over fire and drawing heavily on nearby producers and the Hotel’s own market garden and menagerie of bees, ducks and pigs.

Bread, pastries and desserts come from The Bakehouse, Kin Kin Hotel’s own sourdough masterpieces crafted by Richard and Kirsty Mundt. What the team don’t make themselves, is sourced as locally and ethically as possible. bar, accommodation and surrounds, including planting a substantial market garden across the road to service the venue. An interior designer, Ellie chose to honour and embrace history and stories within the walls.

Venue Manager PJ Choroomi curates a drinks adventure based on your desire - playful, funky, traditional? Everything is personalised and everything the judges tasted is exactly the experience open to diners every Friday and Saturday night.

Large windows cut by local artisans, salvaged timber, handblown light fittings, plush banquettes and feature tables, an expansive benchtop and servery made from Flame Tree stone that glows with rich yellows and greens and at its heart, an open kitchen where fire rules and engagement is encouraged.

From late August, The Woodshed opened its dining room on Thursdays to meet demand and to provide a new way to experience Kin Kin with the luxury of slowing down before the weekend begins. The extra night offers the chance to also deliver a curated program of creative residencies led by acclaimed artisans, makers and craftspeople that pairs overnight stays and fire-cooked dinners with hands-on sessions.

It is the domain of head chef Oscar Holgado, whose own heritage runs through Michelin-starred London kitchens including Murano and Marcus 50

The first, in August, was an elemental

INSPIRE charcoal drawing residency with Elisabeth Berry where art and fire came together. Participants spent an afternoon beside the flames, transforming vine cuttings into drawing charcoal over glowing embers, feasting on a seven-course fire cooked meal, and waking the following day to create artworks using the very materials they crafted by hand the day before. It is a small detail, but an meaningful one: the same fire that cooks the food becomes the artist’s tool.

That philosophy extends to the table, where every plate has been handmade and every dish is thoughtfully crafted over fire, creating a seamless connection between the artistry of making and the experience of dining that has become the hallmark of The Woodshed.

In October, an intimate two-day oil painting residency with acclaimed artist Lauren Jones will offer time to paint, pause and experience the surrounding landscape while enjoying farmhouse breakfasts, long lunches, fire-pit cocktails and a seven-course dinner that was just awarded Australia’s Best Destination Dining.

IN Noosa Magazine has experienced the transformative effect of the experience so the award and recognition came as no surprise. The magazine held its 2025 summer launch at Kin Kin Hotel and enough of us wanted to go back that we’re doing exactly that - and you’re invited!

A Noosa Hinterland destination worth the drive.

We have curated An Evening with Oscar - an intimate and engaging seven-course degustation and fireside conversation with the people and the place that has just received national recognition as Australia’s Best Destination Dining and Queensland’s Restaurant of the Year.

Enjoy a welcome drink and canapés under the centuriesold Fig tree before settling in for a guided degustation and conversation from Oscar.

Kin Kin is thirty-five minutes inland from Noosa, on a beautiful country road most visitors have no obvious reason to take. For a growing number of them that’s starting to change. And now, we’re giving you an extra reason to take the time to indulge in a truly remarkable experience for one unforgettable night.

The Woodshed

Seats to this intimate evening will fill fast so don’t delay.

As will accommodation for one of the lovingly-restored heritage rooms which comes with a wholesome and homegrown farmhouse breakfast.

AN EVENING WITH OSCAR @ THE WOODSHED Join IN Noosa Magazine for an intimate and unforgettable evening at The Woodshed Kin Kin, awarded Australia’s Best Destination Dining and Queensland’s Restaurant of the Year! Spend an evening fireside with Head Chef Oscar Holgado and experience a seven-course, paddock-to-plate degustation, country hospitality and meaningful conversation.

The food. The experience. The conversation.

Thursday 22 October, 6pm The Woodshed, Kin Kin Welcome cocktail, canapés, seven-course degustation and exclusive welcome and IN Conversation with Oscar $200 per person, Accommodation options with a divine farmhouse breakfast are available but limited.

Be quick as tickets to this exclusive event are limited and will sell-out!

Scan the QR code to book or visit www.kinkinhotel.com

The Courtyard PLUS Heritage Bar, Pub Pavilion, Live Music & more Open Thursday-Sunday from 8am

k i n k i n h o te l.com

69 Main Street, Kin Kin - 5300 0150 51

SPRING 2026

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

INSPIRE

THE ART OF Rickys Head Chef Enrique Mancilla is originally from Chile, where he studied culinary arts at the Instituto Profesional Culinary and began his professional career before working in South America, New Zealand, and Australia.

WHAT IS YOUR BACKGROUND AND HOW HAS THAT INFLUENCED YOUR APPROACH? I grew up in Patagonia and the food was pretty much whatever could grow in the climate. The waters were pristine so we relied on seafood a lot. From an early age I have been drawn to the orchard to see what was growing and available and I still like to find the best produce around me and to showcase it in the best way possible.

The South American influence is a big part of my day to day - live the life happily, eat well, drink well and enjoy!

WHY DID YOU BECOME A CHEF? When I was kid I preferred to watch cooking shows rather than cartoons. My hero was chef Karlos Arguiñano, and since then I knew it was the path I wanted to follow.

IN Noosa Magazine

ACID

NAME Enrique Mancilla AGE 41 POSITION Head Chef RESTAURANT Rickys River Bar & Restaurant TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY.

I left Chile 15 years ago and my travels began in Peru where I worked at Astrid y Gastón which at the time was the best restaurant in South America and number 32 in the Best Restaurants of the World.

After that I became executive chef for a company with hotels in Easter Island, Atacama Desert and Patagonia.

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I was keen to explore the world a bit more so moved to New Zealand and worked in Queenstown, but realised that Australia was where I wanted to be so I moved to Perth to work at Jamie Oliver’s restaurant, Jamie’s Italian. From there, I was fortunate to work at Attica, Melbourne; and luxury lodges including Saffire in Tasmania, Longitude 131° in Uluru; Southern Ocean Lodge, Kangaroo Island; and Capella at Lord Howe Island.

Looking for the coastal life I finally found myself in Noosa and I love it!

WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST REWARDING MOMENT OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR? Working with Swedish chef Magnus Nilsson on a collaborative dinner at Attica - just the excitement of working with a world-class chef, seeing his approach to food and plating, being in the moment, and learning how acidity is an important component of the dish.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING A CHEF? I love the ambience of hospitality and truly enjoy the rhythm of a busy day, seeing food come out of the kitchen and

INSPIRE

...acidity is so necessary, and there is a world of vinegars out there that need to be explored! the happy smiles from guests.

WHAT’S YOUR APPROACH TO FOOD? Simple. Let the produce speak for itself.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT LOCAL PRODUCE? The quality, it is truly amazing to see the best produce on your bench and be able to work with it, knowing that there is a passionate person behind the ingredient. You can taste so many layers of flavour.

Rickys’ own Maravista farm is at the core of our produce supplies which allows for a special connection so that as a chef, I can plan the next menu knowing that they will produce the best for us.

I also love working with the amazing tomatoes from Peter at Noosa Reds and the succulent Mooloolaba Prawns and Fraser Isle Spanner Crab.

WHAT’S A MUST-TRY DISH AT RICKYS?

Start with Stuffed Olives, follow with Spanner Crab Spaghettini and finish with Passionfruit Soufflé - iconically Rickys!

WHO WOULD YOU LOVE TO COOK FOR? Jeremy Clarkson.

WHO IS YOUR CULINARY INSPIRATION? Many chefs from Spain in particular DO YOU COOK AT HOME? IF SO, WHAT? Every chance that I get and I love to cook dishes from back home (Chile), comfort food and I’m trying to learn more Asian dishes.

FAVOURITE DISHES TO EAT OR COOK? I love to eat Ramen and to BBQ.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT BEING IN NOOSA? The whole package - weather, landscape, lifestyle.

ANY ADVICE FOR YOUNG CHEFS? Never settle, keep pushing.

FAVOURITE KITCHEN ITEM? The grill.

FAVOURITE INGREDIENT? Vinegar, seems vague but I believe acidity is so necessary, and there is a world of vinegars out there that need to be explored!

R I C K Y S R I V E R B A R & R E S TA U R A N T Absolute Waterfront 5447 2455 | www.rickys.com.au | 2 Quamby Place, Noosa Heads 53

SPRING 2026

INDULGE

SEASONAL

Simple & Stunning

Helen Walker steps inside a local favourite buzzing with fresh energy, new talent in the kitchen and a heartfelt mission driving its next chapter.

If you’ve wandered past the river lately, you may have noticed a little extra buzz coming from Gusto Noosa on Gympie Terrace. It’s the kind of energy that tells you something new is happening behind the scenes - and it is.

When I sat down with owner Tim Lepoutre, he summed it up beautifully: “We’re refining what we’ve always done well, bringing fresh ideas to the table and using more local produce wherever we can,” he says.

The heart of Gusto remains the same - the classics aren’t going anywhere but there’s a new spark in the kitchen thanks to Executive Chef Ben Fresser, who has recently joined the team. And trust me, Ben’s story is as flavourful as the dishes he creates.

Ben grew up on the Sunshine Coast in a food loving family where his grandmother was the chef at his daycare centre.

“I’ve been around food since I was two years old,” he laughed during our chat.

His apprenticeship taught him the fundamentals the old school way sauces from scratch, housemade mayo, nothing out of a bottle.

IN Noosa Magazine

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

There’s a refreshed team, new dishes emerging from the kitchen, and a renewed sense of purpose that’s lifting this long-loved local favourite into its next chapter.

Executive Chef Ben Fresser From there, he cooked at Hayman Island, when it was one of the world’s leading hotels, before taking his first head chef role at just 23. He’s worked across Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney and even Dubai, but the Sunshine Coast has always called him home.

So what attracted him to Gusto?

“It’s such a well established restaurant,” he told me. “I wanted to be part of its next evolution.”

Ben’s approach to food is simple but soulful: start with beautiful protein, layer in aromatics like dill, onion and garlic, and let the produce shine.

He’s passionate about local suppliers and he’s already dreaming up new flavours for the menu.

Expect favourites like Prawn and Garlic 54

Ravioli; Grand Ma’s Chicken Liver pâté and Traditional Seafood chowder to stay, but look out for fresh additions such as Tropical Queensland Lobster and Citrus Salad with Chorizo and Jalapeno Crumbs; Wild Mushroom and Duck Pithivier and even Lemon Baked Cheesecake!

“We want to take people on a journey,” he said. “The menu will stay true to Gusto, but it will evolve - shorter, more seasonal and more refined.”

And while the kitchen is humming, Tim has his own personal mission underway. After losing his brother-inlaw Ian to lung cancer, he’s channelled his grief into something powerful: raising money for lung cancer research by competing in the Noosa Triathlon.

“I’m doing this for him,” Tim shared.

INDULGE

FLAVOUR, FESTIVITY & FAMILY

The menu will stay true to Gusto, but it will evolve - shorter, more seasonal and more refined.

10 wines in a refined tour of France, while October brings a Tasmanian wine evening.

“If people can donate, even a little, it means so much. And if not, just sharing the fundraiser helps.”

All signs point to a vibrant new era a refreshed team, a talented new chef, a menu evolving with the seasons and a heartfelt cause bringing people together.

Of course, Gusto being Gusto, there’s plenty happening on the events front too.

The French Flair dinner on 17 September promises five courses and

Add in live music on Wednesdays and Sundays plus the famous Sunday Roast, and you’ve got a restaurant that’s truly leaning into its vibrant community.

It’s safe to say Gusto Noosa is stepping confidently into its next chapter – and I, for one, can’t wait to pull up a chair.

A NOOSA INSTITUTION EST 1999

Riverfront Restaurant

MODERN EUROPEAN STYLE BISTRO OVERLOOKING THE NOOSA RIVER

The coming months are serving up seasonal food, good times and a cause worth supporting: French Flair: 17 September. 5 courses, 10 wines. $239 pp.

Tasmanian Wine Dinner: October.

Check the website for details.

Saturday lunch: bottomless wine-spritz and beer for 2 hours. Served with 5 plates - 3 entrées to share, choice of main and dessert. $99 pp.

Live Music: Wednesday 3.30pm-6.30pm and Sundays 2.30pm-5.30pm.

Weekly Roast: Sunday Roast $45 (available until sold out), Lunch & Dinner.

New Year’s Eve 2026/7: $199 pp.

31 December.

Sip and Snack sunset time: Weekdays 3-5pm.

Bottomless Christmas Lunch: Adults $350, Children $179. 25 December, 12pm Shining a light on lung cancer: Tim is taking on the Noosa Triathlon (Sunday 1 November) to raise vital funds and hope for thousands of Australians living with the nation’s single largest specific cancer killer.

Please help Tim exceed his goal in memory of his brotherin-law Ian. Scan the QR code to donate.

GUSTO’S PRIVATE DINING ROOM

BOOK YOUR FUNCTION WITH GUSTO! NOW OPEN 7 DAYS FOR LUNCH AND DINNER WITH HAPPY HOUR DAILY

WEEKDAY SPRING SPECIALS Enjoy two courses including entrée and classic French main with a glass of wine or beer for $55.

Available Monday - Friday.

Special Events and Birthdays Christmas Parties and end of year functions

GUSTO HAS IT COVERED WITH OUR PRIVATE DINING ROOM

257 GYMPIE TERRACE, NOOSAVILLE | P: 5449 7144 | www.gustonoosa.com.au 55

SPRING 2026

INDULGE PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

SIMPLY

Locale Chris Hagan

Locale’s new season menu isn’t chasing anything flashy, and that’s exactly the point. John Caruso meets Head Chef Chris Hagan who explains why doing less, well, is the kitchen’s smartest move yet.

Spring turns up in Noosa long before the calendar says so. At Locale on Hastings Street, this year’s proof arrived in the form of peas, broad beans and a highlyanticipated run of asparagus. What the kitchen has done with it says plenty about how the place operates.

Ask Head Chef Chris Hagan what’s changing for the new season and you get a straight answer: good produce, handled properly, nothing more needed.

“Spring’s always exciting because you see such amazing produce that allows you to deliver really light, fresh flavours,” says Chris of what’s arriving from the farm and local suppliers.

The concept of ‘simplicity’ comes up more than once in conversation, which is a fair call for a kitchen that hand-rolls its own pasta and receives daily deliveries of freshly-harvested produce from the restaurant’s own Maravista Farm and a crop of local growers and suppliers.

It’s a short supply chain by hospitality standards, farm-to-fridge-to-plate, within a day or two. The spring menu leans on that harder than most.

Push Chris on his favourite seasonal ingredient, the one he’d build an entire IN Noosa Magazine

menu around given the chance, and there’s no hesitation.

“Asparagus,” he says. “That’s one of my favourites. Sadly, it has a short season so I make the most of it.”

His plan for it is about as unfussy as it gets: a sauté, a poached egg, done. It’s a dish that looks simple on the plate, and that simplicity is exactly the challenge.

With nothing to hide behind, getting asparagus right takes more care than dressing it up ever would.

Similarly, the feature pasta dish for the new season combines freshly-harvested peas and broad beans, handled with enough restraint that the vegetables carry the dish rather than the technique.

No foam, no smear, no three-line menu description. Peas taste like peas.

Broad beans taste like broad beans. It sounds obvious until you’ve eaten at enough restaurants where it isn’t.

“It’s just gently sautéed, tasty, simple,” Chris says. “Topped with a few asparagus spears for extra flavour.”

The same logic applies to the veal, sourced from northern New South Wales and handled, in Chris’s own words, without complication.

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“It’s a fantastic product. Easy to build a dish around and perfect for the warmer weather,” he says.

‘Easy’ is pretty close to a mission statement for Locale. No towering plates, no menu copy that reads like a thesis.

Good spring produce, a light hand, and not much standing between the ingredient and the plate.

The new menu coincides with Locale’s annual fundraiser held in partnership with Reed & Co in support of Santa’s Classy Helpers, a cause the restaurant has backed for several years running. It’s become as much a fixture of the Locale calendar as the produce it’s built on.

One dish that is always in season and in high demand is Tagliatelle handmade free-range egg tagliatelle, Fraser Isle spanner crab, basil, chilli, butter, lemon pangrattato - simple and superb!

“It’s a solid and simple dish and the Spanner Crab is such an incredible product that it doesn’t need too much to make it shine,” Chris says.

The lighter dishes bring a shift in what’s being poured, too. The wine list still runs deep and Italian, and spring is when the by-the-glass selections tilt

INDULGE

Orecchiette Primavera with New-Season Asparagus and Spring Peas Meet the Hugo Spritz, made with prosecco, fresh mint and elderflower liqueur.

Hugo Spritz toward something crisper, lighter and more refreshing. It’s a small adjustment, but it’s the same philosophy as the food: match the pour to the season instead of making the season fit the pour.

One new arrival on the drinks list deserves special consideration. Locale owners Rio and Amanda have recently returned from time in Italy with loved ones and Rio has a prediction for the newest Spritz to be every one’s new favourite.

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HASTINGS ST. NOOSA HEADS

“It is not a new cocktail, it is a classic that is just being rediscovered and coveted by Spritz lovers worldwide,” says Rio. “Where the Aperol Spritz has run the room for the better part of a decade, Hugo is quieter and greener, lighter on the bitterness, heavier on the botanicals.

“It is the perfect cocktail for the warmer months- fresh, light and very refreshing.”

Watching it being created is half the appeal, and Hastings Street in late afternoon is a fine spot to enjoy it.

Aperitivo hour runs daily from 4pm to 6pm with $8 beers, $10 wine by the glass and $15 for a spritz or margarita. Five

Panna Cotta al’Ananas

cicchetti to accompany for just $35 is an afternoon well spent.

Spring also brings wedding season, and this is where Locale’s versatility as a venue really comes into play. The lounge bar suits cocktails and canapés on arrival, and the romantic, low lit dining room can hold an elegant sit-down dinner while leaving enough room for a dance floor when the party really starts.

There’s no major reinvention needed here, just simple, seasonal shifts. Fresh, seasonal produce; an interesting and enticing drinks list; room for events and celebrations of all shapes and sizes - and all underpinned by warm, friendly service that feels like family in a stunning venue.

That’s the whole package. Seasonal, simple and sensational.

THE FRENCH QUARTER

ph 07 5447 5111 LOCALENOOSA.COM.AU open 7 days | lunch | dinner | functions

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SPRING 2026

TRUE

Identity

Lucio’s Marina has stopped chasing an identity and started attracting one. John Caruso meets the new faces forging the future.

Every restaurant spends its first few years working out who it wants to be.

At Lucio’s Marina, that question is now settled.

Sitting down with owner Matteo Galletto for an update on the Noosa River trattoria and the word he reaches for isn’t reinvention, or evolution, or any of the usual openers restaurateurs use when the head chef changes. He says ‘identity’.

“I feel the restaurant has really matured and found a familiar identity,” he says. “The new team is helping keep that identity going and improving it where we can.”

There’s a theory buried in that sentence worth pulling out, because it explains everything that follows. Matteo describes reaching a point where the restaurant no longer must go looking for good people, it attracts them, Matteo says “because of the place we are.”

“Once a restaurant is at a certain level, you attract people that want to work to those standards,” he said. “Good people see the potential in an already successful formula and want to push it further, rather than start one from scratch.”

It’s a small distinction with a large effect: Lucio’s didn’t hire its way to a IN Noosa Magazine

new identity. It had already built one good enough that people wanted in.

New head chef Tommaso Belforti is the clearest evidence of it. He’s Italian, from a small town outside Milan, and came on board because he backed the philosophy already in place, not because he wanted to remake it.

What he’s brought is refinement layered over familiarity, a kitchen that understands the local palate while holding onto its European technique.

Matteo is careful, and precise, describing the shift. Where the food before was accomplished but restrained, at its best when everything lined up with cerebral exactness, the new direction asks for more warmth without losing any of the polish.

“We want a little bit more generosity, and still a lovely presentation, and more refined techniques. It’s all about putting quality on the plate,” Matteo says.

“You need to make people feel at ease with what they’re eating and find a way to still surprise them with special elements.”

Nowhere is that clearer than the risotto dishes that feature on the menu.

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Owner Matteo Galletto (centre) with head chef Tommaso Belforti (left) and restaurant manager Marley Kuruvita.

Risotto can be a dish most kitchens avoid at scale, not because it’s difficult to understand but because it’s punishing to execute well under service pressure, one pan and one pair of hands at a time.

“It’s very hard to do excellent risotto on a restaurant scale,” he says. “I never wanted to push the guys to do it, because it’s a lot of work.”

It took a chef who loved the dish to make the case for it, and the response has proved him right. The risotto and its rotating specials have become some of the most popular additions to the menu, a direct payoff of letting a new arrival deliver something he was most excited and passionate about.

On the floor, restaurant manager Marley Kuruvita has been with Lucio’s for around eighteen months. As the son of celebrated chef Peter Kuruvita, Matteo says he was one of those rare people who simply grew up understanding the trade.

There’s a twenty-year age gap between them but almost no gap at all in how they think about looking after a table.

“He has a fantastic understanding of hospitality,” Matteo says. “We want the same things for customers. It’s ingrained

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

INDULGE

in him, and it’s a pleasure to work together.”

For an owner who admits he’s never quite satisfied, that means a big deal.

The wine list remains Matteo’s obsession.

“I love wine. It’s what got me into the industry,” he says, and it shows in how closely he curates the list.

Making recommendations to the customers however, is now the responsibility of Gianfranco Lafiosca, who’s studying to be a sommelier.

“It’s been good to have Gianfranco on the floor recommending more wines, because I’ve got the time to write the list but I don’t really have the time to go

table to table,” Matteo says.

“We’re a very small restaurant trying to operate like a really big one.”

Around half of the customers are local, regulars the team sees on a near-weekly basis, and the calendar of weekly offers is built squarely around looking after them: Wednesday nights bring pasta at $26 a plate; Thursdays are BYO; Friday and Saturday sunset sittings come with 20 percent off; and Sundays see the return of a properly Italian aperitivo hour, with complimentary snacks alongside the aperitivo menu.

It’s a direct expression of Matteo’s own line about what he wants the restaurant to be at every price point.

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“We want to focus on value,” he says.

It adds up to a restaurant that isn’t trying to prove anything new so much as prove it can keep being itself, only better resourced to do it.

Matteo is fond of saying he’s never satisfied, even when he’s genuinely content with where things stand, and that restlessness is precisely why Lucio’s Marina now has a chef who was excited enough about risotto to fight for it, a floor manager who didn’t need to be taught how to read a table, and an extra presence to guide the drink options.

There was never going to be a reinvention; just more hands reinforcing the true identity and building on what already worked.

SPRING 2026

INDULGE

FIRST

Course

A year after opening Fish House Steak & Grill, John Caruso learns that Todd and Kristine Young are proving a second restaurant doesn’t have to live in the shadow of the first.

Fish House Steak & Grill sits on the Mooloolaba Spit, close enough to the wharf that the seafood on the menu doesn’t have far to travel. It’s a straightforward pitch - local produce, cooked without a lot of fuss – and a year in, it’s clearly working. Bookings are hard to get on a Friday night.

Down the road on Mooloolaba Esplanade sits its older sister, Bella Venezia, which has been part of Mooloolaba’s esplanade since the early 1980s. Under the stewardship of Todd and Kristine it has now collected four consecutive AGFG Chef’s Hats.

“I’ve got people at Bella Venezia who don’t want to move anywhere else, and I’ve got people at Fish who don’t want to go anywhere but Fish,” Todd says. “With two chef-hatted venues, the pool of people who fit the model is small, but when we find the right people, they stay with us for years.”

Fish House was never going to simply ride on that reputation. It had to earn its own, in a different cuisine, on a different patch - and it has.

“Fish House Steak & Grill for us was a new and exciting project,” Todd says.

“We wanted to expand our portfolio and do something that was different to Italian. The idea was to duplicate the same service standards, the same food standards, but with a different cuisine.

“When the opportunity arose to take on a seafood restaurant right on the Wharf, it was an exciting opportunity, and to be honest, it has exceeded all expectations.”

Fish House Steak & Grill opened its doors on 27 August 2025 and seats 130 under an open, light-filled roof, with a private dining room for 14 and a dry-aged beef cabinet as a showpiece.

Todd and Kristine took ownership on 1 July last year and shut the doors for seven weeks, orchestrating a full refurbishment on a tight deadline.

IN Noosa Magazine

Growth, he adds, has a habit of doubling the workload rather than sharing it out.

Kristine and Todd Young Key staff crossed over from Bella Venezia to help get the new kitchen up and running, among them Executive Chef Ben Achurch, whose track record at the flagship restaurant had already earned three consecutive Chef’s Hats. These days Ben splits his time between both kitchens.

“To see this business transform and truly blossom has been a pleasure,” Todd says of the turnaround, before adding that having two venues so close together has proven more of an asset than a challenge.

Staff move across both venues as demand requires, though loyalty runs deep at both.

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“If I need an extra person at one venue because of continual growth, the chances are I probably need another at the other venue as well,” he says, which is less a complaint than a description of how a two-restaurant family business runs.

The tally for year one at Fish House Steak & Grill is mouth-wateringly impressive: more than 9,000 steaks have left the grill, alongside 2,000 lobster rolls, 300 lobster tails and 3,000 serves of tempura Mooloolaba prawns.

Diners have worked through more than 1,000 Land Tasting Menus and 1,200 Sea Tasting Menus, the twin degustations built around the restaurant’s founding idea - that land and sea deserve equal billing on the plate.

Perhaps the most telling figure is the smallest-sounding: 300 kilograms of

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

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It’s an ambition that tracks with what draws diners north from Brisbane and the Gold Coast for a table, people who make the drive home the same night and,

by Todd’s account, tell him on the way out that it was worth it. Not bad going for a kitchen barely a year old.

Growth is the word Todd keeps returning to, not consolidation. A new spring menu, alongside refining the business model to move more people through service without losing the standard. Bella Venezia took the best part of forty years to become the institution it is now. Fish House has managed something close to a running start.

The team

Within four months of opening, Fish House was awarded a Chef’s Hat by the Australian Good Food Guide, placing it among the top one per cent of restaurants in the country, a rare result for a kitchen barely out of its fit-out.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the support the community has shown us throughout our first 12 months, and we’re excited for what lies ahead,” Kristine says. “At the heart of Fish House Steak & Grill is a commitment to showcasing exceptional produce while championing the local growers, fishers and suppliers who make our region so special.

This year brought a second honour, when Fish House was named the Australian Good Food Guide’s Best Seafood Restaurant on the Sunshine Coast in the Readers’ Choice Awards, decided by public vote rather than a judging panel.

“Our ambition is to share the very best of the Sunshine Coast with the world and help put Mooloolaba firmly on the global culinary map. We’ve achieved so much in our first year, but this is only the beginning.”

sustainably-caught local Mooloolaba yellowfin tuna, landed a short walk from where it’s served.

Whether that’s down to the concept, the standards imported from the Italian side of the business, or simply two operators who know their market, is beside the point. A little over a year ago, the doors were closed and renovations started with a seven-week deadline, nobody had room to miss. Now it’s booked out most nights of the week, wearing a Chef’s Hat and a Readers’ Choice award.

In hospitality, a full house on a Tuesday is the only review that counts, and Fish House has been collecting them since the week it reopened.

READERS’ CHOICE

25 PARKYN PARADE MOOLOOLABA fishhousedining.com.au

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INDULGE

Flo’s Fantastique LUNCH MENU

Elizabeth Monthe discovers that lunch just got a bit Francier at her favourite French restaurant.

Picture a sun-soaked, beautifully clad table filled with crêpes, galettes - and adding to these iconic flavours, a tempting line-up of classic bistro French dishes - lunch at Flo’s Crêperie has levelled up in delicious fashion.

I have always been fascinated with French culture, my Duolingo streak proves it, and food is one of the most accessible (and tasty) ways to engage with the culture of the country.

For years, Flo’s has been the go-to for golden-edged crêpes, savoury galettes and a little Brittany-meets-SunshineCoast magic. Now, the French favourites that made their debut on the dinner menu are stepping into the daylight, adding a distinct flavour and flair to the much-loved lunch menu - très magnifique!

The move means there is even more reason to linger over lunch, whether you’re chasing a quick galette between errands or settling in for a full French feast with friends.

Think steaming French Onion Soup, its rich beef broth brimming with caramelised onions and crowned with crusty, cheese-topped bread.

It’s a dish that demands a spoonful before conversation can continue.

For something more substantial, the Boeuf Bourguignon delivers all the comforting drama of a French country kitchen.

IN Noosa Magazine

Slow-cooked beef, mushrooms and lardons are bathed in a deep red-wine sauce and served with gloriously creamy mash.

One bite and it is easy to see why diners wanted this one added to the lunch menu.

After introducing traditional French dishes for dinner more than two years ago, co-founders Florian and Michelle Guillemard received plenty of requests to bring the favourites into the daytime line-up and to give the popular rotating midweek specials a more permanent place at the table.

“We wanted lunch to feel just as distinctly French as dinner, while still offering the relaxed, casual Flo’s experience,” Michelle says.

“It always comes down to asking the customers about how we can improve, and the overwhelming feedback has been to add the option of having distinct Flo’s classics, as well as traditional French dishes, available during lunch.”

We wanted lunch to feel just as distinctly French as dinner, while still offering the relaxed, casual Flo’s experience. the most satisfying classic pork sausage with velvety mash, baby cos lettuce and onion-mustard jus; and the popular Signature Steak Frites featuring Wagyu rump cooked to perfection with crisp French fries, salad and red-wine jus and the option to add Café de Paris Butter, Blue Cheese Sauce or the decadent Sauce au Poivre capturing the decadent juices from the pan - decisions, decisions!

At its best, French food is made for long lunches, shared plates and that blissful moment when one course rolls effortlessly into the next.

It is this open-door approach that has helped turn Flo’s into a Sunshine Coast dining favourite. The team knows what its diners love, and the expanded menu gives regulars more ways to enjoy the flavours of France without taking away the dishes that made Flo’s famous in the first place.

Flo’s new offerings bring that spirit to the table, combining familiar French bistro favourites with the casual, cheerful energy locals have come to expect.

Also joining the daytime offering is Toulouse Sausage and Paris Mash:

“It’s still casual, welcoming and unmistakably Flo’s, but there’s now even

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“We’ve evolved into somewhere you can come for much more than a crêpe, without losing what people originally loved about us,” Michelle says.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

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more reason to visit. You can enjoy a proper French lunch or dinner, and be transported to another place entirely.”

And for devoted Francophiles, Moules Frites, Steak Tartare, Cheese Soufflé, Escargots and other French bistro classics remain on the menu and can now be enjoyed at lunch as well.

Savoury galettes including the classic La Complète, Flo’s Alpine Cheese, Peking Duck and Apres Surf continue to share the menu alongside dedicated seafood and vegetarian options.

“Our savoury galettes still form a big part of the offer,” Michelle says. “The menu is simply being expanded, rather than completely reinvented.”

Of course, crêpes remain at the heart of the Flo’s experience and offer the sweetest decision of all: dessert. From the classic butter, sugar and lemon crêpe to signature creations and showstopping flambéed crêpes, there is plenty of reason to save room for a final flourish.

So gather the family, book a long lunch or make dinner plans with a French flavour. At Flo’s, the crêpes and galettes are still the stars but now the classic bistro dishes are ready for their lunchtime encore.

Flo’s expanded menu carries that deliciously Francey spirit into every part of the day in the most délicieux of ways!

PURE FRENCH JOY

From crêpes to French classics: Crêpes & Galettes: signature sweet crêpes and savoury buckwheat galettes, served all day.

French Bistro Classics: classic French favourites for lunch and dinner, from Steak Frites to French onion soup.

Drinks & Good Times: French cider, wines, cocktails and everything you need for a relaxed lunch or dinner.

Flo’s Noosa: 5/4-6 Sunshine Beach Road, Noosa Heads Flo’s Mooloolaba: 23/123 Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba Wharf.

Scan the QR code for menus and bookings.

Oui! We have a new

LUNCH Menu!

More French favourites now available at lunch time

PLUS Still serving all the crêpes and galettes you love!

SCAN TO BOOK FLO'S CRÊPERIE NOOSA, AUSTRALIA

Open 7am to 9pm every day | 5/4-6 Sunshine Beach Rd, Noosa Junction | 5474 9486 | BOOK ONLINE floscreperie.com/book 63

SPRING 2026

INTHE KITCHEN

Nicole May uncovers the secrets behind Chinadina’s mouth-watering Curated 8 and the flavours of the signature roasted duck.

THIRTEEN

Spices

Sui mai with caviar Walking into Chinadina in Noosaville, the first thing that reaches you is the heady spiced aroma of a signature duck that’s been 24 hours in the making.

This is a place where the tables are purpose-built for the hum of conversation and the easy flow and conviviality of shared experiences.

It’s a destination where Chef Silverio is preparing Cantonese and Filipino dishes with Asian fusion that Noosaville hasn’t seen, and where Manager Luchan and her team pride themselves on creating a soulful place to dine.

It’s difficult to focus conversation with Luchan and Silverio as the dishes arrive, enticing me with the aromas that make up The Curated 8 banquet.

“We wanted to create an experience where people don’t have to choose,” Luchan explains, gesturing to the spread.

“It’s about bringing the best of our kitchen to the table in one seamless flow.”

First out is the classic Chicken and Sweet Corn Soup, which is velvety, warming, and exactly what you want to start a meal. But then, the dumplings arrive, and the conversation has to pause.

These aren’t your average dim sum.

The handcrafted Pork and Prawn Sui Mai are topped with pops of caviar and

IN Noosa Magazine

Chef Silverio & Chef Zoren

They actually sew the spices inside the duck... the steamed Prawn Har Gow follow, looking nearly translucent and perfectly moulded.

“We crop the Sui Mai here in the house and mould it so that it almost looks like a shell,” Silverio says, pointing to the delicate pleats. “We want it to look more perfect every time.”

Crispy Vegetable Spring Rolls round out the opening act of The Curated 8 and set the scene perfectly as we move into what the team refer to as The Main Act, served straight from the roaring woks.

Starring Aromatic Chicken and Scallions with sizzling ginger; and Chinadina Crispy Pork Belly. The pork belly steals the show and is a local favourite for a reason - the crackling is divine. Served with Wok-Fried Seasonal Greens and Steamed Jasmine Rice to soak up the flavours.

This eight-dish Asian fusion banquet for just $49 per person is amazing value, particularly when it includes a free glass of house wine when pre-booked online.

With generosity, Luchan also wants me to try something new, something close to her heart.

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“You have to try the Adobo,” Luchan says, her eyes lighting up. “It is a new dish at Chinadina and originated in my country, the Philippines.”

The Chicken Adobo - or soy vinegar chicken stew - is a revelation. The flavour is deep, savoury, and perfectly balanced by the tang of the vinegar and the chicken practically melts in your mouth.

“The secret is the marinade,” Silverio explains. “We soak it overnight, and then slow cook for one hour so the flavour infuses the meat.”

I understand why Luchan is so proud.

It’s a soulful dish that adds a delicious new dimension to the Asian fusion experience that Chinadina offers.

We can’t talk about Chinadina without mentioning the king of the menu Cantonese Roast Duck with Hoisin Sauce.

“It has become so popular because Silverio has poured so much time into perfecting the flavour,” Luchan says.

The signature roasted duck is a sight to behold. The skin is burnished to a perfect mahogany, and the aroma is intoxicating - a complex blend of 13 different spices.

Silverio explains that the process is anything but fast.

“We don’t just marinate it; we dry the duck first, then blanch it with red wine vinegar,” he says.

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

INTHE KITCHEN

Cantonese Roast Duck

A JOURNEY THROUGH ASIAN FUSION OF FLAVOURS IN NOOSA The Curated 8

DINE-IN | BAR | TAKE-AWAY FUNCTIONS / EVENTS

“They actually sew the spices inside the duck,” Luchan adds. “Then it sits for 24 hours before being roasted for about 45 minutes to an hour.”

The result of this work, quite simply, is the best duck I’ve ever tasted. The texture is incredibly tender, the meat pulls away and it is full of flavour.

The restaurant has also recently introduced karaoke nights on Wednesdays and Sundays during dinner service to add a layer of communal fun to the dining experience.

THE CURATED 8 An 8-dish Asian fusion banquet

$49

“It’s for all ages - we love to see kids dancing and singing, and the adults too,” Luchan says. As I head out into the sunshine with a full belly and a full heart, I see a furry friend sitting happily with its owner at an outdoor table.

Per person

“We are also very dog-friendly!” Luchan laughs.

Free glass of house pour when pre-booked online, minimum 2 people.

OPEN 6 DAYS Tuesday - Thursday: 5-9pm All you can eat Yum Cha Lunch Friday - Sunday Friday - Sunday: Dinner 5-9pm Dog Friendly Restaurant

Whether you’re coming for the $49 Curated 8 - which comes with a free glass of house pours if you book online or just dropping in for that incredible duck, Chinadina delivers an experience that is better shared with loved ones.

THE CHINADINA EXPERIENCE • The Curated 8 is an 8-dish Asian fusion banquet for $49 per person. Minimum two people. Book online and receive a free glass of house wine.

• Try the signature Cantonese Roast duck or the new Filipino Chicken Adobo.

• Family-friendly and dog-friendly.

• Karaoke nights on Wednesdays and Sundays.

• All you can eat Yum Cha Lunch Friday-Sunday.

Scan the QR code for menus, bookings and more!

27 Mary Street, Noosaville Phone 07 3477 9668 www.chinadina.com.au

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SPRING 2026

INSPIRED

CHILL

Jodie Cameron wraps up our exclusive Winter launch at Miss Moneypenny’s - and toasts one of the best Sundays we’ve had in a while…

What’s not to love about having an entire Hastings Street icon to yourself to celebrate, no queues, just the IN Noosa crew, a bevy of INspiring local businesses and a very generous spread.

Miss Moneypenny’s rolled out the red carpet, we rolled up our sleeves, and together we toasted the arrival of our stunning Winter edition for a sunset Sunday sesh.

The cocktails were flowing and guests received the full 007 treatment - shaken, stirred and thoroughly spoiled.

The star of the day was the prawn toast - crisp, golden and gone within seconds, a Miss Moneypenny’s signature classic that’s worth the reservation alone. With an emphasis on Modern Mediterranean cuisine, the menu is designed to impress, from fresh local scallops and braised pork belly right through to customised options such as silky haloumi and the cutest baby baklava that was almost too cute to eat (I said ‘almost’). Every bite was a nod to a kitchen that doesn’t do things by halves. It’s à la carte dining, casual share plates with drinks or late-night nibbles, seven days a week.

Their multi-award-winning bar runs one of the most extensive beverages lists on the coast, with some of the best mixologists in the country behind it, and it’s also home to the popular Cocktail Masterclasses. The best part? You don’t need a press pass for your own Miss Moneypenny’s takeover. Function spaces range from intimate groups of 12 to 400.

Semi-Private Dining gives you the buzz without the crowd, the Sunset Deck is perfect for alfresco cocktails and milestone moments, and the Bar Lounge suits relaxed catch-ups over share boards and pizzas. Their team can do it all while you soak it up and make some memories!

IN Noosa Magazine

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PHOTOS: MEGAN GILL & NICOLE MAY

LICENCE TO

MOMENTS AT MISS MONEYPENNY’S Make any moment special at Miss Moneypenny’s Semi-Private Dining – all the buzz of the main room, none of the crowd The Dining Room – perfect for long lunches and sit-down dinners Sunset Deck – celebrate alfresco cocktails and milestone birthdays Bar Lounge – casual catch ups with share boards and pizzas.

Capacity – 12 to 400 guests Not planning a full event?

Discover Happy Days with oysters and spritzers from 3-5pm; Bottomless Lunches every weekend from 1-2pm; and Dogs on the Deck daily.

Scan the QR code for menus, bookings and What’s On.

LUNC H D INNER + C A SUAL B I T E S

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C O C K TA I L S

H A S T I N G S

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FUNCTIONS + EVENTS

| O P E N 7 D AY S

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SPRING 2026

NOOSA’S NO 1 BEER AND BURGER BAR

HAS EVOLVED...

Our mouthwatering burgers, briskets, salads, sides and loaded fries use top quality ingredients from Australia’s artisan bakers, farmers and meat producers to create our delectable eats.

5 Sunshine Beach Road, Noosa Heads | newyorkminute.com.au IN Noosa Magazine

68 ONLINE - TAKEAWAY DINE IN - ORDER

PHOTO: IAN WALDIE

THE

INSPIRE

NEXT

Chapter There’s a perception that Noosa winds down early, but John Caruso discovers a venue that’s keeping Noosa Junction switched on long after many kitchens have called last orders.

The struggle to find a decent meal after 8pm in Noosa is a frustration for many locals and visitors, particularly those used to the energy and availability of late-night dining in bigger cities.

For the founders of New York Minute Noosa, it complemented a concept that they already believed would bring something significant to the region.

The opportunity became especially clear when Antony Crowther and business partner Brayden Montebruno were working late renovating the shopfront in Noosa Junction.

“When we finished work, the only food we could get after 8pm was fast food,” he says. “That made it even clearer there was a gap in the market for us to fill.”

New York Minute Noosa opened in December 2023 and trades from midday until midnight, seven days a week, with live entertainment every night. It is not simply chasing the post-8pm market; it serves up a restaurant, bar and latenight option in one place.

Ant had already spent two decades in quick-service hospitality before moving to Noosa from Melbourne. He began with a fine-dining apprenticeship, but the separation of kitchen service did not hold his attention for long.

“Working in the kitchen, you couldn’t always see the response on a customer’s face,” he says. “I love people and I love food, so seeing people’s reactions in a quick-service setting made a hell of a lot more sense to me.”

The name came before the menu. Ant had been working through ideas for months when the Don Henley song New

Brayden and Antony York Minute was presented to him and something clicked. It immediately conjured images of American reality shows like Man v. Food and New Yorkstyle food that was not readily available in Noosa at the time.

The food goes well beyond burgers and beer, even if the burgers remain a headline – a reputation reinforced by a 4.9-star Google rating from more than 1,100 reviews. The range includes beef, chicken, pork, brisket and vegetarian options, paired with fresh salads, bold sauces, locally sourced ingredients and the finest desserts.

There is everything from a classic cheeseburger to the premium Wagyu and lobster burger, alongside Philly cheesesteaks, smoked brisket melts and a range of other burgers unique to New York Minute Noosa.

For those looking beyond the bun, there is a 330-gram aged ribeye, locally sourced fish from Soulfish, hand-cut chips and house-made sauces. The parma comes in two takes: a traditional Italian-style version and a more exotic vodka-sauce version with feta and sundried tomatoes.

Recently the kitchen introduced a new hero: a Texas barbecue-style brisket platter with jalapeño and cheese sausage, mac and cheese and the essential accompaniments of an American barbecue feast. Dessert favourites include sticky date pudding and chocolate soufflé, alongside other hits.

The original menu received quality control from an unlikely focus group: Ant’s five sisters. Their feedback helped shape a menu with broad appeal, from burger traditionalists to diners chasing steak, fish, salad or something sweeter.

The drinks list has evolved just as quickly and the original beer-and-burger offering has expanded to roughly four times its original size. The bar now has a 69

more considered wine list, extended spirits selection and cocktail-focused back bar, giving diners reason and a place to settle in after dinner or start their night there.

The additional spaces have opened the door to private functions and events, including a beer garden at the rear. New York Minute has become a flexible hospitality venue and a key pillar in helping to shift the identity of Noosa Junction’s late-night food and entertainment offering.

Community has been part of the operation since the doors opened. New York Minute has supported people and groups in need, from single mums to firefighters, SES crews, ambos, local police and other service men and women.

Its recent Community Giveback Day saw just under 1,000 burgers given away as a thank you for the extraordinary support shown during the business’s first two-and-a-half years. The business also partners with YouTurn, providing thousands of burgers for distribution to people experiencing homelessness and others needing support.

For Ant and Brayden, the next stage is already in the works with plans underway for a rooftop sunset bar above the existing venue. If approved, it will lift the premium experience further, creating an elevated setting for sunset drinks, live music, private functions, special events and long Noosa evenings.

Late trading remains important, but it is no longer New York Minute’s only point of difference. With an evolving menu, premium drinks, multiple function spaces, live entertainment seven days a week and community at its core – it’s a place that moves naturally from lunch into dinner and late night.

The burgers are excellent, but they are only one part of a business with bigger plans for Noosa Junction.

SPRING 2026

INSPIRE

CULTIVATING

Community

Elizabeth Monthe discovers the importance of engaging with your local community, as well as delicious customer favourites at The Civic Social.

Everyone needs a community. Regardless of who you are, human connection is integral for a healthy, balanced life.

The Civic Social understands this. This family-owned hub lists food and coffee as their love language and has been intentionally designed to connect locals - with each other, with local produce lovingly prepared and coffee poured with care.

Owner Edita Nassif said The Civic Social offered guests the chance to pause amongst their busy lives.

“We want people to feel really welcome in this space, where you want to linger for just a bit longer to have a chat with your friends,” Edita says.

“You don’t feel rushed. You feel relaxed and at ease. It helps you to enjoy the food more, and have a moment to yourself.”

I have been researching the concept of the ‘third space’. Popularised by sociologist Ray Oldenburg, this place lies beyond the normalcy of the home and work environment, and serves the purpose of building your community.

You don’t go to a third space on a time crunch, asking for your coffee (black, please), and subsequently leaving.

Rather, these spaces are there for our personal wellbeing, and include essential social connection such as casual conversation with strangers, or catching up with loved ones.

From its stunning design and fitout to friendly staff, and its thoughtful all-day brunch menu, The Civic Social lives up to its name - it has been designed for socialising.

Communities flourish when given uninterrupted time to sit with each other, share stories, and simply enjoy IN Noosa Magazine

While salivating over these options, I noticed the beauty of human connection playing out in front of me. each other’s company over a delectable drink and meal.

Open from 7am until 3pm weekdays and until 2pm on weekends, The Civic Social offers barista-made coffee, an all-day brunch menu and is licensed from 10am. If you’re on the go or in a rush, there’s plenty of takeaway options too.

For regulars and devoted customers who have adopted The Civic Social as their third space, there are a few dishes that have earned firm favourite status.

Topping the list is the Grilled Chicken Salad with lemongrass chicken, avocado, cherry tomatoes, onion, cucumber and mixed leaves, finished with creamy liquid fetta. For something with a little more spice, the Beef Tacos bring scotch fillet 70

together with guacamole, habanero sour cream, capsicum and onion, all tucked into soft flour tortillas.

Some more favourites, expertly crafted

by Chef Teddy, include the TCS Eggs Benedict, served on brioche with The Civic Social’s iconic house-made hollandaise and a choice of streaky bacon or halloumi; and the Corn Fritter offers a lighter, plant-based option, pairing smashed avocado and baby greens with spiced vegan curry yoghurt and a bright lemon dressing.

The must-try Miso Chilli Eggs put a twist on a brunch classic, with sambal organic scrambled eggs, a miso and curry yoghurt drizzle, all served on an artisan croissant.

The menu is fresh, bright and evolving with the seasons - there’s always something new to try.

The Civic Social dishes up these carefully curated dishes and a range of hot and cold drinks with a thoughtful interior, which is intentionally designed to cater towards communities, making the café an accessible place for families.

“We created a corner for the kids to play, with a cubby house. We have lots of parents come in who are always on the

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

INSPIRE

go, often bringing their children along with them,” Edita says.

“This gives them an opportunity to sit down and enjoy their coffee. They can finally have a moment to themselves.”

Keeping a wonderful third space like The Civic Social running efficiently is a team effort, and Edita talks about the value these people bring to the community.

“We have a large team behind us, and Teddy is always bringing out incredibly memorable new options that the customers adore.” Edita says. “Eva,

Rachel, Charles and Lucy are some of our team members behind the coffee.

They’ve been here since the day we opened, and they’ve also been really loved by our clientele.”

Another dish that has cemented itself as a favoured TCS choice are the Bagels Your Way, which lets diners build their breakfast around one of four combinations: miso scrambled eggs with streaky bacon and chilli mayo; fried chicken with avocado, cheese and mayo; halloumi with avocado, rocket and relish; or smoked salmon with cream cheese, rocket and cucumber.

While salivating over these options, I notice the beauty of human connection playing out in front of me - multigenerational customers engaging in small talk, deep conversations or engrossed in well-deserved cup of matcha and food that feeds their soul.

Located at Noosa Civic Shopping Centre, The Civic Social is a core of connection amongst the weekly grocery shopping, life admin and ‘because you deserve it’ shopping days.

Why not adopt The Civic Social as your third space to enjoy human connection and feed the mind, body and soul?

SPECIALTY COFFEE

AND ALL-DAY brunch

Noosa Civic 28 Eenie Creek Rd, Noosaville 0428 398 317

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Something Sweet ON HASTINGS STREET Hastings Street has never lacked for indulgence but, as Carlie Wacker discovers, it will gain the sweetest kind of treat when Noosa Chocolate Factory opens at Bay Village.

It feels like a homecoming for a brand that locals love and visitors covet: Noosa Chocolate Factory is bringing its cult following of couverture creations to the heart of Noosa’s most walked stretch of pavement, Hastings Street.

For locals who’ve been making the pilgrimage elsewhere for their handcrafted chocolate fix, and for visitors who are yet to discover the magic, it’s very good news indeed.

There is something special about seeing a product with ‘Noosa’ in its name open on Noosa’s main street.

Hastings Street is home to some gorgeous international brands but the shops that give it real character are the ones with roots in this part of the world.

A local and family-run chocolate maker, Noosa Chocolate Factory taking its place here feels less like a retail transaction and more like something being placed where it belongs.

Chief Executive Marcus Raward agrees, IN Noosa Magazine

saying that the availability of the Bay Village site was serendipitous.

“Noosa Chocolate Factory is homegrown in Noosaville where our thriving factory, café and retail store at Venture Drive is a drawcard for visitors to watch our chocolate being handmade onsite,” he says.

“As a local family business with recipes that date back to the 1920s from the original family chocolatier, Charles Thomson, we’ve long envisioned opening another store in the heart of Noosa – somewhere that would complement our artisan roots.

“Bay Village is an oasis right in the heart of Hastings Street and really epitomises the soul of the shopping strip with boutique stores, local craftsmanship and a vibrant, convivial feel just steps away from Noosa’s Main Beach.

“It is also very accessible, with on-site, undercover parking with the first 30 minutes free so customers can 72

park, duck in for a hot or iced chocolate or coffee and stock up on their favourites.”

Marcus said the Bay Village store would have the same look and feel as the Noosa Chocolate Factory’s Noosaville, Maroochydore and Brisbane stores – warm, modern, minimalist with multitoned timber floors and features with shelves stacked with goodies fresh from the factory.

“We have incorporated a dine-in area, including a huge window-seating area – the perfect place to perch and enjoy one of our delicious signature drinks and maybe do a spot of people-watching,” Marcus says.

“I regularly reach for one of our signature hot or iced chocolates. The recipe is simple: our pure chocolate – which you can buy in bags to take home – plus milk. There are five varieties from white to extra dark chocolate, plus signature editions like our Rocky Road

PHOTOS: EMMA SHELDRAKE

INDULGE

Chocolate-Coated Passionfruit version. Personally, I can’t get enough of the 90% extra dark chocolate - hot or iced. There’s no turning back once you’ve found your favourite.”

I can sense there will be many turning to icy cold Noosa Chocolate Factory beverages over spring and summer in its new beachside location.

Marcus says that in addition, Bay Village would stock the most popular signature and speciality ranges, supplied fresh from the Noosaville factory.

“The Hastings Street site will be more of a drop-in, pick-up, takeaway site,

One to watch is our new Chocolate-Coated Passionfruit, which is expected to become a winner.

capturing the local foot traffic, while our Noosaville factory and store will continue to stock the full range and be a destination where you can indulge in the chocolate making experience first-hand through the viewing window direct into the chocolate factory.”

Hazelnut Slab and our signature Noosa Crunch – a blend of popped corn, Sunshine Coast macadamias, and golden toasted coconut,” he says. “One to watch is our new Chocolate-Coated Passionfruit, which is expected to become a winner.”

With all this deliciousness at his fingertips, I’m curious as to what is on top of the list for Marcus.

The new location also helps with last-minute gifts - the ‘thank-you’, the ‘welcome to Noosa’, the ‘I forgot it was your birthday’ - from October, that problem dissolves with the convenience of Noosa Chocolate Factory in the heart of Hastings Street at Bay Village.

“It’s impossible to pick and is probably a four-way tie between Chocolate-Coated Strawberries, which are recently back in stock; Macadamia Brittle; Roasted

Made with love, handcrafted in Noosa 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 - 21 Venture Drive

Brisbane City - 156 & 144 Adelaide Street

Sunshine Plaza - Cafe and Retail - Level 1

SHOP ONLINE noosachocolatefactory.com.au

Brisbane, Sunshine Noosa OCTOBER | 1300 720 668 oosa eads i age onCoast as ngs& OPENING es fie| d noosachocolatefactory.com.au he mside e e ne o oncie ge 73

SPRING 2026

INDULGE

From a wine list that used to fit on a laminated card to being named the best specialist wine list in the southern hemisphere.

Words by John Caruso.

WORLD WINE

WINNERS When Todd Young, the restaurateur behind Bella Venezia’s multi awardwinning wine list, started at the Mooloolaba restaurant as a manager in the early 2000s, the drinks were listed on a small laminated card. He remembers looking at it and thinking they could probably do better. He wasn’t wrong.

After he and wife Krissy bought the venue, Todd has implemented a wine program that runs to 675 labels and more than fifty wines by the glass.

Through passion, persistence and a quest for perfection, he has steered Bella Venezia to be recognised amongst the best in the world, named winner of Best Specialist Wine List for Australasia at the World’s Best Wine List Awards in London this year.

It’s not the first time and probably won’t be the last. The restaurant would have to be the most awarded venue in the region, if not Australia. For Todd, that is credit to the whole team and recognition for the Sunshine Coast.

Bella Venezia has been part of Mooloolaba for forty-three years, most of it as a family pizza and pasta restaurant, and Todd is quick to point out that side of the business hasn’t gone anywhere. Families still fill tables on a Friday night to share a freshly-made pizza. What’s changed is who’s sitting a few tables over.

“We might have one table sharing pizzas and beers, and another table spending five or six hundred dollars a head with matching wines,” he says.

Same room, same night, wildly different evenings, and the wine list must work for both. Getting there wasn’t simple.

“There really is no substitute for practical experience and I’ve had more than 20 years in hospitality and working with wine,” he says. “I’ve worked IN Noosa Magazine

Todd Young alongside amazing sommeliers whose knowledge, passion and different perspectives have been incredibly valuable. They have all played a part in helping craft the wine list.

that time in the field wasn’t wasted.

“Relationships are important as well.

Over many years you build connections with winemakers, distributors, importers, collectors and people throughout the industry, and sometimes those relationships give us access to wines that aren’t easy to find.

Todd found it in the Coravin system, which allows Bella Venezia to pour a glass without pulling the cork, so a guest can order a $160 glass of Barolo or Amarone without committing to the bottle, and the restaurant isn’t left holding stock that spoils before anyone orders it. The addition of Fish House Steak & Grill has allowed both venues to bring extra depth to their respective lists.

The best education, he believes, happens in the vineyards of France and Italy, standing in the dirt with the growers. And of course there is a lot of tasting and research.

“There is only so much you can learn from a book,” he says. Given that the list’s backbone runs through Piedmont and Tuscany, with serious depth in Champagne, Burgundy and Bordeaux, 74

Building a list this deep on the Sunshine Coast, without the underground cellar and six-figure budget of a big-city institution, calls for a bit of ingenuity.

Not that the job doesn’t come without the odd heart-in-mouth moment. Todd recently picked up a six-bottle case for the private cellar and did the maths on what he was carrying before he’d even got it to the car.

“Conservatively over ten thousand

PHOTOS: MEGAN GILL

INDULGE Getting the vintage right matters too, because the same wine can taste like a different drink from one year to the next, and guests who know their Barolo will notice if the list doesn’t. It’s less a menu than a document that never rests.

The wine program ensures the team of sommeliers and waiters all are versed in what’s on offer.

“A great wine list is only one part of it.

You need people who understand the wines, know how to present and serve them properly, and most importantly know how to help guests enjoy them,” he says. “The kitchen has to create food that gives the wine program relevance and then the people behind the scenes making sure wines are received, catalogued, stored and served correctly.

dollars,” he says, and he carried it across the car park like dynamite about to go off in his hands. Nothing dropped. His blood pressure may not have fully recovered.

The list gets reprinted roughly every fortnight, which sounds excessive until Todd explains why. He’s buying constantly often single bottles at private auction, rare vintages that might sell within a week of going on the list.

“My role is really to help set the standard and direction; the team brings it to life every service.”

What makes it work, Todd insists, is that none of it is built to impress judges.

“The philosophy has never been about simply having a huge number of wines.

I want the list to have purpose and personality. It’s built for the guest, not for awards, as great as they are to receive,” he says, admitting that he gets a thrill when someone orders one of the

rare bottles he has secured.

There’s genuine reach at the top end, five-figure Burgundys and old-vintage Champagne for guests who travel specifically for that kind of cellar, but just as much thought has gone into the eighty-dollar bottles that make up most of what gets poured on a Friday night.

Todd’s favourite part of the job isn’t the trophy wines or the wine immersions they run regularly - it’s watching guests he remembers as kids, sitting with their own families now, ordering a proper bottle instead of the soft drink they’d have had a decade or two back.

“For me, hospitality is about so much more than putting great food and wine on a table. It’s about the whole environment - the design, atmosphere, service, lighting, music, the energy of the room and the way the team interacts with guests,” he says.

“Beyond the wine itself, I am most passionate about creating beautiful venues that feel world class and provide amazing experiences,” he says.

“To deliver an experience that people remember long after they leave.”

Based on the number of awards and loyal clientele, I’d say he’s managed to uncork the secret to that success.

READERS’ CHOICE

OPEN 11.30am - Late 7 days a week

95 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba | Book Online at Bellav.com.au 75

SPRING 2026

INDULGE

Sunnies’ SIGNATURE SELECTION What if your next favourite drink was made right here on the Sunshine Coast?

Elizabeth Monthe discovers the diverse range of favourites adored by the Sunnies team.

As we step into the warmth of the new season, a visit to the aptly-named Sunnies Bottleshop in Sunshine Beach, is the perfect spot for the finest drops.

Part of the Peregian Beach Hotel family, this charming shop conjures up vibes of capturing moments on a vintage film camera, carefree in the sand while sipping the best local beer.

Sunnies has exactly the kind of inviting atmosphere that draws in the locals and is worth a drive to discover a passionate team ready to help you discover the best tipple for your taste.

It’s vibrant, retro-inspired branding lets you know that this is no ordinary bottleshop - you could say that it’s ‘out of the (big) box’ thinking with bright colours, and a curated selection of stock.

Owner Kylie Plunkett said the aim was to be a fun and quirky destination bottleshop that set itself apart from others.

“We want Sunnies to feel warm, friendly and a little bit different - like Sunshine Beach” she said.

As an independent business, Sunnies is passionate about championing local producers and showcasing the incredible IN Noosa Magazine

talent found across the region.

“We have great relationships with our local producers and suppliers, and we always want to celebrate the people behind each bottle,” Kylie says.

“We know our local brewers, gin distillers and wine suppliers personally and love bringing them in store to meet our customers with regular tastings at Sunnies.”

Here are some of Sunnies’ current favourites and best tips for spring drinking, loved by both the team and the lovely folk regularly buying them.

LAND & SEA JUICEBOX IPA Does it get more local than Noosa’s first craft brewery? Land & Sea has been a favourite at Sunnies since the brewery first launched, and its Juicebox IPA remains a standout among the team.

It’s a go-to choice at Sunnies and a great example of the local beers that the team loves to have on the shelves. If you’re looking to try something from a brewery close to home, Juicebox IPA is a firm favourite.

Loved by Paul (Sunnies Retail Assistant) MOUNTAIN CULTURE STATUS QUO PALE From the Blue Mountains, Mountain 76

Culture makes awesome beer and is an incredible independent brewery.

The Status Quo Pale is a standout choice and a favourite at Sunnies, with the brewery taking out the #1 GABS winner title four years in a row. With such a strong reputation behind it, it’s easy to see why it has become a Sunnies favourite.

Loved by Dave, Sunnies Retail Assistant.

GHOST ROCK SUPERNATURAL PINOT NOIR Ghost Rock is a beautiful, family-owned vineyard on the stunning Cradle Coast of Tasmania. Their Supernatural Pinot Noir is an absolutely delicious drop and a favourite at Sunnies, showcasing the quality and character that makes this vineyard so special.

It’s the kind of bottle you’ll want to come back to, and a beloved favourite among the Sunnies team.

Loved by Sam (Sunnies Owner) BRINI ESTATE WINES Brini is a multigenerational, familyowned vineyard in McLaren Vale, making some really delicious and approachable wines. It’s hard for the Sunnies team to pick a favourite between the Rosé and the Chenin Blanc, with both offering

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

INDULGE

Kylie Plunkett

After a recent tasting at Sunnies, they’ve been flying out the door, with plenty of customers discovering and loving this unique Australian drink for themselves.

Loved by Val (Sunnies Retail Assistant)

something they love.

So, rather than choosing between the two, they recommend trying both and deciding which one is your favourite.

Loved by Sunnies Manager, Shane BEUDI SPARKLING MARGI How cool is this? Beudi is an Australian agave drink in a can, made with all Australian native ingredients.

From northern NSW, Beudi is a bit different, just like Sunnies, and that’s exactly what they love about it.

SEABOURNE COASTAL GIN Seabourne Distillery, a local supplier, of course, has really great gin.

We want Sunnies to feel warm, friendly and a little bit different - like Sunshine Beach.

Amazing Australian ingredients are used, like river mint, native sea parsley, finger lime and sunrise citrus, bringing together flavours that take you straight to Noosa in one sip.

It’s a local favourite at Sunnies and a great choice for anyone wanting to enjoy a taste of the coast.

The team recommend drinking it with Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic and a native finger lime garnish.

Stop by at Sunnies to try these incredible favourites, with the added bonus of supporting local businesses!

Loved by Kylie (Sunnies Owner)

At Sunnies, we do things a little differently.

Proudly independent and local at heart, with a handpicked range of great beer, wine and spirits.

Pop in, say hi, and let us help you find your next great drop.

10% OFF ANY 6+ WINES

10% OFF ANY 6+ BEERS

OPEN 7 DAYS FROM 11.30AM WED-SUN / 12PM MON-TUES SHOP 4/28 DUKE ST, SUNSHINE BEACH

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SPRING 2026

have you visited

queensland’s best distillery?

2025 & 2026 royal queensland awards · nil desperandum rum ·

tours,tastings & great drinks HOME OF SUNSHINE & SONS PREMIUM SPIRITS AND NIL DESPERANDUM RUM

Open everyday from 10am to 5pm | 104 Nambour Connection Road Woombye

INDULGE Matt Hobson and Adam Chapmen method than medal.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

GLOBAL G LD

Local Blue

Nil Desperandum just beat the world for rum. Weeks later, it turned parochial with 480 bottles of blueberry gin. Words by John Caruso Monday nights in Melbourne rarely mean much to anyone outside Melbourne. This one meant a great deal to a shed full of stainless steel on Nambour Connection Road, Woombye, where a small team had spent two years waiting to find out whether its rum made with organic Queensland sugarcane and a lot of patience could hold up against the world.

Melbourne Royal opened its Australian International Spirits Awards to the global market for the first time in its twelve year history, which meant the competition got harder. Nil Desperandum, distilled in Woombye, walked out with the Champion Australian Distiller (Medium) trophy and the Raymond ‘Spike’ Dessert III Trophy for Best Rum, plus four gold medals, against a global field.

The distiller’s trophy is the harder of the two to win honestly. It’s calculated across a distillery’s three highest-scoring exhibits, recognising a whole range rather than a hero product. The golds came from The Triple Six in the Overproof Rum, Dark class, and from Special, The Tropical Temptress and The Sherry Bomb in Underproof Rum, Dark. Three of those are single-barrel releases of 101 bottles each from The 1871 Club. Special is the one you can walk in and buy.

It’s worth being clear about what ‘beating the world’ means here. Rum has spent four centuries being defined by the Caribbean, and most Australian producers have settled for a junior role in

that story, content to be judged against each other rather than against Jamaica, Barbados or Guyana. This year put Nil Desperandum in the same room and the team came away with more gongs than most. Not bad for a rum made with sub-tropical, organic Queensland sugar cane that’s not grown near the equator.

It’s the second time in three years Nil Desperandum has taken the Best Rum trophy outright, which starts to look less like good fortune and more like a habit.

Matt Hobson, founder and chief imagineer of Nil Desperandum, said to win The Raymond ‘Spike’ Dessert III Trophy for the second time in three years, and to be named Champion Australian Distiller against such accomplished competitors, was incredibly humbling.

“We imagine Spike would be proud that an Australian Certified Organic rum, showcasing Queensland sugar cane and molasses, wild fermented, sub-tropically matured and, importantly, unsweetened, has wowed the judges,” he said. “And that a brand with a big heart and big dreams, just like him, has won in front of some incredible whisky and gin makers.

“It’s not easy striving every day to make Australia’s Finest Rum, but we love doing it.”

Head Distiller Adam Chapman, whose fingerprints are on every barrel, was characteristically more interested in 79

“The distiller trophy is judged across three rums, and the rum trophy on one, so between them they cover everything we do,” he said. “Wild ferment, organic Queensland molasses, nothing added after the barrel, that’s the whole method, and it held up.”

There’s a version of this story that stops at the trophy cabinet: local distillery, global recognition, cue the champagne. But the more interesting version sits in the fortnight after the win, when this Sunshine Coast distiller with genuine international bragging rights chose to spend their energy on 480 bottles to raise funds for a blueberry festival in a town of a few thousand people. Gold medals travel well. So, it turns out, does good manners.

The Sunshine & Sons Blueberry Gin is a strange little thing, in the best sense.

Fresh Mundubbera blueberries were crushed and steeped in the distillery’s classic gin base for six weeks, long enough for the fruit to hand over its colour along with its flavour. What lands in the glass is a genuine ruby-blue, no dye, no shortcut, just anthocyanin doing what it does when left alone. Juniper and cassia bark still do the structural work underneath, so it drinks like a gin that happens to be berry-forward rather than a cordial wearing a gin’s clothes.

It’s been timed to feature at the Mundubbera Blueberry Festival at the end of September, with proceeds supporting the local group behind it.

Serve it simply, there’s little else to do: over ice with a good tonic and a lemon twist, or a handful of fresh blueberries if you want the colour to do double duty.

The Blueberry Gin lands end of September, available at the distillery door in Woombye and online while stock lasts, which for a run this size won’t be long.

It’s the latest in a line of handcrafted small batch gins using local and native ingredients such as yuzu, dragonfruit, elderflower and more.

The Woombye distillery housing the multi-award-winning Nil Desperandum and Sunshine & Sons is open 7 days from 10am. Head along for tastings, tours and why not indulge in a Cocktail Masterclass?

SPRING 2026

INCONNECTION

THE COMPANY

We Keep

Jackie Hillegers proposes that our deepest healing begins not within us, but between us - in the safety we create by genuine human connection…

We spend so much time trying to heal ourselves, that we often overlook one of the most powerful forms of medicine: genuine human connection.

Our nervous system was never designed to heal alone and it learns about safety through people, long before it understands words: a newborn baby relies on the calm voice, gentle touch and reassuring presence of a parent, or caregiver to regulate its emotions.

Those early experiences teach the body what it feels like to be safe. As we grow older, our nervous system never stops looking for that same sense of connection.

Throughout our lives, our nervous system continues to ask one silent question: Am I safe here?

Have you ever walked into a room where someone was visibly angry and you felt your body tense before a single word was spoken? Or, on the other hand, met someone whose calm presence made you breathe a little deeper without even realising it? Nothing around you changed, yet something within you did.

Our bodies are always listening.

This is why we often say we can ‘feel’ another person’s energy. We may not consciously notice it, but we are constantly reading facial expressions, posture, tone of voice and behaviour for clues about whether we are safe.

Our nervous system processes these signals in milliseconds, shaping how IN Noosa Magazine

The nervous system was never meant to carry conversations that should have been spoken aloud. calm, connected or defensive we feel.

In many ways, our bodies begin communicating long before words do.

Feeling safe is one of the most powerful regulators of the nervous system, which is why the company we keep matters so much.

Some people leave us feeling lighter, clearer and more ourselves. Others leave us replaying conversations for hours, questioning our worth or carrying tension we didn’t have before.

Our nervous system remembers every interaction, quietly collecting evidence about whether the world feels safe or unpredictable.

Perhaps one of the greatest acts of self-care is not always adding something new to our lives, but gently asking ourselves who allows us to exhale. Who makes you feel heard? Who accepts your silence without making you feel awkward? Who leaves you feeling peaceful instead of emotionally exhausted?

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These people are part of your healing environment.

Of course, relationships are never perfect. We all have difficult days.

We all become stressed, distracted or overwhelmed, but healthy relationships have repair. They apologise. They listen.

They soften. They make space for honesty instead of punishment. And that brings me to something many of us find incredibly difficult - speaking up.

People spend years swallowing their thoughts because they fear conflict, rejection or disappointing others. Our words remain trapped inside our body, often appearing somewhere else – as a tension headache, a tight jaw, aching shoulders or endless overthinking at night. The nervous system was never meant to carry conversations that should have been spoken aloud. Finding your voice does not mean becoming louder; it means becoming more truthful.

Many of us were never taught how to express our needs in healthy ways. We learnt to avoid conflict, to keep the peace or to put everyone else’s well-being before our own. While these habits may have protected us at one point in our lives, they often come at a cost.

Every conversation we avoid requires our nervous system to keep holding onto it. We replay it in our minds, imagine different outcomes and carry the emotional weight long after the moment has passed. Speaking honestly with

kindness and respect, allows our body to finally release what it has been carrying.

Boundaries are healthy guidelines that allow relationships to become stronger, safer and more authentic.

Instead of enabling people’s behaviour, let them know how they make you feel and say things such as – “that does not make me feel good when you say that”, “I am just letting you know those words you spoke actually hurt me”, or “I need to walk away as I do not like your tone”.

These simple sentences can feel terrifying when we have spent years believing our needs are less important than everyone else’s. Yet every time we speak honestly, we are also letting others know that their behaviour is not OK. I encourage people to think about their relationships the same way they think about nutrition. We pay attention to the food we place into our bodies because we know it affects our health. Yet we rarely stop to consider the emotional diet we consume every day. Who are we feeding our nervous system with?

Constant criticism, negativity and unpredictability slowly teach the body to stay alert.

Encouragement, compassion and consistency teach it something entirely

PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK

INCONNECTION

different. It reminds us that life does not always have to feel like survival.

As I become older, I find myself choosing peace more often. I value conversations where people are not distracted by their surroundings and I treasure people who ask how I am and genuinely wait for the answer. I have also learnt that calm people are not boring people.

Perhaps the greatest gift we can offer another person is our own calm presence.

We never know the battles someone is quietly carrying. Long after our conversation is forgotten, they may still remember how safe they felt in our company. And sometimes, that feeling is where healing begins.

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GOOD COMPANY In a world that constantly pulls at our attention and energy, these simple practices can help protect your peace and strengthen your emotional wellbeing • Notice how people make you feel • Make your boundaries non-negotiable • Spend time with optimists • Choose peace over drama • Protect your emotional energy • Spend time with listeners • Speak your truth kindly.

These choices may seem simple, but together they create a life where your energy is protected, your boundaries are respected and your nervous system feels safe.

SPRING 2026

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

INSTRENGTH

Barbell Squat is a full body compound exercise that works your quads and glutes while your core, hamstrings and upper back work to stabilise the heavy load.

THE KEY TO

Finish Strong What’s the biggest tip for women who want to Finish Strong?

After more than 20 years of coaching women, Di Robertson discovers that the answer isn’t motivation. It starts with how you choose to train.

People often ask me what I mean by ‘Finish Strong’. For me, it’s much more than a fitness slogan. It’s a choice about how we want to live our lives, at whatever age or stage we’re in.

I don’t accept that getting older automatically means becoming weaker, or that we should simply shrug our shoulders and say, ‘Well, that’s just how it goes.’ I don’t believe we should expect something to happen simply because of our age. And ‘it is what it is’ has never sat well with me.

Yes, our bodies change as we age.

But we have far more influence over our strength, health and the way we experience life than we sometimes realise. We can’t stop the clock, but we can choose what we do with the years in front of us.

That’s where strength changes the conversation. To finish strong means continuing to invest in yourself so you are physically and mentally strong enough to keep doing the things you love, take on new challenges and live your life well.

We don’t just want to live a long life, IN Noosa Magazine

we want quality in every step. And that’s why I coach.

I think women today are asking more of themselves than ever before. We’re building careers and businesses. Raising children. Supporting ageing parents.

Playing sport. Travelling. Chasing new adventures.

Life is full. It’s exciting. But it also raises an important question: can our bodies keep up?

I coach women who still have so much life they want to live. Women who are juggling careers, businesses, families and commitments, yet often find themselves running on empty.

They know something has to change, not because they’re slowing down, but because they want the strength and energy to keep doing what they love for years to come.

One thing I’ve noticed over the years is that women are incredibly good at looking after everyone else. But when life gets busy, the first thing to disappear is often the time they set aside for themselves.

Looking after yourself isn’t taking 82

away from everyone else. It’s what gives you the strength to keep showing up for the people and the life you care about.

So, how do women finish strong?

In my experience, three things make the biggest difference:

1. It Starts with the Right Plan One of the questions women ask me is, “What should I actually be doing?”

It’s a great question because working hard isn’t the same as training well.

A structured strength plan needs to answer both what to train and how to train it. It isn’t simply a list of exercises downloaded online or a collection of random sessions.

It should match your goals, your current ability, your training history and where you want to be in six months or a year.

One of the first things I explain to women is that our bodies are incredibly designed. They were created to adapt.

Give your muscles the right challenge, allow them to recover, then progressively ask a little more of them and they respond by becoming stronger.

INWORD

SPRING MOVE: THE SQUAT

Spring Up – Sit to Stand / Squat This is one of the Di-Fit Five functional movement patterns: the squat.

The squat is a foundational strength movement, recruiting some of the larger muscle groups and the movement results in conditioning for the whole body. Think of getting low for a tennis or pickleball shot and driving back up, hiking steep terrain, getting up from the ground, moving powerfully in sport.

The sit-to-stand is a simple way to see the movement pattern clearly: hips back, control the descent, drive through the feet and stand tall. From there, the movement can be progressed with load, tempo, range and more challenging squat variations.

Scan the QR code to watch the Spring Up squat demonstration and the coaching points I use with women at Di-Fit.

Wide Stance Goblet Squat Shifts the focus to the inner thighs and glutes.

COACH’S INSIGHT Your body doesn’t need a different workout every week to “keep it guessing”. It needs the right challenge, repeated and progressed over time. Your muscles, bones and nervous system adapt to what you consistently ask of them. That’s how lasting strength is built.

This is where coaching makes the difference. Good coaching removes the guesswork. A coach can see how you move, teach you the right technique, know when to progress you and adjust the plan as you become stronger.

A trainer can give you today’s workout.

A coach understands where today’s workout fits into the bigger picture.

That’s your path to progress.

Not doing more for the sake of it.

Doing the right things in the right way, consistently enough to create change.

2. Consistency Beats Motivation People often think motivation is what gets results. I don’t. Motivation comes and goes. Consistency is a decision.

If you imagine an athlete preparing for a race or a goal, they don’t train only when they feel motivated. They follow a plan and keep turning up because they know that one session won’t create the result they’re working towards.

Strength is the same.

It’s not enough to train hard once in a while and then start again a few months later. Your body needs a consistent training stimulus over time.

That’s how muscle is built, movement improves and confidence grows.

The strongest women I coach aren’t motivated every day. They simply make training part of their week and keep showing up.

Consistency before motivation. Every time.

Heel Elevated Goblet Squat raising the heels on an angle or wedge targets the quads

3. The Women Beside You One of my favourite things about coaching women has very little to do with the weights. It’s what happens between the sets. Woman encouraging each other. Celebrating a personal best that isn’t your own; ‘you’ve got this’ at the right moment.

There are times when training alone works, but there is something powerful about training alongside women who are working towards their own goals too.

You learn from each other. You encourage each other. And on the days when one of you doesn’t feel like showing up, the others often help get 83

Goblet Squat to Bench helps to control the depth

you through the door.

Add a coach who knows where you’re heading and suddenly you’re not just exercising. You’re part of a structured training environment where progress is expected, supported and celebrated.

I’ve seen women arrive looking for fitness and find friendship, confidence and a community they genuinely look forward to being part of. Don’t underestimate the women beside you.

So, how can you finish strong? Start with the right plan, be consistent enough to let your body adapt, and don’t do it alone. Because we don’t just want to live a long life, we want quality in every step.

SPRING 2026

INFLOW

Helen Walker feels humbled to be capturing a ten-year celebration that proves to be so much more than a milestone.

A Decade OF FLOW

When I sit down with Claire Toone, founder of Noosa Flow, there’s an unmistakable sense of calm that seems to follow her - even with a baby in tow.

She has an energy that mirrors the studio she created a decade ago.

Ten years is a milestone for any small business, but for Claire, it’s something deeper. It’s a reflection of community, resilience, and a vision that has not only endured but flourished.

Claire tells me she started Noosa Flow because she simply couldn’t find the kind of studio she was looking for herself.

“Before opening the studio I had been teaching Pilates in New York and London and those experiences really shaped my approach and the level of teaching I wanted to bring to Noosa,” she says.

Those years abroad gave her a clear picture of what high quality Reformer Pilates could look like - thoughtful, precise, and grounded in the true Pilates method.

When she opened the doors a decade ago, her vision was beautifully simple: a welcoming space where people of all ages and abilities could move well, feel supported, and receive expert guidance.

“I wanted Noosa Flow to feel like more than a Pilates studio, somewhere people could feel comfortable, supported and genuinely enjoy being there,” she recalls.

Over time, that vision became reality.

Clients began calling the studio their ‘happy place’ and their ‘haven’, words that still make Claire smile.

And perhaps the greatest testament to her vision is the number of clients who have been with her since day one.

“We have people who walked through our doors ten years ago who are still coming to Noosa Flow today,” she says.

“Their lives and bodies have changed so much over that time and we’ve been able to evolve with them.”

IN Noosa Magazine

Claire Toone

...somewhere people could feel comfortable, supported and genuinely enjoy being there.

When I ask Claire what she remembers most vividly about opening Noosa’s first Reformer Pilates studio, her answer is immediate.

“It felt like the beginning of something beautiful,” she says. “I was excited, nervous and probably a little naïve about what the following years would bring, but I knew I was creating something that I really believed in.”

That belief became her anchor through the highs and lows of running a small business - none more challenging than COVID. Overnight, the studio had to shift online, keep clients connected, and somehow maintain the sense of community that had become its heart.

“Running a small business is hard and there have definitely been moments where I’ve thought, ‘Why am I doing this?’

But you wouldn’t do it unless you really loved it,” she tells me.

“I love Pilates, I love our clients and I love having a space for our incredible instructors to teach, grow and do what they love too.”

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Noosa Flow has grown in ways Claire never anticipated.

What began as a Reformer and Mat Pilates studio has expanded into a multi disciplinary movement space offering Clinical Pilates, Studio Trio sessions, Exercise Physiology and Physiotherapy focused Pilates.

“As our community has grown, so have the needs of our clients,” she explains. “We now support people through so many different stages of their movement journey.”

Clinical Pilates, in particular, has become a cornerstone of the studio.

Claire saw a growing need for safe, highly-individualised movement, especially for clients recovering from injury, managing chronic pain, navigating pregnancy or postpartum, or wanting to move with confidence.

“I wanted to bridge the gap between rehabilitation and regular exercise,”

INFLOW The expansion to Sunshine Beach unfolded naturally.

“There was already a Pilates studio there so when the opportunity came up to take over the space, it felt like the right fit,” Claire explains.

The demand for more personalised Studio Trio sessions made the decision even clearer. The smaller, intimate space has since become a cherished extension of the Noosa Flow community.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

As we talk about the next ten years, Claire’s focus is refreshingly anchored.

“I want to stay grounded in Pilates and continue to educate our clients about the method and what makes it so valuable,” she says. “Rather than constantly chasing the next new thing, I want to refine what we already do well - our teaching, our classes, our community and the way we support our clients.”

she says. “Clinical Pilates begins with a thorough assessment and sessions are tailored to each individual.”

What sets Noosa Flow apart is the continuity of care. Clients can begin with one-on-one private sessions and transition into small group classes as they grow stronger.

“Rather than completing rehabilitation and wondering what comes next, our clients already have a place to keep moving, challenging themselves and looking after their bodies for years to come,” Claire says.

There’s confidence in knowing exactly who you are as a business and Noosa Flow has reached that point. To mark the ten year milestone, Claire is celebrating in the most fitting way: with community.

Created for consistency, connection and showing up for yourself, Noosa Flow is offering a first-ever membership with unlimited reformer and mat classes for $75 per week plus studio events, and

more surprises throughout the year.

“For me, it is about celebrating the people,” she says. “The clients, instructors and wider community who have been part of the Noosa Flow story.”

And her message to those who’ve been part of the journey is simple and heartfelt: “Honestly, just thank you.

“Noosa Flow wouldn’t be what it is today without the people who have walked through our doors over the past ten years. To those who have been coming since the very beginning and to those who have joined us along the way, I’m so grateful that you’ve chosen to make Noosa Flow part of your lives.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the community we’ve created together and I’m so excited for what the next ten years will bring!”

MILESTONE MEMBERSHIP

As part of the ten-year celebrations, Noosa Flow is offering a first-ever unlimited membership with unlimited reformer and mat classes at either studio for $75 per week.

Email info@noosaflow.com or scan the QR code. www.noosaflow.com

We support people through different stages of their movement journey.

• Reformer and Mat Classes • Studio Trio sessions • Private Sessions • Clinical Pilates • Exercise Physiology • Physiotherapy Pilates HEALTH REBATES AVAILABLE

FREE Reformer Pilates Class for IN Noosa Readers USE CODE INNOOSA2026

Noosaville Studio: Level 2/59 Rene Street Sunshine Beach Studio: 24 Duke Street Studio & Treatment Rooms: 0458 647 574 www.noosaflow.com

A BOUTIQUE PILATES & WELLNESS STUDIO LOCATED IN NOOSAVILLE & SUNSHINE BEACH 85

SPRING 2026

INSPIRED

Why manage multiple memberships when you can have it all in one place? Nicole May explores the five-studio fitness model that is rewriting wellness in Noosa.

FIVE ROOMS

One Pulse

Yoga and Flow Studio

For me, reformer Pilates has always been the go-to; I live for the coordination, core strength, and breathwork. However, the idea of heavy weight training in a group class? That was a concept I hadn’t explored - until I walked into Aloha Active.

I’m here to meet Joti-May Beach, the studio manager, who greets me with a smile and gives me a quick rundown of how the studio works. Aloha Active is located inside Noosa Blue Resort, and the team has created a wellness model that caters for everyone, with five different studios running every day with 12 different class modalities.

While owner Brett Flemming prefers to work behind the scenes, Joti is the one driving the momentum of what is clearly Noosa’s most diverse fitness hub.

“We’ve been in this current location for about a decade now,” said Joti. “A lot of locals still remember us as Bikram Noosa. It’s been a massive evolution from a single-style studio to this five-room space.”

The real draw here - the thing Joti says is rare in Noosa – is the variety offered under one single membership. You can hit a heavy lifting session at dawn and return for a restorative yoga class in the evening without paying anything extra.

We start our tour downstairs in the Hot Room, the studio’s original anchor. This isn’t just a room with the heater turned IN Noosa Magazine

Cycle Studio

Whether you want to sweat, lift, or just breathe, you can do it all in one place under one membership. up; it features 20 infrared panels that keep the temperature between 33-38 degrees.

“Infrared is a healing modality,” Joti explains. “It’s a healthy heat that assists with detoxing, flexibility, and circulation.”

This studio hosts high-energy Inferno Hiit Pilates, Hot Yoga and the recently introduced Hot Sculpt which uses Pilates principles with heavier weights and slower, controlled movements for a slower, deeper burn.

Next door, the energy shifts in the Reformer Studio where there are 12 brand-new reformer beds, and the classes are anything but slow.

“It’s dynamic,” Joti says. “Our 86

Reformer Studio

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED AND IAN WALDIE

Whether you’re a long-term local or just stopping by, there is no doubt that Noosa is the pinnacle of wellness. But let’s be real: finding a fitness routine that stays fresh enough to keep you motivated can be a challenge.

teachers focus on intensity and engagement, teaching to the strongest person in the room. It’s become so popular that we’ve moved to a blanket reformer level so everyone can show up and go hard.”

Moving through the building, we come to the Cycle Studio, which houses 25 Schwinn bikes. They offer two distinct classes: Ride for those who want traditional RPM-style intervals and sprints, and Vibe for those who love a cycling class where pedalling, movement, and intensity sync directly to the beat of high-energy music.

“Vibe is our rhythm cycling class – it blends cardiovascular endurance with upper-body movements,” Joti notes.

“It’s choreographed, high-energy, and feels a bit like a nightclub on a bike.

INSPIRED teach them the right form.

For balance, we head upstairs to Flow Studio which overlooks the resort pool and is light, bright, and calm.

“This is where we host a range of Yoga classes, including Vinyasa and Yin Yoga, and Barre which combines the strength and precision of Pilates with ballet principles,” Joti tells me, adding that the room was recently refreshed with new MoveActive mats, weights, and balls.

Joti-May Beach “It’s one of the most popular ways to do a cardio workout.”

The newest addition to Aloha Active is the A-Performance Studio - a dark, moody space kitted out with top-tier AlphaFit equipment. Unlike a standard open gym, this is entirely focused on group functional fitness.

“It allows members to train together,” Joti says.“We have Sweat for CrossFitstyle cardio, Strength for an instructorled class, and Stronger for heavy lifting with barbells and rigs.”

These classes run in eight-week blocks and are perfect for people who want to lift heavy but want a trainer on hand to

“We want our members to be able to show up and know that we have everything covered.”

As we finish the tour, Joti notes that the 10.30am and midday slots have become some of their busiest.

“People are working from home and prioritising their health into those midday gaps instead of just juggling classes around the 9-to-5 rush.”

With over 110 classes a week starting from 6am, the timetable is designed to fit into everyone’s schedules. There is also onsite and street parking plus showers and change rooms, lockers, and the recently-refurbished Aloha Coffeehouse. There is also an additional wellness program with leading experts in nutrition, longevity and more.

“We are a boutique, Noosa-owned

studio, not a franchise,” Joti emphasises.

“Whether you want to sweat, lift, or just breathe, we have a fitness class for you, all in one place under one membership.”

There are also options for single or multiple class passes but with unlimited membership and a world of classes on offer, why wouldn’t you say ‘aloha’ to Noosa’s most diverse fitness hub?

MEMBERSHIP & MORE

From hot yoga to high-intensity cycling, this multi-studio setup delivers every kind of movement under one roof.

Unlimited Membership With full access to five studios and 100+ classes a week, join the Aloha community.

Local Introduction Offer Three classes for $60!* Visiting Noosa and Surrounds?

Studio passes are available for single or three class packs plus one week or one month unlimited membership options.

For more information, timetables, membership, directions or to download the mindbody app, scan the QR code or visit www.alohactive.com.au Call 0487 110 594 between 7am-11am, Monday to Friday. *Terms & conditions apply

­ ­

87

CAFÉ & FITNESS STUDIO SPRING 2026

The Thescience scienceofofsurgery surgerymeets meetsthe theart artofof the theexperience. experience.

INFORM

WELLNESS AT NEW

Heights

Nicole May uncovers a new home of healthcare where recovery is the priority, and patient care is seamlessly integrated under one roof.

Stepping inside Maroochy Private Hospital (MPH) - the architecturally designed ten-storey medical precinct in the Maroochydore City Centre - you can sense that it is among the first Australian hospitals built on the international boutique hospital model.

It has been designed on outcome, experience and staff culture to deliver specialist services all built around the idea that the entire patient journey should be integrated in one place.

Sunshine Coast Orthopaedic Group (SCOG) serves as a key clinical partner and a driving foundational force for the newly opened Hospital to offer specialist orthopaedic surgery in a space designed for recovery, not just treatment.

The hospital’s vision is articulated by Professor Daevyd Rodda, the Chief Medical Officer and Director of SCOG. For Daevyd, the hospital was as much about the patient’s state of mind as it was about the surgical technology.

“Integrating the full patient journey into one location allows us to remove the anxieties typically associated with surgery, keeping the focus firmly on wellness,” he said.“This hospital is about wellness. It’s not about sickness.”

That same focus on wellness carries through to the hospital’s approach to specialties themselves. MPH is built around a curated model of subspecialties - orthopaedics, neurosurgery, ophthalmology and plastic surgery a deliberately focused approach to care.

Within the hospital, patients will find a dedicated UniSC clinical trials facility, Sunshine Coast Radiology’s principal site, and a range of allied health providers to bring diagnostics, treatment and rehabilitation under one roof.

“The UniSC Clinical Trials flagship site is one of only two nationally equipped

SCOG Directors - Professor Daevyd Rodda and Dr Joe Coory

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

for overnight and multi-day stays,” said Professor Rodda. “Further partnerships include UniSC, Medacta International, and Panacea AI (applied health AI).”

SCOG’s consulting rooms sit on the same floor as the hospital’s surgical ward on Level 9, a deliberate choice that keeps the patient journey, from consultation to recovery, seamless and close at hand.

MPH’s reputation as a destination hospital is growing with nearly 30% of patients coming from outside the region to be treated here.

Daevyd says that wellbeing was key, and having access to the latest technology was equally crucial.

“Our theatres include Mindray surgical lighting, electric radiolucent tables, 65-inch 4K touchscreens merging imaging with live surgery and the hospital can host visiting interstate and international surgeons for education and training,” he says.

The hospital was designed by HSPC Health Architects to a 4-Star Green Star rating with construction company McNab winning the award for Commercial Construction $60 million-plus at the 2026 Queensland Professional Excellence in Building Awards, presented by the Australian Institute of Building.

MPH’s 33-bed ward occupies the top level, offering panoramic Sunshine Coast vistas that would rival any luxury resort.

Even the staff have been looked after, with a rooftop breakout space and John Kyle Espresso serving freshly ground barista coffee on site.

“Fresh air and a moment of quiet make a world of difference in a high-pressure environment,” Daevyd says. “If our staff 89

are cared for, they can better care for our patients.”

That philosophy of removing barriers, wherever they exist, has also driven another major initiative. Professor Rodda founded what became Medibank’s No Gap joint replacement program, now expanded to HCF, nib and Bupa, helping more than 10,000 Australians insured with those health funds receive surgery with no out-of-pocket costs.

“It allows patients to access a comprehensive surgical care pathway in a highly focused, brand-new facility, with no out-of-pocket expenses,” said Professor Rodda.

That drive extends to the Sporting Chance Foundation, founded by Daevyd in 2018 to support First Nations athletes.

“As we look towards Brisbane 2032, it’s more important than ever that we continue investing in the health and wellbeing of Australia’s emerging sporting talent,” he said.

The Foundation covers travel, accommodation, surgery and rehabilitation costs, helping ensure financial barriers don’t prevent athletes from accessing orthopaedic care. In that sense, SCOG and MPH are building foundations for the future.

SPORTING CHANCES

The Sporting Chance Foundation, established by SCOG in 2018, removes financial barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander athletes and cultural dancers needing specialist care. Follow @sportingchancefoundation, scan the QR code or visit www.sportingchancefoundation.com.au SPRING 2026

INFORM

INNER

Bloom Sauerkraut, kombucha, kimchi and kefir, my boys and I devour them daily. They help create and keep gut flora healthy but sometimes gut issues go beyond fermented foods and what you can get at the supermarket, chemist or naturopath.

Bottoms Up Colonics in the Noosa Civic Medihub know gut health better than anyone. So this spring, do your gut a favour and reset your inner garden with some TLC. But where do you begin? Just ask certified colonic hydrotherapist, Orion Kelly, who sees firsthand how Noosa’s love of eating out may be quietly wreaking havoc on local gut health.

From additives such as seed oils which can have a major effect on the digestive system, to our love of raw food including oysters, Orion says food and water top the list of potential concerns for good gut health.

At Bottoms Up, gut health is broken down into the four M’s – Mulch, Moisture, Minerals and Microbes. These form the four pillars of their seasonal Gut Reset program, which when balanced, allows the body to do what it already knows how to do: heal, clear and bloom.

Orion says that hydration is another factor that is also often overlooked.

“I find a lot of locals are gulping a lot of water just before they come into the clinic to quickly get hydrated, but you can’t get hydrated after an hour of drinking.

“True hydration comes from frequent sips throughout the day, with a pinch of Celtic salt or a Hydrolyte.”

Winter asks the body to conserve.

IN Noosa Magazine

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

Spring isn’t just for replanting and repotting, it’s an ideal time to tend to your gut garden too.

Jodie Cameron digs deeper…

Orion Kelly and Suzy Wilson

If the colon is no longer sluggish, the brain has the ability to think clearly.

Blood retreats to the core, energy is rationed, and everything slows to protect what matters most.

Spring asks for something different.

As daylight lengthens, our hormones begin to shift, melatonin eases, serotonin rises – and with that comes a natural lift in mood, energy, and the pull to move and become active again.

It’s this natural shift that the team at Bottoms Up like to work with, starting with minerals and microbes.

“Minerals and microbes go hand in hand,” Orion says. “But in our modern way of living, we tend to accumulate more biofilm, or plaque build-up within the digestive system that can prevent us from absorbing nutrients and water the way we should.”

Add stress into the mix, and this can tip the nervous system into fight-orflight mode and cause digestion to slow even further.

“Colonic Hydrotherapy can support the nervous system to calm down, as well as assist detoxification, better absorption, 90

and the removal of biofilm and parasites,” Orion says.

“If the colon is no longer sluggish, the brain has the ability to think clearly.”

At Bottoms Up, sessions are performed using the Rojas Colon Hydrotherapy method – a gentle, therapist-led approach that prioritises comfort and privacy throughout. Unlike fast or forceful approaches, the Rojas method uses a slow, gentle fill-and-release technique designed to support comfort, hydration and the body’s natural rhythm.

“What we offer is more than a program, it’s a cellular shift,” Orion says.

Bottoms Up Colonics offer a Gut Reset Program that is designed for everyone from those who are simply wanting to address their gut health and are unsure where to begin to post-antibiotic recovery, parasite elimination, and those who are just want to feel better.

Orion said the benefits of good gut health are widespread.

One organ that would benefit from a cleaner system is the gallbladder and if you’re unsure what this little powerhouse actually does, the experts at Bottoms Up are here to lend a hand.

“Think of your liver as the factory and your gallbladder as the storage tank,” Orion says. “The gallbladder releases bile when fats and proteins need to be broken down.”

INFORM

When everything feels uncertain...

PHOTOS: MEGAN GILL

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“Healthy digestion isn’t just about eating nutritious food,” Orion says. “It’s about your body’s ability to digest and absorb it effectively.”

Initial Rojas Colon Hydrotherapy Session + Consultation

Late winter and early spring are the perfect time for a gentle gut reset because your body is already transitioning into a season of renewal.

Bottoms Up Colonics’ Gut Reset Program is designed for exactly this kind of seasonal changeover, and their free gallbladder e-book is a great place to start if your Mulch, Moisture, Minerals and Microbes feel a little out of balance.

With the arrival spring, isn’t it the perfect time to tend to your inner garden?

At Bottoms Up we believe Rojas Colon Hydrotherapy is key to a healthier, more fulfilling life.

GALLBLADDER GUIDE Think your gallbladder is just along for the ride?

Think again.

The role: Stores and releases bile from the liver to break down fats The payoff: Bile helps absorb vitamins A, D, E and K No gallbladder? Fat digestion needs extra support Fast fact: Bloating after fatty meals can signal that bile isn’t flowing efficiently.

Scan the QR code to download the Bottoms Up Colonics’ free gallbladder e-book.

BOOK NOW and start feeling better

13/26 Eenie Creek Road, Noosaville 5231 9765 bottomsupcolonics.com.au 91

SPRING 2026

Noosa Day Hospital is Now Open Noosa Day Hospital is a multidisciplinary hospital that features three state-of-the-art operating theatres, equipped with the latest surgical technology and supported by modern recovery and patient care areas.

Our facility supports a broad range of surgical specialties including Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology, General Surgery, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Orthopaedic Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Breast Surgery, Pain Management and MOHS Surgery.

Level 1, Building 2 Noosa Specialist Medical Centre 36 Hofmann Drive, Noosaville QLD 4566 (07) 5335 9500

info@noosadayhospital.com.au

Scan to view our website

INCARE

SPRING INTO

Care

Helen Walker discovers how a fresh approach to day surgery could genuinely transform the experience for locals.

As the 39th facility nationally for Cura Day Hospitals Group, Noosa Day Hospital represents a significant investment in the future of healthcare on the Sunshine Coast.

Purpose built with three state-of-theart operating theatres, contemporary recovery spaces and a broad range of specialist services from ophthalmology to orthopaedics, the hospital has been crafted in close collaboration with leading surgeons to meet the needs of Noosa’s residents.

More than just a new hospital, it offers expanded choice, shorter wait times and a smoother, more personalised patient experience.

The hospital is expected to bring around 60 new local jobs to the region as recruitment continues, reinforcing the Group’s long-term presence on the Sunshine Coast alongside Kawana Private Hospital and Sunshine Coast Day Surgery.

From its foundations, Noosa Day Hospital has been guided by a simple philosophy: exceptional care should feel effortless. Calm, considered and personal, the kind of experience that reflects Noosa’s own way of life.

Walking through the new space with Stephanie Adams, Noosa Day Hospital’s CEO and Director of Nursing, I realise that this isn’t just a clinical facility, it’s a place shaped by people who genuinely care about how locals experience healthcare.

It is clear how deeply she and her team have influenced every detail of the hospital’s design and philosophy.

“We’ve focused on creating an environment that feels calm, welcoming

and supportive from the moment a patient arrives,” she said.

And you can feel that intention everywhere. The interiors are light filled and contemporary, with a softness that feels distinctly Noosa: uncluttered spaces, warm finishes and thoughtful touches that make the experience feel more personal than clinical.

Stephanie explained that the hospital was designed with an appreciation for Noosa’s lifestyle and demographic.

“Accessibility, comfort and ease of movement were key considerations throughout the design process,” she said, noting how the team wanted patients to feel relaxed and reassured at every stage.

For a community that values wellbeing and quality of life, the environment needed to reflect that same sense of ease - and it does just that.

The purpose-built facility is impressive with every element designed around the needs of same day surgery, allowing the patient journey to be streamlined from admission through to discharge.

Stephanie said the integrated theatre technology, advanced sterilisation systems and carefully designed clinical pathways helped minimise delays and support operating efficiency.

“The result is a facility specifically designed to deliver modern day surgery at a very high standard,” she said.

“Most people assume hospitals are designed by architects and builders. What they probably don’t realise is how much influence our surgeons and nursing staff have from the very beginning.”

Their input shaped everything from theatre layouts to workflow design, ensuring the hospital functions seamlessly for both patients and doctors.

The hospital supports a broad range of specialties including ophthalmology, gastroenterology, general surgery, orthopaedics, plastic and reconstructive surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery and pain management.

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PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Now open and welcoming patients within the growing Noosa Specialist Medical Centre, Noosa Day Hospital is bringing a new chapter of care to the region one shaped by modern surgical excellence, thoughtful design and a genuine commitment to the community it serves.

Stephanie Adams They’re also exploring opportunities to introduce additional services such as breast surgery and Mohs surgery (a specialised, highly precise technique for removing skin cancer) as community needs evolve.

For patients, this means greater choice, convenience and access to care within their own community.

For GPs, it opens new local pathways for referral and treatment.

And for the region more broadly, it adds much needed specialist day surgery capacity at a time when demand for healthcare continues to grow, particularly among Noosa’s ageing yet active population.

Beyond the technology and clinical capability, it’s the small things that stay with you - the personalised care, the calm recovery spaces, the sense that every detail has been thoughtfully considered.

Standing in those light filled rooms, you realise it’s great when a hospital doesn’t feel like a hospital. I’m a firm believer it helps patients feel more at ease, which is an important part of healing process.

“It’s often the small details that make the greatest difference,” Stephanie said, and I couldn’t agree more.

In a region known for lifestyle, natural beauty and community spirit, this new facility feels like a natural extension of the way we live here - modern, thoughtful and genuinely local.

SPRING 2026

INSIGHT

A CALMING

Influence Sleep deprivation has a way of shrinking the world. Long nights blur into mornings, confidence gives way to doubt, and the search isn’t just for sleep – it’s for someone you trust to tell you there’s a way through.

As a mum who’s lived through those heavy days, I’m relieved to discover Cradle Consulting founder Joanna Sweeney. Around Noosa, she’s simply known as ‘Jo’ - or the baby whisperer.

Within minutes of meeting her, it’s easy to understand why parents hand her the thing they value the most – their little ones and their trust.

That trust has been earned over more than two decades as an internationallyregistered midwife and infant specialist; you can just feel that her care is genuine.

Jo has supported families from all walks of life, from earning the trust of high-profile families to helping women and babies in correctional centres; achievements she humbly brushes off.

“I still get imposter syndrome,” she admits. “I’m a mum too, so I understand the exhaustion, the second-guessing and how overwhelming sleep can feel.

“But I also bring more than two decades of clinical experience, a Bachelor of Science degree and specialist study in infant sleep. That combination matters to me - families deserve empathy, but they also deserve advice grounded in science.”

One recent client, Michaela Wain, a visible role model and Australian-based content creator with over 380,000 followers, was navigating the same reality as countless parents: a fivemonth-old baby who had been waking every 45 minutes, as well as an active toddler.

“Michaela’s situation was not IN Noosa Magazine

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Nicole May meets Noosa-based infant and child sleep specialist Joanna Sweeney, whose science-backed approach has taken Cradle Consulting from the Sunshine Coast to families around the world

Michaela Wain with son George

...helping families feel held, understood, confident and empowered. unusual,” Jo says. “Joshua wasn’t her first baby. She was well versed in infant sleep and had exhausted every avenue.

“While doing everything she could and juggling two young children, she’d reached the point where she simply couldn’t piece it all together alone.

gentleness. There was no cry-it-out method here.

Instead, she used her expertise to time pauses, allowing Joshua to learn the art of self-settling.

Michaela said the shift was lifechanging.

“What I loved most was how gentle Jo’s approach was. It was never about leaving Joshua to cry for hours or following a one-size-fits-all method,” said Michaela. “She genuinely cared about what was best for our family and worked with our routine to create a plan that felt achievable and right for us.”

“Like any other concern, there comes a point where you seek professional guidance. Sleep should be no different.”

Within just three days, Joshua was sleeping through the night, allowing Michaela to feel like she could be a better mum to both her boys.

The Cradle experience is exactly that: professional guidance towards the result families have often been desperately searching - and hoping - for.

“Jo was always there to answer our questions, reassure us, and guide us every step of the way,” Michaela said.

For Michaela and her husband Bev, it meant checking into a hotel for two nights of uninterrupted rest while Jo took over their home.

It requires an immense level of trust, with Bev congratulating Jo that, despite his wife receiving countless offers from sleep specialists wanting to work with her, Cradle was the one she trusted.

Walking into the beautiful chaos of a two-child household, Jo didn’t just focus on baby Joshua; she settled both boys and ensured the parents returned to a plan they could actually sustain.

Jo’s approach remained rooted in 94

“One of our biggest fears when it came to sleep training was that there would be lots of crying, but that couldn’t have been further from the truth.

“Everything was done in such a calm, supportive and gentle way. The positive impact it’s had on our family has been incredible, and I’ll always be so grateful that we chose to work with Jo.” Jo is adamant that this level of service with Cradle is available to everybody.

Her mission is global, and her heart is firmly in public health. She’s currently working with a cattle farmer in the remote Northern Territory who books phone consultations every eight weeks

INSIGHT

Joanna Sweeney because the nearest general practitioner is a five-hour drive away.

online, Jo reminds me that parenting was never meant to be navigated alone.

“Sleep doesn’t discriminate,” Jo says.

Beyond sleep, Jo is caring for families through the often-overlooked postpartum season where mothers need nurturing just as deeply as their children.

This philosophy has birthed Cradle Gives Back, a new initiative where Jo selects one family a month who cannot afford her fees and provides a free consultation. She knows that many of the families who need sleep support simply can’t afford to access it.

Whether she’s got an overnight stay in Noosa, flying to New York to help a client or providing advice through private messages on social media to gently warn parents about an unsafe sleep position she spotted in a cute photo

Every plan is tailored with intention, recognising that no two babies – or families – are the same. Jo isn’t forcing a harsh method. She’s restoring confidence, offering reassurance and reminding parents that they don’t have to navigate sleep struggles alone.

She’s helping mothers find themselves again, and helping families feel held, understood, confident and empowered.

95

AIRWAY SAFETY Jo’s recent Instagram post on Airway Safety has resonated globally and she’s made it her mission to ensure every parent knows the chin-to-chest rules: • Flat and Firm: The only safe way for a newborn to sleep is on a flat, firm surface.

• The Gap: Always ensure there is a clear gap between a baby’s chin and their chest to keep the airway open.

• Play vs Sleep: Raised loungers and cozy nests are for supervised play, never for unsupervised sleep.

Follow @cradleconsulting or scan the QR code to book a free 15 minute discovery call.

SPRING 2026

INTHE MIRROR

Spring

ESSENTIALS

Springtime calls for new beginnings, inside and out. We asked our experts which essentials they can’t live without this season…

GISELLE EVE FRANKINCENSE LIQUID GOLD YOUTH ELIXIR Get long-lasting moisture with Giselle Eve’s Frankincense Liquid Gold Youth Elixir. A nourishing overnight facial oil crafted with organic seed oils and therapeutic-grade essential oils, naturally rich in vitamins A, C and E to deeply hydrate the skin and leave it looking radiant, smooth and refreshed by morning. Get yours from Living Valley.

NOOSA BRONZE BODY ENHANCING EXFOLIATOR Exfoliate away your winter layers with Noosa Bronze Body Enhancing Exfoliator. Formulated with gentle micro-exfoliants, it helps lift away old tan, dry skin, and surface build-up, revealing a smoother and more radiant complexion. Katrina from ikatan Spa loves its dualaction of skin prep and tan removal scrub.

ELIMINATE S.O.L Let the spring detox begin! Eliminate S.O.L (S##t On the Liver) supports the gut, and the deeper pathways of detoxification that are often overlooked.

Blending prebiotic fibres, antioxidant-rich botanicals, and targeted nutrients, it helps the body move, process, release and gently assist what the body is already trying to do. It’s at the top of the spring essentials list for Orion from Bottoms Up Colonics.

Add the Code VIP-BRONZE to any ikatan Spa booking during spring to enter the giveaway to WIN a Noosa Bronze Gift basket!

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INTHE MIRROR COLOUR WOW DREAM COCKTAIL CARB-INFUSED LEAVE-IN THICKENING TREATMENT

WIN!

This one’s for all your fine haired beauties out there!

Pump up the volume with Colour Wow’s Dream Cocktail Carb-Infused Leave-in Thickening Treatment. Ideal for colour-treated hair that’s lost mass, this weightless carb-based complex has cellulose, starch and oat bran to bond the hair strands with heat, leaving even the finest hair looking full and dense. It’s a winner for Adrian and the team at Adrian J Hairdressing.

LAIFEN GLOWY VANITY MIRROR Good lighting isn’t a luxury, it’s the foundation of a flawless makeup application, a precise shave, or a careful skincare routine. The Laifen Glowy Vanity Mirror is engineered to deliver true-colour, adjustable illumination in a compact, elegant form that works as beautifully in a bathroom as it does on a dressing table with adjustable LED lighting, USB-C charging and 5x magnification.

We’re giving away a Laifen Glowy Vanity Mirror to one lucky reader. Simply scan the QR code for your chance to WIN! FUTURECODE BOOSTER DAMAGE-CORRECTION LONGEVITY SERUM Optimise skin repair with Dermalogica’s Futurecode Booster Damage-Correction Longevity Serum. This advanced boosting blend with Tara Fruit Extract, Red Algae, and Soy Protein helps shield skin against external aggressors and delivers a firming effect, reducing the appearance of deepening lines, smoothing out texture and visible discolouration. Jenny from Noosa Body & Skin Care can’t live without hers.

ULTRACEUTICALS YOUTH BOOST EXOSIGNAL GF² FACIAL SERUM The future of youthful skin has arrived! Ultraceuticals Youth Boost ExoSignal GF2 Facial Serum helps support the skin’s natural communication pathways, enhancing overall function and vitality. Packed with peptides that help skin feel firmer and bouncier, the luxurious, silky texture melts seamlessly into skin and is suitable for all skin types. It’s a firm favourite for Angie from About Faces Noosa.

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RESET

Your Skin

Spring has sprung, and your skin has already noticed.

Jodie Cameron meets an expert who’s been reading Noosa’s skin for 24 years.

I think most Sunshine Coast locals will agree, spring puts more than a spring in our step, it restores our equilibrium and energy to sun, beach, sleep, repeat.

If there’s one thing Jenny Wilson from Noosa Body and Skin Care wants you to know, it’s that your skin is paying more attention to the weather than you are.

Jenny runs the family-owned salon on the belief that healthy skin starts with actually understanding it, and Noosa Body and Skin Care’s professional therapists know exactly what your skin needs every season.

Their in-depth consultations and DNA skin analysis mean no two treatment plans look the same. The team has built a reputation as the region’s go-to microdermabrasion specialists – alongside facials, skin needling, peels and all the everyday essentials like waxing, manicures and pedicures.

“Spring weather changes quickly, and so does your skin,” Jenny says.

Between the humidity rolling in off the ocean and those dry afternoon breezes, our skin is constantly adjusting.

IN Noosa Magazine

Here’s her top advice to help your skin weather the seasonal changes: 1. Lightweight Hydration “Humidity might help skin hold onto moisture, but those dry coastal breezes can undo all that hard work, leaving skin dehydrated and sensitive before you’ve even noticed,” Jenny says.

Jenny’s fix is hydration that works hard without feeling heavy – by day, the featherlight Dermalogica Calm Water Gel, and by night, the Dermalogica Sound Sleep Cocoon, which pairs replenishing hydration with a motion-activated blend of French lavender, sandalwood and patchouli for a proper night’s rest.

Jenny promises healthier-looking skin to show for it.

2. Barrier Repair Ask Jenny what a compromised barrier looks like and she’ll tell you the signs are easy to miss. Tightness and dehydration that won’t budge no matter how much moisturiser you layer on. A rough texture and products that suddenly sting when they never used to.

“Skin may also look dull, or become oily and dry at the same time,” she says.

Her go-to once these signs appear is the Dermalogica Stabilizing Repair Cream, a balm-like formula that melts in, calms redness and rebuilds resilience before sensitivity gets worse.

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...your skin is paying more attention to the weather than you are.

3. Cooling and Soothing Care Here’s a myth Jenny is keen to bust: a cooling tingle doesn’t necessarily mean a product is doing anything for your skin.

“Ingredients like menthol can feel cool but don’t necessarily repair the skin,” she says.

So how do you know the difference?

“The real test is what happens after the tingle fades,” she says. “Genuinely soothing formulas keep calming redness and discomfort over hours, not minutes, and build resilience with repeated use rather than offering a one-off hit of relief.”

4. Gentle Exfoliation If you’ve ever scrubbed a little too enthusiastically thinking it meant better results, Jenny wants you to stop.

“The biggest myth is that more exfoliation equals better skin,” she says.

Over-exfoliating can actually weaken the barrier and leave skin more sensitive, not less. Her spring pick is the

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

INSPIRE

Jenny Wilson Dermalogica Daily Milkfoliant, an oatbased exfoliating powder with AHAs, BHAs and coconut milk that smooths and softens without compromising the barrier.

5. Skin-first Makeup Hybrids The skincare-makeup hybrid trend is one Jenny approaches with a healthy pinch of scepticism.

“It’s a bit like using a two-in-one shampoo and conditioner,” she says. “It can be convenient, but it shouldn’t replace a proper skincare routine.”

Jenny’s pick, the Dermalogica SkinPerfect Primer SPF 30, smooths and illuminates while delivering zinc oxide SPF protection and antioxidant benefits from argan oil, vitamin E and bisabolol – as long as it’s layered over your serum, moisturiser and sunscreen, not instead of them.

Spring-ready skin starts with the saviours that help you love the skin you’re IN! So if you’re looking to set up your skin with an even healthier spring-time glow,

pop into their chic salon in Noosa Junction to book a personalised skin consultation, and let Jenny’s team map out a treatment plan tailored to exactly what your skin needs this season.

SKIN SAVIOURS

Which of Jenny’s spring saviours is missing from your routine?

Book your spring skin consultation at Noosa Body and Skin Care.

Scan the QR code for services, bookings and to discover the spring special!

TA K E C A R E O F YO U R B O DY AND SKIN WITH PROFESSIONAL SOLUTIONS Facials Skin Treatments Waxing and Tinting Manicures and Pedicures SCAN THE QR CODE TO VIEW OUR FULL SERVICES MENU AND TO BOOK

pure fiji

Shop 6A, 1 Arcadia Walk, Noosa Heads Phone 5447 4242 noosabodyandskincare.com.au

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.

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Focus

LASER-SHARP Angie Lamb

Deb Caruso meets a boutique beautician who’s spent decades turning nursing precision into laser-sharp skin results.

For more than 35 years, Angie Lamb has been passionate about one thing: helping people feel confident, comfortable and beautiful in their own skin.

Her career began in nursing, where she became a Registered Nurse and developed the clinical foundation that would later become such an important part of her approach to skin and beauty. Her path took her through beauty therapy and into dermal therapy – each step deepening the clinical expertise she now brings to every treatment.

Eighteen years ago, her career took another exciting turn when she began working extensively with laser technology.

Today, Angie is the owner of About Faces Noosa, a private, boutique skin and beauty clinic where clinical expertise and hands-on experience meet some of the most advanced aesthetic technology available.

That clinical grounding hasn’t gone unnoticed. A growing number of local doctors now refer their patients to Angie for the removal of solar keratosis, skin tags and barnacles – trusting her nursing background and laser expertise with treatments that go beyond standard

IN Noosa Magazine

cosmetic work.

“I honestly feel like I was born to do this,” says Angie. “I love people. I love skin. I love making people feel good about themselves. I get such a thrill from seeing the confidence that comes when someone starts to love their skin again.”

Based in Noosa for the past seven years, Angie feels incredibly grateful to have built a loyal community of clients who trust her with their skin.

Her clinic offers a truly personal experience: every client begins their journey with Angie herself, allowing her to build a deep understanding of their skin, concerns and goals.

“I never want someone to feel like they’re just coming in to have a treatment,” she says. “I want them to feel listened to, cared for and completely comfortable. I want to know what bothers them about their skin and, more importantly, what will make them feel amazing.”

In addition to the personalised investment in treatments, Angie has also invested in the largest suite of Cutera laser technology on the Sunshine Coast, giving local clients access to an extraordinary range of advanced 100

treatments without having to travel outside the region.

The Cutera Enlighten Pico is one of Angie’s favourites for treating pigmentation, sun damage, uneven skin tone and texture.

Then there’s Angie’s self-described “workhorse”, the Cutera Excel V+. This vascular laser is exceptional for treating redness, rosacea and vascular concerns - and for clients chasing that luminous, ‘glass skin’ look.

“The Excel V+ is one of those machines that can do so much,” Angie says.

“Anything red, I want to know about!”

The Cutera Xeo adds another dimension, offering laser hair reduction as well as treatments for vascular concerns and pigmentation.

The clinic’s latest-generation resurfacing technology: the Cutera Secret Pro. Combining fractional CO2 laser resurfacing with radiofrequency microneedling, Secret PRO allows Angie to customise treatments from gentler skin rejuvenation through to more intensive resurfacing.

For Angie, having this breadth of technology is important because every person’s skin is different – which is why

INSPIRE

ABOUT FACES N O O S A

I look at the skin, listen to what the client wants to achieve and then work out what will genuinely give them the best result. she tailors every treatment to what each client wants to achieve.

“There isn’t one treatment that is right for everybody,” she explains. “That’s why the consultation is so important. I look at the skin, listen to what the client wants to achieve and then work out what will genuinely give them the best result.”

The clinic also offers Tixel, plasma technology, advanced microdermabrasion and microhydrabrasion, along with a comprehensive range of professional skin treatments – allowing Angie to combine technologies and treatments to create completely individualised skin programs.

For all the impressive technology housed within About Faces Noosa, Angie believes the real difference is the person behind the treatment. Advanced technology may be at the forefront, but it’s her experience, passion and personal approach that sits at the heart of every treatment.

“I absolutely love what I do. I love the science, I love the technology and I love seeing the results, but most of all I love the people,” Angie says. “This really is the right career for me.

I can’t imagine doing anything else.”

ANGELA LAMB IS A HIGHLY EXPERIENCED AND TRUSTED SKIN AND LASER SPECIALIST A qualified nurse with over 35 years of industry experience, Angie combines extensive clinical knowledge with Noosa's most comprehensive suite of world-leading Cutera laser technology to deliver personalised treatment plans and exceptional, natural-looking results.

35+ Years of Experience 200+ Five-Star Reviews Multi Award-Winning Clinic Cutera Laser Specialist Injectable Doctor ADVANCED LASER & SKIN REJUVENATION Pigmentation & Melasma • CO2 Laser Resurfacing Rosacea & Vascular • Acne Treatment • Scar Revision Skin Rejuvenation • RF Needling • Dermapen • Peels Skin Tightening • Sun Damage • Tatoo Removal

Because beautiful skin isn’t just about how you look. It’s about how you feel when you look in the mirror.

AESTHETIC & BEAUTY SERVICES

Facials • Waxing & Tints • Laser Hair Removal Brows & Lashes • Professional Makeup Cosmetic Injectables • Bespoke Jewellery At About Faces Noosa, we believe beautiful skin is the foundation of every aesthetic journey.

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

Angela Lamb

SKIN, BEAUTY & LASER PROFESSIONAL

Noosa Waters P 0411 699 227 aboutfacesnoosa@gmail.com www.aboutfacesnoosa.com.au 101

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HINTERLAND PHOTOS: PAULIE EABORN

Reset

Jodie Cameron discovers a place where tired souls pause, deep healing begins, and your true self waits to be found again…

Step away from the noise, become aware.

You are standing exactly where you should be. The daily juggle and the daily struggle are just a part of life.

Some find it easy to ask for help; others know exactly when to prioritise self-love. Either way, retreating to heal, finding strength or rediscovering a lost part of yourself takes courage and time.

Living Valley Health Retreat in Kin Kin provides somewhere to listen, reconnect and truly reset – a home away from home, that opens its arms and holds you, so you can get back on track, feel lighter, and more aware, not through quick fixes or fleeting indulgence, but through a philosophy built on real, lasting care.

Living Valley CEO and Managing Director Giselle Martin says their philosophy is not about quick fixes.

“Life is busy, stress builds, and unhealthy habits creep back in, whether we notice or not,” she says.

“Healing is a journey, and we’re helping people feel healthier, stronger and more energised, not just once, but throughout different seasons of their lives.”

Sober in the Country founder Shanna Whan first walked through Living Valley’s gates almost 14 years ago, on the recommendation of a friend.

At the time, she was in the grip of a serious alcohol addiction, unsure how to escape it.

IN Noosa Magazine

I needed proper care and support to learn how to prioritise my health...

“I walked in not having a single earthly clue what to expect,” Shanna says. “But I was instantly at ease among a beautiful family-styled home that felt warm, friendly, and so real.”

“I needed proper care and support to learn how to prioritise my health, and that’s what I immediately felt when I arrived at Living Valley,” she says.

Support is structured with hands-on care from day one – educational lectures and one-on-one consultations with the retreat’s allied health professionals, backed by tools like live blood cell analysis and body composition scans to track real progress.

The team includes therapists, naturopaths, health educators, personal trainers, psychologists and chefs, working with each guest one-on-one to address the root of what’s brought them there, not just the symptoms.

“I just knew it was where I needed to be,” Shanna says. “I was utterly fascinated, it was like an entire new world was opening up before me.”

Having grown up in rural Australia, where health-consciousness made you 102

a ‘mad hippy’ as she puts it, the depth of care on offer to Shanna became a revelation in itself.

She arrived anxious, exhausted, and feeling absolutely defeated and beyond help. A month later, the transformation wasn’t just internal - it was profoundly life-changing.

“The day my husband picked me up, his eyes almost popped out of his head,” she says. “He said I was radiating good health and energy. My skin was clear, my eyes were bright, and I felt like I could run a lap of Australia with the energy I suddenly had.”

That renewed sense of hope became the seed for Sober in the Country, a support network she went on to found for Australians in rural and remote communities affected by alcohol dependence.

Her work has since earned her an AM (Member of the Order of Australia) and Australian of the Year Local Hero honours.

Now 13 years alcohol-free, Shanna has sent countless others through Living Valley’s iconic front gates, having seen firsthand how deeply the retreat can change a life.

“I now deeply believe in the power the body has to heal, even after the worst adversity,” Shanna says.

Living Valley sits on 145 acres of rolling green hills and valleys, just

INSPIRE

FEEL BETTER THIS SPRING Embrace these five simple habits that Living Valley CEO Giselle Martin returns to every spring to feel more energised, refreshed and ready for the new season:

Shanna Whan AM at home in Maules Creek, NSW.

40 minutes from Noosa, yet a world away from the bustle of daily life.

Programs run from day retreats to 28 day programs, tailored to individual needs – whether that’s a short reset or a deeper, structured stay like Shanna’s.

For over 35 years, guests have become part of something much bigger than a single stay.

If you’re ready to feel more like your true self again, Living Valley and the Kin Kin hinterland are ready when you are.

It’s never too late to transform your life - every body deserves it.

1. Morning Tonic: I start my day with mineral water, vitamin C powder, fresh lemon juice and liquid chlorophyll. It is a ritual I have followed for years to rehydrate after sleep and prepare for the day ahead. Vitamin C supports collagen production, tissue repair, immune function and protects cells from oxidative stress. Lemon juice helps stimulate digestion and supports the body’s natural alkalising processes and I add chlorophyll for its plant compounds, trace minerals, and amazing alkalising properties. It’s a refreshing way to nourish my body, reduce acidity, support digestion, and start the day feeling energised.

2. Morning Sunlight: Before the day gets busy, I spend a few quiet moments in the sunshine. It helps me feel grounded, present and ready to go. Morning light also helps regulate your circadian rhythm, which influences energy, mood and sleep, while supporting vitamin D production for healthy bones, muscles and immune function. It’s one of the simplest yet most powerful things you can do for your health.

3. Eat what’s in season: Spring brings an abundance of fresh produce, and I love making the most of it. Pak choy, broccolini and snow peas are favourites, packed with fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Eating seasonally means better flavour, fresher ingredients and support for local growers.

4. Spring clean your habits: Pause and ask yourself, “What’s one habit that’s no longer serving me?” It might be too much sugar, coffee, alcohol, scrolling your phone or not making enough time for yourself. Lasting health isn’t always about adding more to your life. Often, it’s about letting go of the habits that are holding you back and creating space for healthier ones to flourish.

5. Prioritise protein and healthy fats: Make sure you’re eating enough quality protein and healthy fats as they are essential for building and repairing tissues, supporting muscle health, balancing hormones, and keeping you feeling satisfied while also providing a steady source of energy. Reduce highly processed carbohydrates and sugary snacks and opt for eggs, grass-fed meats, organic soft cheeses like Brie, avocado, nuts, seeds and extra virgin olive oil. It’s one of the simplest ways to nourish your body, support healthy weight, stable energy levels and promote long-term health.

Your SPRING reset starts here!

Pay 5. Stay 7.

This Spring, book a 5-Day Reset and we’ll upgrade you to our 7-Day Healthy Holiday, giving you 2 additional nights to rest, restore and reconnect.

Scan the QR code to find out more.

*Offer valid for new bookings with arrival dates between 1/9/26 and 31/10/26. Mention IN Noosa when booking. Full terms and conditions apply. Scan the QR code or visit our website for details.

15 Sheppersons Lane, Kin Kin. 1800 644 733. www.livingvalley.com.au 35 YEARS OF TRANSFORMING LIVES

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BEST

Tressed

Ready, set, spring! Jodie Cameron untangles this season’s most lived-in hair trends, no fuss required…

My hair and I have been having a moment lately. Between the sea salt and the humidity, I feel like I’m walking into spring feeling more flat than fabulous.

After years of short hair, I’ve decided to grow it out, but with zero spare time to get to the hairdresser, I can feel myself caving and wanting to chop it all off again.

What I need is a style to get me through the in-between phase, something I can wake up and wear, without any fuss.

I turn to the professionals at Adrian J Hair in their stunning new location in The Pavilion, Noosa Junction.

Adrian is exactly the kind of hairdresser you want delivering your seasonal pep talk: warm, wickedly funny, and beautifully British so that even a lecture on split ends sounds like a compliment. Plus he is ridiculously talented, having worked in the industry for more than four decades.

From training in London with hair architects Vidal Sassoon to roles as a Creative Director, educator and a gig as global ambassador for L’Oréal, he has built a career around passion, precision, structure and creativity with the philosophy of listen first, then create.

He pays attention to face shape, hair texture, lifestyle and personality, and he is not afraid to say when something will or won’t work.

The team around him is small but mighty. Lana, a senior stylist who’s been

by Adrian’s side for nine years, also manages the salon, freeing him up to focus on what he does best – you, in the chair. Bek, an emerging stylist tipped to be a full-fledged colourist by year’s end, is bringing serious energy to the colour bar, while Astrid, the salon’s apprentice, is just starting her hairdressing journey.

It’s the perfect mix of experience and IN Noosa Magazine

PHOTO: @bhave_australia

It’s all about enhancing what you already have. enthusiasm, and you can feel the creative vibe the moment you walk in.

Adrian’s take on the season ahead that has me rethinking my whole approach to spring. Forget drastic overhaul – this is the season of hair that looks like you were simply born with it.

For cuts, think soft, seamless layers, long sweeping fringes having their moment in the sun, and bobs going softer and infinitely more wearable.

None of it requires a full arsenal of styling tools to pull it off which, frankly, is the whole point.

“We’re not chasing dramatic transformations this season,” Adrian 104

says. “It’s all about enhancing what you already have: beautiful movement, softness and a cut that works with your hair’s natural texture rather than fighting it.”

For colour, rich, dimensional and low maintenance is in. Warm blondes, rich brunettes, caramel and copper are all still very much on the menu, but Adrian’s steering clients away from flat, highcontrast colour in favour of something with more depth.

“The key is subtle variation,” he says.

“Carefully placed highlights, soft face-framing, tones that blend beautifully as they grow out.”

Translation: fewer urgent salon call-backs, and colour that gets better with time.

Then there’s the finishing touch that ties everything together – shine, and styling that takes minutes, not hours.

PHOTO: IAN WALDIE

INSPIRE

PHOTO: @bhave_australia

Adrian with his team of stylists Bek, Astrid and Lana If there’s one trend Adrian wants Noosa to take seriously this spring, it’s gloss.

“Healthy, glossy hair is the ultimate luxury, particularly through spring and summer, when sun, salt and humidity can put extra stress on the hair,” he says.

Gloss treatments and nourishing masks are no longer a nice-to-have – they’re doing just as much heavy lifting as the cut and colour themselves.

Styling has gone refreshingly low

“Ultimately, this season is about hair that looks expensive without looking overdone,” he says. “Beautifully cut, beautifully coloured and, most importantly, beautifully healthy.”

Which brings me back to my own in-between hair situation that I still haven’t quite committed to. I’ve booked myself in because if there’s one thing

12 years of loyal Noosa clients will tell you, it’s that an afternoon in Adrian’s chair is equal parts therapy and transformation, usually with a glass of something bubbly in hand, and a spring in your step afterwards Let Adrian and the team treat you to your most effortless season yet – because everyone deserves a decent blow wave every now and then.

Follow @adrianjhair for all the latest looks.

“

“

effort: soft waves, natural texture, a polished ponytail or a sleek low bun make up Adrian’s wish list, and each one is achievable before your second coffee.

Precision Cutting Creative Colourwork Long Hair & Bridal Specialists Blonding Specialists

A WOMAN WHO CUTS HER HAIR IS ABOUT TO CHANGE HER LIFE - COCO CHANEL

LONDON ELEGANCE MELBOURNE CHIC NOOSA HEADS >> NEW LOCATION << 19-21 Sunshine Beach Road, Noosa Heads 5474 8869 adrianj.com.au

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FASHION FOR ROMANTICS TIMELESS PIECES INSPIRED BY VINTAGE NOSTALGIA

Spring softly There is something radical about shooting a fashion story at a health retreat - a place built entirely around the idea that how you feel matters more than how you look.

We leaned into that with sustainable fabrics and ethically produced garments that feel at home in the beautiful natural environment that is Living Valley Health Retreat in picturesque Kin Kin. Which is exactly why we chose the location – a slow, soft start to spring.

This is the season (and location) for exhaling. Fashion you can move in, sit down in, walk through wet grass in. Florals that flow, bare feet where it made sense. Light linen and organic cotton.

Step softly into spring at Living Valley.

wackerclothingcompany.com

Available online or from our stockists Little Cove Collective Hastings Street, Noosa Heads

Carlie Wacker @worldofwacker

Belle Collective & Co Mooloolaba Esplanade Rayanna Caloundra

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INFASHION

Joanie skirt, Wynne Bustier in First Point Floral from Wacker Clothing Company, www.wackerclothingcompany.com Ziller Chocolate sandals from Williams Shoes, Noosa Civic Rough Rider Straw Natural from Akubra, www.akubra.com.au Wooden bangle from Elmari Boutique, 0457 931 473.

Gold bangle from Sussan, Noosa Civic

INFASHION

Ophelia Navy Florals Short Balloon Sleeve Dress, Nadia Dafri bag, Flabelus shoes from It’s A Fad by Sara Leonardi, www.itsafad.com Gold bangle and earrings from Sussan, Noosa Civic

INFASHION

14k Yellow Gold and Diamond Pendant featuring a 12.25ct Lightning Ridge Black Opal from Opals Down Under, 5494 5400

Flabelus shoes from It’s A Fad by Sara Leonardi, www.itsafad.com

5.1ct Solid Boulder Opal Sterling Silver ring from Opals Down Under, 5494 5400 Nadia Dafri bag from It’s A Fad by Sara Leonardi, www.itsafad.com

Be part of our fashion pages and put your brand IN front of our fashion-loving audience from just:

42

$

per week*

FIND OUT HOW! Pip Casey 0448 484 566

*Price is ex GST. Based on sixth page advert over a 12 month campaign with a multi-media campaign spanning print, digital, and email marketing.

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Zelda blouse and shorts from Belle Collective and Co, 0407 762 436 Rollie Pace shoe in Strawberry Milk from Feet First Noosa, 5447 2211 Xavier Garcia DIGNA eyewear from Hammond Optometry, 5476 2333 Gold bangle and earrings from Sussan, Noosa Civic

IN Noosa Magazine

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INFASHION

Rollie Pace shoe in Strawberry Milk from Feet First Noosa, 5447 2211 Smoky Cape Bitter Chocolate from Akubra, www.akubra.com.au Xavier Garcia DIGNA eyewear from Hammond Optometry, 5476 2333 Faux suede barrel bag from Sussan, Noosa Civic

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IN FASHION

Riverina Straw Extra Dark Toast from Akubra, www.akubra.com.au Zelda Blouse from Belle Collective and Co, 0407 762 436 Gold bangle and earrings from Sussan, Noosa Civic

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INFASHION

Birkenstock Madrid Big Buckle Oiled Leather in Basalt Grey

Frankie4 Skye in Champagne Tumbled

Birkenstock Arizona EVA Big Buckle in Eggshell

Frankie4 Maria III in White Gold Pebbled All available from Feet First Noosa, 5447 2211

IN Noosa Magazine

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IN FASHION

Smoky Cape Bitter Chocolate from Akubra, www.akubra.com.au Face à Face Flare Rectangle Sunglasses from Hammond Optometry, 5476 2333 Lulu Lace Trim top from Sportsgirl, Noosa Civic

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INFASHION

18k White Gold, Diamond and Sapphire Pendant featuring a 2.83ct Queensland Boulder Opal from Opals Down Under, 5494 5400

Ophelia Snakes & Florals Smocked Tiered Maxi dress, Nadia Dafri bag, Flabelus shoes from It’s A Fad by Sara Leonardi, www.itsafad.com Earrings from Sussan, Noosa Civic

14k White Gold and Diamond Ring featuring a 3.7ct Lightning Ridge Black Opall from Opals Down Under, 5494 5400

International & Celebrity Stylists | Bookings: 07 5449 7906 | 6/10 Thomas St, Noosaville IN Noosa Magazine

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INFASHION

Marie Jo Juliane Bra from Ladybird Noosa, 5455 4070 Resin bangles from Wacker Clothing Company, www.wackerclothingcompany.com Gold earrings from Sussan, Noosa Civic

A Perfect

FIT

Be fitted with care by the most experienced experienced bra fitters on the Sunshine Coast.

• Personalised fittings with care and consideration • Beautiful basics designed to be worn every day • Domestic and European brands famed for their quality, design and fit • Extensive ranges in underwear, lingerie and sleepwear

Dedicated to the perfect fit...

Noosa Junction Plaza, Noosa Heads 5455 4070 @ladybirdnoosa

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IN FASHION

Miya Halter top and Pants from Sabo, Sunshine Plaza Gold bangles from Sussan, Noosa Civic

IN Noosa Magazine

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INFASHION

14k Yellow Gold and Diamond Ring featuring a 2.34ct Lightning Ridge Black Crystal Opal from Opals Down Under, 5494 5400

AS UNIQUE

as you are.

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 over 40 years of sharing our love of Australia’s National Gemstone

14k White Gold and Diamond Pendant featuring a 5.12ct Queensland Boulder Opal from Opals Down Under, 5494 5400

See the full collection in-store or online . @opalsdownundersc

Open 7 Days

11 Ballantyne Ct, Glenview QLD 4553 (07) 5494 5400

opalsdownunder.com.au

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SPRING 2026

INFASHION

Linen Blend Spring Meadow Midi dress, Chocolate woven belt, Bangles and Faux suede barrel bag from Sussan, Noosa Civic.

Smoky Cape Bitter Chocolate from Akubra, www.akubra.com.au Ziller Chocolate sandals from Williams Shoes, Noosa Civic

IN Noosa Magazine

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behind-the-scenes

INFASHION

SHOP OUR ONLINE

Lookbook See something you like?

Shop the HOTTEST looks and local labels online!

SPRING 2026 LOOKBOOK

Simply scan the QR code to access the Spring 2026 Lookbook with shoppable links to take you from curious to catwalk-ready!

the team Fashion Editor: Carlie Wacker @worldofwacker Creative Direction: Ali Smith @graphicali Photographer: Ian Waldie @ianwaldiephotography HMUA: Craig and Lara Argent @pony_beauty_bar_noosa Model: Molly Arnott @molly.arnot Shot on Location at: Living Valley, Kin Kin @livingvalley

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SPRING 2026

YOUR PERFECT DAY STARTS HERE More than a destination - it’s a day well spent. With over 300 fashion, dining, entertainment and lifestyle brands, discover everything you need in one place.

Visit us at Horton Parade, Maroochydore or sunshineplaza.com

INFASHION PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Fashion finds itself at Sunshine Plaza where the fashion line-up we’ve been driving south for has been assembled with hot new additions. Fashion lovers, start your engines (actually, don’t) - for Carlie Wacker, that’s precisely the whole point.

FASHION

Assembly

Spring at Sunshine Plaza is all about fashion! fashion! fashion! And as a fashion editor and lover, I could not be more excited.

Ariat conditioning, this is arguably the most practically useful opening on the list.

It’s also the one most likely to be busy.

Consider yourself warned.

Forget battling the Bruce Highway to shop ‘til you drop or risking online convenience for the hassle of a refund or exchange, Sunshine Plaza has assembled the sort of fashion line-up we’ve been driving south for and it’s all happening!

Sabo has arrived with the kind of following most labels spend a decade chasing. Born in Brisbane, by sisters-inlaw Thessy and Yiota, raised online and adored by anyone who’s ever needed an outfit that photographs as well as it wears. This is a cool homegrown success story which started as a fashion blog and vintage online store. They pivoted into the current model which now sports a cult following (of which I am a member).

This is the first Sabo store on the coast and the fifth in the growing line up nationwide.

What Sabo does well is the occasion piece - the wedding-guest dress, something-for-the-races, that outfit you buy for one event and then find yourself reaching for on a Thursday because it turns out you just love wearing it. Their spring range leans into exactly the palette this coast was made for - light, warm, cute as a button, on trend and now you can feel the fabric before you commit, which is a small luxury the internet has never managed to replicate.

Adding to the Sunshine Plaza’s fashion palate is Ariat - a name whose reputation was built on horses, boots and people who need their footwear to survive a genuinely hard day. It’s the sort of brand that earns its way into a wardrobe from the ground up. Which makes it far better suited to this region than a first glance might suggest -

We also welcome iconic Oroton to Sunshine Plaza. This is a fashion house that has been making beautiful Australian leather goods since 1938 bags built with the assumption that you’ll still be carrying them in fifteen years and that they’ll look better then than they do now.

Sabo because behind the beaches, the Sunshine Coast is hinterland country.

The rest of us get to enjoy the great modern truth about western wear: a well-made boot is one of the most useful things a woman can own. It goes with a floral dress or denim jeans and works just as well for the school run as it does for a ladies lunch. It ages properly, which is more than most of us can say for anything else in the wardrobe.

Then there’s the arrival we have been anticipating - Uniqlo is coming to Sunshine Plaza.

It’s the antidote to a decade of disposable everything. One good bag.

One good belt. Bought once, kept forever, eventually handed on. My own design sensibility comes almost entirely from my grandmother’s and mother-in-law’s wardrobes, so I have a particular soft spot for anything made to be inherited.

And rounding it out, is another fabulous Queensland story, Frankly My Dear which was started on the Gold Coast

by Samantha Stephens and Amber-Jade Scherrenberg. Their range of gorgeous jewellery is handmade, affordable, hypo-allergenic and water-resistant – this brand feels right at home on the Sunshine Coast. Plus the brand is named after Sammi’s daughter Frankie (you know I love a good family fashion story).

The genius of this store is that it doesn’t chase the trends – it lays the foundations. Collabs with superstars, t-shirts that hold their shape, pants that fit properly, featherlight puffers, neat knits – the basics that bring a wardrobe all together.

What strikes me about this line-up isn’t any single arrival but the shape of it. Two Queensland labels, one American workwear icon, one Japanese giant and one Australian heritage house - all landing within months of each other.

That’s not a coincidence. That’s a region being taken seriously.

For a coast that dresses for heat, humidity and unpredictable air-

Spring has sprung at Sunshine Plaza – now we shop without leaving the coast.

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SPRING 2026

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

INTHE GALLERY

Susan Mountford, Sliding Door (video still)

CONFLICT

Zone

Michael Brennan explores what transforms the ordinary into art.

It takes a sort of detachment to photographically document the grittiness and peculiarities of the world. Or maybe that’s a connectedness. Is it possible to be in both states at the same time?

A photographer is necessarily one step removed from what they see. That tiny little hole that they peer though (I know – they don’t need to do that anymore, but it aids the analogy) puts a physical barrier between the eye and what it’s trained on.

It’s like looking through a hole in a wall that separates the observer from the observed. And to stumble upon the subject matter seems like it requires one to step outside the stuff that absorbs other people as they occupy their narratives and go about their lives.

But then I imagine you need to be keyed in as well. There’s likely a kind of instinct that develops over time – a subconscious faculty for picking out the interesting in the everyday as opposed to the dull.

Personalities, attitudes, surface treatments, unintentional abstraction, frames of reference, points of view.

It’s not like capturing an event or IN Noosa Magazine

Renata Filippi, Seeing Spots shooting a war, but it is in those moments of conflict – when a visual condition clashes with its context, or a person grates against their surrounds – that subjects seem to jump out.

This documentary approach seeks out the exceptional in the ordinary, even if that exceptional is only so because of the 124

way it is framed.

The urban landscape is its own kind of conflict zone.

Newer Documents, 2026 is an exhibition curated by Sunshine Coast based photographer, Kim Guthrie, that takes its inspiration (and a good bit of its title) from the landmark MOMA exhibition,

INTHE GALLERY

It’s like looking through a hole in a wall that separates the observer from the observed.

New Documents, 1967. That show at New York’s Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) brought together the work of three young and relatively unknown photographers named Diane Arbus, Lee Friedlander, and Garry Winogrand, who brought a unique and transformative aesthetic to the photography of the day.

Guthrie’s exhibition sets out to take a snapshot (sorry!) of the show’s far reaching influence, bringing together five contemporary Australian photographers (including himself), whose documentation of the world calls upon our power of observation. Tommy Backus, James Bugg, Renata Filippi, Kim Guthrie and Susan Mountford present an exceptionally captivating collection of images that draw our attention to the ordinary and the often overlooked.

Documenting the world is now ubiquitous. But unfortunately, it’s highly curated as well. We either present the best versions of ourselves or cast shade on others to our own ends.

But an important few persevere with neither of these projects. Instead, they’re drawn to the unusual. They do so without judgement. They help us see things we might not ordinarily see. Their eye naturally seeks out things in conflict with their surrounds.

Image: Tommy Backus, Golden Man

Kim Guthrie, Typo

Newer Documents, 2026 19 September - 22 November 2026

And that is where the real art lies.

Newer Documents, 2026 is a free exhibition at Noosa Regional Gallery from 19 September- 22 November. www.noosaregionalgallery.com.au

noosaregionalgallery.com.au

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SPRING 2026

INSPIRE

CREATIVE

Edge

Sienna by Mela Cooke

Looking for art beyond the gallery walls?

Jodie Cameron chats to the volunteers putting Sunshine Coast sculpture quite literally on the edge…

Precious by Megan Robinson

Sunshine Coast residents are a creative bunch, and local art is just part of the natural vibe here. Home to loads of working artists, our arts calendar continues to challenge them to create and keeps people returning to the region year-round.

From art trails and open studios to art prizes and exhibitions, there’s always something colourful or inspirational to experience.

Behind that creativity sits Arts Connect Inc, a group of volunteers who keep the whole community connected.

They’re best known for two annual events – Open Studios Sunshine Coast and Sculpture on the Edge (SOTE) – but there’s far more to the organisation than two signature events on the creative calendar.

For 20 years, Arts Connect Inc has been reshaping what it means to support an artistic community, not just by helping artists exhibit their work, but by helping them build sustainable careers.

Since stepping into the role of president earlier in the year, Traci Booker has been looking at ways Arts Connect can offer its members more.

...artists can add real value to what are often discarded pieces of rubbish. visible and commercially confident,” Traci says. “We’ve got so many artists on the Coast and we want to celebrate and leverage those that are commercially successful and support and grow more artists in the community.”

That support goes well beyond exhibitions with Arts Connect running workshops on everything from social media to preparing work for major art prizes.

It’s all volunteer-led, with committee members offering their time, often alongside jobs, families and, in many cases, retirement.

“It’s about allowing people to give what time they can,” Traci says. “Even if it’s just a few hours, we’re grateful.”

With nearly 200 members, Traci said there was a much bigger community behind their two annual events than most people realise.

You can feel the spirit come alive at SOTE, the coast’s flagship outdoor sculpture exhibition held each year at Flaxton Gardens in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

“We can help artists become more

Running from 28 November to 6

IN Noosa Magazine

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December, the gardens will be transformed into an open-air gallery with workshops, talks and events that celebrate the region’s creativity and offer the chance for engagement, inspiration and immersion into the world of sculpture.

Last year’s major prize winners are proof of what the event, and the community behind it, can do for an artist’s career.

Sculptor of the Year winner Megan Robinson said the 2025 win was ‘unexpected but validating’ and has given her the confidence to keep

INSPIRE Hope is a Thing with Feathers by Jean Bennett pushing forward.

“The funds also created space for me to experiment, take risks and continue developing my art full-time,” Megan says. “As artists, it’s so important to celebrate our practice alongside our peers, and be celebrated by the broader community.

“Even if your work is small and delicate, like my own, it doesn’t mean it can’t make a big impact.”

PHOTOS: EYES WIDE OPEN IMAGES

Runner-up Cam Crossley said the event’s intimate scale set it apart from other sculpture festivals.

“SOTE is local and all about engaging the community with sculpture and sculptors as an important part of our cultural and creative life,” Cam says.

“It’s more intimate than other sculpture festivals that are dominated by large civic-scaled works. That difference is a real strength.”

For Local Sculptor category winner Jean Bennett, the recognition carried a different kind of meaning.

“To be seen is to be heard,” Jean says.

“When someone sees a sculpture and acknowledges this from within the community, then you, the artist, are being heard on many different levels – not just for your vision, but from a place of connection with those around you.”

Upcycle Sculpture winner Margaret Shaw said the appeal of working with reclaimed materials went beyond the visual.

“I enjoy making art with used, second-

Arts Connect Inc

After the Swim by Cam Crossley

hand and mostly free materials, as they come with a patina that speaks to their history,” Margaret says.

including artist profiles, events and the 2026 Catalogue where you could purchase your very own work of art.

“It’s also so important to husband the resources of our planet, and artists can add real value to what are often discarded pieces of rubbish.”

To be involved with Arts Connect Inc visit www.artsconnectinc.com.au

So this spring, head to the hills for breathtaking art with a view, because supporting local art isn’t just about supporting the artists, it’s giving the volunteers who champion them all year round a reason to keep showing up.

Visit the website for more information

SEE IT FOR YOURSELF Sculpture on the Edge 28 November - 6 December Flaxton Gardens, 313-323 Flaxton Drive.

Scan the QR code to find out more and to meet the 2026 sculptors. www.sculptureontheedge.com.au

PRESENTS

NOVEMBER 28 - DECEMBER 6

Exhibition • Demonstrations • Celebrations Guided Tours sculptureontheedge.com.au @SculptureontheEdgeSC

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SPRING 2026

INSITE

SITE Seeing As it wraps up its first year and gears up for its next chapter, Jodie Cameron goes INside Noosa’s boldest creative residency to see what’s still to come…

If you walked past The J in Noosa Junction this year, you might have caught an artist mid-thought. Not a finished sculpture behind glass or a polished opening night, but the messy, magnetic middle of making - sketches taped to walls, speakers half-rewired, a kettle boiling for tea between takes.

This is SITE Residency, Noosa Council’s Locate initiative, and in its first year it’s done something most arts programs don’t dare: pull back the curtain on the creative process itself.

Five artists working across five different disciplines have called The J home, each responding to a different corner of the region and taking time, space and support to deepen, disrupt and evolve their practice.

It’s been a year of watching art happen before it’s finished, because some of Australia’s most exciting local and national contemporary artists are choosing Noosa as the place to test bold new ideas before they reach their audiences elsewhere.

Locate curator and facilitator Ruby Donohoe, who has mentored artists across the program since it began, said most people only ever see the finished artwork.

“This residency lets people watch it being made instead,” Ruby said. “That shift changes everything, the artists aren’t just exhibiting in Noosa, they’re testing ideas here, and the community becomes part of that process rather than just an audience for it.”

From installation artists, experimental IN Noosa Magazine

sound and new media practitioners, sculptural and projection artists, to contemporary dancers, public artists and First Nations collectives, since November 2025 SITE has hosted an eclectic run of practitioners.

Each artist is given two months, a studio, and the freedom to experiment without the pressure of producing a finished outcome.

The result has been less exhibition and more open invitation including workshops, artist talks, listening sessions and showings that let the Noosa community in on the good stuff – the not-yet-resolved, still-unfolding part of making art that audiences almost never see.

Supported by the Regional Arts Development Fund – a partnership between the Queensland Government and Noosa Council – every residency begins with artists responding to the same question: What does Noosa make possible?

Their responses are shaped by national park, beach, architecture, community and changing landscape. Each artist answered differently. Here’s what they’ve been up to: Blak Creatives x Munimba-ja opened the program by turning the studio into Blak Kitchen Tables, a relational installation built by Kerry Klimm that centred around a dining table and a functioning tea trolley. Led under the Munimba-ja Arts Centre banner with deep roots in Kabi Kabi and Jinibara community consultation, the residency became a gathering space where art, politics and everyday yarning blurred 128

over shared cups of tea - proof that sometimes the most powerful creative site is simply a table where people feel safe to talk.

Sound artist Finley Wegener took field recordings and 3D scans out of Noosa National Park and back into the studio to build Outside In, an eight-channel surround-sound and projection piece that let audiences experience the Noosa Headland without setting foot on a track.

“The time and space at The J let me experiment in the field and quickly iterate ideas back in the studio,” Finley said. “It allowed me to also test new technology like underwater cameras, drones, and an AMBEO surround mic.”

Sunshine Coast artist Petalia Humphreys used her residency to push architectural painting into moving image with Latent Space. Petalia said critical conversations with her mentor and Ruby helped clarify ideas she’d been circling for years.

“Discussions on focal point, moving objects and figure-ground relationships are fundamentals to art-making,” Petalia said. “But considered in critical discussion, they allow for serendipitous moments of clarity.”

The residency turned deeply personal for Argentinian-Australian choreographer Mica Valerio, whose dance film Solastalgia – made with composer Chucho Bruno and filmmaker Lauro Bresanovich – wrestles with grief, displacement and what it means to belong to a place in transition. The work culminated in a premiere screening and artist talk facilitated by Ruby.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

INSITE

...and the community becomes part of the process rather than just an audience for it.

“The collaborative process between dance, music and film gave the work room to speak to something universal: the experience of watching a landscape – and a life – change around you,” Mica said.

And rounding out the year, Melbourne public artist Abbey Rich’s residency explores how art can strengthen these shared spaces – not through permanent monuments alone, but through simple acts of creativity, curiosity and participation. By using play, conversation

and making as artistic tools, Abbey turns Noosa’s beaches and parks into a live research lab, testing playful, lowmaterial interventions like shared sandcastle cities and sculptures built from beach rubbish, designed simply to get strangers talking to each other. The project reframes public art as something that happens with communities rather than simply being placed for them, highlighting the Sunshine Coast as a region where creative practice can foster connection, belonging and everyday life.

As September wraps up this year’s program, there’s still time to catch Abbey’s residency before it closes, with applications for the 2027 SITE Residency closing on 13 September.

Are you an artist ready to test bold new work in a place unlike any other studio you’ll find? Get amongst the action in 2027, and join the community watching,

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questioning and collaborating as new work takes shape. For everyone else, the invitation is simpler: stay close to the process and you might just find yourself embedded.

Follow @locate_noosa_creatives for the next round of workshops, artist talks and showings and sign up to Locate’s e-news to be first to hear when the next cohort steps into The J, because IN Noosa, the most interesting part of the artwork might be watching it get made.

CONNECT WITH CREATIVES

Discover local artists, makers, designers, musicians and more! From artisan gifts to creative collaborations and events, visit Locate | A Place To Find Creatives.

Scan the QR code or visit www.locatenoosa.com

SPRING 2026

INGRACE

Behind every one of her paintings is a story worth sharing.

Jodie Cameron uncovers a Noosa artist’s latest chapter…

DELICATE

Details

The lights dim, the rustle of gowns fills the air, a hush before the curtain lifts – as if the room is holding its breath.

Perched on her easel sits A Night at the Paris Opera, a decorative bodice midtransformation, soft pastel washes awaiting the finishing touches that will bring it to life.

It joins a growing collection of ballet dresses, slippers and opera gowns gracing Helen’s walls. Every inch of her home is thoughtfully arranged – floorto-ceiling creations hang inside; native greenery and birdlife surround her outside.

Working exclusively with oils, Helen builds each scene with signature strokes and luminous colour, letting light and shadow tell the story, while her palette knife conjures the soft movement of feathers and tulle.

For Helen, a theme is never just a visual device, it’s a container for memory.

“Every exhibition, every collection has a theme,” Helen says. “It’s never just a pretty picture, there’s always a memory behind it, a place or a moment I want to hold onto.”

PHOTO: IAN WALDIE

For a suspended moment, anything feels possible. It’s that exact feeling Helen Peel chases from her Noosa home and studio, not from a front-row seat, but with her palette knife.

Helen Peel and gowns, gold leaf detailing catching the light against soft folds of tulle.

It’s never just a pretty picture, there’s always a memory behind it. applied, then partially lifted away with cotton buds. She works exclusively in water-based oils for the same reason.

“That’s the beauty of oils; you’re never locked in,” Helen says. “Acrylics dry too fast. I like to sit with a piece for days, even weeks.”

The result is soft-edged and atmospheric; buildings and figures that feel remembered rather than photographed. Which makes sense, because most of them are.

It’s this thread of sentimentality that makes Helen’s work read less like a collection of paintings and more like chapters in a life being retold.

Her Venice and northern Italy scenes trace back to years spent travelling with her late husband David, buying tiles for their business between Venice and nearby towns. One painting, grey-washed and gentle, exists exactly as she remembers a particular afternoon.

She likens her technique to building a house.

“The day we were there, it was raining, which is why it’s quite grey,” Helen says.

“I build it up from the start,” she says.

“Then I keep constructing, layer after layer, adding a little, taking a little away.

There’s no rushing – it takes as long as it takes.”

It’s a small detail, but it says everything about how Helen paints – not what a scene looked like, but what it felt like to be standing in it.

That patience is written into her chosen technique – the rub-off, an old Renaissance method where paint is IN Noosa Magazine

For her latest series, she’s pushed the narrative a step further, layering in mixed media for the first time – ornate rhinestones delicately placed on bodices 130

“It embellishes, creates texture and makes it three-dimensional,” she says.

True to the archivist in her, none of it goes undocumented. Helen keeps a personal record of every piece she’s created, nine portfolios deep now, noting the materials, the techniques, the thinking behind each one.

Since moving, some of the works have sold themselves off the walls, visitors charmed enough to buy straight from the hallway. Her days have found their own rhythm now – Pilates, lunches and evenings with close friends. It’s a life rebuilt with intention, and it shows in her work; steady, still tender, but unmistakably moving forward. Helen is an avid supporter of the arts and charities, including the annual Studio One Noosa Pretty in Pink exhibition of 50cmx50cm artworks to be auctioned off for the McGrath Foundation.

True to form, she’s already thinking of something special for her donated piece.

“It’s much smaller than I usually paint, but it’s one of my favourite events to support,” she says.

It’s a fitting note to end on, because it captures exactly what makes Helen’s work so compelling. Even at 50 centimetres square, in service of a cause far bigger than any one canvas, Helen Peel is still doing what she’s always done best – finding the story first and letting the paint follow.

A fervent lover of nature, Patricia’s work embodies the essence of

Scan to view our online gallery

the environment. Her current

works depict the harsh beauty of Australia’s outback in a vibrant array of colours.

SCAN FOR WEBSITE

Kellick Marine Concepts

A: 33 Hilton Esplanade, Tewantin Ph: 0418 758 210

Original Hand Built Sculptures by Kevin Dick Gallery and workshop by appointment 0428 512 556. 4 Production St, Noosaville

trishsheppardart.com.au

HELEN PEEL ARTIST

Helen Peel uses oils as her favourite medium to create rich portraits and life scenes with powerful colouring techniques.

Phone 0411 511 533 www.helenpeelartist.com 131

SPRING 2026

INSPIRED

GROUNDED

In Art

A bold new curatorial direction and a pretty good cause. Jodie Cameron discovers what’s hanging at Studio One Noosa.

Studio One Noosa has built a reputation for exhibitions that bring artists together around a shared theme, turning its Noosaville gallery into a place where fresh ideas, familiar faces and new discoveries regularly meet. Now, the gallery is taking an important next step with Hallowed Ground, the inaugural exhibition in its new Curator’s Choice series.

The series will mark a shift in direction for Studio One Noosa. Rather than presenting a broad collection of artists under one theme, exhibitions under the series will introduce a select group of artists exclusively represented by the gallery.

For collectors, it creates a trusted place to discover and revisit current works by artists they admire, both in the gallery and online.

It is a confident move for Studio One Noosa, which has grown from an online platform supporting local creatives into a physical gallery, workshop and exhibition space with a growing reputation among art lovers, interior designers and collectors.

The Curator’s Choice series gives the gallery a clearer artistic identity, while offering its featured artists an ongoing home for their work.

Running from 25 August to 26 September, the entry statement for Hallowed Ground reads: “Every gallery has exhibitions. Few have a heart. Hallowed Ground is ours.”

Jasmine Veronique intended to be enduring while still evolving.

The Curator’s Choice artists who will be launched at Hallowed Ground line-up includes Noosa-based abstract artist Michael Bond, whose expressive work explores rhythm, colour and emotion; and Saint Chalom, whose atmospheric pieces draw from the misty landscape of Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges. There is a sense of mood and movement in both artists’ work, each offering viewers space to pause, look closer and form their own connection.

They are joined by acclaimed wildflower oil painter Jasmine Veronique, whose vivid works capture the character and detail of native flora; and Bronwyn Barton, known for richly layered botanical compositions. Fiona Bastow’s refined oils on linen bring another visual language to the exhibition, while Sarajai Luana’s untamed yet elegant aesthetic reflects the beauty, diversity and enduring traditions of island cultures.

Resident artist and Studio One Noosa co-founder Juanita Van Den Bergh also features in the exhibition. Her ethereal abstract works explore atmosphere, light and emotion, creating a natural link

IN Noosa Magazine

between the gallery’s own creative foundation and its future direction.

“I wanted this first exhibition in the Curator’s Choice series to feel spiritual,” Juanita says. “So much of the work in this show comes from a reflective place.

When you walk into some of these artists’ studios, you can feel it before they have even said a word.”

That sense of connection is at the heart of Hallowed Ground. The collection has been designed as more than a one-off group show, with the featured artists becoming the stable of names that collectors can reliably seek out through Studio One Noosa.

As new works arrive, the gallery will continue to exhibit them in person and online, creating an evolving collection for people who want to follow an artist’s practice over time.

The statement sets the tone for a collection connected not by medium, style or subject matter, but by a shared commitment to authenticity, excellence and a strong sense of place.

The title Hallowed Ground speaks to that sense of belonging. Like the landscapes that inspire so many of the featured artists, the exhibition is

Michael Bond

For collectors, that continuity matters.

It means knowing where to find work by a particular artist, seeing new collections as they emerge and building a relationship with a gallery that knows the artists and their work.

Juanita Van Den Bergh 132

For the artists themselves, it provides a dedicated platform and a gallery that is

INSPIRED

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Every gallery has exhibitions. Few have a heart.

IN THE STUDIO invested in their growth.

families experiencing all types of cancer.

Each artist brings their own story, technique and visual language, but together they form a collection that feels bigger than the sum of its parts.

“It feels like a natural crossover,” Juanita says. “A few of our Hallowed Ground artists are also part of Pretty in Pink this year, so the two exhibitions sit side by side.

Once Hallowed Ground wraps, Studio One Noosa will shift gears for the return of Pretty in Pink, the popular fundraising exhibition and auction for the McGrath Foundation.

From 29 September to 31 October, more than 60 artists from around Australia will donate original works to fill the gallery with colour, creativity and generous gestures, raising funds for an organisation that supports people and

“One is about depth and focus, and the other is about generosity and community.”

Together, Hallowed Ground and Pretty in Pink show two sides of Studio One Noosa: a gallery establishing itself as a destination for serious collectors, and a creative community willing to put its energy behind a cause that touches so many lives.

0481 155 287 | hello@studioonenoosa.com.au 10/64 Gateway Drive Noosaville | Open Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 4pm

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CURATOR’S CHOICE: HALLOWED GROUND 25 August to 26 September PRETTY IN PINK: TERRA NOOSA Fundraising exhibition and online auction for McGrath Foundation 29 September to 31 October Opening Night Friday 2 October from 5pm. Free entry.

Finale & Auction Saturday 31 October from 5pm.

Bids close 6pm SHARP. Free entry.

Scan the QR code to register your interest and start bidding.

Studio One Noosa 10/64 Gateway Drive, Noosaville www.studioonenoosa.com.au

ART GALLERY ART CONSULTATION & HIRE FINE ART PRINT STUDIO SPRING 2026

INSPIRED

THE BIGGER

Picture A frame doesn’t just protect a memory, it gives meaning to a moment in time. Jodie Cameron gets hung up on the art of framing.

Is a home really a home without art or photo frames? I’m forever wishing I had more wall space or one more surface to display everything I’ve collected over the years, it’s what makes a house feel lived in. Frames draw a boundary, saying ‘this mattered, look closer’.

Few people understand that better than Jeff McColl who, together with his wife Lis, own Sunshine Coast Art & Framing in Noosa and Minyama.

Born in Canada, Jeff met Lis in Lake Louise while she was backpacking, and he moved to Australia in 1996.

Following a trip home to visit Jeff’s family and friends in 2010, they both returned looking for a change of scenery and decided to move where they holidayed every year - the Sunshine Coast.

After a varied career in media and communications, Jeff never expected to end up owning a picture-framing business.

Between jobs, he was renovating their home when a casual comment to an ex-boss led to a phone call for a role running day-to-day operations for IN Noosa Magazine

Sunshine Coast Art & Framing.

“I’m kind of good with people,” Jeff says. “It was a pivotal time for their business, and I think they had other interests, other things they wanted to do. So it worked out well for everyone.”

It was a comment made in passing at a Christmas function years later, that changed everything.

“If you ever do sell, I’d like to be your first conversation,” Jeff told him.

True to his word, when the previous owners were ready to step back, Jeff and Lis took over and have just completed their first full year as owners.

Though the name and the framing have stayed the same, the couple’s fingerprints are all over the business now – not by overhauling it, but by building on what already worked.

“One of the first things we did was stabilise the team,” Jeff says. “This business runs on the people in it and that’s what makes it what it is. You can’t buy that, you just have to look after it.”

Joel, the business’s master framer of over 30 years, has skills and facilities that go well beyond the ordinary, he’s 134

Jeff McColl

the kind other framers in the industry sometimes call on when a job needs something they’re not equipped to handle themselves.

“Joel is an absolute legend in the game,” Jeff says. “If Joel can’t frame it, no one can.”

Sunshine Coast Art & Framing operates from two sites – Noosa and Minyama – but Jeff is quick to point out they’re the same business and it’s a distinction he’s keen for locals to understand.

“It doesn’t matter which store you visit,” Jeff says. “You’re dealing with the same friendly faces, the same craftsmanship, and the same care.”

It’s this kind of service that makes the real difference because for Jeff and his team, no one frames something that isn’t important to them.

One recent job involved framing a Vietnam War-era uniform, complete with the soldier’s ID card and photograph. It wasn’t just fabric or paper, it was sentimental and deserved to be preserved so it could be on display, not tucked away in a cupboard.

“You can put a face and a name to it, it’s a real person, not just some guy who never made it home,” Jeff says.

“Every customer’s story is genuine,

INSPIRED

Inspired Framing +

You’re dealing with the same friendly faces, the same craftsmanship, and the same care.

Gallery

it’s a memory, a piece of a family, a piece of history.”

Beyond the shopfront, Jeff and Lis have built the business into something of a community fixture. They are long-time supporters of local art prizes, deliberately structuring prize money so even a third-place win covers the cost of framing.

“I don’t do it expecting sales in return,” Jeff says. “I do it because we work with a lot of local artists, and I feel it’s the right thing to do because third place is a big deal too.”

Ask us about our complimentary

Art Glass Upgrade

That same philosophy extends to Wishlist, a charity close to Jeff’s heart from his own days working there. In September, Sunshine Coast Art & Framing will frame up to 300 anonymous artworks for the charity’s fundraiser, where artworks are sold for $100 each without buyers knowing who painted what until after purchase.

They’ve also partnered with True Colours, framing artwork from special-needs students and giving it a proper galleryquality opening – and an occasion these young artists might otherwise never have had.

“That one still gives me goosebumps,” Jeff says. “Before this, they’d scramble for cheap frames and stick it up in a café. Now they get a proper opening night with their work on display where it deserves to be.”

The Minyama store also plays host to changing exhibitions that showcase the team’s own creative talents outside the shop floor – from gallery manager Anna’s origami-style artwork to Ayesha, a competition body-painter by night who somehow still finds two days a week to spend at the shop. It’s a rotating reminder that the people framing your memories are often artists and makers in their own right.

If the smiles and spring in the staff’s steps are anything to go by, it’s clear this is more than just a job for the people who work there – it’s a place they genuinely want to be.

Which might be the real secret to Sunshine Coast Art & Framing’s success.

Custom Framing

Fine Art Printing

In the end, that’s what a good frame and a good business really does: it doesn’t just hold something in place, it gives it a story worth sharing.

Photo Scanning & Restoration

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

Art Gallery

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MINYAMA

NOOSA

07 5444 0009 Shop E, 3 Longwood St, Minyama QLD 4575

07 5474 1 127 2/50 Gateway Drive Noosaville QLD 4566

SPRING 2026

INTHE GALLERY

Arts RADAR

This season’s exciting new exhibitions in Noosa's galleries, studios and arts centres.

POMONA RAILWAY STATION UNTIL 23 SEPTEMBER MULTIPLE ARTISTS: EMERGING ARTIST PRIZE EXHIBITION

Finalists from this year’s awards will showcase their work as part of the gallery’s 25th anniversary celebrations, with winners announced at the official opening on Saturday 5 September, 11am.

12 SEPTEMBER - 7 OCTOBER GILLIAN RACHEL: STILL & WILD Two approaches to observing the natural world come together through landscape and still life painting, exploring quiet beauty through shared colour palettes, expressive mark-making and thoughtful arrangements of everyday subjects.

25 SEPTEMBER - 25 OCTOBER GAIL ROBINSON, FAITH ROBINSON AND MIA HACKER: A FAMILY AFFAIR

Isla Inkson In Depth

Three generations of artists, exploring themes of family, identity, memory and the power of storytelling through drawing, painting, photography, ceramics, installations and mixed media.

COOROY BUTTER FACTORY ARTS CENTRE 17 SEPTEMBER - 11 OCTOBER MULTIPLE ARTISTS: CREATIVE GENERATION EXCELLENCE AWARDS IN VISUAL ARTS

9 OCTOBER - 4 NOVEMBER MAKAELLA CONIAS: I HEAR BIRDS Conias’ exhibition explores emotion, symbolism and movement through acrylic and ink, celebrating the Earth and its creatures with recurring motifs of birds and trees.

24 OCTOBER – 18 NOVEMBER CAROLE HAMPSON: INSPIRATIONS IN COLOUR Noosa Heads artist Carole Hampson transforms landscapes, animals, flowers and abstract concepts into a vibrant work that celebrates colour and creative expression.

10 Station Street, Pomona | 5485 2950 www.pomonagallery.com

LEIGHTON CONTEMPORARY 5 SEPTEMBER - 2 OCTOBER ADAM HALLS & AMY WRIGHT: THE SEA CARRIES FLOWERS TOO English textile artist Adam Halls and Australian landscape painter Amy Wright’s vibrant duo exhibition explores the beauty, emotion and untamed spirit of the natural world.

5/64 Gateway Drive, Noosaville 0413 477 947 www.leightoncontemporary.com

IN Noosa Magazine

STUDIO ONE NOOSA

Celebrating the creativity of emerging young artists, this exhibition showcases outstanding Year 11 and 12 student artworks from across the North Coast region, with award winners going on to exhibit at GOMA in 2027.

UNTIL 26 SEPTEMBER CURATOR’S CHOICE: HALLOWED GROUND

15 OCTOBER - 15 NOVEMBER KAREN OSBORN: THE WINDSONG HORSES

The inaugural exhibition in the new Curator’s Choice series – an intimate show built around a small stable of artists represented exclusively from around Australia. Hallowed Ground explores each artists’ sense of place expressed through their work.

A captivating exhibition by international equine artist Karen Osborn, showcasing expressive works that celebrate the quiet beauty, connection and authentic nature of horses within the herd.

Amy Wright In The Shallows

29 SEPTEMBER - 31 OCTOBER MULTIPLE ARTISTS: PRETTY IN PINK EXHIBITION – TERRA NOOSA

11A Maple Street, Cooroy | 5442 6665 www.butterfactoryartscentre.com.au

TINBEERWAH ART GROUP

A curated exhibition and online auction brings creativity and community together to support the McGrath Foundation and their incredible work providing cancer care nurses to families. Online bidding closes at 6pm on 31 October. Don’t miss the free Opening Night on 2 October and Finale and Auction on 31 October.

From realism to abstract, this highly anticipated show will feature a diverse array of work, costing only a gold coin entry fee, which goes towards The Thursday Girls Noosa charity to help local students in need.

10/64 Gateway Drive, Noosaville 0481 155 287 | www.studioonenoosa.com.au

Tinbeerwah Hall, Cnr Cooroy-Noosa Road & Sunrise Road, Tinbeerwah | 0412 769 351

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18 - 20 SEPTEMBER MULTIPLE ARTISTS: 2026 ART SHOW

IN

INTHE GALLERY

NOOSA REGIONAL GALLERY 19 SEPTEMBER-22 NOVEMBER KIM GUTHRIE: NEWER DOCUMENTS, 2026 Curated by local photographer Kim Guthrie and featuring the work of five contemporary Australian photographers who reveal the extraordinary within the ordinary.

9 Pelican Street, Tewantin | 5329 6145 www.noosaregionalgallery.com.au

KATE OWEN ART

LEIGHTON CONTEMPORARY

Kate’s bold, expressive paintings span a wide range of subjects. Each work carries its own story and invites you to slow down, look and linger.

The more you look, the more there is to discover.

6/41 Gateway Drive, Noosaville Phone 0400 508 050 kateowenart.com

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

STUDIO ONE NOOSA

DIANNE MCINERNEY ART

10/64 Gateway Drive, Noosaville studiononenoosa.com.au

Dianne captures nature in acrylic and oil paintings and transformative glass that deliver interpretations of the natural world.

6/33 Gateway Drive, Noosaville Open when the flag is up or by appointment Phone 0417 014 653 @diannemcinerneyartist

BENDIGO COMMUNITY BANK - TEWANTIN-NOOSA UNTIL 24 SEPTEMBER PAULUS KOOIJ Paulus creates thought-provoking works at the intersection of art, philosophy and science, inviting viewers to reflect on infinity, consciousness and the rhythms of nature.

24 SEPTEMBER - 30 OCTOBER JULIE ST AUBYN Sunshine Coast artist Julie St Aubyn creates highly detailed surreal paintings, intricate illustrations and custom mosaics that blend technical precision with imaginative storytelling.

114 Poinciana Avenue, Tewantin | 5440 5289 www.bendigobank.com.au

BENDIGO COMMUNITY BANK – COOROY

A contemporary gallery and fine art print studio celebrating outstanding local and Australian artists. Original artworks, limited editions, curated exhibitions and fine art printing and framing.

UNTIL 8 OCTOBER CAROLE HAMPSON Inspired by decades of living in Canada, Germany and the UK, and extensive travels around the world, Carole creates vibrant acrylic artworks now celebrating the Sunshine Coast’s rich flora and fauna, since her return.

8 OCTOBER TO 24 NOVEMBER JEANETTE SMITH Sunshine Coast artist Jen Jay brings the beauty of the coast to life through richly textured paintings, capturing the colours, landscapes and waterways of the region with expressive layers, movement and a deep sense of place.

ANIMALIA PROJECT A collection of fine art photography prints celebrating the beauty of the animal kingdom while raising awareness for its preservation. A tribute to the elegance, power and artistry found within the natural world. Prints available online. concept-photography.com.au

36a Maple Street, Cooroy | 5447 7131 www.bendigobank.com.au 137

SPRING 2026

FURNITURE | HOMEWARES | ART | SOFT FURNISHINGS | RUGS

Shop 10, Noosa Homemaker Centre, Thomas Street, Noosaville Phone 5470 2946 | eclecticstyle.com.au

SPRING

Copper Palms, Framed Canvas Soft blues, coastal greens and warm copper tones give Copper Palms a relaxed, sunkissed feel. This tranquil palm scene brings an effortless touch of coastal style to the home.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Hues

INSIDE

From accessories to essentials, art to artisan, freshen up your home or office with these eclectic finds.

Marbella, Framed Canvas Bold yet beautifully balanced, Marbella pairs striking black-and-white pattern with soft, earthy tones. This contemporary framed canvas brings a sophisticated sense of style and personality.

Noosa 2-Drawer Console Table with Shelf Relaxed, natural and full of character, the Noosa Console reflects the easy-going beauty of our coastal surroundings. Handcrafted from solid timber, its beautiful grain, raw finish and practical shelf brings warmth and understated charm to the home.

Sophia Occasional Chair in Light Blue Fresh and inviting, the Sophia Occasional Chair pairs gentle curves with a generously cushioned seat and beautifully textured upholstery.

Its soft light blue hue adds a relaxed touch of colour, while its cosy proportions make it an easy addition to any living space.

Yves Vessel

Seahaven 3 Seater Sofa in Ivory Barrel Suar Stool Full of natural character, the Barrel Suar Stool brings warmth and texture to any space. Crafted from individual pieces of suar wood, its organic pattern and natural variation ensure no two pieces are exactly alike.

Relaxed, inviting and effortlessly stylish, the Seahaven Sofa is made for sinking into. Generous cushioning and a soft ivory finish create an easy, laid-back feel, bringing warmth, comfort and a beautifully light look to the room.

Paradiso Box The Paradiso Box features a delicate Asplenium leaf design, finished with natural bone inlay. Both decorative and practical, it’s a charming way to bring a touch of botanical colour to your home.

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With its sculptural silhouette and softly textured chalk finish, the Yves Vessel brings an understated, organic feel to the home.

Discover this piece alongside an extensive collection of vessels and vases in an array of shapes, sizes and finishes in store.

All items available from Eclectic Style Noosa.

Scan the QR code to shop online or visit the store at Shop 10, Noosa Homemaker Centre, Thomas Street Noosaville, www.eclecticstyle.com.au SPRING 2026

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

INTHE ELEMENTS

WOVEN COASTAL

Artistry

Nicole May uncovers the art of the barefootfriendly alfresco, where artisanal textures and UV-stable fibres defy the humidity to elevate sophisticated, all-weather alfresco living.

Let’s be honest - in Noosa, our outdoor spaces aren’t just occasional seating spaces; we inhabit them. But while we’ve mastered the art of the alfresco, some of us are yet to keep up with the floor coverings, struggling to find something to last in the damp reality of a subtropical summer.

I’ve been diving into the science of the weave, discovering that the secret to a functional outdoor space isn’t just about style - it’s about finding a material that actually knows how to breathe.

From surprisingly soft rugs spun out of recycled plastic bottles that mimic the tactile luxury of wool, to high-quality handmade weaves from India, there’s a world of high-performance fibres designed to defy the humidity.

“Many people mistakenly assume we are just a showroom where items must be ordered,” Felicity says while navigating the sea of textures. “They’re often surprised to find we have such a large variety of rugs in our showroom and how reasonable the pricing is.”

Noosa home,” Felicity explains, pointing to a range of rugs that look remarkably like high-end wool. “They are UV stabilised, meaning they won’t fade in our harsh sun, and they can literally be hosed off if the kids spill their lunch or the dog brings in the garden.”

The outdoor range defies everything you thought you knew about synthetic materials and scratchy, plastic-feeling mats or buying online and hoping for the best, the modern outdoor rug is a master of disguise.

The secret to their success in the Noosa climate is breathability. In a region where mould is a constant adversary, the construction of these rugs is key.

The beauty of shopping in-store is that you can feel it for yourself to see if it’ll work in your home.

“These are the unsung hereos of the

Enter Noosa Mats & Rugs, run by Felicity and Adrian Lemke. Having taken over the iconic store nearly one year ago, the couple have a beautifully friendly manner and deliver good old-fashioned service. Walking into their showroom, you aren’t met with a mere showcase of samples; instead, you find a treasure trove of over 1,000 rugs ready to be rolled up and taken home the same day.

IN Noosa Magazine

Most of the outdoor range stocked by Noosa Mats & Rugs is designed to be thin and porous.

“As soon as a bit of sun hits them, they dry right out,” Felicity says. “We always tell people to move them occasionally, especially after heavy rain, just to let the floor underneath catch some light and air.”

For those seeking a touch of sustainable luxury, Felicity reveals a range made entirely from recycled plastic bottles (PET). It is a tactile revelation soft, dense, and visually indistinguishable from natural wool.

Plus, it’s the perfect solution for hightraffic areas, built to withstand the rigours of wear and tear.

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INTHE ELEMENTS

The larger the rug, the larger the space looks.

Then they’ve got the high-quality choice: the handmade collection from India. Felicity speaks with passion about the craftsmanship behind these pieces.

“These aren’t machine-made; they are unique, handmade works of art,” she says. “Because they are heavier and more densely woven, they sit perfectly flat on the ground - no curling at the edges, even in a stiff coastal breeze.”

Styling these spaces, however, is where many locals feel stuck but Felicity’s advice is simple: bring photos and measurements.

“The larger the rug, the larger the space looks,” she insists. “It’s a trick of the eye. A small rug in a big space actually makes the whole room feel imbalanced.

“We look at the textures already in the room. If you have a bouclé couch, you don’t want a bouclé rug - it’s too much of the same. Instead, we’d recommend flat weaves or short piles to create that

visual balance.

“Whether you’re drawing on the earthy tones or coastal blues, the goal is to complement, not compete.”

As summer approaches and we all venture back outside, it’s clear that a rug is no longer just an indoor luxury.

And if you’re truly unsure, Noosa Mats & Rugs offers you the opportunity for an in-home trial so that you can see how the rug looks in your space.

It is the finishing touch that elevates a deck. And with the right material one that breathes with the humidity and stands up to the sun - you can enjoy the outdoors with the entire family.

HUMIDITY HACKS

Living in Noosa means embracing the moisture, but your rugs don’t have to.

Felicity Lemke shares her top tips for keeping outdoor spaces fresh: Keep it Breathable: opt for thinner, UV-stabilised weaves that dry rapidly.

The Floor Check: Every so often, move your rug to let the floor underneath breathe and dry out - it’s usually the floor that traps the moisture, not the rug.

Suction Only: Skip the bristle head on your vacuum. To protect the integrity of the fibres and intricate plaits, use a simple suction vacuum.

Scan the QR code for more advice and to shop the range.

Blending Beauty with Purpose Outdoor rugs built for Australian homes RUGS - HOMEWARES - LIGHTS

2/168 Eumundi Noosa Road, Noosaville. Phone 5442 4899

www.noosarugs.com.au IN-HOME TRIALS AVAILABLE - See how a rug looks in your space before you decide 141

SPRING 2026

LIVING WITH NATURE

PEREGIAN BEACH

INBED

PHOTOS: IAN WALDIE

RIGHT AT

Home

Carlie Wacker discovers a brand that has brought three decades of conviction (and very good sets of sheets) to the Sunshine Coast.

There’s a luxury in getting into bed and wrapping yourself in sheets that are cool, soft and buttery against your skin.

so much to him, Russell doesn’t reach for a mission statement.

Instead, he talks about being a kid fishing, selling his catch to the local fish and chip shop and watching the water get quietly emptied out over years. Then watching it come back once it was managed properly with marine parks, sensible limits and people paying more attention to the environment.

Walk into Ecodownunder at Peregian Beach and that’s what you’ll find natural woods, stacks of organic cotton, a vibe that is more ‘retreat’ than retail.

It has been a year since the doors opened on the brand’s first Queensland store, joining a small but deliberately chosen group across Sydney and, most recently, Bowral.

Here, in a coastal town that likes its luxury with an organic edge, Ecodownunder is right at home.

The business began in 1997, when ‘sustainability’ was emerging as a corporate buzzword, making founder Russell Lamb an early adopter. For him, living a sustainable life was an obvious choice - one he thought would catch on.

“Three decades later, we’re still educating people about sustainability as an essential life choice,” he says.

The name carries the philosophy: eco, because sustainability was the point from day one; and downunder, because while the rest of the industry was heading offshore to make everything out of plastic, Ecodownunder decided to make what it could at home.

Roughly a third of the range is still manufactured in Australia including quilts, pillows and mattress toppers while sheets and towels come from long-standing partners in India where

Russell Lamb quality can be genuinely controlled rather than hoped for.

From the beginning Russell says that everything they did was a world first, largely because nobody else was doing anything at all.

“Back then ‘eco-friendly’ was a cottage-industry: a small farmer, a small spinner, a small weave and a price tag that put it out of reach,” he says.

Russell’s view was that if you wanted to change how people lived, you couldn’t ask them to pay a fortune for the privilege.

So, they set a target: a sustainable queen-size sheet set for under $100 that wouldn’t cost the earth in either sense.

They bought five tonnes of organic cotton and became the first to manufacture it commercially, at scale.

Twenty-five years later the sheets come from the same factory and they’re still $99!

When asked why sustainability matters 143

“There’s always a better way to do things,” he says “And it’s not much more complicated than that.”

The shop epitomises sustainability.

Russell finds a piece of timber he likes, sands it, seals it, and it becomes a shelf.

No laminate, no harsh chemicals, nothing synthetic just a retail space that lives with nature and a business that feels like home for staff and customers.

It’s laid-back luxury that feels perfectly at home on the Sunshine Coast.

Oh, and Russell was absolutely right when he claimed their $99 signature sheets were the best you’ll ever sleep on.

They feel like heaven.

ECO EXCELLENCE From the bedroom to the bathroom, kitchen and beyond, Ecodownunder stocks a wide range of sustainable luxury products that are perfect for our environment. Scan the QR code to shop the range or visit the Peregian Beach showroom. www.ecodownunder.com.au SPRING 2026

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

INSIDE

A Cut ABOVE

We handcraft our furnishings in-house and can deliver one-of-akind products.

Melanie said commercial projects have a different kind of rigour to a typical home consultation.

There are curtains, and then there are curtains. Jodie Cameron discovers the bespoke Noosa business proving that made-tomeasure never goes out of style, at home or in business.

Who doesn’t love a show-stopping floor-to-ceiling curtain, or sharp, tailored Roman blind? There’s such excitement that comes with fitting out a new space – and fabric that’s been chosen just for that room.

It’s a feeling more businesses on the Sunshine Coast are discovering, thanks to the made-to-order arm of Peregian Curtains and Blinds.

The family-run window furnishings business handcrafts curtains, blinds and soft furnishings from its Coolum Industrial Estate workshop, backed by 35 years of industry experience.

It’s not just homes catching Creative Director Melanie Moore’s attention. Over the past year, the commercial side of the business has taken on a life of its own, IN Noosa Magazine

increasingly shaped by demand from builders, designers and commercial operators.

The proof is in the portfolio. A growing collaboration with hotels such as Elysium Noosa, Mantra and Sebel; boutique hotels and bars like Peregian Beach Hotel and El Capitano and fitouts for Bekaa Group’s Foxy Malone’s in Mooloolaba has seen the client list expand along the coast – serious commercial fit outs, made by a team who still work by hand.

Other work includes award-nominated Si Organics styled by Elodie Rose; Hum Yoga and Pilates designed by Ashcharlotte Interiors; projects with award-nominated newcomer designer Studio Nicholas; and Noosa Golf shop designed by Tara Marlow.

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“It’s often on a big scale, so it’s important to have a team who are willing to go the extra mile to meet deadlines,” Melanie says. “Coordinating materials, services, production and fitting around the project schedule can be very demanding, but that’s exactly where having the right team makes all the difference.”

So, what makes builders and designers choose Peregian Curtains and Blinds over the alternatives?

“Builders and designers like our professional service and quality,” Melanie says. “We handcraft our furnishings in house and can deliver one-of-a-kind products.”

Their Coolum showroom offers an extensive range of fabrics, hardware, wallpaper and rugs, and in-house consultations, offering a unique and diverse service.

It’s a philosophy that traces back to Melanie’s earliest training in London, fitting out cruise ships and grand hotels like The Savoy and The Ritz, before family life carried her from England through Holland, Belgium, New Zealand and Melbourne, and finally to the Sunshine Coast.

INSIDE

Today, it’s a true family affair, with husband Steve behind the scenes and two of the couple’s four daughters carrying the craft forward alongside Mel. “My training and experience working on large, high-end commercial projects has been key to our success and quality of service,” she says. “I learned traditional methods that stand the test of time. Whilst modern-day machinery and design have changed and sped up processes, it’s invaluable to fall back on those skills, and to teach them to our team.”

For commercial operators yet to discover this side of the business, Melanie’s advice is to get her involved from the ground up – just as you would any other trade.

“We have the experience and help of our extended team in Melbourne, where we’ve involved designers and architects in delivering accurate tenders for contracts,” Melanie says.

For Foxy Malone’s Irish bar in Mooloolaba; Melanie and the team created stunning custom two tone velvet curtains and wrap around ceiling wallpaper that set the tone and pace for the commercial work to scale up.

“It was such a transformation, Melanie says. “We are about to start on Coyote Western Bar which will also be unique.”

On another project in a Sunrise Beach seafront home, they created 5.7m high curtains that hung down over two levels, looking out onto the ocean, and a grand entry doorway.

Where everything was supersized, including a 5.2m high curtain, off-the-shelf simply wasn’t an option and bespoke became the only way to achieve the fit and finish the space demanded – exactly the kind of project Peregian Curtains and Blinds handcrafted made-to-order service has been built for.

Elodie Rose Interiors

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

It’s a skill that’s becoming increasingly rare; most soft furnishings today are mass-produced but Melanie’s team is one of the few on the coast still hand-crafting custom-made furnishings from start to finish.

“When we were fitting out the curtains, standing next to them made us feel like we were a tiny doll because of the huge proportions,” she said. “It was amazing.”

16/2 Focal Avenue, Coolum Beach 0430 127 944

If you’re looking for something bespoke, and want your next project to stand out, choose custom over cookie-cutter, and stick with the people who know that made-to-measure and handmade never goes out of style.

PEREGIANCURTAINSANDBLINDS.COM.AU

www.peregiancurtainsandblinds.com.au 145

SPRING 2026

INTELLIGENT

BEAUTY AND The future of smart living has arrived - and it is as sexy as it is intelligent. Jodie Cameron discovers the global brand that has just arrived in Australia.

Imagine a home that knows when to wake up, wind down and welcome you in. Before the household stirs, blinds rise gradually, morning light fills the room and the climate adjusts for the day ahead.

By evening, curtains and lighting work in concert to create a calmer mood, while a single command prepares the home to switch between day and night.

Moorgen - the internationally recognised, award-winning smart-home and lighting brand has arrived in Australia, opening its first showroom in Sydney.

For homeowners who have invested in thoughtful design, beautiful materials and layered lighting, it offers an elegant and intelligent alternative to the usual mix of remotes, switches and apps.

Now imagine that as well as being smart, it is also sexy. For Moorgen it’s not simply what it can do, but also how it looks and feels. The brand has collaborated with architects, industrial designers and creative visionaries including Philippe Starck, Neri & Hu, Zaha Hadid Architects, Kengo Kuma and George Yabu, to name a few.

“Smart living begins when the technology stops feeling like an addition to the home and starts becoming part of

Brains

the architecture,” says Moorgen Australia Director Edwin Zhang.

Intelligent lighting is central to the experience, with dimming, adjustable colour temperature and pre-set scenes working alongside compatible climate systems, motorised blinds and curtains, smart sensors, locks and video intercoms. Designer panels, knobs and control interfaces provide a tactile, considered way to operate the system, while the wider collection includes architectural lighting, pendants, floor lamps and table lamps.

Smart panels made from luxurious materials like gemstones, crystals, and precious metals; award-winning decorative lighting designed by worldrenown designers and architects crafted by top architects and interior designers; sensors that are barely visible to the eye yet have incredible range; smart locks with advanced security features, ergonomic design and customisable options to perfectly match your interior.

It’s no surprise the brand has won accolades at Red Dot, iF Design, International Design Excellence Awards (IDEA) and Japan’s Good Design Awards.

For Noosa’s design-conscious homeowners, where natural light, materiality and indoor-outdoor living

SMART HOME SOLUTIONS

We redefine what it means for a home to be smart.

Smart Systems . Smart Lights . Smart Door Locks . Smart Sensors .

moorgen.homes

IN Noosa Magazine

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are central, the proposition is compelling. Technology should complement good architecture - not clutter it with mismatched switches and screens.

The Sydney showroom gives homeowners, architects, designers, builders and developers the opportunity to experience the technology first-hand - before it becomes part of a project.

That’s reason enough for a trip to Sydney – and a home that finally thinks the way you live in it.

SEE IT TO BELIEVE IT

For project consultations, system design, availability and quotations, scan the QR code or contact the Moorgen Australia team directly.

Visit the instagram page for inspiration @moorgen_official_au Moorgen Australia Showroom 197 Young Street, Waterloo New South Wales. www.moorgen.homes

INGOOD MEASURE

BEHIND THE

Helen Walker discovers that some businesses aren’t built, but revealed, when genuine care becomes their craft.

Jess and Michael from Another Blind Man aren’t just another local business, they are part of the fabric of community with a business built on genuine connection.

Jess says that she and husband Michael, didn’t start the business from scratch. It had been lovingly run by a local couple who have since retired.

“We were looking for something that offered flexibility for our family and something we could do together,” she says. “Another Blind Man allows us to apply both our skills and passion.”

Michael brings decades of hands on experience as a builder and as a landscaper.

“He’s a perfectionist,” Jess smiles.

“He knows exactly what’s required for an installation and he doesn’t miss a thing when it comes to measurements.”

Jess, meanwhile, adds her interior expertise from years working in high end homewares and fashion.

“It means we’re a really balanced

PHOTO: IAN WALDIE

Blinds

Michael and Jess

team. He handles the technical side, and I help clients shape the look and feel of their spaces,” she says.

The name Another Blind Man has always been a playful nod to the number of window furnishing businesses on the Coast - a cheeky, memorable title that sticks with people.

Their commitment to the region runs deep: they use only local manufacturers and suppliers, and they’re known for going the extra mile - whether it’s an after hours visit or tailoring advice to the quirks of Sunshine Coast living.

“It’s not just a transaction,” Jess says.

“It’s a relationship.”

“It’s light hearted,” Jess says. “And people remember it.”

When asked what sets Another Blind Man apart, Jess responds immediately.

They offer the full suite of interior and exterior window furnishings and it’s clear that being local isn’t just part of their story, it’s the foundation of how they operate.

“We work with you from start to finish. It’s our family name on every blind and curtain we hang,” she says.

“Our clients are our neighbours, our friends,” Jess explains. “We live in the same community, the same climate. We understand what works near the beach and what lasts in the hinterland.”

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As I leave, I’m struck by how deeply Jess and Michael care, not just about the work, but the people they serve.

Their promise is simple: treat every home as their own. In a community like ours, that’s exactly the kind of business worth celebrating.

SPRING 2026

ELEVATE YOUR LIFE + ENVIRONMENT + CHAKRAS

Breathtaking support for your energetic + nervous system.

Honour, feed + grow your Intuition!

THEFREQUENCYCOLLECTION.COM LUXECANDLECO.COM.AU

HIGH

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SPRING 2026

INSPIRE

Deb Caruso discovers how a decades-long relationship with a global leader keeps genuine European design just a showroom visit away for Noosa homeowners.

ENDURING

Design PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Villeroy & Boch has been making beautiful ceramics since 1748, when François Boch and his sons set up shop in Europe. NCP can’t match three centuries of history, but almost 75 years after the McDonald family opened their doors, the local outfit has been keeping Sunshine Coast bathrooms, kitchens and laundries running smoothly since the region was little more than a string of small towns.

The two businesses have been working together for decades, and that long relationship means Noosa homeowners get genuine European design without leaving the region. Walk into any of NCP’s five showrooms and you’ll find the latest from Villeroy & Boch, including the newly launched Avia 2.0 range.

Avia 2.0 takes classical design and gives it modern-day practicality, moving easily between federation cottages, coastal retreats, Hamptons-style interiors and sleek contemporary builds.

Tapware, showers and accessories all share one cohesive look, so the same finish can run from the ensuite through to the butler’s pantry.

“This collection’s finishes – Chrome, Brushed Nickel, and Brushed Gold – mean you can select a finish that complements your interior style, whether that’s traditional or contemporary,” says NCP General Manager Tracy Wilkins.

Ceramic and metal accents, gooseneck or straight mixers, and a range of basin styles are all on offer, and NCP’s team is on hand to help narrow down the right combination.

Small details count too – Avia 2.0’s

showers use easy-clean silicon nozzles, so a quick wipe keeps them looking new even in a busy household.

For something with more history built in, there’s Luxx tapware, including a wall-mounted basin mixer inspired by the decorative tiles of the Old Abbey in Mettlach, Germany. Its engraved handle catches the light beautifully, and a dual-motion design lets it lift and turn to control flow and temperature – a small, tactile link back to the brand’s origins. Like Avia 2.0, it comes in Chrome, Brushed Nickel and Brushed Gold.

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For anyone renovating or building locally, this is what that decades-long relationship between NCP and Villeroy & Boch really means: proper European design expertise, backed by local knowhow, just a showroom visit away.

OLD-WORLD STYLE. LOCAL KNOW-HOW. Pop into your nearest NCP showroom to see, touch and love the Villeroy & Boch range, including Avia 2.0 and Luxx, in person. Scan the QR code or visit www.ncpgroup.com.au

SPRING 2026

OLD GARDEN,

New Tricks

Deb Caruso seeks the advice of a verified greenthumb and discovers why a mature garden doesn’t need a bulldozer - just the right kind of attention.

If you want to know what a garden looks like after decades of getting it right, ask Marjorie Van Roy. As Patron of the Buderim Garden Club and owner of Manawee Garden Centre for more than 30 years, Marj has spent a lifetime working out what actually survives on the Sunshine Coast, as opposed to what merely looks good online.

Her advice for anyone taking on an older, established garden: resist the urge to start again.

“Taking over or updating an older landscape is about careful observation, soil care and strategic pruning, not total reinvention,” she says.

That doesn’t mean leaving things alone. Established gardens still need regular feeding, watering, grooming and the swapping out of spent seasonal colour to keep them looking their best.

Every good garden needs a handful of feature plants too, ones with real shape, or simply ones that can’t be replaced.

Marj’s first job with any tired garden is to look up. Which trees are providing shade worth keeping, and which have roots pushing into foundations, drains and paths, or branches hanging a little too close to the roofline for comfort in a storm?

“There are plenty of good, insured tree IN Noosa Magazine

loppers on the coast who can handle removal and stump grinding,” she says - though her one tip is to have most of the grindings taken away, since they add little value to the soil health.

Large shrubs are next. A good arborist or gardener can reduce them in size, opening the garden up and making room for the storm-proof, permanent shrubs that will carry it through summer. Marj isn’t precious about a hard prune either - done at the right time of year, it encourages better shape, lower branching and stronger overall health.

Once the structural work is done, it’s time to think about soil. Beds should be topped up regularly with a good-quality garden soil that includes compost, though not piled up so high around plant stems that it holds excess moisture and kills the plant. Decent soil isn’t always easy to find, Marj warns, and price isn’t the measure of quality.

“Look for a good topsoil, and don’t worry if it isn’t screened - a few bits of debris in there is no bad thing,” she says, advising that brought-in soil shouldn’t smell strongly, either.

For compost, Marj favours a bagged product such as Searles complete compost combined with sheep manure, rather than straight mushroom compost, which tends to carry a high salt and 152

mineral content, a high pH and sometimes residual chemicals - all of which can burn young roots and push the soil too alkaline for acid-loving plants.

Mixed through with garden conditioner and left to settle for a few weeks before planting, with a weekly water in the meantime, the results speak for themselves. Leaf litter, swept up off the driveway with a mower and catcher rather than grass clippings, is an underrated addition too, and makes excellent compost in its own right.

With good soil in place, plant selection comes next. Grouping several of the same species together, rather than dotting single specimens through a bed, is the look modern gardens are chasing.

The trick is matching not just sun or shade requirements but watering needs - pairing a frangipani, which wants nothing more than rainfall, with a thirstier under-planting such as Evolvulus ‘Blue My Mind’ is a recipe for rust, rot and a garden that never quite looks right.

It’s exactly this kind of local knowledge the team at Manawee talks through in their regular staff meetings, alongside the varieties that photograph beautifully online but simply won’t hold up in the Sunshine Coast’s subtropical humidity.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

INTHE GARDEN

INTHE GARDEN

KNOW YOUR GARDEN Palms, giant peace lilies and hibiscus thrive in it, while some lavenders, cool-climate stone fruit and certain succulents struggle with fungal problems in the same conditions.

“The real magic happens at the edges,” Marj says. “Border plants are the secret weapon that turn an ordinary bed into a showstopper.”

Framing plantings, defining walkways and adding layers of colour and texture, edging plants are what pull a whole design together, whether the goal is a romantic cottage feel, clean architectural lines or a looser meadow style.

Repeating a chosen plant in groups, rather than mixing too many varieties, gives the strongest effect, as long as it can handle the available light and water.

Replacing old, rotting timber edging or uneven stone with corten steel or black galvanised edging can lift the whole look too, giving beds a clean, professional line and somewhere for topsoil to sit.

Through all of it, Marj recommends keeping an eye out for chewing insects and fungal disease, and sticking to organic treatments on anything edible, repeated weekly for at least three weeks for full control.

Marj Van Roy For Marj, all of this effort comes back to something simple.

“There’s a real happiness and calm that comes from growing things,” she says. “It connects you to nature, relieves stress, and gives you something to be proud of when you watch it grow.”

A mature garden, brought back to life with some patience and the right care, is something the whole family gets to enjoy.

Spring

WE LOVE

Consider these tips for great gardens: Mature / established garden: These gardens respond best to careful observation, ongoing soil care and strategic pruning. Aim to have some feature plants and consider whether roots and or limbs have become a risk to foundations, drains or the roofline in a storm.

Flowering / show garden: Bursts of colour make the biggest visual impact of any garden style, but it can be hard work with regular feeding, proper watering, swapping out finished seasonal blooms, managing pests and practicing regular grooming.

Feature plants: Every established garden needs a handful of anchor plants - those chosen for their striking shape, rarity, or simply because they’re irreplaceable.

These are the plants worth designing around and protecting when the rest of the garden is being reshaped or renovated.

Border & edging plants: Strappy grasses, compact shrubs and soft low growers frame beds, define paths and tie a design together. Plant in groups matched to light and water needs to lift a garden from tidy to terrific.

For more garden inspiration, scan the QR code or visit www.manawee.com.au

NATIVES • TROPICALS POTTED COLOUR INDOOR PLANTS • SHRUBS GROUND COVERS SUCCULENTS • CACTUS SEEDLINGS + FRUIT TREES ADVANCED TREES FERTILISERS • TOOLS INDOOR + OUTDOOR POTS GIFT SHOP AND MORE STAY CONNECTED Scan the QR code and have our garden inspo and sale info delivered to your inbox

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Monday - Saturday 8am to 5pm | Sunday 9am to 4pm 18 Gloucester Road, BUDERIM 5445 2406

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SPRING 2026

GARDENS

DESIGNED FOR LIVING

DESIGN • CONSTRUCTION • MAINTENANCE • RESTORATION

2021

2021

2021

WINNER

WINNER

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RESIDENTIAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE YEAR

RESIDENTIAL CATEGORY

EARTH CREATION LANDSCAPES Noosa | Phone 0407 928 630 | Email stuart@earthcreationlandscapes.com.au www.earthcreationlandscapes.com.au

BEST FEATURE RESIDENTIAL

IN THE GARDEN

WHEN THE

Garden

Drawing on more than three decades in the craft, Earth Creation Landscapes founder Stuart Bain reflects on the quiet spring mornings that remind him why landscaping is never about the day a garden is finished, but the life that unfolds long after...

There are certain mornings in spring that remind me why I chose this profession more than thirty years ago.

feature tree and the quiet cup of coffee surrounded by nature before the rest of the house wakes.

Long before the roads become busy and the first coffee shops begin serving customers, I’ll often visit one of our completed gardens. There is rarely anyone there. Just the quiet stillness that only exists for a few moments.

Great landscapes aren’t built for the handover. They’re built for the memories that haven’t happened yet.

The lawn is still covered in dew. The air is cool enough to carry the scent of fresh mulch and damp earth. The first rays of sunlight slowly work their way through the branches of a feature tree that, only months earlier, arrived on the back of a truck as little more than a carefully wrapped root ball.

Then I stop. Not because I’m looking for something that needs fixing, but because I’m waiting to discover what nature has done since I was there last.

People often think a landscape job is finished when we pack the tools into the truck. The truth is, that’s when the garden really begins.

One of the greatest misconceptions about landscaping is that the day of completion is the day of success. I’ve never believed that. The day we finish is simply the day we hand the garden back to nature.

When we begin designing a landscape, I’m not thinking about the day we finish construction. I’m imagining the second spring, the fifth summer, the family barbecue that hasn’t happened yet, the children who’ll eventually climb the

I’m regularly asked what my favourite plants are and my answer usually comes as a surprise. For me, no individual plant has ever made a great garden, harmony does. I’ve always believed a garden is like an orchestra. Every plant has its own personality and strikes a different chord that together creates an unforgettable and enchanting performance.

People often see my name attached to a project but the truth is that every landscape is built by a team of craftsmen who care just as much as I do.

When I walk through one of our completed gardens, I don’t just see plants. I see the people who poured themselves into creating it.

I remember who carefully laid the stone, who shaped the garden beds, who planted the feature tree and who stayed back to make sure every detail was right.

That pride doesn’t belong to me alone.

It belongs to every member of our team who treats each project as though they were building it for their own family.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

WAKES Stuart Bain and Billy

It’s about creating spaces where life happens... holds everything together.

Then, almost without warning, spring arrives. Fresh shoots appear.

Groundcovers spill over the edges of beds and the birds return.

I’m often asked what homeowners should do each spring and my answer is simple: take care of the soil before you think about the plants.

Healthy gardens always begin beneath the surface. Refresh the mulch, feed the soil, check your irrigation and, most importantly, slow down long enough to notice the quiet changes taking place around you.

After more than three decades in landscaping, the greatest rewards aren’t collecting awards or creating beautiful projects. They certainly mean a great deal, but they aren’t what stay with me.

We are creating a compelling story and spring is my favourite chapter. It is the season where patience is rewarded.

The moments I remember most are much quieter: a family eating dinner outside, grandchildren running barefoot across a lawn, friends gathering beneath the shade of a tree we planted years before. That’s when I know we’ve succeeded.

During winter you admire the framework, the stonework, pathways, timber, retaining walls and structure that

Landscaping is never really about building gardens. It’s about creating spaces where life happens.

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SPRING 2026

INNOVATIVE Curramore Project

A BUILDING

REVOLUTION

Go behind the scenes with Nicole May at Coolum’s modular powerhouse to see how they’re building award-winning, bank-backed futures in record time.

Let’s talk about the inside word on finance, because Saltair is really changing the way we build our homes.

They are one of only a handful of builders nationally to hold the coveted CommBank Assessed Manufacturer status, which basically means they’ve unlocked a level of financial freedom you rarely see in construction.

After a rigorous bank assessment of their facility and financial performance, the green light has been given for buyers to access up to 80 per cent of their funding progressively while the home is still being built offsite.

Compared to the usual 60 per cent offered by non-assessed builders, it’s a total game-changer.

It is about more than just avoiding rain delays; it’s about keeping your capital in your pocket and your peace of mind on track from the very moment you sign, and that’s reassuring.

Managing Director Steve Bridger says CommBank is genuinely leading the way in making modular finance accessible. That kind of backing gives buyers real certainty.

For years, we may have thought the pre-fab label carried a certain stigma a suggestion of temporary structures or good-enough cabins. But standing inside the Saltair warehouse, watching a sleek, architecturally designed module glide along a custom-engineered factory rail system, that old narrative evaporates.

Saltair isn’t just building houses; they IN Noosa Magazine

Modular is no longer the future - it is the now. are engineering a solution to the modern Australian housing puzzle, and they are doing it with a level of credibility that has the country’s biggest institutions taking serious note.

The secret, well, it seems to be a concept Saltair refers to as ‘all in-house: all in control’.

By bringing every discipline - from initial design to final logistics - under one roof in Coolum, they’ve eliminated the variables that usually trouble homeowners.

Weather delays? Non-existent. Supply chain hiccups? Managed. Quality control? Just look at a finished display.

This methodical approach hasn’t just caught the eye of stylish locals looking for a hinterland retreat; it has earned the ultimate seal of approval with the banks.

When we talk about Saltair being one of only a handful of manufacturers nationally to hold CommBank Assessed Manufacturer status, this is seen as a big win for the consumer.

It makes the desire of a precision-built home a financial reality for many who previously felt locked out.

Even Jamie Durie is a fan. The lifestyle icon recently brought his Future House series to the Coolum warehouse, filming 156

inside the facility to show Australia what a modular-first approach looks like firsthand.

Jamie Durie’s exploration of the Saltair display village - and specifically his interview with CommBank’s Rebecca Markwell - showed how technology like the Home Energy Assessment Tool is being integrated into these builds to ensure they aren’t just fast, but incredibly smart.

Look at the track record. While some builders talk about efficiency, Saltair proves efficiency with government-grade delivery.

“Modular is no longer the future - it is the now,” says Managing Director Steve Bridger, underscoring how their approach is reshaping expectations across the industry.

Take the QBuild project in Bundaberg East, part of the Queensland Government’s Homes for Queenslanders initiative. Saltair delivered 34 dwellings comprising 68 separate modules, in under three-and-a-half months.

Let that sink in.

In the time it takes most people to get their council approvals through, Saltair had handed over the keys to a multimillion-dollar community. They weren’t just fast; they were first.

Out of three similarly sized regional government packages underway at the time, Saltair was the first builder to finish and hand over.

Speed, however, didn’t come at the

INNOVATIVE PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

With logistics teams capable of delivering these modules Australia-wide - from metropolitan hubs to remote outposts - the Coolum Secret is officially out.

Bundaberg Project cost of what truly matters. Half of those Bundaberg homes were built to gold accessibility standards, ensuring they are fit-for-purpose for older Queenslanders and people living with disability.

Witta Display Home “These awards say a lot about our team and our dedication to quality and efficiency in delivering modular housing,” Steve said.

It’s this blend of high-speed industrial output and high-touch human design that saw them walk away with the Master Builders Wide Bay Prefabricated & Modular Housing Award 2025.

Their Witta display home - a stunning example of open-plan living that you can walk through at their Coolum factory took out the Sunshine Coast Master Builders Award for Display Homes -$400,000 to $600,000 category.

“Delivering 34 homes in under three-and-a-half months only works if speed doesn’t come at the expense of design quality,” said Steve.

Walking through ‘The Witta’, you quickly realise that the kitchen and open-plan living spaces feel expansive, grounded, and permanent.

Last year alone, Saltair swept the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay titles for Prefabricated and Modular Housing at both the HIA and Master Builders awards.

As they move into a new era of growth, Saltair is stepping out from its Coolum headquarters with a refreshed brand and a national vision.

Whether it’s a government-backed social housing project or a bespoke residential masterpiece, the message from the factory floor is clear: the future of building is happening right here, under the lights, with a rail system, a plan, and a very bright future.

CONCEPT TO COMPLETION Finance: Saltair is a CommBank Assessed Manufacturer, meaning you can access 80 per cent of your funding progressively while your home is still in the factory.

Pace: Recently delivered 34 dwellings in just 3.5 months for the QBuild project.

Award-winning: A total sweep of the 2025 HIA and Master Builders awards for the Sunshine Coast and Wide Bay. Review: Lifestyle icon Jamie Durie featured the Coolum facility in two episodes of his Future House series.

To find out more about the designs, projects and latest news, scan the QR code or visit www.saltair.com.au

Saltair delivers construction solutions across residential, commercial, government, health, education, tourism and resource sectors with the flexibility to meet any project demand.

ALL IN-HOUSE, ALL IN CONTROL Redefining Smarter Building DESIGN | BUILD | TRANSPORT | INSTALLATION Sunshine Coast Office & Factory 41 Quanda Road, Coolum Beach Phone 5446 2113

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157

SPRING 2026

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

INFORM

OFF THE SOLAR

COASTER

Working out the right time to go solar can feel like a wild ride.

John Caruso discovers a local business designed to take the guesswork out of it.

Fifteen years ago, on a six thousand square metre block at Doonan, we installed our first solar system.

Every quote came with an asterisk.

The feed-in tariff quoted on a Tuesday had shifted by the time the paperwork was signed on a Friday; rebates appeared and disappeared and the panels themselves were supposedly obsolete within eighteen months of anyone bolting them to a roof - or so every second salesman told me.

Nobody in the industry could give an answer that was still true six months later, and the same conversation played out again a few years on when batteries entered the picture, and everybody had a different opinion on whether they were worth the money.

Installers had a name for that chaos, and it’s still relevant today: the ‘solar coaster’. Between battery rebates, EVs and heat pumps replacing gas, the decisions have only multiplied, and the stakes of getting them wrong have only grown with the price tag.

his crew over anyone else quoting the same job, and the answer comes down to four things: reliability, time in the market, experience, and the people that do the work.

Reliability comes first, and it isn’t a sales line so much as a habit. Cameron recently talked a client out of a cut-price system based on the logic that the technology would be outdated within a decade. His response was to flip the question back on them: what if it isn’t?

“Then you’re the one ripping it out and starting again,” he says, while the neighbour is still running the system that was installed properly the first time.

A well-built setup, he argues, should run twenty five to thirty years without a second thought, which matters a great deal more to a homeowner in their sixties than any discount ever will.

It’s the same argument he’d make to anyone still weighing up whether to wait for the next generation of panels before committing to this one.

Cameron Walker has spent the better part of two decades building a business to lift that standard, first as an electrician running his own company in Albury-Wodonga and now applying the same discipline to solar as owner of Celtic Solar in Noosaville.

Time in the market is the second thing, and Celtic Solar has more of it than most. Tony and Mel Morrissey built the business from 2010, installing systems for hundreds of local customers and earning a reputation that takes fifteen years to build and about a week to wreck.

Ask him why a customer should trust

Cameron and his wife, Chelsey, bought

IN Noosa Magazine

158

the business rather than starting one from scratch, and ruled out rebadging it.

A name with that much goodwill attached is worth more intact than reinvented, and longevity matters in an industry where plenty of new operators arrive the week a rebate is announced, undercut everyone on price, then close their doors the moment it’s wound back, leaving customers with warranties nobody’s left to honour. A handful don’t even make it that far, folding before the first round of installations are finished.

Experience is the third pillar, and Cameron’s runs deeper than solar. He learned his trade in the Australian Navy, then spent close to twenty years building his first business, KDEC Electrical, from himself and a single apprentice into a company pushing forty staff before selling a stake to two of his own tradesmen and taking a step back to figure out what came next.

That background shows up in the judgement calls: which brands are worth backing, which aren’t, and how to size a system properly. He points to Sungrow, which has operated in Australia for more than a decade and recently opened a showroom on the coast, as a brand he trusts, precisely because a client can walk in and handle the product before committing to it, rather than betting on a company that only turned up when the

A decade ago, one client in fifty asked about a battery, and most of those walked away without buying one. Now it comes up in nearly every consultation, and most sign on, because gas cooktops are going, pool heaters are going electric, and a growing share of driveways have an EV parked in them drawing an extra ten or fifteen kilowatt hours a day.

Battery rebates only come around once per household, unlike the solar rebate, so getting the size wrong the first time means paying full price to fix it later rather than simply topping up.

quotes a job is accountable for the person who climbs the roof to finish it, rather than passing that risk on to a subcontractor neither Cameron nor the client has ever met.

Behind that local team sits a business three times its size back in Albury, ready with parts, expertise or an extra set of hands whenever the operation requires it, a level of backup most small operators simply don’t have.

It’s the difference between a two-man

outfit hoping nothing goes wrong and a business that can absorb a bad month without cutting corners to survive it.

Fifteen years on from our first system at Doonan, I’d still take a straight answer over a discount any day of the week.

Cameron’s whole business is built on the bet that most people would too, and in Noosa right now, with the solar coaster running faster than ever, that’s not a bad bet to be backing. www.celticsolar.com.au

EV CHARGING

SOLAR SYSTEMS

The fourth pillar is people, and it’s the one that ties the other three together.

Nothing at Celtic Solar is subcontracted out. Sales, design and installation are handled start to finish by the same local crew, including Cameron and Chelsey’s son Nixon, a qualified electrician who moved north with them and now works the tools most days, while Chelsey runs the finances and admin, much as she always has. It means the person who

Cameron, Chelsey & Nixon

BATTERY SYSTEMS

“There’s no cookie-cutter approach,” Cameron says, and it’s clear he means it as more than a slogan.

HOME ELECTRIFICATION

rebate did. It also shows up in how he plans for what a household will need next, not just what it needs now.

PHOTO: IAN WALDIE

INFORM

Quality Solar and Battery Solutions for Residential and Commercial Properties Talk to our team today Phone 5449 1001 5/4 Selkirk Drive, Noosaville

celticsolar.com.au 159

SPRING 2026

INSPIRE

Suburb

Somewhere between Toorak and Cairns, a small Queensland beach town became one of the country’s most exclusive postcodes.

John Caruso meets someone who’s had a front row seat.

There’s no tram to Noosa. No Harbour Bridge to cross, no eastern suburbs rail line, nothing resembling a commute just the Bruce Highway, a couple of roundabouts, and, if you’re arriving from Sydney or Melbourne, a short flight and maybe a hire car.

claim with an actual figure: Noosa is currently the only regional market in the country’s top thirty suburbs ranked by sales above five million dollars.

Welcome to 4567 - Noosa Heads which Tom Offermann says you could describe Noosa as an affluent northern suburb of those cities.

“It’s a place that people aspire to move to once they’ve made enough money to retire, or before then, to spend their holidays,” Tom says. Toorak and Mosman are addresses people are born into or spend decades earning their way toward. Noosa functions as the reward at the end of that same climb, regardless of which capital city it started in - which may be why the town has ended up feeling less like a rival to those markets and more of an extension of all of them.

It’s a strange claim for a town thousands of kilometres removed from Toorak or Mosman, until you delve a little deeper into how and why it’s grown the way it has.

Tom has sold real estate here since 1986 and says that when he started, nine in ten residents were locals, mostly from Gympie and Brisbane.

Over four decades that ratio has all but reversed. The buyers arriving now are the same people who might once have bought on Sydney’s north shore or in Melbourne’s inner east - they’ve simply worked out that the water’s warmer here, and that there are way more days of sunshine.

A Westpac report Tom had open on his desk the morning we spoke backs the IN Noosa Magazine

Every other postcode on that list carries a capital city address; Noosa carries a surf club.

The town has adjusted its presentation to suit the buyers it now attracts, and Tom has watched that shift from close range. Back when he started, the uniform in Hastings Street was shorts, sneakers and Hawaiian shirts - comfortable and indistinguishable from the tourist trade around it.

He and his staff deliberately moved away from that look, on the theory that a business handling this much money 160

owed its clients one level of formality.

The same logic, he points out, that has a cattle auctioneer swap boots for clean shoes and khakis on sale day. Shirt and tie, not board shorts. It’s a small detail, but it’s the same instinct driving the marble office and the private negotiations - dress for the suburb you’re selling to, not the one you’re standing in.

Tom’s proof of the shift isn’t a number at all - it’s a habit. Each year, when the nation’s top two hundred rich list runs in The Australian, he sees many names he recognises.

“We know half of those people,” Tom says, and it isn’t boasting so much as bookkeeping - many have bought, sold, or holidayed through his office at some point, usually without anyone else in town clocking who they were.

That anonymity is, by his own account, part of the appeal. Noosa’s wealthiest visitors and residents move down the main street in board shorts and thongs, indistinguishable from anyone else queuing for coffee, recognised by almost nobody except the agent who sold them the house.

Property talk in Noosa travels fast -

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

THE ACCIDENTAL

INSPIRE

Noosa’s wealthiest visitors and residents move down the main street in board shorts and thongs, indistinguishable from anyone else queuing for coffee, recognised by almost nobody except the agent who sold them the house. meet him. His office sits in the middle of that web, which is less coincidence than a product of forty years of relationshipbuilding. He still describes the business as constructed “brick by brick,” one contact at a time, rather than through any deliberate campaign.

Quamby Place half the town’s business gets done in cafés, within earshot of the next table.

“I’ve heard so many stories,” Tom says, usually second-hand tip-offs from someone who’s overheard half a conversation and mistaken it for inside information. It’s why his Quamby Place office presents the way it does: marble floors, the green-glassed banker’s lamp palette, Devialet speakers and metal sculptures; professional, discreet. The room exists for one reason - so two parties can negotiate the biggest transaction of their lives without the barista knowing about it.

None of which means Noosa has entirely priced itself out of its own postcode. Tom is careful to point out that apartments, and even the odd house, remain available for around a million dollars - a figure that reads as almost modest set against the five-milliondollar sales making headlines. It isn’t Toorak, and it isn’t trying to be. It’s a beach town that happens to attract Toorak money, on Toorak’s terms, without Toorak’s infrastructure.

Sydney and Melbourne buyers bring more than their budgets north with them, and nowhere is that more obvious than on a Saturday morning.

Noosa wasn’t historically an auction town - deals here were traditionally struck via private treaty, agent to buyer, over a handshake rather than a gavel.

That’s shifted in the last twenty years, and Tom’s office now runs two or three auctions most weekends, on-site rather than in a function room. It’s the same theatre Melbourne buyers grew up watching on the front lawn of somebody else’s house, transplanted a couple of states north and staged, often, with a water view and loads of sunshine.

The psychology holds up just as well this far from Melbourne. Tom makes a point of approaching the underbidder first once the hammer’s fallen, thanking them for their bid, before he ever congratulates the buyer.

Which may be the most accurate way to describe what’s happened here.

Tom Offermann What he hears from the winning side is almost always some version of the same admission - that they went further than they meant to, that they paid more than planned. He treats that as the system working exactly as designed.

A packed room watching someone else bid is the closest thing a nervous buyer gets to proof they haven’t been taken for a ride, even as it pushes them well past their own ceiling.

Noosa hasn’t so much become a suburb as helped itself to every advantage of one - the money, the networks, the record sales, residents who already know each other before they’ve unpacked the car - while leaving every disadvantage of a genuine capital city on the other side of the state border. There’s still no tram.

There’s still no bridge. There’s a flight, maybe a drive up the Bruce, and on the evidence so far, that’s proven no obstacle at all.

Listen to our complete conversation with Tom on our podcast, Everyone Has a Story.

The buyers themselves form less of a market and more of a network. Tom describes it as a “web of people” - one contact from Brisbane, one from Sydney, one from Melbourne, many of whom already know each other before they ever 161

SPRING 2026

Some assets work.

Sell yours with Kate Cox. Some properties earn their keep. Others just sit there, quietly costing you more than they’re giving back. Kate Cox has spent 17 years knowing the difference.

Selling an investment isn’t like selling a home. It takes someone who understands the market beneath the market: pricing for the right buyer, timing settlement and navigating body corporate and onsite management.

Sinking funds, seasonal yield and the details everyone else glazes over. That is exactly where Kate does her best work.

Some properties are assets. Some are just habits.

If you’re not sure which yours has become, it’s time for a confidential conversation.

Book your investor appraisal with Kate Cox | Reed & Co Estate Agents Noosa

Scan the QR code to connect. @kate.cox_noosa

Kate Cox Phone: 0438 695 505 Email: kate@reedandco.co www.reedandco.co

reedandco.co

PHOTO: EQROY / SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Time, NOT TIMING

INFORM

Two Noosa properties, purchased decades apart in very different markets, tell the same story. Kate Cox says neither buyer needed to pick the bottom; they just needed to buy.

Words by John Caruso.

In 2015, a stretched budget bought a three-bedroom townhouse with views at The Rise in Noosa Heads for $675,000, nearly double what the buyer had originally set aside for a one-bedroom unit at Noosa Blue. Eleven years on, Kate Cox, the Noosa agent who sold him the townhouse, puts its value at just under three million dollars. He never sold it.

shed, which is either a sobering inflation lesson or a good argument for buying property whenever you can afford to.

markets other people were sitting out, and then we did the least glamorous thing possible: nothing. For a long time.

I was reading Building Wealth Through Investment Property by Jan Somers at the time, whose central argument was that property in this country tends to double in value every seven to ten years if you leave it alone long enough to let it.

Instead, he leveraged the equity into one business, then a second, and built a life on the back of a decision that looked reckless at the time and sensible in hindsight.

“It requires time, not timing,” Jan wrote.

Ask most investors what the market was doing the year they bought and you’ll get a vague shrug. I couldn’t tell you what Noosa’s median prices did in 1999, or 2001, and I doubt Kate’s client who bought at The Rise in 2015 could recite the cash rate that month either.

“He had the courage to go for it when the market appeared slow,” Kate says.

It’s not an isolated result either. Half of Kate’s business now sits in the $2-$4 million bracket, apartments bought as investments and holiday houses rather than family homes, proof that this kind of ‘leap of faith’ has become less the exception in Noosa than the rule, for a certain type of buyer.

Nobody buying in 2015 could have known interest rates would stay low for another decade, or that Noosa apartments would become some of the most tightly held stock in Queensland.

What they could see was already there: limited supply, genuine lifestyle appeal, and a market that had spent a few years catching its breath after the GFC. What changed wasn’t the location. It was everyone else’s nerve.

That’s the part of property investment Kate finds most useful to remember. The best purchases rarely look extraordinary at the time. They look like a stretch, a risk, or in my case, an ordinary two-bedroom unit, tucked behind what is now the Aldi carpark on Weyba Road.

It was the 1990s and $108,000 secured a modest, holiday rental in Weyba Gardens Resort. The kind of place nobody would ever call a trophy asset. Today, $108,000 barely covers a deposit on a

I didn’t have a clear read on the market back then, and I’m not going to pretend otherwise. What I can tell you - because I looked it up - is that the cash rate through most of 1998 sat around five percent, low by the standards of the punishing double-digit rates of the early nineties. Negative gearing had been back in place for over a decade, and the capital gains tax discount didn’t exist until 1999 - none of the things that make property investment attractive were in place.

I bought anyway, mostly because the alternative was doing nothing while everyone else was doing something.

Noosa in 1998 was in the middle of a decade of steady, unspectacular gains as the region’s charm drew local and interstate interest, helped along by a council decision in 1995 to ‘cap the population’ and, by extension, the future housing supply.

I sold that apartment within ten years, and it had doubled, exactly as Somers said it would. Not because I’d timed anything cleverly. Because I’d left it alone long enough for the market to do what markets in scarce, desirable places tend to do, given enough time.

That’s the thread running through my story and the one Kate tells about her client at The Rise. Neither of us had inside information, nor had we picked the bottom of the cycle with any precision, because nobody ever really does. We bought when the numbers made us a little uncomfortable, in 163

It doesn’t matter. That’s the point.

Enough time in a market smooths out the noise - the false starts, the gloomy headlines, the well-meaning warnings from people who never bought anything themselves. What’s left a decade or two later is simply growth.

Kate sees the same pattern - slower market, cautious buyers, stock sitting longer than it would in a hotter cycle.

“People can’t get over fear,” Kate says, and it’s the one obstacle that has nothing to do with interest rates or government policy and everything to do with nerve.

It helps that Noosa rarely behaves like other markets when the mood’s cautious.

“Noosa never does. It stabilises in price,” Kate says. Owners who don’t need to sell simply don’t, so listings sit rather than prices fall, which is another way of saying the panic that grips other markets tends to skip this market.

If there’s a lesson worth taking from all of this, it’s that the market will always hand you a good reason to wait.

Buy anyway, hold on, and let time do what timing never manages to do.

Kate Cox watches that lesson repeat itself across Noosa’s apartment and investment market, from modest holiday units to multi-million-dollar homes.

For anyone weighing up whether now is the moment, her answer, backed by both her client’s result and mine, is the same one it’s always been. Stop waiting to ‘feel’ ready and just start.

SPRING 2026

INHABIT

AN EYE FOR

Liveability

Most people don’t move to Noosa on a whim. They arrive on a holiday, return for long weekends and, somewhere along the way, begin imagining a life here.

That’s when the experience, insight and intelligence of a buyers agent becomes invaluable – you don’t just need someone to help you buy a property, you need someone who can help you understand how you’ll live in it.

Kristy Bruggy, Principal of Noosa Buyers Agent, has lived in the region since 1981. She has seen the town evolve from a quiet coastal village into one of the most sought-after property markets in the country. But more importantly, she has built and renovated many of her own homes here and supported a large number of clients with insights into both small and significant changes that will make a property work for them.

Kristy then assists to bring these ideas to life, through contacts with interior designers, architects, draftspeople and various trades.

That hands-on experience has gifted her what she calls an eye for liveability - a practical, unsentimental way of looking at a property to see exactly how it will function for the people inside.

This is how Kristy can help you find a home that is uniquely yours.

“When I talk to clients, there’s so much more to discuss than just their preferred suburb, price range, or the number of bedrooms and bathrooms,” Kristy said. She explained that many buyers, particularly those from interstate or overseas, see a beautiful home and IN Noosa Magazine

PHOTO: IAN WALDIE

Sunlight, cross-ventilation and the ideal floorplan. Nicole May learns why navigating the property market with intention is the key to an effortless Noosa lifestyle.

Kristy Bruggy

... there’s so much more to discuss than just their preferred suburb, price range, or the number of bedrooms and bathrooms... don’t see the drawbacks such as being positioned in a low-lying, damp pocket, that the home has almost no natural light and ventilation, or the building materials and maintenance of the property is less than optimal.

“Buyers may come from areas where you just turn on the heating or cooling but here in Noosa, if you don’t have the right aspect or cross-ventilation, the house may not be so pleasant to live in,” she explains.

Kristy’s current home serves as a perfect example of this philosophy in action. She is currently closing in a room to create a media space and opening up another section with glass windows to capture the north-east aspect better.

“The house we bought lacked natural light in the living space,” she said. “But I could see the opportunity to transform an otherwise ideal home with a relatively simple fix.”

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For her, it’s about identifying the potential for liveability even if it isn’t there on day one.

This level of insight is where Kristy separates herself from the purely transactional side of real estate. She isn’t an investor-style agent looking for a quick flip or simply at the returns.

Instead, she focuses on the relationship and the long-term satisfaction of clients.

“The amount of money on stamp duty and agent fees now is significant,” she noted. “If you can get the home layout, indoor and outdoor living, aspect, cross-ventilation and location right in the first place to suit your lifestyle, you’re going to want to stay.”

Educating clients is a major part of her daily work. Many newcomers have a focus on Hastings Street or Noosa Heads because those are the areas they know from holidays and this is where Kristy’s professional experience and personal knowledge learnt from 40 years living in Noosa proves invaluable.

She takes the time to explain the nuances of Noosa’s diverse suburbs, from the canal-front luxury of Noosa Waters to the open beaches stretching from Sunshine to Peregian Beach, and the expansive quiet of the tranquil Noosa hinterland.

This is exactly where the search process itself is highly personalised.

Kristy sends candid videos of properties to her clients, providing an

INHABIT

objective viewpoint they won’t find in a glossy sales brochure.

She looks for the things agents usually don’t mention - whether it be the lack of privacy from a neighbouring easement, the road noise that only hits at certain times of day, the level of maintenance the property will require, or short term letting approval for those looking for a holiday home.

Once a property is under contract, Kristy’s eye moves from the big picture to the granular. While a standard building and pest inspection covers the structure, Kristy does her extensive checks.

She meticulously moves through the home and tests everything, from every light switch to built-in kitchen appliances and fans. She checks that the drawers under the sinks aren’t hiding water damage and that the air conditioning actually works.

“Buyers often don’t want to do that because it feels invasive,” she said. “Yet, if an air conditioner isn’t working at the pre-settlement inspection, I can say for a fact it was working four weeks ago.”

This meticulousness can extend beyond the settlement date. As someone who purchased a home interstate without any help and flew in five times before buying, I can see how influential this service could be for an interstate or overseas buyer.

For many of her clients, particularly those who aren’t yet living in Noosa full-time, Kristy can become a de facto project manager. She recently assisted an international buyer with a brand-new property, managing everything from interior designers and blind installations to furniture deliveries.

“By the time the new owners arrived on settlement day, the house was two-thirds furnished and ready for them,” she said. “It’s a level of service that goes far beyond simply handing over a set of keys.”

Whether she is working with a high-budget prestige buyer or a client seeking a carefully considered property purchase, Kristy’s goal remains the same: to protect her client’s interests and help them buy the right property, at the right price, with confidence.

YOUR EXPERT PROPERTY PARTNER

By focusing on the natural light and cross-ventilation, aspect, location and the practicalities of daily life, she ensures the dream of Noosa doesn’t just look good in a photo - it feels right to live in, sometimes making you feel like you’re still on a holiday!

Your Local, Trusted and Experienced Buyers Agent from Noosa to Peregian Beach

THE LIVEABILITY AUDIT The Aspect: In Noosa, a north-east aspect is the gold standard for natural light and temperature control.

The Breeze: Elevation isn’t just for the view - it’s for the essential airflow that combats the coastal humidity.

The Spaces: Does the home have suitable spaces for both indoor and outdoor living?

The Maintenance: Are you comfortable with the level of ongoing upkeep this property will require?

The Nitty-Gritty: Kristy conducts extensive due diligence on your behalf and checks the finer details you may not have considered.

Contact Noosa Buyers Agent on 0400 120 877, hello@noosabuyersagent.com for trusted advice.

Kristy Bruggy 0400 120 877 hello@noosabuyersagent.com

noosabuyersagent.com @noosabuyersagent 165

SPRING 2026

INSIGHT

Waiter, Reactor, Positioner: which one are you - and who do you want in your corner when buying or selling?

Jodie Cameron talks to a Noosa property expert who reads the market shift by shift, day by day - and shows how the right, heartfelt guidance changes everything.

Timing There’s a moment in every property journey - whether you’re looking to sell a cherished place or find your next sanctuary - where the market seems to pause. What you do in that moment says a lot about your approach and even more importantly, who stands beside you in that moment makes all the difference to how the journey feels and where you land.

That heart-led, grounded space is exactly where Kathy Wise has built her career.

From her early days as a buyer’s advocate in rural Queensland to handson project management across renovations, interiors, and full-scale property development, Kathy has spent years learning to read more than just market statistics.

She reads people, lives, and the true feeling of a place. Today, as the founder of Sun & Sage Real Estate in Sunshine Beach, she blends deep property expertise with genuine warmth for the local community she loves.

When I sat down with Kathy over a morning coffee, she’d just finished reading a framework that had landed in her inbox - one that instantly resonated with the real-life stories she guides every week. This framework defines people into three types of buyers based on how they respond to a shifting market.

“There’s waiters, reactors and positioners,” Kathy shares with a smile.

“Three distinct ways of moving through the exact same uncertainty, leading to IN Noosa Magazine

three outcomes that rarely look the same five years down the road.”

Kathy Wise

PHOTOS: PAULA BRENNAN

WISE

Positioners are already stepping forward, taking advantage of market forces.

...giving sellers complete peace of mind to list, knowing they’ll achieve true market value and be personally cared for through every step.

“True positioning isn’t about hunting for a quick discount,” Kathy explains.

onto the market immediately receives the love, focus, and visibility it deserves.”

“It’s about recognising underlying worth while others hesitate, and having the foresight to act before the next wave comes in.”

That’s precisely where Kathy’s holistic background becomes a comforting advantage.

Waiters listen closely to the rhythm of the market, holding back until they feel the time and the signs are right.

Reactors move with swift, decisive clarity - often prioritising peace of mind, ease, and certainty over endless negotiations.

The most reassuring part? None of these choices define you forever.

“Being a waiter today doesn’t mean you can’t step up as a positioner tomorrow,” Kathy says. “Everyone is welcome to the party - the goal is simply making sure you get there with confidence and a smile.”

That perspective matters right now in Noosa. The property landscape isn’t slowing down, it’s simply maturing, and Kathy remains one step ahead, keeping her clients feeling supported and secure.

More local owners are choosing off-market sales, balancing privacy with a carefully nurtured pool of genuine buyers, a thoughtful strategy which Kathy customises for every individual’s goals.

“My heart is always in giving sellers complete peace of mind to list, knowing they’ll achieve true market value and be personally cared for through every step - while giving buyers the reassurance that they are making a sound, cherished investment,” Kathy says.

“Buyers aren’t sitting on the sidelines; they’re sitting ready,” Kathy notes.

When an auction is the right fit, she approaches it with the same supportive care.

“Because quality inventory is tight, a beautiful, well-prepared home stepping

“Auctions remain a wonderful tool because they bring clarity and

166

INSIGHT make your move, Sun & Sage Real Estate brings a friendly face, deep insight, and rich local knowledge to every conversation.

“This applies to everyone in our community, buyers and sellers alike,” Kathy says. “Where you start isn’t fixed; it’s simply a doorway to what’s next.”

Noosa and Sunshine Beach are extraordinary places to call home.

Navigating the property market here should feel like a welcoming, inspiring chapter.

momentum, preventing a property from sitting in limbo,” she says.

means every home is showcased with heart, character, and style.

It’s an approach grounded in experience, local wisdom and a warm, hands-on approach, never pressure.

Whether tailoring a bespoke marketing campaign, managing a lively auction, or unlocking creative off-market opportunities, Kathy looks at the human picture first.

What truly sets Kathy - and Sun & Sage Real Estate - apart is the personal craft she brings to the process.

She isn’t just navigating contracts; she sees a home through the eyes of whoever loved living there, whether it’s a family, a couple, a single buyer, or someone letting go of a treasured weekender or holiday retreat.

Her background in design and interiors

With Kathy Wise in your corner, you get years of market instinct, genuine care, and local relationships, so that you never have to guess your next step.

Pop in for a chat with Kathy and the team at Sun & Sage Real Estate, Sunshine Beach, and take your next step with a local guide who reads the market every day, so you can simply enjoy the journey.

“It’s about looking past the obvious path,” Kathy says. “Sometimes the sweetest outcome isn’t the most conventional one, it’s the one shaped with care and foresight.”

Whether you’re a waiter watching the horizon, a reactor seeking a seamless next chapter, or a positioner ready to

CHOOSE WISELY

For a fresh perspective to real estate experience in Sunshine Beach and surrounds, contact Kathy on 0407 968 300 or subscribe to the enewsletter for regular market insights, the latest listings and advice, scan the QR code or visit www.sunandsage.com.au

We make selling simple.

Selling your home is a big decision, and at Sun & Sage, we believe it should be a smooth, stress-free experience with outstanding results.

Kathy Wise 0407 968 300

kathy@sunandsage.com.au

sunandsage.com.au

167

SPRING 2026

INVEST

When a developer’s vision remains intact from blueprint to build, Nicole May learns that the result is total project fluency.

FROM BLUEPRINT

To Sale

For Donovan Biss, the evolution of Cove Property has been less about building a traditional agency and more about bridging the gap between a design vision and the final reality for himself, clients looking for development advice and partnership, and also buyers looking for an investment or new residence.

About 18 months ago, the agency was a concept; today, it is a firm dedicated to the tangible delivery of considered, design-led homes.

A transition driven by a desire for project fluency. In the standard development model, the person who secures the site and designs the home is often layers removed from the person selling it.

Donovan said that by keeping the process entirely in-house, it ensures that the intention behind every architectural choice is communicated clearly and with integrity.

“We started Cove to keep it all under one roof, to keep it smooth and ensure a better sales process,” he explains.

This approach creates a transparent journey for the buyer, allowing them to deal directly with the developer-agent who knows the property from the first footing to the final finish.

Let’s look at the development at 41 Myles Street, Tewantin. This substantial Hamptons-style home sits on a 506-square-metre block and was secured due to its potential.

Donovan helped secure the site and oversaw the formation of a home that offers 360 square metres of internal and IN Noosa Magazine

Donovan Biss and Tara Morris

We’ve evolved from a design vision to the tangible delivery of these projects. external living space, including a dedicated 30-square-metre pool area.

The design is intentionally versatile with five bedrooms and three bathrooms, the layout includes a ground-floor guest suite with its own ensuite, making it ideal for multi-generational families or those hosting long-term guests.

“It’s designed so everyone can have their own space,” Donovan says, pointing to the inclusion of two separate living areas - one on each floor. This focus on liveability is a characteristic of his design-driven ethos.

The choice of Tewantin as a development hub is equally considered.

While the town centre retains its original character, the surrounding residential areas are undergoing significant gentrification led by a new wave of builders.

Donovan notes that while a similarsized property in Noosaville might command upwards of $5 million, Tewantin offers comparable quality and proximity for nearly half that price.

168

“The growth of Tewantin and the number of new builders and developers going through there and gentrifying it is a really cool thing to see,” he says.

The data supports this shift, with recent figures indicating that 70% of homes selling for under $4 million in the region are located in Tewantin. It is a market defined by the strength of actual development rather than just turnover.

Further down the coast in Yaroomba, Cove Property is delivering a different kind of vision at Neurum Road. This project involves an upscale duplex set back on an elevated hill, where the architectural challenge was to create a multi-residential building that maintained the aesthetic of a single, grand home.

“We aimed to create a duplex that looks like a house,” Donovan explains.

The design features two garages, but only one entry is visible from the front, with the second cleverly tucked away on the side. Each residence offers 260-square-metres of living space in a style that blends modern pavilion influences with Mediterranean textures.

The primary drawcard here is the 180-degree coastal view. From the elevated site, the vista stretches from Yaroomba Beach in the north, past Mudjimba Island – also known as Old Woman Island, and down to Mooloolaba and Point Cartwright.

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

INVEST

41 Myles Street, Tewantin

Neurum Road, Yaroomba (artist impression)

“It’s glamorous and stylish,” Donovan says of the project, which is currently open for expressions of interest off the plan. “It’s a home that rewards you from the moment you arrive.”

Maintaining trust and integrity throughout these developments means that, if need be, Donovan can stay involved long after the build is finished.

This is why Cove Property integrates permanent and holiday letting alongside a concierge service for owners who may only reside on the coast part-time.

By managing the properties they build, the team ensures the original vision is upheld, and the investment is protected.

As the Tewantin market continues its

upward trajectory, Cove Property is proving that the most successful projects are built on a foundation of direct accountability.

It’s a practical, design-led approach that ensures the home you’ve imagined is exactly the one you step into.

With 41 Myles Street now ready for viewings and the Neurum Road duplexes open for expressions of interest, your next chapter is ready to be written.

Reach out to Donovan and the team to see these visions in person, or to learn how their full-circle concierge and management services can look after your most valuable asset. www.covegroup.com.au

THE FULL CIRCLE SERVICE

Cove Property provides an in-house suite of services designed to maintain the property’s value and the owner’s peace of mind long after the initial sale.

Permanent & Holiday Letting: Managed internally to ensure quality tenant selection and consistent occupancy.

Concierge service: A tailored offering for part-time residents or travellers, ensuring their most valuable asset is looked after exactly the way they would.

Project management: Direct oversight from site acquisition and council approval through to construction and market placement.

You’re in good hands with COVE.

Redefining real estate across Noosa

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SPRING 2026

R E T I R E M E N T N A T U R A L LY

L I V I N G

I N S P I R E D

Sunrise Beach Village’s final stage will feature a collection of 54 spacious two and three-bedroom apartments, opposite Girraween Nature Reserve and moments from Noosa. Set within a welcoming, newly established community with resort-style amenities, this final release brings together connection, coastal lifestyle and community, naturally.

Retire with confidence at

Infrared sauna

Final Stage

COMING SOON

Pool and games room

CALL 1800 550 550 TO JOIN THE WAITLIST TODAY sunrisebeachvillage.com.au

*Availability info correct at time of printing & subject to change. Printed August 2026. Published by Keyton Realty (QLD) Pty Ltd ABN 25 138 535 814.

INFORM

LAST STAGE

First Chance PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

John Caruso discovers why the final stage of Sunrise Beach Village is anything but the end of the story.

The upcoming release of the third and final stage of Sunrise Beach Village is the first shot at the latest release.

“It’s the beginning of the final stage, the first opportunity to get into the third stage,” explains Daniela Cascante, Keyton’s Development Manager for Sunrise Beach Village.

Fifty-four apartments make up Stage Three, a mix of two and three-bedroom layouts running from 108 to 131 square metres, all with two bathrooms and a laundry, and study spaces in the twobedroom apartments.

The three-bedroom homes stretch to 131 square metres. Set against the Independent Living Apartments of Stage One, it’s a genuine step up in scale.

The apartments have been thoughtfully designed taking on feedback from customers from Stages One and Two. Every apartment features Miele appliances, ducted air conditioning, an undermount sink, a pullout mixer tap, a colour palette called Seabreeze and a stone splashback.

The collection of buildings runs north to south along the development’s western edge, following the slope from top to bottom rather than sitting level, which means it fans out with both easterly and westerly aspects depending on where you land.

Apartments on the western side look out over the nature reserve without interruption. Those facing east look toward the clubhouse and the lush streetscape. None of this happens in isolation from what’s already up and running. Stage Three residents aren’t buying into a construction site with a promise attached. They’re buying into something that already has a rhythm.

The completed stages have high, pitched ceilings, a barbecue area, and enough separate seating zones that residents can read alone or crowd in for a game of mahjong without getting

in each other’s way. The hair salon is operating and aqua aerobics classes run in the pool most weeks.

Residents in the existing communities were invited to submit name suggestions for the four new buildings.

else entirely.

Since 2022, Keyton has converted three hectares of degraded land at nearby Girraween Nature Refuge into protected bushland, planting 1,000 She-Oaks, the cockatoos’ preferred feed tree, along with hundreds of other native species.

“We wanted residents to Daniela Cascante be part of the naming Plant survival is above 90 process for Stage Three,” per cent, more than 100 native species says Daniela. The results are inspired by are established, and some She-Oaks are the native flora, coastal surroundings, nearing three metres. Kangaroos, and natural beauty that define the village wallabies and Glossy Black-Cockatoos and its unique environment: Grevillea are leaving clear signs they’re using the Terrace, Boronia Terrace, Acacia Terrace, site. and Lomandra Terrace.

It’s a small detail, but it says something worth noting; the collaborative nature of the community.

Reservations open to the public in November, with pricing released the month before. Whoever signs first will be first through the door.

Across the road sits BlueCare’s aged care residence. There’s no formal transition program between the two, however its proximity speaks for itself.

If one half of a couple needs a higher level of care, they can move in across the street rather than across town.

“It allows people to spend more time together in those later stages of life,” Daniela says.

Then there’s the part of the story nobody’s elaborated on, until now.

Clearing land for the development meant removing established feed trees for Glossy Black-Cockatoos. Rather than offset the loss on paper and move on, Keyton committed two million dollars to rebuilding the habitat somewhere 171

The replacement ratio tells the sharper story: Keyton was required to replant She-Oaks at 8:1 but has delivered 18:1, not including thousands more that have self-seeded from the transported topsoil.

Beyond the site, Keyton has also gifted over 7,000 native plants to the community, supported a school program, and contributed $20,000 to Glossy Black-Cockatoo research.

Stage Three is essentially a bet that the final piece of a development can still be its best. The apartments are larger, the finishes beautiful, the outlooks more considered, and the habitat rebuild quietly doing more than most passers-by would guess.

Reservations open in November. Until then, the last stage of Sunrise Beach Village remains what Daniela insists it is: not an ending, but the first chance at something brand new.

Discover the stories behind Sunrise Beach Village and register your interest at www.sunrisebeachvillage.com.au

SPRING 2026

PHOTO: SUPPLIED

INSPIRE

While auction rooms empty out down south, John Caruso learns why the Hinterland hasn’t followed, and why plain honesty is still the better business model.

THE GET RICH

Slow Scheme

There’s a lot of hush in the property market now, most of it coming from Sydney and Melbourne, where auctions that once ran fifteen sales a Saturday are down to one, often with no registered bidders.

Add changes to negative gearing, capital gains tax, and a new ban on self-managed super funds borrowing to buy residential property, and it’s easy to understand why plenty of homeowners, landlords, and would-be buyers locally are watching the headlines and assuming the worst is coming for them too.

It isn’t, or at least not in the shape the headlines suggest. Across the Noosa Hinterland and Gympie there’s a shortage of housing stock, tradespeople are being pulled toward infrastructure ahead of the 2032 Olympics rather than new builds, and interstate migration hasn’t slowed in any way that shows up in the numbers.

Different market, different pressures, and none of it captured by a story written about a different city. But knowing that requires someone who understands this market rather than one being reported from across the state border, and that’s where Jason Robertson comes in.

I’ve sat across from Jason many times, on subjects that have ranged well beyond real estate. We’ve talked business, we’ve talked family. I’ve written about his other project, Luxgym, before, and what’s struck me each time is Jason’s IN Noosa Magazine

Jason Robertson directness. He’s someone who’s genuinely invested in the people he deals with, and a family man in the way that matters. His father still texts and calls with unsolicited advice, and Jason still picks up.

None of that is the sort of thing you can put in a listing brochure, but it’s the reason I keep coming back to Jason whenever the conversation turns to what’s happening locally, rather than what a headline writer in another state assumes must be happening.

That directness is the whole point of what follows, because the property market doesn’t need another prediction.

It needs someone who’s honest about what he doesn’t know and confident about what he does.

Start with the cycle itself, because Jason doesn’t dress it up as anything other than what it is.

“Ninety per cent of the things you worry about never come to pass anyway, and we have no control over any of it,” he says. “It’s about sticking with your strategy and understanding the cycles.”

172

He’s run more than one business through more than one downturn, and the pattern he’s noticed applies as much to real estate as it did to his electrical business or his gym.

“We’re bound to get more houses to sell and more buyers. It’ll just happen if you hang around long enough,” he says.

That’s not passivity, and it’s not spin either. It’s a director who’s watched enough booms and busts to know they’re not events; they’re weather.

“We’re comfortable working within an unpredictable market. There are ebbs and flows,” he says. “You could have a couple of years where things just keep going up and up, and now things are changing to some degree, and we’re comfortable and agile enough to work with that.”

Plenty of agents talk a good game when prices are rising. Fewer have anything useful to say when they’re not, and fewer have anything useful to say to a seller, a buyer, and a landlord weighing up whether to hold or sell an investment property, all in the same week.

INSPIRE What Jason won’t do is the part worth dwelling on, because it’s rarer than it should be in this industry.

“We’ve never been an agency that tells people untruths about their property value when we know we’re going to have to correct that down the track,” he says.

Real appraisals, not hopeful ones. It’s cost him listings, and he knows it, but the number a client walks away with is one they can plan a life around rather than one they’ll be talked down from two months later, after the market has had its say.

He traces the habit back to his years as an electrician, which is a detail I like more than most, because it says something true about a person that doesn’t show up in a company bio.

“As a sparky, I always quoted for everything,” he said. “That meant sometimes I lost the job. But what I haven’t done is deliberately leave things out that I know the client’s going to need and then hit them with a whole lot of variations later.”

Swap wiring for a property valuation and the logic holds.

The agents who inflate an appraisal to win the listing are running the same trick as the tradesman who lowballs the

You could have a couple of years where things just keep going up and up, and now things are changing to some degree, and we’re comfortable and agile enough to work with that. quote to win the job, and Jason has had no patience for that game in either trade.

His father still messages him warnings about get-rich-quick schemes, a habit that has followed Jason well into adulthood and several successful businesses of his own.

“I’m on the get rich slow scheme,” Jason tells me, laughing. “And I think my Dad needs some new friends.”

I’ve heard plenty of agents describe themselves as honest. I’ve sat with fewer who could back it up and fewer still who’d let their own father’s scepticism become part of the pitch. That’s the difference between a marketing line and an actual character trait, and it’s the reason I’d trust Jason with my own place, headlines or no headlines.

“It’s the cost of integrity and doing the right thing. I’d rather be able to sleep at night,” he says.

The market will do what markets do.

Boom, correction, boom again - on a timeline nobody can predict with any real precision.

It’s why the business he’s built doesn’t chase the fastest transaction. Jason is candid that the actual goal is the client who comes back next time and sends their family and friends along with them.

What you can predict, if you’ve spent enough time in the room with him, is whether the person advising you through it is telling you the truth or telling you what you want to hear.

Building that kind of trust takes considerably longer than closing a single sale. It’s also the same instinct that shaped a line he came by honestly rather than learned from a seminar.

Across the Noosa Hinterland and Gympie right now, that’s the only prediction worth making, and Jason Robertson is the reason I’m comfortable making it.

173

SPRING 2026

INSPIRING

Raising THE BAR

Taking over a 37-year-old institution is no small feat.

Nicole May meets the woman steering one of the hinterland’s most iconic brands into its next chapter.

When Sirah Robb talks about the business she leads, she doesn’t reach for a spreadsheet or a list of record-breaking sales. Instead, she reaches for a word that carries a lot more weight: custodian.

For the Director and Principal of Hinternoosa, steering a business that has been a Cooroy fixture since 1989 isn’t just about property; it’s about managing a collection of stories that started long before she took the helm.

“I feel like a custodian of this Hinternoosa legacy that has now become the combined story of so many incredible people and agencies,” Sirah said. “We are all contributing to a legacy that I believe will endure for generations to come.”

To understand the Hinternoosa of today, you have to look back to when Murray and Lyndal Brown first opened the doors on Garnet Street in 1989.

They built the foundation of what would become the go-to agency for the Noosa hinterland, specialising in everything from small acreage to prestige properties. It was a reputation built on being part of the community, a value that Sirah and her husband, John Robb, have worked hard to maintain since they purchased the business in 2018.

Sirah Robb

We are all contributing to a legacy that I believe will endure for generations to come.

“I’ve always had a passion for property,” Sirah said. “Growing up, I used to study the floorplans on flyers.

It just excited me.”

While selling one of her renovations, someone suggested she’d make a great agent because she was easy to talk to.

Sirah transitioned from health to real estate in 2010. It was a significant year for the local industry; it was also when Kess Prior joined Hinternoosa.

The current version of Hinternoosa is a high-performance super team that is a merger of several respected legacy brands.

Sirah’s own path to real estate was anything but a straight line. Long before she was navigating the hinterland property market, she worked in the oil and gas fields of South Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory as a sports dietitian.

In 2017, John left his engineering career to join Sirah after the birth of their son, Jack. That year they purchased Wythes Real Estate from Trisha and Alisa Wythes, and Noosa Lifestyle Realty from the Bellinghams. Coincidentally, Alisa had actually started her career at Hinternoosa in 2004.

Working two weeks on and two weeks off for Santos, she spent her downtime buying, renovating, and selling houses.

The acquisition story is one of those meant-to-be moments. On the very day they settled on the Wythes business,

IN Noosa Magazine

174

Hinternoosa approached them about buying their business.

Sirah and John, showing a level of focus that defines their leadership, asked them to check back in a year. They did - to the day - and in December 2018, the Robbs took over Hinternoosa.

They haven’t stopped there, later acquiring Fiona Winter Realty in 2019, Elite Rentals in 2024 and most recently bringing over Robyn Kildey’s Countryside Realty property management business in June 2026.

In April 2023, they merged everything under the refreshed Hinternoosa brand, choosing a distinctive orange for the logo as a nod to the Wythes family legacy.

While the branding is fresh, the faces behind it are famously consistent. In an industry known for high staff turnover, Hinternoosa is a standout.

Jeanette Catalano has been there since 2005, and Heather Fleming joined in 2009; both remain integral parts of the team today.

“My personal mission is to help people reach their full potential,” Sirah said.

“I love facilitating, supporting and watching each individual achieve both personal and professional goals. It’s about how those individual results are amplified by being part of a team.”

This whole-person leadership style is likely a carryover from Sirah’s background in health. It’s an approach

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

INSPIRING

that looks at what a person wants to achieve in life, not just at work.

This culture of support is why the team shows up for the community, not because they have to, but because they are genuinely integrated into it.

Whether they are sponsoring local programs such as Noosa Open Studios or volunteering their time at events like Sconetime - a regular fixture at the Cooroy Memorial Hall that they’ve supported since 2018 - the goal is the same: to show up, support the community and be authentic.

“When people see us in the community, the overwhelming feedback is that we’re good, genuine, professional people,” Sirah said. “And we are!

“We just happen to specialise in real

estate, and our mission is to raise the bar of the industry by setting a benchmark of high standards.”

It’s an approach that is clearly working. Hinternoosa is an awardwinning agency on the Sunshine Coast, recognised locally and nationally for everything from innovation to community contribution.

Today, Hinternoosa has grown and evolved so much from 1989, yet the core remains strong.

“Everyone’s story will be kept alive as part of the history here,” Sirah pledges.

It’s a direct, no-nonsense way of doing business that values people over quick results. And in the hinterland, that’s exactly the kind of legacy people want to be part of.

WIN A HIGH-OCTANE EXPERIENCE!

Want to experience a high-octane Hot Lap with the Murphy Racing Team at Queensland Raceway this December?

To go into the draw, list your property for sale or property management with the team at Hinternoosa by 29 November.

You’ll receive one entry for an appraisal and five entries if you list or lease your property with Hinternoosa. Scan the QR code for more details.

Your gateway to

Noosa Hinterland property

Whether you are looking to buy, sell or rent, talk to the Hinternoosa team today.

READ our lifestyle magazine online!

Cooroy 5447 7000 | Doonan 5449 1186 | www.hinternoosa.com.au 175

SPRING 2026

PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

INSPIRED

BEYOND

Banking

Behind every mortgage, business loan or car loan there’s a story.

Jodie Cameron meets Noosa’s leading lenders putting the ‘personal’ into personal finance…

Acquiring a mortgage or any big life purchase can be the best and worst day of your life, but paying rent so someone else can pay off their debt isn’t ideal either.

There’s a moment in most people’s lives – buying a first home, expanding a business, financing a boat for weekends on the river – when finance stops being someone else’s story and becomes yours.

It’s a moment the team at Loan Market Noosa has built their careers around, and it’s rarely just one conversation with one person.

Leading the charge is Nikki Nielsen, Director and Senior Finance Specialist, who’s spent more than 15 years across finance, sales and customer service, and has personally settled more than $150 million in lending for clients on the Sunshine Coast and beyond.

A Noosa native, she returned home after 20 years in Melbourne, building Loan Market Noosa as something closer to a boutique practice than a branch – IN Noosa Magazine

We’ve grown with real specialists, not generalists. surrounded by a trusted network of accountants, financial advisers, buyers agents and property professionals, so that clients have support well beyond the loan itself.

“Every client has a different story, and every lending solution should reflect that,” Nikki says. “As the business has grown, we’ve grown with real specialists in each area, not just people who can do a bit of everything - but people who know their corner of finance inside out.”

Nikki has spent the past few years building a team around her, so clients don’t just get a broker, they get the right specialist for whatever stage of life or business they’re in.

That’s where Lily Biltoft, Senior Asset 176

Finance Specialist comes in - working her way through every stage of the asset finance journey, from settlements and sales coordination to becoming a high-performing broker in her own right.

Lily specialises in vehicle, equipment, marine, caravan and commercial asset finance, and brings an unexpected former life in journalism, public relations and marketing to the role.

“People assume asset finance is more straightforward than a home loan, but it deserves just as much care,” Lily says.

“Whether someone’s financing a work vehicle or their first boat, I want them to feel like it’s just as personal as any other big decision they make.”

Keeping everything on track and ensuring every client’s finance journey runs smoothly from approval right through to settlement and beyond is Settlements and Discharge Officer and Personal Assistant to the Director Kira Denham.

INSPIRED

PHOTOS: MEGAN GILL

By your side every step of the way Finding and applying for the right loan can be made simple with a mortgage broker on your side.

Kira Denham, Nikki Nielsen and Lily Biltoft

1 Kira manages the critical final stages of the lending process, coordinating settlements, refinances and discharges while liaising with lenders, solicitors, conveyancers and clients to keep everything on track.

Working closely alongside Director Nikki Nielsen as her Personal Assistant, Kira also supports the day-to-day operations of the business, helping manage client communication, appointments and the many moving parts behind a busy, high-performing brokerage.

2

Tell us about your goals • Buying your first property • Buying an investment property • Moving home We do the legwork

• We review your current situation to determine

your borrowing capacity.

• We play hardball with over 90 lenders.

You receive a shortlist that suits your needs.

Highly organised, approachable and always willing to help, Kira brings warmth, efficiency and attention to detail to everything she does. She is often the friendly voice keeping clients updated and making sure nothing is missed as their loan progresses towards settlement.

Make your selection

3

• You select the product you prefer

4

• We collect the information we need from you to

Apply for pre-approval (optional) apply for pre-approval.

5

You find the property you love

• Now you know how much you may be able to

borrow, you can search for the right property.

For Kira, it’s all about making the process feel simple, seamless and stress-free for their clients.

6

What ties the team together isn’t just proximity in an office; it’s a shared belief that finance is personal, and that no single broker can be everything to everyone.

We do the paperwork

• We work with you to prepare the application to

put your best foot forward.

• We let you know of any conditions to satisfy,

such as pest and building inspections and lender valuation.

In a market like Noosa, crowded with generalists competing on rate alone, that’s proving to be its own kind of point of difference: a growing team who’d rather build the right specialist relationship than force every client through the same door.

7

Approval

• We talk to the lender regularly to check in and do

what we can to get your loan approved.

8

“Success for us is relationships, referrals, and helping people build the future they’ve always imagined,” Nikki says.

We do the paperwork

• We work with your solicitor/conveyancer to

satisfy the purchase contract.

• We check settlement has been booked and

everything is running smoothly.

If you’re tired of the knock-backs, or you’ve walked away from a bank feeling like your situation was too complicated to sort out, that’s reason enough to call the team at Loan Market Noosa.

9

Settlement

• We do what we can to make sure all parties

are aligned and the transaction happens on settlement day.

• You collect the keys.

Whatever you’re financing next, it deserves to be personal – not one-size-fits-all.

10

Annual review

• We keep in touch to make sure your loan

continues working hard for you.

DISCOVER YOUR BORROWING POWER

Your next home, business or big purchase might be closer than you think.

Book your FREE 15-minute call with the team at Loan Market Noosa.

Phone: 0407 008 000 Scan the QR code or visit Loan Market Noosa at B/32 Sunshine Beach Road, Noosa Junction.

Ready to get started?

Reach out for a no-obligation chat.

Nikki Nielsen M: 0407 008 000 E: nikki.nielsen@loanmarket.com.au Senior Broker / Director Loan Market Pty Ltd Australian Credit License 390222

177

SPRING 2026

Barefoot

THE

INSIGHT

CORPORATE WARRIOR

Me? Naïve? You Bet! Have we become an overly-suspicious mob? Have the fake news, scams and unrelenting news cycle of bad robbed us of one of our essential human traits?

I am working on re-capturing some natural naïvety. Especially when I meet someone for the first time. Particularly if that someone has no expectation of getting something from me i.e. in non-transactional encounters.

While I have been around the barnyard more than a few times and certainly had my fill of untrustworthy cads and bounders, I have decided to resist the cynical or disbelieving default when a new person comes within my orbit.

Unless I have a tip-off from a trusted source, hear something which doesn’t gel with known facts during the conversation or my life’s experience, or detect some strange body language ‘vibe’ then I am determined to believe what they say.

I am channelling Buzz Lightyear from the Toy Story series - naïve, earnest, sincere and trusting. No matter what happens he maintains his dispositioncompletely admirable.

Yes I know, this is a fictional children’s character unblemished by a real life of knocks, setbacks, letdowns and rip-offs.

A guileless hero created by a scriptwriter but I think you get the drift.

Why doubt someone unless there is a reason to do so? Certainly it makes for more attentive, non-judgemental listening and for a happier disposition and better inter-human relationships.

Consciously bringing this attitude at least forces us to a higher state of self-awareness and, dare I suggest it may lead to a more harmonious and happier society?

Most people are honest and trustworthy. Most people are not seeking to deceive you… just some people.

So, when I talk about naïvety I am talking about moving beyond the dangers of ignorance to a state which proactively shuns cynicism and that world-weary demeanour which taxes the spirit.

Children are the great teachers when it comes to how an experienced adult might wilfully adopt a posture of natural naïvety. While there is an element of IN Noosa Magazine

world-ignorance in their naïvety there is also the awe, wonder and mix of real and imaginative worlds which brings a freshness to all interactions.

They believe everything you say, yes everything, until experience teaches them otherwise. Their world experience filters have not kicked in. It is charming, loveable and life-affirming to see.

I have been (seldomly, of course) guilty of telling children and grandchildren convincing, fantastical tales about the world and history. I once had one of my grandsons convinced that a real dragon lurked under a playground not far from our house. A stormwater pipe with a vent grate was beside the playground and if you bent down and put your ear over this grate a sound resembling the rhythmic breathing of some large creature could be heard. You could imagine the breath moving in and out of massive nostrils although the beast was always out of sight, asleep in its lair. Of course it was a friendly dragon and meant us no harm.

He enthusiastically accepted this and checking on the dragon became a fun moment of our regular visits.

Now I understand these joke fibs could be held up as serious and cruel deceptions. The very cause, I hear you say, for disappointment and the development of a suspicious nature later in life. If children can’t trust their own family members then who can they trust?

For my part I contend that these flights of fancy, myths and imaginative jokes in early childhood are magical moments and memories – comfort food for the mind as we find ourselves buffeted and tossed about by our unfolding passage through life. We still, for the most part, buy-in to Father Christmas, the Easter Bunny and the Tooth Fairy.

Feeding a developing imagination and the creativity which springs from it has driven civilization’s progress since humans first developed self-awareness.

It is also interesting how many children cling to these naïve childhood stories and myths even when they intuitively know 178

them to be false. Comfort in innocence.

I don’t think I am alone in this misanthropic counter-revolution. Most people I meet seem to adopt the same approach most of the time. My training in journalism and decades in business and corporate circles have armed me with a pretty good intuition when it comes to reading people.

This is a skill worth honing through life but I think we need to resist the slide into a kind-of pessimism when it comes to the honesty of our fellow humans.

It’s hard in the current world, assailed as we are on all sides by tales of unkind cheats who leave a trail of damaged goods and people in their wake.

While we can never recapture that childhood innocence, I feel it is worth cultivating as wilful action for a selfaware adult.

I stress that this cultivated naïvety should apply to actual interactions with humans who are physically in front of me, not coming at me from a cyberspace littered with opaque influencers, negative and manipulating algorithms seeking to mislead and misuse. I shed my naïvety when I enter the digital world and when dealing with business and financial transactions.

Bringing naïvety to interactions with actual people with no pre-conceived agenda or judgement will, I feel, lead to more positive energy, allowing us to develop feelings about each other and (naïvely)… a better world?

A bit too much naïvety for a corporate warrior? I’ll let you ponder that while I get back to looking for dragons.

B

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Western Loop (Mary Valley Drive)

Eat & drink

Art gallery

Abseiling

Western Extension

Winery

Shopping & markets

Quad biking

Cooloola Great Walk

Brewery

Health & wellness

River tours

4WD track

Distillery

Playground

Theatre

Heritage railway line

Meadery

Golf course

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• 4-15 paddle access only (non-motorised)

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Cooloolabin

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Maryborough

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To Kenilworth, Conondale

66% of the Noosa Shire has high-value biodiversity significance.

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Boreen Point

Lake Macdonald

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Teewah Coloured Sands

Lake Cootharaba

LAKE FL AT R

Pomona

Tuchekoi National Park

Cooroo ora a Mt Cooroora alk Lookout W Walk

Kandanga

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Mill Point Elanda Point

Ringtail R ingttail State Sta ate Forest Forest

A Noosa IS B Museum L O U

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MAIN ST

The Noosa Biosphere Trails are a series of world-class, multi-use trails for walking, mountain biking and horse-riding.

Cooran

Noosa Everglades

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Traveston

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Mar y Riv er

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Harrys Hut

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The Mary Valley landscape is a patchwork of grazing cattle, farms, rainforests, endless rolling hills and quaint heritage towns.

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Explore the Noosa Everglades and Upper Noosa River by canoe, boat, kayak or on foot.

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4WD beach access to Rainbow Beach & K'gari (formerly known as Fraser Island)

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44% of Australia’s total bird varieties live within the Noosa Biosphere.

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ecosystems have been identified within the Noosa Biosphere Reserve.

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Noosa River is the only river system in Australia that has T H E its E Sentire T Aupper TE catchment protected in National Park.

The Noosa Biosphere Reserve is home to more than 2000 species of plants and about 700 species of native animals at least 49 of these are internationally significant.

D AR AN TIN

Curra State Forest

Carlo Sand Blow

Cooloola Cove

The Noosa region was declared a Biosphere Reserve

by UNESCO in 2007. Adjacent are the Great Sandy Biosphere and the Sunshine Coast Biosphere – the world’s only three adjoining biospheres.

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Rainbow Beach

Double Island Point

Toolara State Forest

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Kia Ora

Tin Can Bay

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Get help for injured wildlife Call Wildlife Noosa 0419 046 999

The Great Sandy Biosphere is home to the tallest and most complete rainforests growing on sand. It also provides the world’s best observable example of ancient sand dunes.

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To K'gari (formerly known as Fraser Island)

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To Sunshine Coast Airport

Coolum Beach T H I S M A P I S N OT TO S C A L E The publisher cannot be held liable for any errors or omissions in this publication and will not accept responsibility for any misleading or deceptive material published in the Noosa Country Drive map.

Reproduction of any part of Noosa Country Drive map is not permitted without written permission from Tourism Noosa.

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IN NOOSA MAGAZINE

| ISSUE #49 SPRING 2026

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