Urban List Guide To Sunshine Coast

Just in time for one of Queensland’s most awe inspiring seasons, a landmark luxury hotel is opening its doors and ushering in a fresh wave of coastal cool to Mooloolaba. Opening May 2026, Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel is one of the region’s most anticipated arrivals—and notably, the first full-service internationally branded hotel to land on the Sunshine Coast in more than four decades.

Cibaria Noosa, the newest venue from Sydney hospitality legends Alessandro and Anna Pavoni, has officially opened at Elysium Noosa Resort, and it’s serving up all the sun-soaked, social dining vibes we need on Hastings Street.

Arguably Australia’s favourite beer, Great Northern, has officially opened the doors to its very first flagship venue right here on the Sunshine Coast. 

Get your chocolate fix at Noosa Chocolate Factory's new Maroochydore concept store.

Noosa’s dining scene just got a whole lot tastier with the arrival of Misschu, an Asian street food tuckshop that has already stolen hearts (and appetites) in Melbourne. 

Set across 30 acres, check out this stunning farm-to-plate experience in a new Mediterranean-inspired restaurant.

From the arcade to the sunken fireplace, the highly anticipated Dakabin Hotel is opening this week.

Lyra brings authentic Greek flavours to the Sunshine Coast, drawing inspiration from both traditional and contemporary Greek cuisine, history, and dining culture.

Birtinya has scored a massive new brewery, but it’s not just any brewery—it’s from the Slipstream Brewing team who were named as ‘Queensland’s Best Brewery’ at the Royal Queensland Beer Awards in 2024.

One of the Sunshine Coast’s most beloved venues, Pier 33, has been revitalized under the new ownership of the Williams family, transforming it into a major hub for dining, events, and entertainment.

The iconic 112-year-old Imperial Hotel in Eumundi is getting a fresh new face with an all-new strikingly elegant front bar, gaming room and TAB now open to the public. 

A slice of Southern Italy has landed in Coolum with the arrival of Amalfi-inspired restaurant, Rosa Italian.

There’s a certain level of groundswell that occurs when the team behind Noosaville's renowned Sum Yung Guys open a new venture on the Sunshine Coast.

More than just a float destination, City Cave is your ultimate relaxation retreat.

Nestled in the idyllic village of Eumundi, The Imperial Hotel Boutique Accommodation houses 15 rooms, but no two rooms are the same as they have all been individually designed to showcase different local artists’ work. 

Bango Korean & Bar is the Sunshine Coast’s vibrant new Korean tapas bar, and to say it’s unlike anything the Sunshine Coast has seen before would be an understatement. 

The biggest of Australia’s ‘Big Things’, the Sunshine Coast’s Big Pineapple has been officially reopened and is looking shinier and sweeter than ever.

Lil Canteen, Buddina’s favourite cafe by the beach known for its organic, mostly gluten-free menu and famed acai bowls, is opening a second location in Maroochydore's Cotton Tree and we could not be more excited.

Hot on the heels of several new hotel openings in Byron Bay, Basq House is a private oasis in the heart of the village centre, complete with a temperature-controlled magnesium pool, a rooftop retreat, and stunning interiors. 

The sandwich movement—nay, cult—has slowly but surely made its way to the Sunshine Coast and it's been met with open arms (and even wider mouths). To people who say they could give up bread, we say sandwiches. We say loaded sandos, stacked-to-the-max subs and cheese-stuffed toasties.

If you needed any more proof that the Sunshine Coast craft brewery scene is one of the best in Australia, this is it. Matso’s, the creator of Australia’s first alcoholic ginger beer, has opened their second Australian location in Eumundi and it’s seriously epic. 

June 2024 update: Bli Bli Hotel took home three major awards at the 2024 Queensland Hotels Association Awards, including Overall Hotel of the Year – Metropolitan, Best Bistro – Metropolitan and Best TAB Licensed Venue.

One of Caloundra’s most iconic accommodation spots, Motel Caloundra has just reopened after a complete transformation and it’s emerged as a stylish boutique escape with the aim to be the Sunshine Coast’s first net-zero energy hotel. 

Nestled in the beating heart of Maroochydore, Pataka is a game-changing new Fijian-Indian restaurant with a focus on wood-fired, plant-based cuisine, natural biodynamic wines and creatively curated cocktails. So yes, it's pretty damn unique.

The Sunshine Coast truly is the epitome of the ultimate ice cream region—from golden beaches to almost never-ending sunshine and a laid back coastal culture. The Wallace & Wood Ice Cream team certainly know this and are small batch ice cream connoisseurs bringing artisan ice cream to the Sunshine Coast.

Yo-Chi is Australia's fastest-growing frozen yogurt brand and after one visit to this bustling fro-yo joint, you'll see why. Sunshine Coasters have two venues to choose from when searching for their fro-yo fix, with the recently opened Yo-Chi Sunshine Plaza slinging up frozen delights to the southern side of the area as Yo-Chi Noosa remains a hit up north.

Skóra Studio is Buderim’s luxe new skin sanctuary, levelling up the Sunshine Coast beauty scene. Skóra, meaning skin in Polish, is a nod to owner Kelsi Taylor’s Polish ancestry, and is designed to highlight the importance of good skin health.

The Sunshine Coast coffee scene is seriously levelling up and one of the newcomers paving the way is Hey Day Buddina. The gorgeous timber-toned cafe combines owners Ashleigh and James’ love of mid-century design with art, music and coffee. A winning combination if you ask us. 

Pizzeria Sisily is a vibrant Italian pizzeria and bar, slinging up authentic Italian dishes in the heart of Golden Beach. The younger sibling of much-loved Golden Beach icon, Cafe Sisily, Pizzeria Sisily was born out of a love for Sicily and a desire to share Sicilian dishes and culture with the Sunshine Coast. 

No matter if it's a sweltering 35 degrees or a freezing (in Sunshine Coast terms) 18 degrees, there’s never a bad time for gelato. Artigiano Gelato is an artisan gelato store, located in both Mooloolaba and Maroochydore, which scoops up handmade gourmet gelato using 100% real and premium ingredients. 

Frais Studios is a boutique hair salon nestled in Maroochydore that specialises in creating naturally inspired, lived-in luxury hair. Founded by renowned industry educator Renee Saville, Frais delivers sustainable colour and precision haircuts with a high end luxury finish. 

Park & Cove is a reimagined coastal dining destination overlooking Noosa from its gorgeous home on the hill by Peppers Noosa. Park & Cove champions sustainable paddock-to-plate dining and prides itself on showcasing local produce, suppliers and flavours. 

It’s well known that the Sunshine Coast is a mecca for health-oriented businesses and we’re pretty damn happy about it. One of the newest health kids on the block, Pantree Wholefoods, is an organic wholefood grocer nestled in Buddina you need to add to your hit-list. Pantree is a small family-owned business grown from a passion for sustainable, waste-free living, and you sure can taste the love. 

AOU Studio is the Sunshine Coast's fresh new modern yoga house and creative studio, founded by dynamic trio of friends Jemma-Rae Sherwell, Rylee Williams, and Sarah Dalryple. Their vision was to create a unique space that combines yoga, meditation and creativity in a holistic experience. AOU is all about providing a space for everyday people to connect with themselves and others, and we can safely say they’ve nailed that. It's a special place where you can reset, collaborate, and recharge with an array of yoga classes, meditation classes, sound sessions and more. 

Sixty6 Acres is the Sunshine Coast's luxe new farm stay retreat, with a strong ethos of paying homage to the Sunshine Coast's rich agricultural history. Located just 15 minutes from the iconic Big Pineapple, the refurbished farmstead in Woombye grows, appropriately, pineapples, but also sugar cane, grapes for their micro-winery, coffee, mangoes and a host of other crops. 

When thinking of the finest Sunshine Coast restaurants, Noosa pops to the top of many minds. With the picturesque Noosa River just metres from dining hotspots, easy access to local produce, and an ever-bustling atmosphere, it’s easy to see why patrons flock to Noosa.

When it comes to opening stellar restaurants on the Sunshine Coast, it’s undeniable that the Tony Kelly Restaurant Group has the Midas touch. With renowned venues like Riceboi, Riceboi Upstairs, Giddy Geisha, Piggyback, Spero, Market Bistro, Bocca, Eudlo General Store and Market Wine Store under their belt, there’s little doubt their latest venue will be phenomenal.

Home is where the heart is, and whether your humble abode is on the Sunshine Coast or you’re just dropping by for a visit, CLO Studios in Noosa is the kinda one-stop shop we adore.

When the founder of Sunshine Coast cult-favourite cafe VanillaFood opens a new joint, you expect it to be damn good. Nilla’s Pantry certainly does not disappoint. 

Everyone knows that the booziest nights start at the classiest establishments, and that is exactly what new cocktail bar on the block, Miyako Lounge, is . Conveniently located on the end of Ocean Street, Miyako is the fresh face of Drunken Dumpling and brings plenty of Asian-inspired cocktails to their menu, like their oh-so-boozy share teapots, as well as all your classics. Helloooo espresso martinis.