The news has been coming in thick and fast on the Sunshine Coast/Gubbi Gubbi country, so to make sure that you're on top of all the tasty things happening we've wrapped up everything that you need to know:
Virgin Is Launching Pet-Friendly Flights Between The Sunshine Coast And Melbourne Next Month
Image Credit: Virgin Australia | Instagram
In an Australian aviation first, Virgin Australia is making history as Australia’s first airline to allow small pets in the cabin. From 16 October 2025, you can fly with your pet (dogs and cats) on flights between the Sunshine Coast and Melbourne (and between Melbourne and the Gold Coast for dogs only) until 30 January 2026, as part of Virgin's 'Pets in Cabin' trial.
So, what's involved? Pets must be under 8kg including their carrier, over 8 weeks old, vaccinated, and in a carrier that fits under the seat. You’ll be assigned a pet-friendly seat so your doggo or catto can fly right by your side for $149 per flight. Limited pet-friendly spaces available per flight, so you'll need get in early. For more info, check out Virgin here and we'll have more details on dates and routes very soon.
Matso's Has Just Released What Could Be The Drink Of The Summer
Image Credit: Matso's | Supplied
You know the Matso's crew for their iconic ginger beer and their ever-pumping brewery and distillery in Eumundi, but you might not know they've just launched an oh-so-summery vodka lemon lime crush RTD we're loving.
A modern twist on a classic Australian flavour combination, the launch is bolstered by the recent addition of Loc McIntyre as Head Brewer and Distiller at Matso’s Sunshine Coast. An award-winning distiller with double gold medals from the San Francisco World Spirits Competition, Loc brings over a decade of experience to Matso’s. We recommend rounding up your crew and sipping down the new lemon lime crush at Matso's in Eumundi on a hot Sunday afternoon.
Heads of Noosa Has Launched Its First Ginger Beer
Image Credit: Heads of Noosa | Supplied
Sunshine Coast-based Heads of Noosa Brewing Co has launched its first Ginger Beer as part of its core range of tap-only products. Made with Australian grown ginger with an ABV of 4%, it's available now at the Heads of Noosa Taproom in Noosaville and at select bars around Queensland.
“This felt like a natural next step for us, our customers have been asking us for a ginger beer for a long time, and we are lucky enough to live in region that is famous for its abundance of high-quality ginger, so it made perfect sense for us to create a Heads of Noosa Ginger Beer,” said Craig Masterton, Co-Fonder and Director.
Word on the street is that Heads of Noosa's new ginger beer strikes the perfect balance between a solid ginger kick and just the right amount of sweetness. We dig it. It's available all year round—check more details here.
The Team Behind Brisbane's The Calile Hotel Is Opening A Luxury Resort In Noosa
Image Credit: The Calile Hotel | Supplied
Fortitude Valley’s The Calile Hotel might be staycation-worthy, but if you can’t justify dropping quite so much dosh on a night away so close to home, you’ll be thrilled to hear the team behind the stunning hotel is planning to open a luxury resort in Noosa. The Calile Hotel Noosa will feature 178 rooms and 15 three-bedroom villas (complete with private pools) in Noosa Heads, with multiple swimming pools, a tennis court, wellness facilities and a cinema also on site.
The team are working with Richards & Spence again, the architects behind the OG hotel, so you know it’s going to be a stunner. And, of course, it wouldn’t be worthy of the Calile name without a few exceptional places to dine, so the hunt is on for talent to operate several food and beverage venues. Construction isn’t tipped to begin until early 2024, with an opening planned for some time in 2026—worth the wait.
Avani Hotels Is Coming To The Sunshine Coast
Image Credit: Avani Hotels | Supplied
There’s no doubt the Sunshine Coast is one of the most quickly developing tourist destinations in Queensland, if not Australia, and things are certainly heating up with the arrival of Avani Hotels on the Sunny Coast. Asia’s fastest-growing luxury hospitality brand has announced that its first full-scale hotel in Australia will be built in Mooloolaba, with construction to start in 2023 and the hotel to open in 2025. The $50 million 13-storey luxury hotel will boast 180 rooms, a rooftop pool, bar, restaurant, spa, gym, cafe and shops and will be the first fully-serviced hotel on the Sunshine Coast in 30 years. You can expect to see construction start on the corner of Brisbane Road and First Avenue, only 100 metres from Mooloolaba Beach.
Looking for more? Devour handmade goodies and fresh produce at the Sunshine Coast's best markets.
Main image credit: Yo-Chi | Supplied