Sunshine Coast Hinterland: Where To Eat, Stay And Play

Dust off the sand and prepare to frolic through the rolling hills of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Escaping the suntanned crowds on the Sunshine Coast is something locals have been doing for decades. And these days, the options for those who want to stay and play in the hinterland are endless. From super-cool boutique breweries to the retreats and restaurants that were formulated with those viridescent views in mind, here is our hot list of new and noteworthy reasons to hightail it to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Where to stay in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland

SCANDI AT MALENY

Shhhh. Slow down. You’re going too fast. Put the brakes on and embrace a more mindful way of life at Scandi at Maleny , which is a Pinterest-worthy cabin that will delight and inspire. The architecturally designed adults-only modular eco-minded two-bedroom cabin overlooks Blackall Range, which presents like a beautiful stretched canvas. Light the fireplace on a cool hinterland night and snuggle under a Brogo blanket by Bemboka (one of many thoughtful touches) and you will never want to leave.

Embrace a more mindful way of life at Scandi at Maleney.

LOVESTONE COTTAGE

Located in the heart of the Blackall Range, on the crest of the famous Montville escarpment is where you will find Lovestone Cottages , just five minutes from Montville. In addition to the original 1906-built Lovestone House, occupied by owners Tamara and Jonathan Large, there are just three cottages – Maple, Rosewood and Quandong – and they are configured with spas, fires, decks, comfy sofas for couples to sit, lie down and relax while enjoying lake and rainforest views.

SPICERS TAMARIND RETREAT

This rainforest retreat exemplifies the hidden side of the hinterland, which feels a million miles away from the sun-blasted Sunshine Coast. Although the hinterland is now heaving with places to stay, Spicers Tamarind Retreat is like a temple to how it’s done. Sit around the fire pit, curl up in a hammock swing over the mint-green lawns, enjoy a candlelit feast at The Tamarind or simply drink in the serenity from the comfort of your spa studio.

GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS ECOLODGE

The accommodation on offer at Glass House Mountains Ecolodge may have had many lives, but each dwelling looks very settled in this location at the base of Mt Tibrogargan. Stay in a restored church, former train carriage, or treetop bungalow at the lodge, which have all been faithfully upcycled in accordance with the owner’s environmental values. Families will love the art walk, bush tucker walk and children’s ‘seek and find’ trail.

Where to eat in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland

KENILWORTH

If ever there was a time we needed to embrace a #1kgdonutchallenge , that time is now. Earn those calories with a 6.5-kilometre run along the Fig Tree walk before embarking on your lip-smacking endeavour at the Kenilworth Country Bakery . Kenilworth is pretty casual so you can stay in your tracky dacks while you try and devour the enormous fried donut. The country bakery is also home to Australia’s first coffee in a donut.

MONTVILLE

If anybody can package up local provenance and present it in on a plate it’s chef Andrew Birse (ex-Arc Dining) who supports small-scale farmers, cheesemakers and artisan growers at The Long Apron , a French Provincial-inspired restaurant in the heart of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Book a night at the luxurious Clovelly Estate to better enjoy the tasting menu, which has been expertly paired with prestige French and Australian wines.

The Long Apron is a French Provincial-inspired restaurant.

Unfurl your best red-checked blanket beside the fire pit at Kenilworth Homestead for a picnic that is like a beautiful riff on Escape to the Country Argentina. The feast is inspired by the traditional South American asado barbecue: think fire-roasted meats with seasonal vegetables, and homemade smoky ketchup followed by fresh coffee. Arrive early and make a day of it by communing with the farm animals and enjoying the live music at the Terra Firma Dining experience.

MALENY

Hopping around the hinterland is exhilarating when you stumble across gems like the Maleny Food Co ., which is a must. The quotient of man buns and nose rings is definitely higher here than in other parts of the hinterland, but the crowd of hipster foodies is onto something. Head here in your going-out overalls to enjoy Hinterland Feijoas, Maleny Cheese , Ugly Duck Preserves , Essential Grain Bakery sourdough, and a scoop of Maleny Food Co gelato .

What to do in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland

VISIT YANDINA

The name Yandina means ‘to go on foot’ in the language of our First Nations people who had tribal grounds near Yandina Creek. The town backed by the craggy Blackall Range is one of the region’s oldest and these days is a draw for visitors to the Yandina Markets , the iconic Spirit House Restaurant & Cooking School , and The Ginger Factory . Those who vibe on vintage finds will also appreciate the Collective Haus .

Yandina-ginger-factory-(image-Visit-Sunshine-Coast) — The Ginger Factory.

ENJOY A TOUR OF TOP PLACES FOR A TIPPLE

Bounce between breweries such as Brouhaha Brewery , which is known for its food as well as its beer, and Terella Brewing, known for its sustainability bent, on a Hinterland ExBeerience with Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Tours where you can go behind the scenes and see how the beer is brewed. Eumundi Distillers at The Imperial Eumundi and Cavu Distilling (the makers of Sunshine & Sons gin) are also worthy pit-stops as is Diablo Co (‘a devishly good alcoholic ginger beer’).

Eumundi Distillers at The Imperial Eumundi.

GET UP CLOSE TO NATURE IN MALENY

The Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World is a beautiful serene expanse of Sunshine Coast Hinterland sitting high on an escarpment overlooking the iconic Glass House Mountains. The privately-owned garden is home to thousands of different plants, including some of the rarest cycads in the world. The gardens are also home to ‘Bird World’ which features more than 700 native and exotic birds in walk-through aviaries. Factor in a tour to the property’s stunning waterfall (find more waterfalls on the Sunshine Coast here).

GO TO THE GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS

The Glass House Mountains area is part of Jinibara and Kabi Kabi country and it’s a place of great cultural significance for both groups who ask visitors not to climb the mountains out of respect for their values. Join charismatic TribalLink director Kerry Neil in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland town of Mapleton instead to hear Dreamtime stories about the mountains and enjoy an immersive walk through the rainforest to learn about native flora and fauna.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

Sunshine Coast Hinterland: where to eat, play & stay