Ocean St World Festival
If there is one thing to do for this festival, it is to come hungry.
Come Easter Sunday, the entirety of Ocean Street and part of Duporth Street in Maroochydore closes to cars and fills with food stalls, live entertainment and people.
Kicking off at 10am and running right through to 10pm, this is the perfect spot for an epic Sunday Session.
2017 was the 6th year for this free festival and it was epic.
You won't know where to start with the all the enticing smells coming from every angle.
Featuring food from all over the world, I spent hours tasting empanadas and dumplings and everything in between. I even made room a little later for some spicy wings, washed down by a nice fruity drink in a reusable cup.
It really is a culinary journey around the world.
To distract from my ever-growing stomach, you can watch acts ranging from fifteen to forty-five minutes including Bellydancing, Tonga, Samba, Salsa, Latin and much more. We couldn't seem to escape the Brazilian dancing and music as they moved up and down the streets.
All ages were catered for so this would be a good event to bring the kids along to.
If you were keen for a spot of people watching and a beer, a couple of the restaurants set up pop-up laneway bars - some with couches - along the side of the street sponsored by the likes of Newtown brewers Young Henrys.
I will definitely be back next year - maybe after a run so I can try even more of the delicious food!
Mount Tibrogargan
This climb is definitely not for the faint of heart.
Note that I used the word climb - not hike or walk - because this 100% involves climbing and shouldn't be undertaken lightly.
You will need your hands, some good leg muscles - not to mention shoes with good grip - and a decent level of fitness to make it to the top.
That said, if you are fit and healthy and not too afraid of heights, the views at the top of Mt Tibrogargan make it worth the effort.
The mountain isn't the highest in the world, standing at just 364m above sea level, but it sure is steep! You can think of it as less hike and more a rock climb without a rope.
You do get to ease into this workout though, starting on the Tibrogargan circuit track, winding through the bush. If you don't want to make the climb, this 3.3km walk is a great alternative and does offer some nice vistas of the surrounding Glasshouse Mountains area in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
After you pass the Mountain View Lookout just under a kilometre from the main carpark, you will see several signs assuring you this is a dangerous path if you choose to continue on the uphill slog.
If there is one thing I can't recommend enough at this point, is to come prepared with plenty of water - preferably in hands-free form as you will be busy clinging to the side of the rock.
Unfortunately for those fearing heights, the hardest part of the climb actually is the very first section and quite a few people turn back at this point or at the top of it.
The way to get through this is to take your time and not worry about the people behind you or those rushing to come down. There are plenty of handholds and foot placements. Also - don't look down.
One thing running through my mind on the climb up was how on earth I'd make it back down after. The climb up was long and exhausting but I spent plenty of time on the top enjoying the view, hydrating and catching my breath.
For all that hard work, there is an amazing reward to greet you at the top - you feel like you are on top of the world! On the day we climbed, I could see all the way to Brisbane but the real stars are the unique shapes of neighbouring Mt Ngungun and Mt Beerburrum.
It took us just over an hour to make it to the top and a little longer to get down (safety first!) and felt we had earned everything we ate for the rest of the day!
The next day by arms and legs were still telling me I had done an epic workout... I will be back to visit some of the other climbs you can do in the area.
Dirty Moes
A little slice of the deep south USA right here on the Sunshine Coast!
If you like your meat slow-cooked and slathered in delicious sauces then a visit to Dirty Moes on the Esplanade in Mooloolaba is a must!
This place has only been open for a year but already, if you don't book, chances are you won't get in on a Friday or Saturday night.
When you head inside the exposed brick walls of the laid-back bar/restaurant, take your appetite with you.
The best way to experience Moes is with a group of people as the plates are all designed to share - this also means you get to try more of the meat!
According to the restaurant founders, Dirty Moes came about because they fell in love with the old- skool American south culture of slow-cooked soul food, thrown together on big hearty share plates in the backyard and tucked into with the ones you love.
The main plates are good to split between 2-4 people and you can choose from a hearty chunk of slow-cooked meat—confit lamb shoulder, Low ‘n’ Slow Pork Collar, 12-hour slow-cooked beef brisket (seriously, we I kept going back for more of this one), fall-off-the-bone beef ribs, or deep-fried whole fish—and then two sides from menu with each meat dish!
The sides are not for the faint of heart either -- Mac & 3 Cheeses, chargrilled corn cob, and collard beans with roasted almonds, garlic, and lemon are just the tip of the delicious iceberg.
If you want something to ease into the main event, there are some tasty small plates including wings three different ways - also known as the way to my heart.
I have it on good authority that the drinks menu has a strong whiskey contingent as well as their signature cocktail, the Sticky-Date Espresso Martini.
On this visit, I didn't manage to sample the cocktails or tap beers on this visit - opting for a nice Pinot Noir to wash down my meal with - but I am not worried because I will definitely be back!
Cue the meat coma...
Noosa North Shore & Cooloola National Park
The main Beach of Noosa and Hastings St get all the coverage but just north of here is an unspoilt piece of paradise - without the crowds.
You will need a 4WD to truly enjoy this stretch of sand, but it is worth it.
Before jumping off, you will need to get a permit for the day if you want to drive on the sandy stretch because this is Coolola National Park after all. These are easy to get at the information office just before the ferry.
At the information office, I recommend you grab a tide chart as some of the beach will disappear at high tide, making driving a little more challenging.
We headed for the small car ferry from Tewantin ($7 each way) that will take you over to the north side in just two minutes - by the time you have paid your fare, it is time to drive off.
Once there, you will find a long stretch of pristine sand, dunes and beautiful coastline. You can pick out your own spot along the beach to relax or go fishing without anyone nearby bothering you - apart from the occasional 4WD zooming past.
If you have more time and are organised, there are camping spots (15 sites in total) along the beach so make it a holiday rather than a day trip- but remember you will have to book in!
The beach driving stretches 50km north, all the way to Rainbow Beach where you will spy Fraser Island, but we just stopped and enjoyed the vibrant reds and oranges of the sand dunes and even found a spot to clamber up and enjoy the view from the top.
If you are looking for more walking and less driving, Cooloola National Park has a range of bush walks lasting from half an hour to multi-day treks. Most of the walks start from the Elanda Point, and four at the Harrys Hut camping ground.
For a different perspective, you can hire a canoe at Tin Can Bay, Boreen Point or at the Harrys Hut camping area and explore the Noosa river flowing around the park.
No matter which way you choose to travel, this is a gorgeous spot worth a visit.
North Shore Beach, Mudjimba
If you have a dog or love dogs, this is the beach you will come to.
This large stretch of sand and wild sea extends from the beach entrance 500m south Twin Waters all the way to the Maroochy River.
You can let your dog off the leash in the whole area and the locals make the most of it so even if you don't have a pup, chances are you will encounter plenty on your visit.
Perched at the end you will find Pincushion Island - not only a great spot to visit but also perfect for getting views of Maroochydore.
The small island is a sandstone outcrop at the mouth of the Maroochy River about 100 metres across and supports a small grove of banksia trees.
The rock pools here are very attractive, some of which are large enough to sit in at low tide - though we wouldn't recommend this in the cyclone Debbie weather we experienced on our most recent visit.
Along the top of the island you can see the remains of a boardwalk that has fallen into disrepair.
In the distance you can even see Point Cartwright, Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba.
On the other side of the peninsula, you can access the calmer waters inside the river - and there is no shortage of dogs enjoying the sun and sand here either.
Any given day you will find people and their pups relaxing, swimming, fishing and boating on the inside of North Shore beach - making it ideal for younger kids to enjoy the water.
While there is vehicle access and parking for both the beach and river side, you can actually walk all the way around on foot which makes for a nice easy stroll - plus you can cool off with a swim whenever you want!
Kondalilla Falls
It is so wonderful when the mountains and the sea are so close that you can explore both easily from home.
Just half an hour drive from the coast, near Montville in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, you can explore Kondalilla Falls - and it is well worth the effort to get there.
This spot is clearly not as 'hidden' as I thought it was as the carpark was pretty full when we arrived but it wasn't too much of an issue.
The picturesque walking trail takes you first down to the top of the falls where there is a rock pool made for swimming - we saved our refreshing dip until after we had been to the bottom of the waterfall and back up in the 30-degree heat.
If you decide to do the full falls loop - and it is definitely worth it - it will take you about one to two hours to go the 5km, including stops to take in the scenery. You might want to take some time to catch your breath from all the stairs too.
Along the way you will see spectacular views of the 90m falls, lush rainforest surroundings and, if you are lucky, some local wildlife.
We made some time to stop for a dip in the rock pool on our way back to the car but we warned, the water is very fresh (read: chilly!)
Given there had been a week of heavy rain before our trip out to Kondalilla, there was plenty of water in the pool but it was a bit stirred up and brown but don't let that stop you!
The extra rain meant that the falls were in full flow for us - a truly spectacular sight.
If you want to make a day of your trip to the hinterland, there are picnic facilities located just 50m from the carpark which include a large grassy area with picnic tables, BBQ’s, toilets and shelter.
The Loose Goose
Being new to an area is exciting because it means you get to try every new restaurant and cafe and not feel bad about it.
Very close to our home in Twin Waters (about 500m to be exact) is The Loose Goose so of course this was one of the first places I wanted to check out.
This is a spot where you are leaving the diet at home and treating yourself - the meals are rich and the portions generous!
My man and I kicked things off with a serve of chicken pate with tomato chutney, and duck dat toast - so much tasty decadence on one plate and the serving was HUGE.
For the main, thankfully I had gone with an entree size beef cheek gnocci. While tasty, I couldn't help but feel this dish would be more suited to cooler months rather than a hot and humid March.
Aiden landed on the duck leg with braised white beans and luckily the man can eat because this also came with a red cabbage salad filled with smoked duck breast - again a very 'wintery' meal.
We really didn't need the side of greens we had ordered...
To accompany your meal, there is an ok wine list where you will find something to drink, a couple of beers on tap and and a full list of cocktails if that takes your fancy.
We settled on a nice riesling from Eden Valley - crisp and fresh for the warm evening and it cut through some of the richness of the food.
Dessert - my favourite part of a meal - was a shared frangelico creme brulee with hazelnut cookies and I couldn't fault it. The cookies were soft and tasty and the brulee was creamy with a good sugary crust on top.
While the inside the restaurant is somewhat unassuming, out the back is a wide deck opening to an attractive fish-filled pond covered in lily pads that looks perfect for events or just a dinner to treat yourself.
Cotton Tree
In a place FULL of beaches it can be hard to explore them all at once but Cotton Tree is a great place to start.
This area is protected from the bigger east coast swell by a break wall at the mouth of the river, offering a calm and relaxing swim.
Cotton Tree is an ideal spot to come with younger children and, with it's gentle waves, it is also the perfect place for those wanting to learn how to surf.
In peak periods and on the weekends, you may struggle for a minute to find a park but once you do, you can set up for hours with large, flat sandy areas for your beach brolly.
If you want it even calmer, walk around the bay past the caravan park and you will find beach access to the lagoon-like river. Big groups of paddle-boarders is a common sight here and I can't wait to try it out!
Cotton Tree also has a central location to Maroochydore should you need supplies or are looking for a cafe for lunch in between swims.