Black Bunny Kitchen
UPDATE 2026: Unfortunately Black Bunny Kitchen is no longer open.
Just across the road from the surf club at Alexandra Headland, this unassuming kitchen throws up plenty of welcome surprises.
First impressions are that Black Bunny Kitchen is pretty laid back but could get rowdy given the right crowd.
One of the things I liked is that not only is it across from the beach, it backs onto the resort pool – adding to the laid back vibe.
Before settling down to explore the menu, I spent some time staring at the vast selection (100+) of craft beers on offer. There is not a drop of XXX in sight at this trendy spot.
As my visit was timed the day before my half marathon, I will have to come back and actually taste some!
If you wander around, you will notice a custom built wood smoker – this where the magic happens. Slow cooked BBQ anyone?
Once you have decided if you and your friends are going to share some plates or you want that brisket all to yourself, order at the bar before picking your spot in the sunshine.
My friend and I shared some calamari, bean salad and some slaw as it was a hot day and in the mood for a lighter lunch. The portions were so big though that even that ended up with a doggy bag!
The meat smelled so amazing though that I will definitely be back again - especially after seeing the burger and dawg of the day on the specials board…
I have it on good authority that it isn’t just the beers and smoke that are worth visiting Black Bunny for but the coffee is spot on and the brekkie menu is delish too. Might have to make this a regular eating out spot as this is one of a growing number of consistently good restaurants up here on the Sunny Coast.
Every weekend they have some fantastic local talent showcasing their awesome skills, from chilled blues and indie rock to reggae funk.
North Stradbroke Island
It is amazing how many things are within easy reach of the Sunny Coast. Luckily for me Stradbroke Island is one of them!
From where we are on the Sunny Coast it will take you under 2 hours to get to the ferry crossing at Cleveland. From there you can jump on the car ferry (prices vary depending on time of day and year…) and 45 minutes later you will be enjoying your adventure on Straddie.
Ours was a spur of the moment camping trip and we wanted to get away from it all a bit so we chose Flinders Beach, right on the northern end of the island. To get to this section, you will need both a 4WD and a beach driving permit – these are just over $42 each but will last you a whole year.
These camp sites have no facilities but the benefits are that they are huge – so no close neighbours – and are right on the beach for the best way to wake up.
An added bonus for me is that you are allowed campfires here which is seriously one of the best parts of camping!
Another advantage of being away from any lights and not to close to any other campers is that after dark, the sky comes alive. You tend to forget how many stars are out there when you are in a built up are. You might even get a sore neck from admiring it.
If camping isn’t your thing, there are plenty of other options all over the island so you won’t miss out and you won’t have to lug all your belongings like we did.
Once we set up camp it was time to do some exploring!
Even without a 4WD, you can explore most of North Stradbroke. Some of the highlights are Point Lookout, North Gorge Walk and dolphin spotting at Amity Point.
Let’s start with Amity Point, mostly because I am OBSESSED with dolphins. About an hour to half an hour before sunset, you are pretty much guaranteed to see some dolphins in the calm waters off Amity Point. In my brief time there, I saw several pods playing further out and one bub just swimming around the jetty! This is because they are on their way north to Moreton Island for their regular feeding time at Tangalooma.
Along the North Gorge Walk – which is super easy and had a convenient raised path - look out for dolphins, whales, sea turtles, kangaroos, koalas, and manta rays. The Kangaroos we saw were not afraid of us and barely even moved despite their proximity to us.
On this visit we weren’t able to walk all the way down to Main Beach because the end was closed off for the filming of Aquaman. Can’t wait to see that footage.
The other thing about Straddie that just takes your breath away are the beaches! The island is pretty small so there is always a beach that will suit the conditions.
Cylinder Beach is fairly protected and offers up some surf and if you want to try some beach fishing Flinders has some gutters if you look for them.
We didn’t make it this time (just another reason to come back…) but the freshwater of Blue Lake sounds like an amazing spot to cool off at after a bit of a hike.
Of course there are many activities that you can do on the island; and a simple Internet search will enable you to view and book for example kayaking experiences, sand boarding or diving trips.
Deep Sea Fishing
Given that my man has a thing for fishing, it was inevitable that we would head out on a deep sea fishing adventure sooner or later.
After a bit if Internet research, we headed out one sunny Monday on board Wild Thing with Noosa Charters after an early drive to get there.
On the day we headed out, there were only a couple of other keen anglers which meant there was heaps of room – something I need so I don’t tangle my line with anyone else’s!
We picked a full 9-hour trip because, according to people who love to fish, the time really flies and I can honestly say it did.
As we sped out of Noosa Heads, a whale sighting was a good omen for fish-catching…
We bounced along for a bit and enjoyed some cheese and bacon pull apart before dropping some lines on an offshore reef somewhere along the Noosa North Shore. Almost immediately, small, but pretty, red emperor were being bought on board the boat.
The crew have obviously been fishing around here for a while, because not only do they know where to fish, they can tell almost at a glance if the catch is a legal keeping size.
I couldn’t keep up with everything being hauled in which made for a pretty exciting experience.
I did stop my own fishing when someone else managed to snag an octopus who was sent on his way as soon as he was free of the line and hook.
When the frenzy died down, it was rods away and up with the anchor to find a new spot where the fish were biting.
Aside from the red emperor, moses perch were being caught left, right and centre.
On our way north toward Double Island Point, we headed out into much deeper water – up to 60 metres – to try and catch something much bigger. Unfortunately, it wasn’t our day for it.
After a late lunch of ham and salad rolls and some chips, - all supplied - we were losing some daylight so the trip back to Noosa was swift but entertaining as we bounced along and even saw some more whales.
Nine hours really did fly by and the final moments of the trip were exciting as we crossed the Noosa bar at almost low tide – something only for the experienced boat captain to attempt.
The sun was setting as we pulled back into the pier and took our weary bodies home – along with a few fish to have for dinner of course!
Strawberry Fields
Right now it is Strawberry Season and there is nothing better than being out in the winter sun picking your own to take home and devour.
Luckily for Sunny Coasters, you can definitely PYO (pick your own) down at Strawberry Fields – and it certainly tastes sweeter.
Located just east of Aussie World, an hour picking some berries is the perfect family activity. Given the sheer numbers of people there on the day we visited, it is clearly pretty popular too.
The plan is simple, grab a tub and wander to the allocated field and get picking – you are charged by weight so it is up to you how much you fill the tub.
The price is a little more expensive than some shops at this time of year - $16 per kg when we were there - but you get the freshest possible berries!
My motto was 'the redder the better! I even managed to take home a whole kilo of goodness. The hardest part was not shoving a sample in my face before paying up!
The farm site offers more than just strawberry picking too. There is shop and café as well as a large playground complete with its own set of swings and a slide, shaded and sunny sitting spots for when the kids get bored of hunting for the perfect berry.
Get your fill of all things strawberry with ice cream and milk shakes galore on offer – not to mention a lunch menu for a savoury break. They also stock a range of local crafts and locally grown produce to complete your picnic.
Picking season runs from June to November each year.
Mantra Richmont Hotel
One of the great things about the Sunshine Coast is that if you crave that bit of action that a city has to offer, Brisbane is less than an hour and a half away.
After nearly six months in my new home, I decided to visit some friends in good old Bris-Vegas and chose to stay close to where we had dinner planned in Fortitude Valley.
The Mantra Richmont Hotel opened just last year in Kennigo Street, Spring Hill and is just a short walk from all the hustle and bustle of Brisbane’s CBD and, of course, all the bars and restaurants of Fortitude Valley.
While part of the Mantra chain, this hotel has a bit of a boutique feel about it which is nice – especially for the price!
There is a gym at the hotel if you are so inclined but no pool, and also a small café located in the lobby for those in a hurry to get out and about.
In the renovated Queenslander right next door (and linked by a 2nd level walkway), you will find Kennigo Social House if you are looking for something more substantial, or a stiff drink.
The building was once a men's boarding house but now it serves up delicious breakfasts, lunch and dinner. The dinner menu is designed to share – my favourite!
The hotel itself has a 24-hour reception desk which means you can sort yourself out any time of day.
I had a very comfortable stay in a hotel room at the back of the building – the room was on the small side but more than enough space for one person. The queen bed was super comfortable, it had a decent bathroom with amazing shower pressure and Urban Skincare products (although the lighting could be better for makeup application), Vittoria coffee machine and tea making facilities.
All rooms are air-conditioned with LCD TV and iPod docking facilities.
If, like me, you have driven into the city, the hotel offers 24-hour parking for $20 but on the weekends, parking on the street is free and unlimited – a rare find in a busy city!
The Mantra Richmont is the perfect city getaway hotel, close to everything but far enough away to feel like you are getting away from it all and the price is right for those wanting to save some cash for all the shopping and eating and drinking...
Booloumba Falls
I am a sucker for a good waterfall and Booloumba Falls in the Conondale National Park does not disappoint.
About an hour and 15 minutes’ drive from the coast, you will need a 4WD for the last section of road if you only want to do the short walk to the falls as there are a couple of rivers to cross.
If you just want to hike to see the falls, an easy 3km return walk will take you there and it is worth every step.
Following a well-defined track, you will walk through tall open forest before coming to one of the clearest creeks you have ever seen – and that is less than 1km into the walk!
This walk is perfect for families and children as there are no big hills to walk up or down.
After you finish exploring this creek area, the walk veers away from the water but before too long, you will hear the rushing sound of running water and you know the falls are close by.
The track ends with a lookout over a dramatic gorge – making you realise how small we actually are.
From the lookout you can walk down to the main pool of the falls and scramble over rock pools to see the larger falls going down into the gorge.
There is even what looks like a private lap pool further down if you are keen to (carefully) make your way down the rocks – everything is pretty steep around here.
The main pool is deep and around 15m wide allowing a swim and a natural shower which we didn’t attempt on this July day but if I return in the warmer months, wild horses couldn’t keep me out!
The walk itself will take you a leisurely 2 hours (or less) and you can make time at either end for a picnic.
Given the river crossings and the steep dirt roads to make it out here, I probably wouldn’t try and visit in wet weather. I did see a sign saying a section of the road is closed off during heavy rains
Make it a longer stay and try some other walks in the National Park by setting up camp somewhere nearby.
At Booloumba Creek there are several pre-bookable camping areas. You will need 4WD to access all the campsites and the swimming hole. There is 2WD accessible free camping in the Charlie Moreland camping area in the nearby Imbil State Forest.
The Spirit House Restaurant
After a few months up here on the Sunshine Coast, I have been craving some good Thai food as it isn’t as easily accessible as it is in Sydney.
I waited for the weekend my sister was visiting from Sydney-town and along with my other sister, we ventured out to Yandina to check out the popular, chef-hatted Spirit House Restaurant.
Renowned for its Thai food (and a cooking school!), you do feel like you are visiting a slice of Asia as you follow the tropical paths past ponds to the series of dining areas in temple-like buildings.
We visited at night which was light up and beautiful but I would love to see it on a sunny day.
Arriving slightly ahead of our booked time, we were seated but told that we wouldn’t be able to order any food until our arranged time which was a little strange – luckily we could still order drinks and cocktails.
I kicked things off with a Mekong Margarita which was equal parts sweet and savoury filled with tequila, Thai bitter, lime, lemongrass syrup and Thai basil.
My sisters opted for a spicy Samui Mule and a martini – all very tasty.
In hindsight, we could have had a seat the new bar area for a different perspective before heading into the dining area – we walked past it on the way out and it looked very inviting…
We switched to nice dry white wine to sip with our meal.
All the dishes here are designed to share – my favourite way of dining - and we started with Moreton Bay bug on betel leaf, deliciously served with Nahm Jim, and seared Harvey Bay scallops topped with pork floss. The amazing pork floss was the subject of much discussion!
For the next course we dived into some pork belly curry, which was tasty but possibly a little fatty for my liking and a whole crispy snapper that was so incredible it was merely a pile of bones before too long.
To cut through the richness of all that meat, we had some rice and a spicy green pawpaw salad and it was the perfect amount of food for the three of us.
I will be honest, even if I wasn’t full, I probably wouldn’t order dessert but that is more because, apart from sticky mango rice, Asian sweets are a little too sickly for my liking.
Overall, there is a reason Spirit House is one of the best-reviewed restaurants on the Sunshine Coast and I will more than likely be back to try some of the other dishes!
The restaurant opens every day for lunch and Wednesday - Saturday evenings.
Noosa National Park Coastal Walk
If ever there was a place you would call paradise, this is it…
Kick off a stunning walk with a stroll along the boardwalk from the end of Noosa Main Beach.
This coastal track will take you past a couple of secluded beaches in the national park such as Tea Tree Bay, Winch Cove and Granite Bay that are ideal swimming spots.
We made our way towards the poorly named Hells Gate and clambered over the rocks to the Intsa-popular Fairy Pools which my nephew couldn’t get enough of!
The Fairy Pools are two natural tidal pools lying low between the basalt rocks just west of the tip of the headland and are best accessed at lower tides for safety reasons!
There is no signage for this special spot but the Fairy Pools are just below Dolphin Point – where we were lucky enough to spy a few actual dolphins playing out in the water.
The total distance (one way) along the coastal track is just over 5 kilometres but you can get away with a partial walk – especially if you have younger kids trailing along with you!
If you want to walk the whole way, you will have a beach walk section along Alexandria Bay – the coast’s unofficial nudie beach - before you reach the northern end of Sunshine Beach.
We didn’t make it this far on my first visit but apparently just before you get to Sunshine Beach there are A LOT of stairs to negotiate down (and presumably back up!)
You don’t have to backtrack all the way back, as there the inland Tanglewood Path near Hells Gate that takes you back through eucalypt and rainforest woodlands. At the halfway mark, take the elevated Noosa Hill track (which has some filtered views from its peak) back to the car park and start of the coastal path.
For what it is worth, the best views are at the beginning and Tee Tree Bay looks so inviting that I believe this is a spot I will return to again and again – even if only to search for the koalas that live in the trees around here.
The walk itself isn’t too difficult and doesn’t have a lot of hills or climbing – much of the path up to Dolphin Point from Noosa would even be pram friendly!
We managed to have a picture-perfect June day where it was still warm enough to swim and there were still plenty of people about. I can imagine that this path – and the Fairy Pools – get super busy in Summer and school holidays.
You will even spy keen surfers carrying their boards along the track searching for great waves away from the crowds.
It is easy to see why Noosa is popular with locals and tourists alike! Why not come see for yourself and book a Noosa getaway here.
