DAY TWO
Morning
You’ll need a full day to explore Australia Zoo — the passion project of the late Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, which is now run by his wife Terri and their adult children, Bindi and Robert. Stretching across more than 280 hectares at Beerwah, the zoo is divided into different sections such as Africa, where you can see southern right rhinoceros, zebras and cheetah, Australian wildlife and, of course, reptiles. Start with a visit to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, where for a $2 donation you can see cute critters such as koalas and echidnas being treated from behind a full-length glass wall, or pre-book a 30-minute tour (extra cost). Various keeper talks are offered at the zoo at set times throughout the day, so make sure you check out the schedule to make a plan.
Australia Zoo: the iconic wildlife park spans 280 hectares at Beerwah.
Afternoon
Grab a table overlooking the crocodile enclosure at Crikey Café and refuel with a hearty burger, pizza, sushi or salad before heading to the Crocoseum outdoor auditorium for the attraction’s signature event – the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Show. This is where you’ll see large saltwater crocodiles leaping out of the water snapping their jaws, as well as brightly coloured native parrots and South American macaws performing impressive feats over the audience’s heads.
Evening
Stick around for dinner at Warrior Restaurant & Bar, beside the infinity-edge pool at the luxurious Crocodile Hunter Lodge just around the corner, where you can watch emus and kangaroos foraging at the neighbouring enclosure as you feast on dishes like a Sunshine Coast salumi plate, braised Cloudy Bay clams and slow-cooked lamb shoulder. Or if you’re all zoo’d out, head to one of the many other hinterland hotspots instead. You can embrace the Asian fusion offerings at The Tamarind, set amidst the tropical gardens of Spicers Tamarind Retreat in Maleny, or Spirit House Restaurant at Yandina, where the crispy Humpty Doo barramundi is a must.
Tamarind’s Sichuan lamb dumplings are a sensation.
DAY THREE
Morning
Peruse the huge range of titles lining the shelves at Berkelouw’s Eumundi Bookshop and Cafe, located in the historic former Eumundi Trading Post building in the town’s main street, while you wait for your breakfast order. Then spend the morning wandering among the eclectic stalls selling everything from birdhouses and bee balms to crystals and candles under the fig trees at the Original Eumundi Markets, which has been going strong since 1979. Markets are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with the latter being the bigger of the two. While it appears to be one big market, it is actually made up of five separate entities sitting side-by-side, but only the Original Eumundi Markets stallholders are vetted to meet the ethos of selling local, handmade products.
Afternoon
With the smell of so many enticing flavours wafting across the markets from the myriad multicultural food stalls, you’ll want to hang around for lunch. Grab a Banh mi, empanada or some juicy dumplings and ciao down whilst taking in the live music vibes. If you’re feeling really naughty, indulge in a Portuguese tart or churros for dessert.
Depending on your preferred tipple, begin a self-guided craft brewery or distilleries tour of the Sunshine Coast across the road at the Imperial Hotel. The circa 1911 Queenslander is home to both Eumundi Brewery and Eumundi Distillers gin bar. There are more than 20 other craft breweries and around a dozen breweries spread across the coast to visit. Terella Brewing at North Arm has a strong focus on sustainability, using water from its own vertical bar in the beer it makes. You can also grab a Maleny Dairies ice-cream and pat goats, bunnies and sheep in the farmyard while you’re there. The region’s first microbrewery, Sunshine Coast Brewery at Kunda Park, has been operating since 1998, while the funky Blackflag Brewing at Mooloolaba is also worth checking out. If gin is more your thing, you can easily tick off Sunshine & Sons, Diablo Co and Nil Desperandum at Woombye in one hit – and stop to get a bonus selfie in front of the 16-metre tall fibreglass structure The Big Pineapple, which became a tourist attraction in the 1970s and is also home to a zoo and treetops ropes course.
Grab a brewsky at Mooloolaba’s trendy Blackflag Brewing.
Evening
Take in the sunset over the Mooloolah River as you nibble on dumplings and pork buns from the deck of Asian street food eatery Rice Boi at The Wharf Mooloolaba, which underwent a $10 million refurbishment in 2017 with the aim of becoming a Santa Monica Pier-style hub (minus the Ferris wheel). Before you head back to your accommodation, indulge in a nightcap as you listen to jazz tunes at the atmospheric 1920s Art Deco-inspired cocktail bar, Boston Shaker, or the moody whiskey and tequila bar WAT Den opposite the beach in nearby Mooloolaba Esplanade.
The writer was a guest of Visit Sunshine Coast and Visit Noosa
