Sunshine Coast comes alive in October

The Sunshine Coast is a delightful region north of Brisbane that has become quite a gourmet hotspot.

From coastal stays to hidden gems in the hinterland, the Sunshine Coast offers a wide range of accommodation options.

The showcasing of local products includes the annual Sunshine Coast Pop & Pour Festival, which will take guests on a journey to 10 of the region’s craft breweries and distilleries.

Another upcoming event will showcase the coast’s biggest "Big Thing" when The Big Pineapple Festival returns after a three-year hiatus in October.

Heavy metal bands The Amity Affliction, superstar Tones and I, and hip-hop trio Bliss n Eso are the big names heading this year’s Big Pineapple Music Festival.

The festival, returns on October 19, and is being billed as “an unforgettable day of live music, delicious food and vibrant experiences”.

A week later, on October 26, The Sunshine Coast Pop & Pour Festival is a one-day brewery and distillery adventure. Pop & Pour’s hop-on-hop-off buses will take you on a journey through the Sunshine Coast’s vibrant beverage scene.

Where to stay? Here are a couple of recommendations from local Peter Hook, a global PR master.

Glen Eden Beach Resort is located in one of the Sunshine Coast’s most in-demand villages, Peregian Beach. Located just 10-minutes’ from Noosa with direct beach access, the resort is under new management and is getting a fresh new look - with refurbished public spaces and furnishings.

In Mooloolaba, Mirra Chana’s beach-level three-bedroom apartments have undergone renovations with contemporary furnishings, deluxe bathrooms and fully-equipped full-size kitchens. Mirra Chana is billed as "the perfect beachside getaway" with direct access to Mooloolaba Beach and only a short walk from The Wharf Mooloolaba.

Richard Branson’s Sunshine Coast home, Makepeace Island (above), has re-opened to the public following extensive refurbishment including new bathrooms and furniture, a new tennis court and barge. This heart-shaped private island resort caters for groups up to 22 guests, with three two-bedroom villas and four private rooms with en suites in the Bali House.

Ramada Marcoola Beach, meanwhile, is undergoing a $2 million “Hamptons-style” refurbishment of 24 of its holiday apartments and hotel rooms.

Despite being built in 1916, Elsie’s Cottage opened for guest stays for the first time last month. This hinterland retreat is named after the youngest granddaughter of Joseph and Alice Dixon, pioneers of the Sunshine Coast in the 1800s. The cottage has been restored by Joseph and Alice’s great-great-grandson Matthew Clarke and his wife, Sarah. It sleeps four and has en-suite bedrooms along with panoramic views over the Blackall Range to the coast.

Built in 1895, Montville Estate offers a large original homestead as well as a private self-contained luxury cottage on a sprawling country property.

And if your fancy a splurge, Oceanview Helicopters is set to launch a new "Picnic on a Peak" experience that will provide an aerial tourism and local food experience. Guests will traverse some of the Coast’s 100 kilometres of beaches before heading into the hinterland to collect produce from local suppliers before flying to a hidden gem perched on top of the Blackall Range for a gourmet picnic with sweeping views. Sounds fun.