Coast

Words By DRANKO MAGIC

How good is the Sunshine Coast over winter? We all love this place during the summer months, however, it’s got so much to offer over the winter season too. Whilst the weather is cooler, the temperatures are still mild enough that we can still enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.

One of the highlights of winter on the Sunshine Coast is whale watching. From June to November, humpback whales migrate along the coast, we can witness them breaching and playing in the water. We are so lucky to have the unique opportunity to see these magnificent creatures up close.

Another thing locals love to do here in the winter, is hiking. The cooler weather makes it more comfortable to explore our national parks, which are home to a variety of wildlife and offer stunning views of the coastline. The Glass House Mountains National Park is a popular choice, with its volcanic peaks and challenging trails. Or if you are up for it, some other popular mountain climbs are Wild Horse Mountain, Mount Beerburrum, Mount Ngungun, Mount Coolum, Mount Ninderry, Mount Cooroora and Mount Tibrogargan. You could even challenge yourself to the popular ‘Six Mountains in a Day’ climb, probably not for the faint hearted.

Something I love to do, for a more leisurely way to enjoy the outdoors, is to go to one of our beautiful beaches, which are way less crowded and not quite so hot during the winter months. You could go for a swim, take a walk along the sand, or simply relax in the sunshine.

How much fun is it to get the blood pumping with go kart racing out at the Big Kart Track? I did this once with my stepson, Jamie, a while ago and it was an awesome bonding experience for us. Nothing like a little competition, right?

Or if you are game, why not take a sky dive from one of the many operators on the coast? My wife, Vickie, surprised the family a few years back with a ‘FAMILY MOMENT’. “Let’s jump out of a plane today together.” Not even kidding. We weren’t all totally happy about the prospect of this, however we did it, and it turned out to be something we will definitely talk about, laugh about and remember forever.

If it’s a bit of water fun you want, we have the Bli Bli Aqua Park, which is worth a visit.

Let’s not forget Aussie World, which is open all year round.

And to top all this off, we have quite a lot of challenging golf courses here to have a crack at, from Caloundra Golf Club in the south to Noosa Springs in the north and many more in between. I’m sure you will find a course that suits you for a birdie or two, if not there’s always another personal favourite of mine, the 19th, which will do just fine at all clubs.

We are so fortunate here on the Sunshine Coast to also have a thriving food and drink scene, with many cafes, restaurants, and bars offering seasonal menus featuring local produce. Winter is a great time to try some of the region's famous seafood, including prawns, oysters, shellfish and a variety of fish.

Finally, the Sunshine Coast is home to several events and festivals during the winter months. The Noosa Long Weekend Festival, the Sunshine Coast Marathon, and the Horizon Festival are just a few of the events that take place during this time of year.

So, while the Sunshine Coast may be known for its summer activities, there is much to do and enjoy during the winter months. From whale watching to hiking, from relaxing on the beach to trying local cuisine, there's something for everyone on the Sunshine Coast during winter.

Honestly, the best thing about all this, is that it’s all right here in our back yard, the place we call home. How lucky are we? ca