SECRETS ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW

from Salt spring 2021

ANTIQUES & ART

For many Sunshine Coast residents a regular visit to DOUBLE ISLAND POINT OR RAINBOW BEACH is a must to reconnect with nature, take a dip in the ocean and enjoy the scenic views. The area is part of the Great Sandy National Park and if you haven’t already visited – or it’s been a few years since you were last there – it really is worth exploring. And we’ve found a fantastic way to do just that. Epic Ocean Adventures off ers a range of adventures, including the Dolphin View Kayak Tour. There’s much to enjoy on the tour, including the chance to see not just dolphins but also turtles, rays and even whales if you time it right. Find out more at epicoceanadventures.com.au Map reference O5

PHOTO: Tourism and Events Queensland

secrets

ONLY A LOCAL WOULD KNOW

FOR MAP REFERENCES FOR MAP REFERENCES SEE MAP ON PAGE 120 SEE MAP ON PAGE 120

AUSSIE WORLD has recently introduced a new thrill ride called the SX360. It is, Aussie World tells us, Australia’s tallest and fastest 360-degree pendulum swing that cost the park $2.5 million. It is also the first new ride to open there since 2011. This ride is not for the fainthearted – it reaches speeds of 80 kilometres per hour and launches riders 32 metres into the air. Make sure you jump on it before you eat! The SX360 joins Aussie World’s other thrilling rides including The Wasp, The Plunge and The Redback. Aussie World is at 1 Downunder Drive, Palmview. 5494 5444 aussieworld.com.au Map reference M18

REDI S C OVER

· UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP · SUNSHINE COAST’S ORIGINAL NATIVE BOTANIC GARDENS · · SOUTH EAST QUEENSLAND’S LARGEST NATIVE PLANT NURSERY· · POP-UP CAFE - BOTANIST & BAKER ·

When the buzz of Hastings Street gets too hectic, our tip is to jump in the car and head to Cooroy for a stroll around NOOSA BOTANIC GARDENS. This eight hectares of former farmland on the shores of Lake MacDonald is now home to native and exotic plants which attract loads of wildlife. Wander along the winding paths past expanses of lawn where you can rest with a picnic, then relax while the kids enjoy the children’s play areas, check out the fern house and lily pond, and spend some time testing the acoustics at the muchphotographed Greek-style amphitheatre. The gardens are on Lake MacDonald Drive, Cooroy, about a 25-minute drive from Noosa. Map reference K13

PHOTO: Tourism and Events Queensland

The Olympics make us all appreciate sports that we wouldn’t normally be into, and a few of us in the salt off ice couldn’t get enough of the skaters and BMX riders doing their thing in Tokyo. Lucky for us, on the Sunshine Coast there are a few skate parks where we can go and watch local skaters. One of our favourites is the ALEXANDRA HEADLAND SKATE PARK. Right by the beach at Alex, the park is both street style (that means it has obstacles like rails) and transition style (that’s going from the ground down a ramp or into a bowl), which means you’ll see riders of all disciplines skating there. Given the various features such as the bowls, handrails and stairs you’ll also see beginners of all ages plus more experienced young and adult riders. The Alex Skate Park is right next to the surf club on Alex Beach. Map reference N17

PHOTO: Anastasia Kariofyllidis

Sunshine Coast Council recently released an EVENTS WEBSITE and we have to say this hub is a handy place for residents and visitors to find out what’s on in the region. The easy-to-use site has a comprehensive list of community events, arts and culture, music, environmental, business, sport events, festivals, competitions, classes, expos and so much more. So whether you’re looking for something to do today, next week or next month, jump online and check it out. Visitors to the region can also find out information on the Sunshine Coast, including things to do. Find it at events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

We’re excited to hear that the FLOATING LAND BIENNALE will return to the Noosa region this October. The event gives participating artists the opportunity to raise environmental awareness through their practice in stunning natural surrounds. This 16-day event will deliver 30 curated and thought-provoking projects at Boreen Point and the Park Road Boardwalk at Noosa Heads. It will also include an abundance of site-responsive projects, tours, artist-led workshops, performances and unique opportunities for visitors. Featuring local, national and international artists at varying stages of their professional careers, Floating Land: At the Edge of Ideas will run from October 9 to 24 and will launch with a free community event at Boreen Point on Saturday, October 9 from 3pm to 6pm. All are welcome. For full details of the artistic program and associated events, visit floatingland.org.au Map reference L11 and N12

MAIN PHOTO: Black Swan Theory by Fabrizio Biviano, 2021 (photo by Jennifer Dean). INSET PHOTO: Sing by Debbie Symons, 2021 (photo courtesy of the artist)

Plastic-free July might be over, but we reckon we should all be looking at PLASTIC-FREE ALTERNATIVES at any time of the year. Plastic bags, coff ee cups, takeaway forks and knives have such a short life before they are tossed away. Because they are so light, they also oft en get swept away before they are disposed of. Remember, plastic never breaks down – it just breaks up – and the pieces get smaller and smaller. Worryingly, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation projects that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the ocean than fish. So, how do you help? Head to plasticfreejuly.org/get-involved for tips on how you can reduce your plastic use, such as using reusable coff ee cups and water bottles, taking your own cloth shopping bags, not buying fruit and veg wrapped in plastic and refusing plastic straws. Also, support local businesses and cafes who are doing their bit to go plastic free with bulk food off erings and plastic alternatives. The livingsmartqld.com.au/byosunshinecoast website also has handy tips and ideas. Did you know Maleny has a botanic garden? MALENY BOTANIC GARDENS AND BIRD WORLD is a privately owned 18-acre garden that overlooks the Glass House Mountains and has a rainforest backdrop. Wander along the more than six kilometres of walking paths past layered gardens, waterfalls and lakes. If that seems like too much, you can tour the gardens in a self-drive golf cart. The gardens feature a huge range of plants as well as gazebos, a fairy-tale garden, and treehouse. No wonder people choose to get married here. Bird lovers will enjoy the walk-through aviaries, which house hundreds of native and exotic birds. Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World is at 233 Maleny-Stanley River Road, Maleny. 5344 0010 or malenybotanicgardens.com.au Map reference J19

BUDERIM CRAFT COTTAGE’S MIXED MEDIA GROUP is turning the Atrium Gallery and Studio North into an incredible arts hub for three days from September 24 to 26. All pieces are less than $200 each and include work from more than 25 local artists in many mediums and forms (the piece pictured is by Helen Saint-Smith). The Mixed Media Group is always working on a wide range of ever-changing styles and themes and these beautiful works will no doubt fly off the shelves. Some of the artists will also be on hand to talk about the works. A commission from each piece sold will go to the Buderim Craft Cottage to fund ongoing improvements and support local artists. Keep an eye on the cottage’s website as it oft en holds exhibitions and events for art lovers and creatives. Buderim Craft Cottage is at 5 Main Street, Buderim. 5450 1714 or buderimcraft cottage.com.au Map reference N17

PHOTO: Lisa Pearl

One of the things we love about the Sunshine Coast is the treasure trove of retail gems you can find if you know where to look. Noosa’s DEFINE WATCHES is one such place worth checking out, as it’s home to Australia’s largest collection of independent watch brands. Define’s husband and wife watch experts, Peter Petzold and Lydia Dalle Nogare, tell salt that watch lovers from all states of Australia as well as international visitors make a point of visiting the boutique when they’re in town, walking out, says Lydia, “with a big smile and a new watch to remind them of their time on the Coast”. Define has stunning collections from more than 15 German, Swiss and Austrian brands – there are sports watches, everyday watches and pieces for more formal occasions. Next time you’re in Noosa pop in, say hi to Lydia and Peter and see what all the fuss is about. Define Watches is at 5/2 Quamby Place, Noosa Heads. 5447 4643 or definewatches.com.au Map reference N12

A new online portal has been launched to show Noosa’s history. Heritage Noosa hosts the Noosa Council Heritage Library’s HISTORICAL IMAGE COLLECTION, and other digital heritage items such as maps, digital stories, oral histories and videos. “We’re very excited to share the portal and its amazing capabilities,” Noosa Council’s Jane Harding says. “The beauty of this platform is that if someone recognises a family member or even themselves in an image or video, or they know more about a person, place or event, they can add this information directly to the site. We hope that community groups will also get involved to share their own historic memorabilia and the stories of their organisations and activities.” The platform is accessible to anyone, on any device, and the collection is always expanding as new content is added regularly. This photo (date unknown) was taken at Hofmann’s Weyba Ranch. Visit heritage.noosa.qld.gov.au to explore the collection.