If you prefer cheese and wine to chocolate eggs, then the Sunshine Coast is the place to be this Easter. The region will play host to the Kenilworth Cheese, Wine & Food Fest on Easter Saturday(15 April) – a free event which kicks off with a cheese rolling competition, Cheester Egg Hunt for children aged four to seven years and gourmet cooking demonstrations showcasing produce from the Mary Valley.
And it’s not only cheese and wine that will be on the menu over Easter. On Easter Sunday (16 April), Maroochydore will be transformed into a celebration of diversity at the Ocean Street World Festival. A free event that will feature artists across four stages with acts from Japan to Bolivia, Budapest to Jamaica, Salsa dancing and Bollywood workshops, choirs, djembe workshops and more.
Australia Zoo will be another ‘hot spot’ of fun during the Easter break with Robert’s epic treasure hunt, pony trails, Bindi and the Jungle Girls ‘Island Time’ show and colouring competitions. From the 9 – 13 April, the Irwin family will also be feeding the crocs in the 12pm Wildlife Warrior show in the world-famous Crocoseum!
Surfers will be attracted by one of Australia’s oldest surfing competitions: the Pa and Ma Bendall Memorial Surfing Contest, held over the Easter Long Weekend (14-16 April) at Caloundra’s Moffat Beach. The surfing contest began in 1974 and has attracted some big names over the years including Wayne (Rabbit) Bartholomew, Simon Anderson and Hawaiian legend Gerry Lopez.
Children can enjoy the annual Easter egg treasure hunt at the Original Eumundi Markets on Easter Saturday (15 April). This will be another fun and free activity that includes a hunt with clues through the market with a chocolate surprise at the completion of the journey.
Other Easter activities include: Magic with Nickleby at the Ginger Factory, mini medieval Olympics at Sunshine Castle or learn how to make robots dance, talk and move at Sunshine Coast Libraries.
Visit Sunshine Coast CEO, Simon Latchford, said the Sunshine Coast was again proving a popular option for holidaymakers to take a break during the Easter school holiday period.
“The Easter school holidays are shaping up to be a busy period for the Sunshine Coast as the weather is more like what southerners would consider ‘summer’ and there is still excellent availability along with good deals,” said Mr Latchford.
Mantra Group Regional General Manager Winston Hall said the Group’s Sunshine Coast properties are holding well for the Easter school holiday period.
“Our Sunshine Coast properties are experiencing a substantial uplift in bookings during April, when compared to the previous corresponding period last year,” said Mr Hall.
“Our Noosa and Mooloolaba resorts are enjoying particularly strong demand.
“There are still some great deals to be had, especially for those who are able to stay mid-week.”
ACCOMMODATION OFFER:
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach – from $255 per night in a one bedroom apartment (minimum three night stay). To book, visit mantra.com.au or call 13 15 17.
For other information on planning your Easter stay go to: www.visitsunshinecoast.com
