With a perfect climate, fabulous food and stunning surrounds, the Sunshine Coast is naturally beautiful at any time of year. By Tiana Templeman.
STAY IN STYLE AT SOFITEL NOOSA PACIFIC RESORT French sophistication meets beachside chic at Sofitel Noosa, one of the Sunshine Coast's most famous hotels. Buildings over four storeys were restricted at Noosa not long after this hotel opened, something which makes a stay here truly unique. Views from the higher floorsare superb and the bar at the hotel's restaurant, Noosa Beach House Peter Kuruvita, is a convivial spot for a drink with colleagues.
Celebrity Chef Peter Kuruvita's restaurant frequently dips into the surrounding ocean to showcase the region's famous seafood. Groups can enjoy an intimate dinner for up to 12 guests in the exclusive private dining room, dine under the stars by the lush lagoon pool or opt for a grand affair in the Noosa Ballroom. These venues offer seating for up to 170 guests and bespoke menus created by one of Australia's best-known chefs. With seating for up to 200 guests, the Lily Pond Terrace offers an alfresco undercover venue for cocktail functions and group dinners, with fresh sea breezes.
Accommodation at the hotel is warm and welcoming, with burnt orange accents highlighting Indigenous-inspired art which honours Noosa's surrounding environment and connection with the Gubbi Gubbi people, the area's traditional owners. Some rooms overlook the waters of Laguna Bay, while others command views of the Noosa River, the resort pool or Noosa Village.
SIZZLE AT THE SPIRIT HOUSE Classes at the Spirit House Cooking School are about more than just good food. Office hierarchies dissolve when team members take turns grinding curry pastes with a mortar and pestle and status is immeasurably enhanced with fabulous knife skills. Even better, classes at the Spirit House are fun with prizes presented for skills, enthusiasm and interesting questions.
Designed to be hands on, this Thai-inspired cooking school can cater for up to 18 participants at a time and has around 20 different cooking classes to choose from, with no prior culinary experience required. Hone your wok skills with a Stir Crazy session, cook Thai-inspired Dude Food or whip up tasty yum cha treats at a Dim Sum and Then Some class. After the banquet has been prepared, everyone sits down to enjoy a meal together, accompanied by fine wines, craft beers and non-alcoholic beverages. Dishes are designed to be shared, although the likes of Mooloolaba king prawn stir fry often see colleagues duelling good naturedly with forks. If your team enjoys good food and is hungry to learn, this is the perfect activity.
DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF MAKEPEACE ISLAND Makepeace Island is the private home of Sir Richard Branson and a sanctuary of serenity and seclusion nestled amidst Australian wilderness. Located just a few minutes upstream from Noosa by boat, the 25 acre heart-shaped island combines luxury, nature and authentic design and is an idyllic place to escape and unwind. The Long House is home to an expansive island-themed bar which includes a games area and selection of musical instruments including piano, gamelan, bongos and didgeridoo. Stunning open plan entertaining areas complete with antiques, silk furnishings and views of the spectacular 500,000 litre lagoon pool come together with exquisite gardens, waterfall entry foyers and authentic Balinese design to create a destination like no other.
Makepeace Island is one of the most exclusive and unique business events destinations in Australia, with a diverse variety of experiences to choose from. Beyond Experiences (beyondexperiences.com.au) offer a tempting menu of full-day or half-day incentive activities, including a game of golf with a pro, a luxury day spa experience or surf lesson at Noosa Beach, a food and wine tour through the spectacular Hinterland or a kombi surfing safari. Or there is the Great Beach Drive, a road trip like no other, which travels through some of the world's most spectacular stretches of sand, National Parks and World Heritage listed areas in 4WDs. Organisers can select a number of activities for delegates to choose from or bring everyone together for a shared experience.
For an unforgettable evening out on the water, guests can board Makepeace Island's restored car ferry for an interactive dining experience. Sip signature cocktails as chefs offer an entertaining interactive cooking experience in front of guests and shuck fresh oysters as the ferry explores the Noosa Biosphere Reserve, a spectacular series of freshwater tidal parklands covering 150,000 hectares. Arriving back at Makepeace Island, the magic continues with an exclusive island experience including a standing degustation dinner prepared by Sir Richard Branson's own chefs.
