Chasing The Sun
Looking for a holiday or a new home? Australia’s sparkling coastlines await.
The city is getting wetter, the days cooler. It’s about time to pack up the eskie and chase the sun. In which direction? North, of course, up the treasure trove of sun, surf, and sand that is Australia’s east coast.
First stop: Port Macquarie. The once sleepy utopia has blossomed into a hot holiday destination and an incubator for the real-life Australian Dream. Here, everything is just ten minutes away. Whether it’s Sunday lunch at the local pub or an eatery overlooking the water at Town Green; a family gathering on a hired barbeque boat; a trip to the hinterland; fresh seafood at The Big Oyster; or a stroll through shops for some pure retail therapy.
Next up, there’s Coffs, with stop-offs at Sawtell and Nambucca Heads on the way an absolute must. The friendly beachside city of Coffs Harbour is Coffs Coast’s vibrant heart, and pretty much smack bang in the middle of Brisbane and Sydney, making it the ideal place to stop and unwind before following the yellow brick road further still.
What better place to wind up than Noosa Heads? Considered the jewel of Noosa, Noosa Heads sits at the edge of the National Park dotted with picturesque bays and coves. The fine restaurants, outdoor cafés and stylish shops that line Hastings Street are just a few steps from the white sands of iconic Main Beach.
Visit to embrace its magnificent surrounds, fall in love with the warmth and generosity the locals. Before long you’ll find yourself thinking, “so this is how life was meant to be lived?”. The growing trend of the white-collar fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) worker suddenly makes perfect sense. With all this and more within arm’s reach, the lifestyle is no doubt worth the commute.
EAT
Twotriplefour, Port Macquarie
Twotriplefour restaurant is built on the philosophy of savour the region. It’s the place to relish in a shared feast, indulge in a glass of wine, or enjoy a moment of sun on the patio.
Surf St Café, Coffs Harbour
Just a few lazy metres from Emerald Beach, there is no more idyllic place than Surf St Café to sit for breakfast and end up passing the day away to the soothing sound of surf.
Bistro C., Noosa
Great for breakfast but even better as the day goes on, this relaxed restaurant is the perfect place to drop by for some starters and cocktails as the sun goes down over Noosa Main Beach.
DO
Ricardoes, Port Macquarie
What began as a roadside stall serviced by an honesty box has turned into a mecca for growers and eaters interested in getting their hands dirty and knowing more about where their food comes from.
Bonville Golf Resort, Coffs Harbour
Described by respected and well-travelled Australian golfer, Peter McWhinney as “the most beautiful golf course in Australia, if not the world”, once you have experienced the beauty and allure of Bonville you will want to return again and again.
The Curated Plate, Sunshine Coast
Australia’s most exciting destination food and lifestyle festival held in the stunning surrounds of the Sunshine Coast from 6th to 9th August 2020.
STAY
Spicers Retreats
From the moment you arrive it is clear, Spicers Retreats are not just different, but truly special. The Spicers experience is one that combines stunning natural settings, award winning dining experiences, and our warm and attentive service to deliver an experience unlike any other in Australia.
Beginning with Spicers Peak Lodge in the mountains of the Great Dividing Range, guests can choose from nine distinct retreats across southeast Queensland, and the Hunter Valley, Blue Mountains and Sydney in New South Wales.
Go Boutique
If you’d rather make yourself at home in your own private boutique accommodation, you’ll find yourself spoilt for choice on Airbnb or stayz.com.au.
LIVE THE DREAM
Anyone who has spent their fair share of recent years living and working in one of Australia’s thriving capital cities should be familiar with the steadily climbing cost of living, but as identified in the McGrath Report 2020, this is not the only number on the incline.
The idea of breaking free from the daily hustle and settling down somewhere with a more wholesome lifestyle and more seductive house prices is apparently becoming harder to resist. Add on increasingly flexible working arrangements and a rapidly growing network of regional airports, and such temptations are more feasible than ever before.
Just think about; the life of a white-collar FIFO. There’s no harm in entertaining the thought, if you want the inside scoop on everything from property prospects to lifestyle and community, the McGrath teams in Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, and Noosa Heads are just a phone call away.
Not convinced? All the stats and facts await in the McGrath Report.
