Sunshine Coast: Fly direct to warmer surrounds

With the last rays of summer just starting to fade away, it’s only natural to think about how you can hold onto a few more days of warmth before autumn arrives. The newest addition to the domestic routes on offer at Newcastle Airport are making it even easier for residents from the Hunter Region, Central Coast and Northern NSW to chase the sun, offering direct access to one of Australia’s most iconic coastal destinations, the Sunshine Coast.

Local airline Fly Pelican began offering the direct route to the popular Queensland destination at the beginning of January, with three return services a week for 12 weeks on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. With a flight time of just one hour and 55 minutes, you’ll be lapping up the warmer weather and the tourism hotspots in next to no time – the biggest problem will be deciding where to go once you land at Sunshine Coast Airport.

The airport is located in the Queensland suburb of Marcoola, around 35 minutes south of one of Australia’s most popular coastal destinations, Noosa. Surrounded by golden sand beaches, tranquil lakes, national parks and the lush hinterland of Noosa National Park, Noosa is the ultimate spot whether you want to soak up the sun and relax on the beach or at one of the region’s luxury day spas, charge into an adrenaline-filled adventure or check out the designer boutiques on Hastings Street. Market shoppers and art lovers should check out the famous Eumundi Markets in the Noosa hinterland, while culinary travellers can’t go past the gastronomic delights of the renowned dining scene in the centre of town.

Hire a car and catch the ferry from the village of Tewantin to explore the Noosa North Shore, the Great Sandy National Park and World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, while closer to Sunshine Coast Airport, the holiday town of Coolum is a mecca for surfers and golfers seeking an active getaway and cultural delights abound in Maroochydore.

Plan your trip by visiting www.visitsunshinecoast.com/ then book your flight by logging on to https://flypelican.com.au/