Sunshine Coast tourism operators are hoping to boost their pandemic-hit businesses as holiday-starved Queenslanders take advantage of a new state-wide incentives campaign.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has launched the Great Queensland Getaway program, designed to give our tourism industry a much-needed boost.
Queensland residents will be able to tap into great holiday deals until October 31.
The deals offer up to 50% off about 400 tourism experiences around the state, including the Sunshine Coast, and are valid for redemption through until January 23 (peak holiday times included).
Coast to Hinterland Tours co-owner Mark Baker said he was amazed that some prospective holidaymakers were so quick off the mark for the Monday 9am promo code launch, which saw bookings staff “hammered”.
“It looks like it’s going to be a success, only a few hours into it,” said Mark, whose business has three deals offered on the queensland.com website.
“I thought we’d have a couple of days’ grace (while people researched and organised their itinerary) but there’s pent-up demand and, boy, are they going for it.
“To be given this opportunity is wonderful.
“As a small-business owner, we need all the good help we can get until we get the borders open.”
To see what’s on offer and claim some deals, first head to queensland.com to grab a promo code.
Once you have your promo code, see all the deals for the available tours and attractions at queensland.com/greatqueenslandgetaway.
But be quick because these deals end on October 31 or until sold out, whichever comes first. Once they’ve run out, your promo code can no longer be used.
The deals are divided into four Queensland zones: North, South East (including the Sunshine Coast), Central and Western Queensland.
The maximum rebate is $100 for any tourism product south of the Whitsundays, and up to $200 for any product from the Whitsundays and to the north.
A sample of some of the great deals on offer closer to home on the Sunshine Coast include:
- Take the plunge and learn how to make the most of our surf beaches by hanging 10 with Merrick’s Noosa Learn to Surf 2 for 1 Group Surf Lesson on Main Beach.
- Learn more about the ingredients, suppliers, producers and top-notch chefs in your own backyard when you grab $100 Off your Scenic Food and Wine Tour plus return transfer to the Eumundi Markets with Coast to Hinterland Tours. Savvy travellers will no doubt put that saving into delectable take-home goodies including locally-made chocolate, cheese and wines sold at the providores and cellar doors that dot our hinterland. Start or end the tour with a two-course lunch.
- The water is getting warmer so there’s no time like the present to discover one of the best wreck dives in Australia with Sunreef Mooloolaba’s 50% off Ex-HMAS Brisbane Wreck dives, tanks included. Buzzing with fish, turtles, sharks, rays and even octopus, the artificial reef that dominates the Ex-HMAS Brisbane Conservation Park is a favourite among open-water certified divers. Dive tours depart daily, taking a short 15-minute boat ride to reach the wreck from Mooloolaba. This is an ideal Christmas gift to book for family and friends.
- If you want to feel like you’ve had an exotic holiday while grounded at home, try a wild day out for a family of four including Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital Sneak Peeks for $90 with a Great Queensland Getaway 50% off code.
Dozens of other bargains through well-respected operators (TreeTop Challenge, Mary Valley rattler, Aquaduck and Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Tours, for example) are available in the South East Queensland deals, along with accommodation from travel partners, such as Accor’s Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort Hotel at Twin Waters.
Virgin Australia is also offering cheap-as-chips $75 flights so Queensland residents can stretch their holiday dollar further to take advantage of the deals (Virgin flights are valid through until December 12).
