We are cocooned in a cosy world of our own.
On any given day, beach-goers by the hundreds lap up the surf lifestyle at the bottom of the street.
Nearby cafes, bars and restaurants are overflowing with jovial souls soaking up the hospitality.
And we are surrounded by residents living the dream in their coastal abode.
Yet all we can hear are the birds as we embrace the quiet of Soul Beach House at Alexandra Headland and contemplate our first moments of a very special staycation, just over 11km and less than 20 minutes away by car from our own subtropical oasis.
It isn’t the ideal Sunshine Coast weather we’ve become accustomed to over the past 36 years, though.
But after parking undercover in the carport right within sight of the kitchen louvres, we scramble to the entry with bags in tow. We follow the key security instructions, roll back the glass sliding door and flop inside, just as the thunderstorm gathers momentum – bringing raindrops the size of 10-cent pieces.
The cool change from the steamy spring day is a nice welcome and we take a minute or two to catch our breath.
Then I spot it. And without a second thought to the rest of the intriguing two-storey house that is begging to be explored, I have to bring the backyard indoors.
The inviting undercover entertaining area with comfortable couch and barbecue area rolls into a grassed lawn you just have to walk on in barefoot, followed by lush landscaped gardens offering a hint of the Alex Forest Conservation Park that lies just beyond the fenceline.
The moment I open up this entire back section of the house and step eagerly into this new realm of relaxation, the frenzied Flight of the Bumble Bee-type symphony of bird calls hits me as the restless winged natives also seek shelter from the impending downpour. I laugh out loud.
With a two-night stay, I will have plenty of time to truly enjoy this chill-out zone.
But for now, it is onward and upward towards the portrait at the top of the timber staircase: an exotic, larger-than-life African face calling me closer to uncover the rest of this luxe holiday house that looks like it has sprung from the pages of a glossy interior design magazine. And it’s all ours for the best part of 68 hours.
You know you’re staying somewhere special when your Airbnb house has its own website.
So, I want to look more closely at how each upstairs bedroom has come together in dreamy and comfortable coastal chic style and fashionable good taste.
Then there’s the beautiful timber furniture and décor pieces – from bathroom vanity tables to intricately carved doors and coat racks, collected by the home’s owners in their travels across the globe.
Finally on my agenda is a long, luxurious shower with the intensity of the rainhead to gently massage my weary, computer work-affected back and wash away the day’s thoughts.
- MORE PHOTOS BELOW IN THE GALLERY
Like stories about Sunshine Coast people doing great things? Help us deliver more by registering for our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article.
Our Alexandra Headland mini-break is already a joy.
With COVID-19 travel restrictions and some work commitments hanging over our heads, Soul Beach House is a godsend for our special wedding anniversary.
Hubby can delay his tradie start time with a sleep-in, then head straight back to the house in the heart of the Sunshine Coast’s “golden triangle” of beach real estate in the afternoon.
The free wifi allows me to do a Zoom meeting and catch up on some writing, with the rest of the time free to explore an area I’ve neglected too much over the years.
As long-time Sunshine Coasters, Alex has always been “just up the road – we can go there anytime”.
But the last time I actually stayed there was probably in the 1980s at the old Alexandra Headland Motel – now long gone.
So, this is a chance to check out new cafes and restaurants that have emerged lately and reconnect with the friendly buzz of Alex Surf Club over a coffee from the Beach Kiosk under the pandanus, or sneak a couple of cheeky drinks in The Bluff Bar.
You’re never too far from million-dollar views over golden sands and across the waves – to Point Cartwright Lighthouse and Mooloolaba one way, the never-ending coastline and distinctive Mount Coolum and Old Woman (Mudjimba) Island the other.
The great foreshore beautification works offer a bird’s-eye view from tables and chairs as well as timber double daybeds, or pull up a piece of lawn under the Norfolk pines next to the Alex Skate Park for a picnic or siesta.
Fascination with the passing parade of beach-goers is only topped by the intrigue of watching Robbie Sherwell’s XL Surfing Academy coaches put young grommets, beginners, intermediate and advanced surfers through their paces in classes (with the occasional “woo-hoo” thrill of a student standing up on the board for the first time).
For a little more activity, join the dog walkers, scooters, walkers, pram pushers and cyclists with their considerate “ding” bicycle bell warnings on the 3.7km (one-way) surf club-to-surf club section of the Coastal Pathway, from Maroochydore to Mooloolaba.
The Coastal Pathway eventually will stretch 96km from Bells Creek within Pelican Waters in the south to Tewantin in the north, taking in palm and casuarina-shaded beaches, playgrounds, parks and picnic areas. And this easy walk is one of the most popular sections.
Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article.
Our “holiday at home” also offers the chance for some girlfriend time in Mooloolaba – dreaming of pretty gems at long-established Millroy Jewellers and Avenue J, the largest quality antique and modern jewellery shop on the Sunshine Coast; trying on outfits at Chuckles & Boo, ration’al, Think Pinq and Elmari; and finding the ideal accessories to match at Sweet and Vicious boutique.
Lunch calls for an old fave: De Ja Vu Café’s friendly service, elevated views of the bay and a hearty Mediterranean-style roasted vegetable sandwich.
Celebrating our marriage milestone alone and with family also sees us revisit two favourite haunts with bonus classic waterscapes.
The Boat Shed is the go-to for coastal comfort and dining elegance, often under the sprawling cotton tree out the back of the restaurant and always with the Maroochy River panorama opening up in front of us.
The contemporary Australian cuisine uses the best local produce from the region and is always laden with seafood dishes. What more could you want for a romantic evening under the stars?
With our Hervey Bay Scallops (with lemongrass and kaffir lime butter) and natural oysters for entree, mains of Crispy Skin Barramundi (lychee mushroom pickle, soba noodles, water chestnut, yuzu soy and choy sum ) and Chargrilled Swordfish (Fijian yam slaw, mango salsa, black rice, kaffir lime and coconut cream), dessert is never going to be an option.
More’s the pity, as I have my eye on Warm Chocolate Pudding (dark chocolate sauce, coconut yoghurt and chocolate praline) and Banoffee Caramel Tart ( toffee banana, white chocolate mousse and butterscotch sauce).
For our family celebration, The Dock is a crowd-pleaser.
Its opening was one of the key elements of the reawakening of The Wharf Mooloolaba as a major tourism drawcard.
And The Dock has been the scene of several of our afternoon drinks sessions, while we imagine owning the yachts in the marina and let the passing parade of locals and tourists wash over us.
The 500sqm restaurant, catering for more than 300 people with three bars, showcases its stunning Mooloolah River location.
The Dock also boasts a total of 52 beer taps – the most on the Sunshine Coast – featuring 16 different top-quality brews, plus more by the can.
While fish taco beer snacks drew us in, in the early days, our recent visit proves the food offering has been taken up more than a notch in the family-friendly surrounds.
Executive chef Chris Sell is a firm believer in showcasing fresh, local ingredients at their peak of flavour. He seeks to simply enhance the natural flavours of the produce without over-embellishing – whether that’s Mooloolaba’s world-renowned seafood or our hinterland fruit and vegetables such as strawberries and carrot varieties.
With vegan, pescatarian, meat lovers and flexitarians in our anniversary dinner booking, Chris certainly has his work cut out for him.
But our menu choices deliver divine creative taste combinations, in well-portioned sizes.
For entrée, we share the Salt Baked Heritage Beetroots (served with whipped goat’s cheese, saffron honey, tarragon and walnuts) and Market Fresh Cruditè Baby Vegetables (with French onion dip, herb oil and fennel salt). I could have eaten the mouth-watering baby veges on my own and been plenty satisfied.
Local journalists supporting local people. Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our free daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email. See SUBSCRIBE at the top of this article.
Our mains are a good mix that have us all with food envy for others’ selections: Plant-based Burger (wood-fired Veef, beetroot relish, pickled onions, cashew cream and mesculan on a spinach bun with beer battered fries; Borrowdale Pulled Pork (smoked meats are a specialty, cooked low and slow for several hours and served with southern corn bread, herb butter, creamy slaw and house-made sauces); Potato and Smoked Ricotta Gnocchi (served with maple roasted pumpkin, walnuts, gorgonzola cream, spinach and candied shallots); Wagyu Beef Burger (with house-made bacon, American cheddar, smoked pineapple, tomato relish, aioli and butter lettuce on a milk bun with beer-battered fries); and a Grilled Lamb Burger (with salsa verde, zucchini, frisee lettuce, creamed fetta and smoked onions on a milk bun with beer-battered fries).
Throw in a couple of classic margaritas, a few schooners of beer and views of canal life in the rain … perfection!
After living on the Sunshine Coast for so long, you’d think we’d been there, done that with most things but we manage to find something new to explore, too: Alex Forest Conservation Park.
This hidden gem is a block from the beach: just up from Nelson Park (affectionately known as “Duckponds” by locals) with its fully-fenced playground, next to Alex Conference Centre and diagonally across from Suncity Tenpin bowling alley.
The wide diversity of habitats – wet eucalypt, open forest and lowland rainforest – feature flooded gum, bushbox, tallowood, blue lilly pilly, plum myrtle, turpentine, silver sycamore and even barbwire vine among its many storeys.
As a cool retreat from the heat, take a seat under the canopy of cabbage and palm trees reaching for the sky, listening intently for the flitter of wrens or the unmistakable whip-crack song of the Eastern Whipbird.
Then contemplate your next steps on 1km of trails in the 5.7ha of revegetated forest.
Over two days and nights’ stay, we have used our heads and made the most of the heart and soul of our region.
And just like the Visit Sunshine Coast catchphrase, we’ve discovered it really is “naturally refreshing”.
IF YOU’RE FEELING PECKISH
Try these great local businesses for coffees, pastries and that little extra:
• La Petite Souris – French patisserie, for decadent works of art such as the Sophi Saffron (peach confit, saffron ganche, hazelnut streusel): facebook.com/lapetitesouris.au/, 105/98-110 Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland, 5338 8821
• Criminal Coffee – “artisan coffee roastery & toaster” for cheese toasties and great coffee: criminalcoffee.co, 6/110 Sixth Ave, Maroochydore, 5373 5672
• Milk and Beans Coffee House – for locally roasted Kai Coffee and tasty, wholesome food: www.milkandbeans.com.au, 22/156-158 Alexandra Pde, Alexandra Headland, 5443 5054
WHAT’S NEW
Paint ‘n’ sip
Mooloolaba’s first high end sip ‘n’ paint studio, Frida’s, opened its doors on November 27.
The luxe blacked-out studio is adorned with chandeliers, glassware and lavish timber benches complete with locally sourced grazing boards and BYO beverages.
Sessions from Thursday to Sunday include trend-hitting masterpieces and coastal designs.
Mooloolaba Pavilion
The Mooloolaba Pavilion has opened its doors on Mooloolaba Esplanade offering spectacular views, delicious food and an enviable drinks menu.
From brunch and coffee to sunset drinks, share plates and pizzas, the Mooloolaba Pavilion includes a luxury fit-out with an arched entrance, bespoke bar and soft colour palette.
HOLIDAY AT HOME IN STYLE
