A Sunshine Coast helicopter company has launched a unique new tour that showcases the region’s landscape and food and drink offerings.
Oceanview Helicopters has started The Picnic on a Peak experience, which includes flights to scenic locations and local produce.
Departing from Sunshine Coast Airport or Caloundra, travellers can enjoy a private ride along the coastline, spotting dolphins, turtles, and local surfers.
The tour includes a stop in the country town of Kenilworth, renowned for giant donuts and locally-produced cheese thanks to the area’s thriving dairy farming industry.
From there, foodies will take a scenic flight over the Glass House Mountains, renowned for their cultural significance, before landing on a private peak in the hinterland where they’ll enjoy a secluded picnic packed with local cheeses, crackers, dips, fruit, pâté and chocolate.
Oceanview will tailor the picnic drinks to travellers’ taste buds including local craft beer, wines or premium spirits.
Business co-founder and pilot Karl Mayne was delighted to offer the flights.
“We are excited to launch this new tour, which highlights the beauty of the Sunshine Coast and supports local producers,” he said.
The picnic hampers are sourced in collaboration with White’s IGA, which own sand operate six boutique grocery stores across the region focused on local produce and products.
White’s IGA co-founder Roz White said the tour promoted local scenery and cuisine.
“The team at White’s IGA is proud to work in partnership with Oceanview Helicopters to whet the appetite of visitors to the Sunshine Coast, encouraging them to discover more of our local food and drink offerings,” she said.
“This is another Locavore partnership that allows us to showcase the best of our region while supporting local businesses.”
The Picnic on a Peak tour is set to help address the rising demand for food-related experiences on the Sunshine Coast, aligning with Visit Sunshine Coast’s initiative to promote the area as ‘Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry’.
Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel expressed his support of the initiative.
“The new experience reinforces why the region is known as Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry, as it showcases our incredible food and drink offering that is set amongst our stunning landscapes,” he said.
“Looking ahead, we anticipate a bumper summer holiday season with forward bookings tracking ahead of last year, and I know this new collaboration is going to be a huge hit with our visitors.”
Food and Agribusiness Network CEO Nicole McNaughton said tourism was an important driver for showcasing the food and agri-businesses on the Sunshine Coast.
“The local food and agriculture industry on the Sunshine Coast is known for their collaborative approach with not only each other but also broader industries like manufacturing, tourism and hospitality,” she said.
“Experiences like Picnic on a Peak give producers another vehicle to showcase their products to national and international audiences showcasing all the elements that make the Sunshine Coast a premier destination.”
Groups of 2 to 12 can book the Picnic on a Peak tour, with options for larger groups available through Oceanview’s fleet.
Oceanview will next year move into new premises at Sunshine Coast Airport as part of the Aerospace Precinct expansion.
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