A quaint decades-old boathouse is among the standout attractions of a festival showcasing some of the Sunshine Coast’s most fascinating designs.
The Wheel House, built in 1965 and restored in 2023, is one of 34 special buildings and gardens that will be open to the public during Sunshine Coast Open House 2025.
The structure, at 165 Bradman Avenue, is one of five privately owned, heritage-listed boathouses along the Maroochy River that are considered significant pieces of Maroochydore history. They were constructed between 1940 and 1970.
The festival will run from October 10 to 19 and include walking tours, talks and special events, culminating with access to architecturally significant buildings on October 18 and 19.
Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli said the event was a celebration of the region’s unique identity and design legacy.
“From historic treasures that tell the stories of our past, to bold new buildings shaping our future, Sunshine Coast Open House is a celebration of the places that make the Sunshine Coast unique,” she said.
This year’s theme ‘resilience’ runs through each element of the program.
“Resilience isn’t just a theme,” the mayor said. “It reflects how our buildings, communities and landscapes continue to evolve with care, creativity and purpose.
“This special weekend is an invitation to step inside some of the most intriguing, beautiful and surprising spaces across our region.”
The 2025 program features a diverse mix of heritage icons, landscaped gardens, contemporary homes and public infrastructure.
Highlights include: Moffat Morphing, an example of indoor-outdoor living; Wallumburn, a resilient renovation nestled in the hinterland; Saltair Modular Display Village, showcasing sustainable design for modern living; Mundai Dja, a new build that blends cultural storytelling with climate-conscious architecture; The Shed, a historic railway shed at Palmwoods reimagined for commercial use; Majestic Theatre Pomona, Australia’s longest-running silent movie theatre; and Koongalba, Fairview and Bankfoot House, offering glimpses into the region’s rich heritage.
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Beyond building tours, Sunshine Coast Open House also offers: walking tours, where people can explore the streetscapes of Eumundi, Moffat Beach and more; urban sketching: which captures the charm of Pomona and Nambour’s heritage pubs with guided sketching sessions; library talks, with stories of design, history and resilience from local experts; Ask an Architect, when people can meet professionals and get advice on design ideas; Compass Farm Open Day, where people can discover inclusive design and community-led spaces; and What is Home, a community event exploring how we live, build and belong.
Sixteen heritage pubs will also be highlighted. People can pick up a map from libraries, council offices or pubs and plan a day trip or weekend adventure through the local heritage hospitality.
Sunshine Coast Open House is part of the Open House Worldwide network, founded by Open House London in 1992 and now held in more than 60 cities around the world.
The 2025 Sunshine Coast Open House program was officially launched by Queensland Governor Dr Jeannette Young at Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden on September 30.
The free community-led event is delivered by the Sunshine Coast Open House Committee, with support from councils, local businesses and industry.
Bookings for building tours and events are open by clicking here.
