A rare sighting of a platypus paddling in a hinterland creek was the second most viewed video on the Sunshine Coast’s peak tourism body’s Facebook and Instagram accounts for 2025, proving video is certainly king when it comes to vicariously exploring the region’s visitor hotspots.
Visit Sunshine Coast attests video reigned supreme last year with all of its top five Facebook and Instagram posts captured in motion for the first time ever.
CEO Matt Stoeckel said the results reinforced how travellers and locals were now discovering and dreaming about destinations.
“Video allows us to bring the Sunshine Coast to life in a way that still images can’t and seeing it dominate our top posts in 2025 sets an exciting direction for how we continue to inspire visitors in the future,” he said.
For the first time ever, every one of Visit Sunshine Coast’s top-performing posts was a video, and they all shared one thing in common – they made people feel like they were already here.
“These videos weren’t about fast edits or flashy production,” Mr Stoeckel said.
“They captured authentic Sunshine Coast moments – a peaceful boardwalk stroll, mist rolling over the mountains, or the excitement of spotting a platypus in the wild.
“That authenticity is what really connected with people.”
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User-generated and creator content also played an important role, with standout contributions from Ashley Dobson (@ashleydobson), Taylor Cooper (@taylorcoooper) and @travel_beauty_photography, highlighting the strength of collaboration in telling Sunshine Coast stories.
Across Facebook, audiences were captivated by tranquil Hinterland escapes and unexpected moments in nature, with popular videos featuring Secrets on the Lake, a platypus sighting in the hinterland, Buderim Forest Park, Conondale National Park and the panoramic views from Wild Horse Mountain Lookout.
Instagram followers were equally inspired, with Wild Horse Mountain Lookout taking out the number one spot, followed closely by the platypus in the hinterland, Howell’s Knob Lookout, Mount Coolum Boardwalk and Buderim Forest Park.
