Sunshine Coast tourism busts records and accommodation near full

Sunshine Coast and Noosa are bustling with tourists amid a “bumper summer” with estimates of 150,000 people through the airport and more than a million beach visitors.

Sunshine Coast tourism businesses have recorded an “off the charts” season as visitors have flocked through the airport and spread across the coast and the hinterland this summer.

The Sunshine Coast Airport forecast it would have more than 150,000 visitors through the terminal in December 2022, compared to less than 62,000 in December 2021.

It also eclipsed pre-pandemic figures in 2019 when there was about 114,000.

Some hinterland businesses, including the Maleny Botanic Garden and The Ginger Factory in Yandina, have broken visitor records.

Visit Sunshine Coast chief executive Matt Stoeckel said near-capacity visitor numbers over the Christmas and new year period were recorded.

Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel says he is confident of a “bumper season” this holiday period.

“There is still availability for travellers to book a stay in the second half of January, but with strong forward bookings we are confident of a bumper summer holiday season,” he said.

Holiday parks had a 98 per cent average occupancy over Christmas and the new year.

Mr Stoeckel said many families had also explored the hinterland regions.

The Ginger Factory in Yandina has recorded close to 34,000 visitors in December and, on average, visitors were spending $10 more per person than they normally would.

Tourism manager Brenda Bailey said the season “was off the charts” in terms of visitor spend.

“We’re a free entry park so I think that model where they come in and whatever they buy is a choice that’s made by them,” she said.

The Ginger Factory tourism manager Brenda Bailey.

Mr Stoeckel said international travel remained “well below” pre-Covid levels.

Melbourne tourist Suellen Peak had visited the Sunshine Coast several times.

She said her holiday experience and the weather had been “fantastic” and she avoided the crowds by online booking for events and tourist attractions.

Kellie Demase, Sonya Newland-Millar, Mason Newland-Millar, Suellen Peak and Craig de Paola enjoy a day at The Ginger Factory in Yandina.

Ms Peak said Australia Zoo and The Ginger Factory were highlights.

Earlier this week, massive queues were reported at the zoo in an overflow car park as visitors flocked there.

Lifeguards have reported about 1.1m visitors to Sunshine Coast and Noosa beaches and more than 300 rescues since December including one at Stumers Creek on Wednesday.

Noosa Tourism acting chief executive Susan Ewington said the visitor information centre had noted many visitors from New South Wales and Victoria.

“It has also been encouraging to see the return of international visitors, notably from the UK and the USA,” she said.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast tourism busts records and accommodation near full