Explore the Sunshine Coast in 3 days with appearance activist Carly Findlay

When I got the call to go on a work trip to Queensland, as part of Queensland's Year of Accessible Tourism, I immediately said yes! It was a chance to escape the Melbourne winter. I haven’t seen a lot of Queensland, so it was exciting!

I have a rare, severe skin condition called Ichthyosis - it means scaly red skin; as well as curiosity ableism and discrimination. Every day I negotiate my access needs and I also observe the provisions for others, access needs are varied and diverse - because the experience of disability is diverse.

When travelling and doing speaking events, I have an access rider. An access rider is a lot like a rockstar’s rider, but less vodka and blue M&Ms and more grandma. My rider includes extra leg room on flights longer than two hours, a hotel room with a bath, aircon and heating, a blanket on stage, and no shaking hands (yes, even before the pandemic!). This ensures I am comfortable and can do my job well. I also make decisions about travel based on climate and my current pain levels - more about that later.

I took my mum on the trip, she is certainly living her best retired life. Not only do I get to spend quality time with mum - we live four hours drive from each other in different states - but she’s also a necessary access provision, reminding me to rest and slow down where needed.

Due to Ichthyosis, I struggle with temperature regulation, particularly in the heat. It’s very hard for me to cool down, so I have to time my trips to hot and humid climates carefully. Going to Queensland in winter was perfect for me - not too hot or humid, and I felt really comfortable in my skin. I didn’t overheat or get sunburnt, though I took a hat. The trip came at the tail end of a severe respiratory illness. Escaping Melbourne winter for a few days was just what I needed - the sun and outdoors definitely helped with my healing.

Here’s what I got up to so you can plan your own Sunshine Coast getaway.

Day 1

First things first, pick up a hire car at the airport – it’s a comfortable way to get around the vast region of the Sunshine Coast. Parking in Noosa, particularly in and around Hastings Street, is busy so if you need to, remember to bring your accessible parking permit that can be used Australia-wide.

It's time to check into Noosa Entrance Waterfront Resort. A 30-minute drive from the airport, the resort is brilliant – with a huge light-filled town house, boasting three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, a full kitchen, and a balcony with a BBQ and river view. The service at the resort is friendly and humorous - you’ll feel right at home.

Take a quick trip into town, late afternoon, to catch the sunset. Then wander down Hastings Street to look at the shops, and walk a little way over the rise to see the beach and get some refreshing sea air on your face.

For dinner tonight, head to Rickys River Bar & Restaurant - a seafood restaurant nestled right on the water. Feast on seafood, like the gin-cured kingfish, grilled octopus and a whole stuffed snapper -they’re all divine, light and fresh. If you can’ eat it all, take your leftovers away for breakfast tomorrow - you won’t regret it!

Get an early night - the beds at Noosa Entrance Waterfront Resort are comfortable and warm - as there’s a big day ahead of you tomorrow.

Day 2

Get up early and put your walking shoes on for a day exploring the outdoors. Head to the Noosa National Park and coastal walk, and enjoy the winter sun and breathtaking sea views. You’ll feel comfortable and confident walking or wheeling on the paved trail, though you may need some assistance to get down to the beach if you use a wheelchair or mobility device, or have trouble walking or seeing.

Buy an ice cream from one of the many cafes on Hastings Street, and enjoy it while walking along Noosa boardwalk. It is great for people who use mobility aids, but there isn’t much shade for those who need it.

Next, it’s time to drive out to Habitat Noosa Everglades Eco Camp and have lunch - there are lots of gluten free options on the menu, while the toilets are clean and accessible. The glamping huts here will even sway the most dedicated city slicker!

From the Habitat Eco Resort, take the Everglades cruise - a boat ride exploring the river and surrounds. The mirrored water is beautiful, with the chance to spot wildlife like kingfishers and goannas. When you return from the cruise, you might even see a friendly kangaroo on the camping grounds.

The boat ride takes over two and a half hours and while there is no toilet or food offered on the boat, sparkling wine and juice is served. The boat captain says wheelchair users have been accommodated on the boat with the help of a ramp, platform, and assistance from people.

After a big day out, enjoy dinner at Bang Bang, a Thai restaurant situated in the middle of vibrant Hastings Street. The food is spicy and delicious - order the crispy master stock duck with yellow vegetable curry, rice, and roti before washing it down with a refreshing cocktail or mocktail.

The toilets at Bang Bang have a six-digit code to unlock them. The accessible toilet is best accessed via a laneway path.

Day 3

From Noosa, drive 25 minutes to The Original Eumundi Markets. It is huge – you can easily spend a couple of hours browsing the rows of stalls brimming with locally made clothes and crafts, as well as the wide variety of food. Come hungry, this is a great spot to grab breakfast and enjoy some local produce.

The market grounds are spread out, divided by a road, and has lots of undercover areas and paved paths, although it can get crowded. There is a seating area located in front of the musician’s stage which is a great spot to rest, eat and enjoy the tunes. Pro tip: make sure you take a card that has a tap and go chip, as most stalls only take cards with a chip, not cash or chip-less cards.

Next, it’s time to make your way to Australia Zoo, a 40-minute drive down the Bruce Highway in Beerwah. You’ll have so much fun seeing and learning about animals from Australia and around the world. Make sure you catch one of the performances, like the lunchtime session featuring crocodiles and birds, and book in for an interactive experience.

The zoo does involve a lot of walking, but there is an opportunity to take a buggy. Book the buggy well ahead of your trip though as they book out quick. There are shuttle busses and buggies to the Africa area of the zoo (think: meerkats and zebras) which you don’t need to book, simply line up at the assigned area.

There is a Changing Places toilet at the zoo as well, plus plenty of shade, water misters and places to sit in the park area.

After a fun day outside, freshen up and get dinner at Gusto, a modern Australian restaurant located in Noosaville. The burrata caprese salad for entree is highly recommended, and if you enjoy chicken, try the quail for main.

Rounding out my time on the coast

My time on the Sunshine Coast was wonderful - I'll remember it forever, especially the time spent with Mum. I was impressed with a lot of accessibility provisions, but there’s a little way to go - especially around communication and language.  I’d also love to see more varied signage - braille, QR codes that link to websites with audio and text-based info, and push button audio information would be great too. Good accessibility is about customer service and it shows that we are welcome and valued. At Australia Zoo, Mum and I were served by a Deaf person, and this made me so happy. I'd like to see more disabled people working at tourist attractions and hospitality venues. Traveling in winter gave me confidence to travel to the warmer, more humid parts of Australia again. I can’t wait to see more of Queensland soon.