With the rising cost of living, limited flight availability, and unpredictable weather, this summer is shaping up to be the ultimate staycation season for locals.
If you can’t afford to travel, never fear, we literally live in paradise, and there’s plenty to do in your own backyard.
Local attractions, from helicopter picnics in the hinterland to thrilling wildlife safaris and steam train rides, are offering the perfect escape without the need for expensive flights or long travel times.
But while wallets are tight across the community, there are bigger reasons for making this summer a stay-at-home adventure.
University of the Sunshine Coast tourism academic Dr Aaron Tham said the rising cost of air travel ruled it out as a possibility for many.
He said a lack of aerospace engineers was behind the cost surge.
“Aerospace engineers are a rare breed and the recent strikes at Qantas are not a standalone case, it’s happening around the world,” Dr Tham said.
“It takes a long time to get new people up to speed, so the fastest way to recruit is to take someone who is already trained from a competing airline.
“This makes it easier for bigger airlines with bigger benefits to hire – for example, Malaysia Airlines recently lost 63 engineers, including 12 to Singapore Airlines.”
And the knock on effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are ongoing.
“In terms of international airline engagement, Australia is still only at about two thirds of where we were at pre-COVID,” he said.
“International airline access is not back to nearly where it once was.
“Australia has a unique dynamic in that we’re a very large country with a small travelling population, and so demand must be weighed with airport plane capacities and other cost pressures.”
He also blamed inclement weather and changing consumer behaviour.
“When I was in Dubai in August, it was 50 degrees, one of the hottest days,” Dr Tham said.
“We can see that in the Middle East, China and India the temperatures could rise by 5-10 degrees, and the implications are that it’s quite unpleasant for people to move about.
“Given this level of uncertainty and disruption to their usual holidays, we’re seeing a global increase in people choosing to go camping or motor homing instead.”
But according to Visit Sunshine Coast, staycations will only help to boost our local economy.
“The Sunshine Coast is blessed with some of Australia’s finest beaches, but while surfing off Mooloolaba, paddleboarding off Cotton Tree or windsurfing along the Caloundra coast can be exhilarating, there’s so much more to experience beyond the sea.” a Visit Sunshine Coast spokesperson said.
Potential staycation activities include:
Picnic on a Peak
Oceanview Helicopters has launched a new tour, ‘Picnic on a Peak’, to showcase the Sunshine Coast’s coastal and hinterland landscapes while enjoying fine local produce. See www.oceanviewheli.com.au
Safari at the Night Zoo
Wildlife HQ is offering a bespoke Night Zoo experience over summer which makes the most of the Sunshine Coast’s warm evenings. Tours are offered every Friday and Saturday evening from 6.30pm. Check out www.whqzoo.com
Sharks without the bite
SEA LIFE at Mooloolaba is offering plenty of holiday experiences such as the Summer of Sharks activity trail, a ‘deep dive’ into the ocean’s most majestic and mysterious marine creatures, from 26 December to 26 January. Visit www.visitsealife.com/sunshine-coast/
Ride an ‘Iron Horse’
The Mary Valley Rattler in Gympie offers a chance to turn back time and return to the glory days of steam engines. Visit www.maryvalleyrattler.com.au
Taste the Sunny Coast
The Sunshine Coast is home to some of the best produce in Australia. See www.creativetours.com.au
High wires and big pineapples
For adventurous families keen to test their limits and get their hearts pumping, the TreeTop Challenge is an ideal adrenaline fix. Find full destination information at www.visitsunshinecoast.com.
