By John Rozentals.
Mooloolaba: poised to challenge Noosa.
My first visit to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast came well over a decade ago.
Most of the area was well on the road to becoming a tourism hotspot. Noosa was already well and truly there.
Only Mooloolaba — with, arguably, the area’s most desirable stretch of sand — was dragging its feet, its massive potential largely unrealised, the string of oceanfront shops more an embarrassment rather than the asset it should have been.
Mooloolaba Beach: arguably the area’s most desirable stretch of sand.
They were days before the likes of Fraser Green and Graeme Juniper unleashed their enormous vision and talents in redeveloping Mooloolaba’s Esplanade into a vibrant beachfront destination in its own right.
And that was how I came to be gorging on a seafood extravaganza with a couple of genuine tourism legends at a beachside table in The Boathouse Restaurant at the Mooloolaba surf club.
Graeme and Fraser wanted to talk about the transformation of the place into an area that had the potential to eventually challenge Noosa for Sunshine Coast tourism supremacy, with Graeme particularly keen to sing the praises of his Mooloolaba Wharf redevelopment.
A pair of tourism legends: Fraser Green (left) and Graeme Juniper.
I was keen to pick their brains — and if I’m totally honest, to sample the delights prepared by the club’s chef, who obviously possesses both talent and some excellent ingredients.
The seafood was truly magnificent. Only the plump oysters came from a cooler climate to the south. The rest of the fare was from the Sunshine Coast — prawns, cray, fish, etc.
Had the weather been kinder, I’m assured that we could have opened the window and run sand through our fingers as we ate.
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach: offering seemingly something for everyone.
I’m glad that I had been pre-warned to save some space for the dish of swordfish.
The flesh of the local specialty was both firm and utterly delicious — and it had been grilled to perfection.
The Mooloolaba Wharf redevelopment has very much upped the ante for both locals and tourists, providing plenty of reason to stay longer on the beach rather than head to places such as Noosa.
I had a small sample of The Wharf by celebrating a landmark birthday at Spero Greek Street, a laid-back restaurant with relaxed ambience, great staff and excellent food just begging to be eaten.
Spero Greek Street: a laid-back restaurant with relaxed ambience, great staff and excellent food.
I haven’t had so much fun and authentic food since Con and Coralie Astrinakis were running the Aegean in Hobart. Try the tarama dip and the spanakoppita.
There’s plenty of accommodation choice at Mooloolaba, with the apartment-style Mantra Mooloolaba Beach offering seemingly something for everyone.
It offers one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments, complete with cooking facilities and priced from about $230 per couple per night.
IF YOU GO:
Mooloolaba Wharf: its redevelopment has very much upped the ante.
The Wharf, 123 Parkyn Pde, Mooloolaba; phone 07 5353 6045; visit www.wharfmooloolaba.com.au.
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach, 7 Venning St, Mooloolaba; phone 131 517 or 07 5665 4450; visit www.mantra.com.au.
Spero Greek Street, The Wharf, 123 Parkyn Pde, Mooloolaba; phone 07 5478 4962; visit www.sperogreek.com.au.
The Boathouse Restaurant, Mooloolaba Surf Club, 1 The Esplanade, Mooloolaba; phone 07 5444 1300; visit www.thesurfclub.com.au.
For further information about the Sunshine Coast, go to www.visitsunshinecoast.com.
