Historic hotels set to charm for Open House season

Moon Mountain Sunshine Coast
Moon Mountain is part of the Sunshine Coast Open House program. | Photo: Supplied by Sunshine Coast Council

A pub crawl that focuses on heritage not hangovers is among the highlights of this year’s Sunshine Coast Open House program.

Launched today by Queensland Governor Jeannette Young, the region’s largest public architecture and design festival offers access to amazing renovations, modern designs and heritage treasures, such as the 16 historic hotels of the area.

Supported by the Sunshine Coast Council, the Open House program returns across September and October with the promise of unique experiences, free workshops and exclusive access to behind-the-scenes tours.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli said the free community event celebrated the region’s historic, contemporary and sustainable buildings and provided a special opportunity to view our diverse architecture.

Mayor Natoli said among the drawcards were the region’s 16 heritage pubs, which add to the character and identity of the region’s local towns.

“Once the lifeblood of every country town, these grand old watering holes still stand as proud beacons of history and design.”

Scattered across the region from Beerwah in the south to Kin Kin in the north, the 16 historic pubs invite you to experience their storied past.

Visitors and locals can pick up a map of the 16 Heritage Pubs of the Sunshine Coast and Noosa region from the libraries, Council and the pubs themselves to plan day tours or a weekend away exploring the historic icons and the hinterland villages.

Other program highlights include the opportunity to visit the intriguing residences of Moon Mountain Sanctuary, Russell Hall House and Wallumburn House and Garden as well as the impressive Sunshine Coast City Hall and the historic Bankfoot House.

“Sunshine Coast Open House is more than just a peek into incredibly designed buildings, it is an opportunity to connect and engage our community through an appreciation of quality design and architecture,” Mayor Natoli said.

“From the coast to the hinterland, our growing region embodies a history of great design that is acknowledged nationally and internationally.”

She said the festival, which holds its main Open House weekend on October 19 and 20, offered rare, behind-the-scenes access to the Sunshine Coast’s best buildings, including private homes, corporate buildings, heritage treasures and sustainable spaces.

More information and booking information can be found on the Sunshine Coast Open House website.

Sunshine Coast Open House highlights:

Open House Showcase.

  • September 2-12, 10am.
  • Location: various Library locations across the Sunshine Coast.

What is Home – Sunshine Coast Open House Forum: Insightful event on different perspectives of home.

  • October 19, 6pm.
  • Location: Coolum Civic Centre.

Heritage Pub Showcase: Experience the region’s historic pubs.

  • September 20 to October 20.
  • Location: 16 Heritage Pubs.

‘Paint and Sip’: Heritage town architecture.

  • October 12 and 13, 10.30am-12.30pm.
  • Location: Apollonian Hotel, Boreen Point and the Imperial Hotel Eumundi.
  • Cost: $15.

Moffat Beach heritage walking tour: With heritage architect Roger Todd.

  • October 19, 9.30-11am.
  • Location: Moffat Beach, Elanor Shipley Park.
  • Cost: Free, but bookings essential.

Tim Ross: The Modernister is BACK!

  • October 3, 6.30pm: Front Bar Matso’s Sunshine Coast, Eumundi.
  • October 4, 6pm: Wilson Beach House, Dicky Beach.
  • October 5, 7pm: Mapleton Hotel
  • October 6, 3pm: CCSA Hall, Caloundra
    Moderniser bookings

2024 Sunshine Coast Open House building list:

Hinterland:

  • Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct.
  • Landsborough Museum.
  • Fairview (Pattemore House).
  • Mapleton House.

Caloundra:

  • Caloundra Regional Gallery.
  • Caloundra Lighthouses.
  • Wilson Beach House.

Palmwoods/Nambour/Yandina:

  • Koongalba.
  • Kulangoor Cemetery.

Maroochydore/Buderim:

  • The Wheel House Boatshed.
  • Pioneer Cottage Buderim.
  • Studio – Aspect Architecture.
  • City Hall.
  • ABC Studios.
  • Unitywater Control Centre.
  • Russel Hall House.

Eumundi:

  • Moon Mountain Sanctuary.
  • Matsos Pub.
  • The Barn.

Noosa Heads and Noosa Hinterland:

  • Kijiji.
  • Cooroy House.
  • Wallumburn House and Garden.
  • Pan Pottery Studio.
  • Noosa Blue Apartment.
  • The Majestic Theatre.
  • Alfredson’s Joinery.
  • Bark Art Room

Coolum:

  • Saltair Modular Homes.
  • Pandanus House renovation.
  • Tristania House

 

From left, Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli, Queensland Governor, Her Excellency the Honourable Dr Jeannette Young AC PSM, Sunshine Coast Open House Ambassador Noel Robinson and Sunshine Coast Open House Chair Ian Diamond.
Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli, left Queensland Governor Jeannette Young, Sunshine Coast Open House Ambassador Noel Robinson and Sunshine Coast Open House Chair Ian Diamond, right at the program launch.
Wallumbum Sunshine Coast. |Newsreel
Explore Wallumbum as part of the Sunshine Coast Open House program. | Photos: Supplied by Sunshine Coast Council

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