Operating for close to 30 years, Cruise Maroochy is an ECO certified Tourism Cruise Tour operator.
Husband and wife team Denis and Kate Poynton, and their kids, run the cruises including the popular ECO Cruise – an amazing outdoor experience for all ages, nature lovers and seekers of relaxation.
The cruise departs from the Cod Hole Jetty on Bradman Avenue and winds its way up the Maroochy River taking in the sights from the top deck of the 54-foot double-decker catamaran, MV Maroochy.
“It’s a beautiful old boat,” said Denis. “You get the perfect visual of the river and when you get upstairs, you get that total panoramic view and it’s a whole another world.”
It doesn’t get much better than cruising in style – until you see the food on offer that is.
From fresh-baked scones with jam and cream to the Aussie barbecue served up on the way back down the river again, you won’t be left feeling hungry, or disappointed!
“People that have lived on this river and in Maroochydore all their lives but have never been on this upper reach of the river and when they get up there, they just are absolutely amazed,” Denis said. “People say the experience is very similar to the Daintree and in actual fact we have more birdlife and more variety of birds here than they do in the Daintree and not many people know that!”
“We’ve had a party not so long ago where we had people that have travelled the world and they said if they had of been anywhere else in the world and seen this, they’d be taking photos of it and sending them home and here it is on their back doorstep.”
The tour moves from water to land once the Maroochy Wetlands Sanctuary is reached. Here, Denis and Kateguide you into the mangroves on a boardwalk to view the Fiddler Crabs on the banks and explore the sanctuary.
Recently inducted into the ECO Tourism Hall of Fame, a tour with Cruise Maroochy is not to be missed!
When it comes to somewhere to stay for the night, it doesn’t come much more luxurious than the aptly named Barra Luxe Beach House.
On the shores of Point Arkright, this renovated 70s beach shack has been extended to offer room for 12 people making it perfect for a big family or group of friends who want to stay under the one roof.
An added bonus is that it’s a stone’s throw from the beach! It’s also only five minutes from Coolum, and 25 from Noosa.
“You could just walk across the road to the park and then you’re on the beach,” said Vicky Dinsmore of Prestige Holiday Homes. “This is the southern end of what I would call the Coolum Bays so we’ve got Point Arkright and then if you travel north on the foreshore trail, you’ll come across some beautiful little secluded bays – really special.”
As if it needs another feather in its cap, the house was recently awarded Australia’s best holiday home by Stayz.
For plenty more ideas on what to do in the Sunshine Coast region, head to Visit Sunshine Coast.
