Craving a quiet long weekend destination drivable from Brisbane?
lastminute lovely Kirsty takes a step back in time and discovers what Rainbow Beach has to offer.
When Brisbane was recently hit with massive storms, Mr LML and I were blissfully unaware having skipped town for the delightfully laid-back Rainbow Beach. Located at the northern tip of the Sunshine Coast, it’s about a two and a half hour drive from the city. If you like the idea of Noosa before big brand retail stores and traffic, or Surfers Paradise before the skyscrapers and meter maids, then I would recommend looking into Rainbow Beach for your next holiday.Let me start by saying it’s well worth driving the extra hour or so north from Noosa. The roads are newly laid, and when you arrive you can enjoy the charms of a beach town without the distractions you find in the city.
Leave Brisbane by 4pm and you can get there just on sunset in summer
The last time I stayed in Rainbow Beach, the pub had shade cloth over plastic outdoor seating, camping was the main form of accommodation and I was about three foot tall, so I’m naturally curious to see what had changed in the past 20 years. The answer: a lot. And it is pleasantly surprising.
The pub has been super-sized and is now a fantastic, charming building that serves hearty meals and has a great selection of beers and friendly staff.
The Rainbow Beach Hotel today
We can’t go past the fish and chips (as a staying at the beach policy) and we aren’t disappointed.
There are quite a few hotels now meaning tents aren’t the only option, and we are lucky enough to be staying in the brand spanking new Mantra Rainbow Shores. Nestled in Aussie bushland, it’s a great place to escape city life for a weekend.
When we visit, the resort only has 10 of the planned 30 stand alone lodges in operation, so we are lucky enough to have almost free reign of the facilities. Our digs for the weekend is huge with three bedrooms, two bathrooms, full kitchen and back deck looked out onto the bush land.
Relaxing on the back deck
I can just imagine packing up a group of friends and driving to Rainbow, having barbeques on the deck and wandering down the bush track to the beach.
Where should we fit ourselves in?
A trip to Rainbow is sure to have you feeling like time has slowed down(not something you get to achieve too often these days!). Mr LML and I turn off our phones and dine out, relax at the beach, swim in the pool and even get into the spirit of a laidback break and take on nine holes of golf on the resort’s course.
Our hotel’s pool
Having just been married, the honeymoon glow luckily shines over my temper tantrum on the sixth hole, however I am still not sure if our relationship is tarnished forever … apparently golf brings out a side of me that Mr LML has never seen before. However, it is confirmed to me that it is a fun course with short holes plus it comes complete with ducks.
The golfing game that nearly broke our marriage
The course locals
The resort is located on the road to Inskip Point, about a 15-minute walk from town, however you don’t have to go in for anything if you don’t want to. The general store at the resort has all the snacks you need as well as easy meal options to cook in your full kitchen and DVDs for hire. Or you can what we do and dine at the onsite restaurant, Pavilion Restaurant & Bar. Deep fried Camembert with cranberry sauce anyone… Oh no we did!
Deep fried cheese? Yes please!
All in all, a trip to Rainbow beach is like a trip back in time. The pace is slower, the air is clean, and the general feel is totally relaxing. I highly recommend a trip over to Rainbow.