by Martin Field

We’ve been on holiday, checking out the Noosa scene. The region is the hub of food and wine activity on the Sunshine Coast and we like it so much we’re planning to move up there in 2007. Not least of the local attractions is the weather. Having experienced one the coldest winters ever in Melbourne we found ourselves on Noosa beach enjoying sunny skies and daily temperatures of 22C.

Mostly we whizzed around real estate offices looking pensively (and apprehensively) at photos of million dollar plus houses. Luckily, however, there seemed to be a few derelict hovels that might suit our budget when it’s time to pack the wine cellar.

There wasn’t much time to do a tour de cuisine but we checked out a few local eateries. Highlights included Gusto Riverfront Restaurant – a bright friendly place on the river waterfront with knowledgeable chatty staff, a separate vegetarian menu for non-omnivores, and super fresh ingredients – their gnocchi was a treat. Gusto, 257 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, Queensland, Phone: (07) 5449 7144.

It’s a bit of a drive but worth the effort to locate (correct usage) the Spirit House in Yandina; a Thai influenced place set in stunning tropical gardens. The setting is reminiscent of Poppies Restaurant in Kuta, Bali, if you’ve been there, and similarly redolent, with the occasional faint waft from the kerosene lamps that dot the gardens – but without the exotic aroma of clove cigarettes – if I may digress.

None of us coped well with the American-style, semi-formal, ‘sir’ and ‘madam’, ‘Hi my name is Gaston and I’ll be waiting on you today.’ service. But our friends enjoyed their generous serve of Whole Crispy Fish (schnapper) with Tamarind & Chilli Sauce. I was less excited by my Indian Gujarat Vegetarian Curry with spiced Pistachio Panir Dumplings, which I thought expensive at $27. See their menu. Spirit House, 20 Ninderry Rd. Yandina, Queensland – Phone/fax:(07) 5446 8977.

For an old-fashioned beer and snack you can’t go past a balcony table at the Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Clubhouse. An ice-cold schooner of beer, the sun, the surf, the surfers, the sand. ‘Aaahhh… Stella Artois…’