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Noosa Country Style - Autumn 26 - Online

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noosa COUNTRY STYLE

Editor's Letter

As we settle into the gentle rhythm of autumn, there is a noticeable shift in pace. The air feels softer, the days more considered, and there is a quiet invitation to change focus and reflect on what truly matters. How we live, how we work, and how we create a life that feels both successful and deeply fulfilling. In this edition of Noosa Country Style, we explore this idea of intentional living and the many ways it is shaping our homes, businesses, and community.

A clear theme emerges throughout these pages: lifestyle is no longer an afterthought – it is the foundation. Here in the hinterland, property decisions rarely begin with floorplans or features, but with a far more meaningful question: how do we want to live? For many, what begins as a holiday gradually evolves into something more permanent. It becomes a place to put down roots, inspired by the calm, the space, and the strong sense of community that defines this region.

This shift in perspective is reshaping buyer priorities. From expansive acreage and multi-generational homes to creative spaces and sustainable design, there is a growing desire for sanctuaries that support wellbeing, flexibility, and purpose. It is about creating a life that feels aligned, where professional ambition and personal fulfilment work hand in hand.

This philosophy extends well beyond property. Grenfell Murray shares valuable insights into building businesses that enhance life rather than compete with it, offering a perspective grounded in balance, clarity, and long-term thinking. ThirdHome introduces a compelling approach to travel, where your home becomes a gateway to the world, allowing lifestyle to flow seamlessly across borders. It is a concept that resonates deeply with hinterland living – where experiences are prioritised and every decision is guided by intention.

Of course, with lifestyle-led decisions come practical considerations. Home Scouts highlights the importance of local knowledge when navigating the unique Noosa property market, where off-market opportunities and subtle location differences can significantly influence outcomes. Meanwhile, iO2 Insurance Group reminds us that as our lives evolve, so too should the protection around them. From acreage infrastructure to home-based enterprises, having the right safeguards in place ensures that the lifestyle we are building is supported with confidence.

This is also a season that comes alive with vibrant local events. From music and arts festivals to longtable dining experiences and outdoor adventures, we have compiled a calendar of some of the very best of culture, creativity, and community spirit festivities coming to the hinterland in the coming months.

Turning to the property market, the national landscape continues to demonstrate resilience,

even as conditions evolve. Recent months have seen a shift in monetary policy, with the Reserve Bank announcing back-to-back rate hikes. Despite this, confidence remains steady. Buyers are becoming more considered, often willing to pay a premium for quality homes in standout locations, while also exploring alternative property types such as units and vacant land as affordability shapes decision-making. Limited housing supply continues to underpin prices too.

At the same time, population movement trends are reshaping demand, with a growing number of Australians prioritising lifestyle, reinforcing the appeal of locations such as the Sunshine Coast. As a result, our property market continues to outperform on a national stage. Home values rose almost 10% on the Sunshine Coast in 2025, outpacing the national average of 8.6%. Again, we can thank strong population inflows and tight housing supply, but will have to standby to see if affordability pressures and interest rate rises moderate the pace throughout 2026.

Locally, demand remains consistent, with steady enquiry levels, multiple-offer scenarios, and a growing presence of off-market sales. We are proud to continue leading the way with the highest market share of sales across the Noosa Hinterland over the last 12 months. From suburb records in Tewantin to Verrierdale this market position translates to premium results for our clients in shorter days on the market.

If you are feeling inspired to make your own lifestyledriven change, or simply wish to understand your position in today’s market, our team is here to help. At Hinternoosa, we remain deeply committed to raising the bar in real estate through a genuine, client-focused approach. By understanding not only the property, but the lifestyle behind every decision, we connect buyers and sellers in a way that delivers meaningful, lasting results.

Sincerely,

Sirah

Grenfell Murray: Where Lifestyle Leads Business and Life

ThirdHome: The Hinterland Mindset and a New Way to Travel

Living in the Hinterland: Where Lifestyle Guides You Home

Home Scouts: Navigating the Noosa Property Market

io2 Insurance: Turning Lifestyle Dreams into Reality

Feature: What is on in the Hinterland

Where Lifestyle Leads, Business and Life

As autumn arrives in the hinterland, it brings a refreshing shift in pace – a moment to reflect, reset and realign. For many, this season highlights what truly matters: creating a life where professional ambition and personal wellbeing work together, not against each other. It is a philosophy embodied by Cooroy’s trusted business advisors and accountants at Grenfell Murray, who have long championed the idea that lifestyle should lead the way we work.

In a world where business owners often feel stretched between success and sustainability, Grenfell Murray takes a different approach. Our advisory ethos centres on balance – helping individuals and enterprises grow intentionally without sacrificing the lifestyle the hinterland is known for. We understand that business performance is not measured solely in numbers, but in the freedom those numbers provide: time with family, space for creativity, and confidence in the future.

Through proactive planning and financial strategy, Grenfell Murray helps clients build businesses that support their lives – not the other way around. Whether structuring a growing enterprise, preparing for generational transition, or establishing solid foundations for the years ahead, we focus on clarity, stability and purposeful direction.

Super Savvy Tips for the Season

The new season is also a reminder for business owners to review their superannuation arrangements with upcoming Payday Super changes. Being “super savvy” now can lead to seamless outcomes later. Key considerations include ensuring payroll systems are up to date,

checking employee fund details, understanding cash flow impacts, and planning early for upcoming regulatory changes. Proactive review today helps prevent pressure tomorrow.

Intentional planning is at the heart of what Grenfell Murray does. We work closely with clients to map both personal and professional goals, ensuring each step aligns with long term aspirations. For many local families and business owners, this holistic perspective has been instrumental in achieving true harmony between work and life – a harmony that often inspires people to choose the hinterland in the first place.

As the days grow cooler, autumn reminds us that thoughtful change leads to lasting growth. Grenfell Murray continues to guide local businesses with steady wisdom, helping them navigate challenges while keeping lifestyle firmly at the forefront.

If you are ready to bring your business and lifestyle into better balance this year, Grenfell Murray is here to help. Connect with our advisory team today and take the next step toward a future where lifestyle leads.

info@grenfellmurray.com.au 07 5436 0300 www.grenfellmurray.com.au

The Hinterland Mindset and a New Way to Travel ThirdHome

There is a quiet confidence to life in the hinterland.

Here, mornings begin with light filtering through the trees rather than the rush of traffic. The air feels different. Time stretches. Conversations linger. In places like the Noosa Hinterland, life settles into a rhythm that invites clarity, a perspective that reshapes how people think about success, work and the experiences that truly matter.

For many who choose hinterland living, the decision is not about stepping away from ambition. It is about refining it.

Living among nature, open space and a close-knit community has a way of sharpening your priorities. Professional success still matters, often more than ever, but it is pursued with intention. The result is a lifestyle where achievement and wellbeing sit comfortably side by side, where a beautiful home is not just an asset, but the centrepiece of a life carefully designed.

It is precisely this mindset that resonates with the philosophy behind ThirdHome.

Founded as a private members’ club for luxury second-home owners, ThirdHome connects a global community of people who share a belief that extraordinary homes should be lived in and enjoyed, not left empty. Through the club, members exchange time in their own properties for access to a curated portfolio of more than 30,000 exceptional homes across over 100 countries.

Each property reflects a lifestyle already lived well. From architectural retreats tucked into the Noosa Hinterland to vineyard estates in Napa Valley, historic villas in Tuscany or beachfront hideaways in Tulum, every home is selected for its design, location and character. The result is a collection of destinations that feel less like accommodation and more like an extension of one’s own way of living.

For Australian homeowners, the opportunity is both elegant and simple. The home that grounds you, perhaps surrounded by rolling hinterland views or perched above the coast, becomes the key to unlocking the world. A week at home might open the door to a summer on the Amalfi Coast, a winter

escape in the Swiss Alps or a restorative retreat in Bali.

Travel, in this sense, becomes a natural continuation of lifestyle rather than a departure from it. What distinguishes ThirdHome, however, is not simply the homes. It is the people behind them. Membership is built around a community of individuals who value authenticity, generosity and connection to place. These are travellers who appreciate craftsmanship, architecture, landscapes and culture. They understand that the way we live at home inevitably shapes how we choose to explore the world.

It is a philosophy that aligns naturally with hinterland life. When your days are already guided by nature, space and intention, the idea of travelling in a way that reflects those same values feels instinctive.

Because ultimately, lifestyle is not defined by where you escape to. It begins with where you choose to live.

And when lifestyle leads, every decision follows.

Where you work. How you rest. Where you travel next.

ThirdHome simply opens the door to a world where those choices can be lived beautifully.

Hinternoosa clients have the opportunity to leverage their investment or holiday property to travel the world through ThirdHome’s exclusive global network. When referred by Hinternoosa, clients receive a waived initiation fee, a complimentary 12-month membership and US$7,500 in bonus travel credits, a combined value of US$10,000 to begin their journey.

Scan here to find out more and sign up today.

Living in the HinterlandWhere Lifestyle Guides You Home

In the Noosa Hinterland, lifestyle is never an afterthought – it is the starting point. That is why property decisions rarely begin with “How many bedrooms and bathrooms do we need?”

Rather, they take shape with a simple but powerful question: “How do we want to live?”

Imagining Life Beyond the City

Instead of focusing on architectural styles or floorplans, many buyers begin by imagining how life might unfold here. Mornings that start with birdsong instead of busy traffic; evenings spent watching golden sunsets from wide verandahs; and unhurried weekends shaped by local markets, rainforest walks and long lunches with loved ones.

A Holiday Way of Life

For many, the story begins as a holiday. Visitors arrive seeking a short escape from their urban base and quickly sense something different about the hinterland. The pace slows. The air feels fresher. Time seems to stretch a little further. Gradually, occasional visits become more frequent, until the idea of living here permanently begins to take shape.

Drawn by More Than the Landscape

While the rolling green hills, subtropical rainforests and rare everglade waterways are undeniably beautiful, it is the deeper feeling of space, calm and connection that defines daily life here. Hinterland communities, such as Cooroy, exemplify this. Rich with village charm, it offers boutique cafés, galleries, markets and the popular Butter Factory Arts Centre.

Additionally, it is a place where nature is not just admired, but experienced; such as kayaking on Lake Cootharaba, or hiking the scenic trails on Cooroora Mountain to revel in the breathtaking views. And there is the freedom to embrace peaceful acreage living, yet be only approximately 10-15 minutes from iconic beaches.

Homes That Support the Life You Want

This shift in perspective often transforms how buyers approach property. Instead of focusing solely on finishes or floor space, they begin by considering how a home supports the lifestyle they imagine.

For some, that means acreage where children and pets can roam freely and families can embrace a more eco-conscious way of life. Others are drawn to homes designed for remote work, where a study overlooking treetops or distant ranges offers inspiration far removed from the traditional office.

Intentional living is also gaining momentum, with the tiny home movement appealing to those seeking simplicity.

Creatives look for studios or workshops where ideas can flourish, while multi-generational families value properties with guest cottages and secondary dwellings that allow loved ones to live close while preserving independence.

Thankfully, in the hinterland, we have it all.

When we prioritise the way we live, everything else falls into place: clarity, comfort and results that stand the test of time.

A Season That Inspires the Way We Live

This season brings a particularly special atmosphere to the hinterland. Homes feel especially welcoming in this soft autumn glow and the landscape comes alive, blanketed by a spectacular deciduous tapestry of falling leaves. It also brings considered buyers who are clear about the life they want to create. They seek homes with spaces where people can gather, like wide outdoor areas, around firepits or by a sparkling pool. And there is the trend to live in greater harmony with the environment, with many properties designed to harness solar energy, collect rainwater or support sustainability, growing their own fresh produce.

Scan for a free instant market update, see where your property sits in the market

The Next Step

This autumn, lifestyle-driven buyers are searching for a way of life that feels balanced, connected and deeply rewarding. That’s why at Hinternoosa, we do not just match buyers to bricks and mortar – we match them to the lifestyle they crave. By understanding the nuances of each area, street, and property, we connect them with the precise life and location they are seeking and a place they can truly call home.

Noosa has a way of capturing people’s imaginations. For some it is the beach lifestyle. For others it is the national park, the river, the Noosa Hinterland, or the relaxed community atmosphere that defines this unique part of the Sunshine Coast. For many people, the thought eventually turns into a question: What would it take to live here?

Helping people answer that question is what I do every day.

Hi, I am Bronwen Stacey. As the founder of Home Scouts, I have spent the past seven years working exclusively with buyers seeking to secure property in Noosa and the Noosa Hinterland – whether relocating from interstate, moving locally, or

investing in one of Australia’s most sought-after lifestyle markets.

A local perspective

My connection to Noosa spans more than twenty years. During that time I have seen the region grow and evolve while still maintaining the lifestyle and community values that make it so appealing. That balance – thoughtful development combined with natural beauty – is one of the reasons property here continues to attract attention from buyers across the country.

But buying in Noosa and the Noosa Hinterland is not always straightforward. It is a market where local knowledge matters. Unlike larger capital cities, Noosa’s property market can operate quite differently.

Buying property in Noosa with local insight

Many desirable homes are sold before they ever reach the public market, shared quietly between agents and qualified buyers. At the same time, subtle differences in location can significantly impact both lifestyle and long-term value. Understanding which streets hold their value, which areas are evolving, and which properties represent genuine opportunity requires strong local insight.

That is where a buyer’s agent can make a real difference.

Buying with confidence

As a buyer’s agent and qualified property investment advisor, my role is to represent the buyer throughout the purchasing process – searching for suitable properties, assessing their value, negotiating with selling agents, and guiding the process through to settlement.

For many interstate buyers, that support becomes essential. Relocating to a new area can feel overwhelming when you are unfamiliar with the local market and may have limited time to

inspect homes. Having someone on the ground who understands the region, builds strong agent relationships, has access to off-market opportunities, and acts solely in a buyer’s best interests provides both clarity and confidence.

More than just property

Many buyers are searching for a place where daily life looks different – where mornings might start with a hike through the hinterland, a walk along the beach, or coffee by the river, and weekends are spent outdoors with family and friends.

Helping people find the property that supports that lifestyle is the most rewarding part of the job. Because in Noosa, buying a home is not simply about real estate. It is about finding the place where life feels exactly the way it should.

If you are considering buying in Noosa or the Noosa Hinterland – whether you are relocating, investing, or planning your next chapter locally – having someone with local insight can make the process much easier.

iO2 Insurance Group

At iO2 Insurance Group, we understand that lifestyle changes often come with new opportunities – and new risks.

Whether you are moving to the coast, buying acreage, starting a small business or investing in commercial property, it is important that the protection behind your lifestyle evolves as well.

Our team works with clients to help protect many aspects of the life they are building, including:

Homes in bushfire or severe weather areas

Water tanks, pumps and septic systems

Sheds, outbuildings and rural machinery

Livestock, fencing and acreage liability

Short-stay accommodation or home businesses

Commercial property, cafés and hospitality ventures

Construction and renovation projects

Trade, farm and specialist equipment

Caravans, trailers and lifestyle travel assets

Public liability and business interruption cover

Because following your dreams should feel exciting – not uncertain.

Turning Lifestyle Dreams into Reality

For many Australians, lifestyle is no longer something reserved for weekends and holidays. Increasingly, it is shaping where people choose to live – and how they choose to work.

Across the country, families, professionals and entrepreneurs are moving beyond the capital cities in search of space, nature and a different pace of life. Whether it is a sea-change to the coast or a tree-change to the hinterland, the goal is often the same – more balance, more connection and the opportunity to build a life that reflects personal values rather than simply proximity to an office.

Queensland has become one of the biggest beneficiaries of this movement, with regions such as the Sunshine Coast attracting new residents drawn by its natural beauty, strong community and lifestyle opportunities.

For some, the dream is simply more space – a home surrounded by nature, a hobby farm, or the freedom that comes with open landscapes and fresh air.

For others, the move becomes something even more transformational. A lifestyle change can also become the opportunity to start something new –opening a café, running short-stay accommodation, operating a retreat, building a professional practice, or investing in a commercial property.

Lifestyle and enterprise are increasingly becoming intertwined.

But while lifestyle often leads the decision, there are practical considerations that come with these changes.

Coastal and hinterland properties can present different risks compared with suburban homes or city businesses. Bushfire exposure, severe weather events, outbuildings, machinery, water storage systems or rural fencing can all introduce considerations that many people may not have encountered before.

Similarly, what begins as a residential lifestyle property may evolve into something more – a home business, hospitality venture, tourism accommodation or hobby farm.

At iO2 Insurance Group, we love helping people find the right solutions so they can confidently follow their dreams. Our role is to understand the lifestyle our clients are building and ensure the protection behind it evolves alongside them – whether that involves protecting a home, a commercial property or a new business venture.

Because good insurance should not stand in the way of the life you want to create. It should simply help protect it.

Property Management That Respects the Hinterland

A Noosa Hinterland property is not just an investment. It is a way of living – and it deserves management that understands that.

At Hinternoosa, we manage rental properties through a lifestyle lens. We focus on what truly matters in hinterland homes: usable outdoor spaces, natural light and airflow, seasonal comfort, and the reliability of acreage infrastructure.

By preparing properties for seasonal change and matching the right tenants to the right lifestyle, we create long-term, harmonious tenancies that reduce wear, minimise turnover and protect asset value. When lifestyle is respected, performance follows.

Manage for Longevity, Not Just the Lease

If you own a home or acreage property in the Noosa Hinterland and want proactive, lifestyle-led property management, talk to the local specialists.

The Noosa Hinterland’s Only Premium Property and Lifestyle Magazine Since 2000

Reach a highly engaged Noosa and Hinterland audience.

Noosa Country Style is a complimentary quarterly publication by Hinternoosa, distributed throughout Noosa and the Noosa Hinterland.

Engaging audiences across multiple platforms –print, social media, blog and email marketing.

Audience reach:

Print distribution of 5,000 copies with a readership of 33,000+ Facebook 15,200+ followers | Instagram 3,200+ followers

For advertising and distribution enquiries: marketing@hinternoosa.com.au

Social snapshot - A passionate readership connected socially

Noosa Country Style storytelling reaches a passionate community connected on socials. We tailor content to each platform’s audience to attract more followers, impressions and engagement. Noosa Country Style’s total social audience is growing rapidly each day but more importantly we have an engaged audience that is ready to hear from and interact with our partners, keeping them coming back for more.

Get the Noosa Country Style delivered direct to your inbox

Hinternoosa’s flagship quarterly magazine, Noosa Country Style, celebrates the Noosa and Noosa Hinterland lifestyle and showcases properties listed with Hinternoosa.

Get every edition delivered digitally to your inbox — scan the QR code to subscribe.

Reach a highly engaged Noosa and Hinterland audience.

Noosa Country Style is a complimentary quarterly publication by Hinternoosa, distributed throughout Noosa and the Hinterland.

Engaging audiences across multiple platforms — print, social media, blog and email marketing.

Audience reach:

Print distribution of 5,000 copies with a readership of 33,000+ Facebook 14,800+ followers | Instagram 3,000+ followers

For advertising and distribution enquiries: marketing@hinternoosa.com.au

Scan the QR code to download the media kit.

As the heat softens and the air turns crisp, our region becomes a tapestry of warm days, cool evenings, vibrant events, local flavours, and community connection. Autumn into winter is when country living truly shines – a time when outdoor festivals, long lunches, boutique arts events and fresh seasonal produce all take centre stage.

For residents and visitors alike, these months offer the perfect chance to explore the very best of Noosa’s lifestyle – from our river-framed villages to rolling Mary Valley farmland, from hinterland forest trails to the lively seaside precincts that shape the wider region.

Here are some events lighting up the calendar this April, May and June.

April - Creativity, Music and Autumn Sunshine

Solar Fields Festival

18 April 2026

– Noosa

As the sun stretches across the hinterland hills, the one-day Solar Fields Festival returns with its signature blend of sustainability, creativity and community. Expect a day of immersive art installations, live music, eco-inspired activations and a festival crowd that feels like family. It is a celebration of creativity and conscious living – perfectly at home in Noosa's natural surrounds.

vistitnoosa.com.au

May – Food, Arts and Adventure Season

May is when Noosa country comes alive – the paddocks are lush, the mornings crisp, and the region's event calendar brimming with flavour, culture and energy.

A Dog’s Life – Pet Expo

2

May 2026 – Gympie Terrace, Noosaville

A joyous celebration of dogs and the people who adore them. Expect stalls, demos, treats, activities, trainers and the kind of beautiful chaos only hundreds of happy dogs can bring to a riverside park.

queensland.com/au/en/things-to-do/events

Horizon Festival

1–10 May 2026

– Sunshine Coast / Noosa region

The region’s premier contemporary arts festival spans ten days of performance, workshops, First Nations programming, visual art, music and community events. It’s a cultural feast that attracts art-lovers from far beyond the coast.

horizonfestival.com.au

GourMay

Mary Valley

1–31 May 2026 – Mary Valley, Noosa Hinterland

May in the Hinterland means only one thing: GourMay – a month-long celebration of local produce, artisan makers, farm tours, degustations, workshops and long-table dining. It is a delicious showcase of the food culture that makes Mary Valley such a treasured part of Noosa country life.

visitsunshinecoast.com/guide/sunshine-coast-events

Ultra Man Australia

9–11 May 2026 – Noosa Heads

A spectacular ultra-endurance event spanning three days and more than 500 kilometres. Even if you aren’t participating, watching these athletes conquer the course is an experience in itself – one that shows off Noosa’s natural beauty at its most dramatic.

ultramanoz.com.au

June – Food, Sustainability and The Great Outdoors

June ushers in clear skies, cool nights and some of the region’s most loved annual events.

Noosa Food & Wine Festival

11–14 June 2026 – Noosa

The iconic Noosa Food and Wine Festival returns, bringing together Australia’s top chefs, wineries and producers for four days of flavour-packed indulgence. From long lunches to beachfront tastings and chef collaborations, it’s a celebration of everything that makes Noosa one of Australia’s top food destinations.

visitnoosa.com.au/events/noosa-food-wine-festival

Noosa Enduro

21 June 2026 – Noosa Hinterland

A rugged and beautiful mountain-biking and gravel-riding event winding through some of the most scenic hinterland landscapes. Whether you ride or simply cheer from the trail, it’s a highlight of the region’s outdoor adventure calendar.

visitnoosa.com.au/events/noosa-enduro

Noosa EV & Electrify Everything Expo

21 June 2026 – Noosa Heads (Sunshine Beach Road)

Perfect for the sustainability-minded, this expo showcases electric vehicles, renewable technology and the future of eco-friendly living — an ideal fit for Noosa’s environmentally conscious community.

noosaevexpo.com.au

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