When Salt magazine launched two decades ago, it was with a simple, heartfelt intention — to celebrate the spirit of the Sunshine Coast — its people, its places, its pulse.
Over the years, salt has evolved right alongside the Coast. We’ve profiled the dreamers, makers, chefs, creators, conservationists and changemakers who have shaped this region into something truly special. And in doing so, we’ve become more than just a magazine — we’ve become a living archive, a kind of love letter to the region and its remarkable people.
As we celebrate the magazine’s 20-year anniversary, we’re taking a moment to look back — not just on our own journey but on the incredible transformation of the Sunshine Coast itself.
From bohemian beach beginnings to smart cities and Olympic ambitions, from bush markets to boutique dining, this is a story of reinvention, resilience and growth.
Twenty years ago, the Sunshine Coast was best known for its waves, wildlife and weekend markets. Fast forward to 2025, and it has evolved into one of Australia’s most exciting lifestyle destinations. It’s a place where innovation meets intention and coastal living no longer means slowing down but levelling up.
In the mid-2000s, the Coast was a sleepy mosaic of surf towns, barefoot creatives and early eco-warriors. The Eumundi Markets were booming and hinterland cafés served organic everything, often before it was cool.
In 2007, Noosa’s UNESCO Biosphere designation became a defining moment, signalling a growing environmental awareness and sparking community pride and grassroots activism. It marked the beginning of the region’s shift from laid-back to values-led.
The early 2010s ushered in a sea change. Hinterland hubs like Maleny and Montville became magnets for artists, yogis and green changemakers. Cultural festivals blossomed, from wellness retreats to boutique art fairs.
Fashion leaned into earthy linens, neutral palettes and handmade luxury. Dining embraced slow food and hyperlocal ingredients, with chefs sourcing from hinterland growers and local waters. It was the era when the Coast first started flirting with the culinary spotlight.
By the second half of the decade, the Sunshine Coast began to find its modern rhythm.
Breweries like Your Mates and Brouhaha created a craft beer scene from scratch. Cafés elevated the humble avo toast with heirloom tomatoes and housemade ferments.
Vegan, plant-based and nose-to-tail menus redefined what ‘local’ could taste like.
In 2021, the Coast began to focus even more on environmental needs and change, with the council recognising a climate emergency. Severe bushfires and shifting weather patterns started a new wave of climate action — fuelling solar adoption, permaculture gardens and reforestation efforts.
Then there was COVID, an era that may have slowed the world down but propelled the Coast forward. Remote work opened the doors for digital creatives, entrepreneurs and families to relocate.
This population boom added ambition and energy to the region’s transformation. In fact, the Coast’s population has surged from around 250,000 in the early 2000s to more than 370,000 in 2025, making it one of Australia’s fastest-growing regions.
At the heart of this reinvention is Maroochydore’s City Centre, Australia’s only greenfield CBD. Built from scratch with smart-city design, renewable energy and fibre-optic infrastructure, it has become the beating heart of the new Sunshine Coast.
The Sunshine Plaza, once just a suburban shopping centre, has undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation, transforming into a style-forward retail and dining destination.
Meanwhile, in Mooloolaba, transformation has taken a seaside turn. The Wharf Mooloolaba, once a historic fishing and boating hub, has reinvented itself as a modern foodie haven with waterside wine bars, artisan gelaterias, chef-driven seafood restaurants and boutique fashion nestled between the marina and the sand.
The Mooloolaba Foreshore Redevelopment, too, is redefining public space: creating lush parklands, pedestrian promenades and improved beach access, designed not only for sunseekers but for morning yogis, sunset diners and families alike. It’s coastal revitalisation with a distinctly luxurious edge — modern but true to its relaxed roots.
Just a few blocks inland, Ocean Street has emerged as a cultural epicentre in its own right. Once a quiet commercial strip, it’s now a thriving dining and nightlife mecca lined with cocktail bars, eclectic eateries, laneway art and live music venues that pulse with energy well into the night.
And, if the Sunshine Coast once lagged behind Melbourne or Sydney in culinary cred, those days are well and truly over.
Today, the region is a national foodie destination. Noosa’s fine-dining institutions celebrate native ingredients like finger lime and lemon myrtle. Hinterland hideaways deliver artful, seasonal menus in converted farmhouses. Even local cafés are pushing the envelope with sourdough made from Indigenous grains, on-site coffee roasters and edible gardens out the back.
Breweries, distilleries and chefs are collaborating across menus and events, making the Coast’s food scene not just delicious but deeply connected to land, season and story.
The Sunshine Coast has grown up without losing its soul. It’s a place where natural beauty meets human creativity. Where kombi vans share the road with e-scooters. Where you can hike through rainforest in the morning and sip a rooftop cocktail by evening.
With the Olympics in sight, a smart transport system on the way, waterfronts reimagined and a cultural and culinary renaissance in full swing, the Sunshine Coast is no longer Queensland’s best-kept secret. It’s a global benchmark for coastal living done right.
As we celebrate 20 years of salt, we raise a glass to everything this region has become and all it’s yet to be. The next chapter promises bold ideas, inspired people and unforgettable stories.
And whatever unfolds, one thing is certain — it’s going to be extraordinary.