Oceanview Helicopters has launched a new tour in preparation for the upcoming summer holiday season on the Sunshine Coast.
The Picnic on a Peak experience showcases the region’s coastal and hinterland landscapes while promoting local produce.
Departing from Sunshine Coast Airport or Caloundra, travellers can enjoy a private helicopter ride along the coastline, often spotting dolphins, turtles, and local surfers.
The tour includes a stop in the country town of Kenilworth renowned for giant donuts and locally produced cheese thanks to the area’s thriving dairy farming industry.
From there, foodies will take a scenic flight over the Glass House Mountains renowned for their cultural significance before landing on a private peak in the Hinterland where they’ll enjoy a secluded picnic packed with local cheeses, crackers, dips, fruit, pâté and chocolate. Oceanview will tailor the picnic drinks to travellers’ taste buds including local craft beer, wines or premium spirits.
Oceanview Helicopters co-founder and pilot Karl Mayne said, “We are excited to launch this new tour, which highlights the beauty of the Sunshine Coast and supports local producers.”
The picnic hampers are sourced in collaboration with White’s IGA who own and operate six boutique grocery stores across the region focussing on local produce and products.
“The team at White’s IGA is proud to work in partnership with Oceanveiw Helicopters to whet the appetite of visitors to the Sunshine Coast – encouraging them to discover more of our local food and drink offerings. This is another Locavore partnership that allows us to showcase the best of our region while supporting local businesses,” said Roz White, co-founder of White’s IGA.
The Picnic on a Peak tour addresses the rising demand for food-related experiences on the Sunshine Coast, aligning with Visit Sunshine Coast’s initiative to promote the area as ‘Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry’.
Matt Stoeckel, chief executive officer of Visit Sunshine Coast supported the initiative saying: “The new experience reinforces why the region is known as Queensland’s Sunshine Pantry, as it showcases our incredible food and drink offering that is set amongst our stunning landscapes.”
“Looking ahead, we anticipate a bumper summer holiday season with forward bookings tracking ahead of last year, and I know this new collaboration is going to be a huge hit with our visitors.”
His comments were echoed by Nicole McNaughton, CEO of the Food and Agribusiness Network who said tourism was an important driver for showcasing the food and agri businesses on the Sunshine Coast.
“The local food and agriculture industry on the Sunshine Coast is known for their collaborative approach with not only each other but also broader industries like manufacturing, tourism and hospitality. Experiences like Picnic on a Peak give producers another vehicle to showcase their products to national and international audiences showcasing all the elements that make the Sunshine Coast a premier destination,” said McNaughton.
Groups of two to 12 can book the Picnic on a Peak tour, with options for larger groups available through Oceanview’s fleet. Next year, Oceanview will move into new premises at Sunshine Coast Airport as part of the Aerospace Precinct expansion.
