From museums and walks, to a state heritage listed icon, the Sunshine Coast has a vibrant past to discover.
Bankfoot House
Wind back the clock to the 1860s and take a stroll through Bankfoot House, the oldest surviving residence in the Glass House Mountains.
Bankfoot House was used as a lunch stop and staging post for Cobb & Co coaches, travelling between Brisbane and the Gympie goldfields, and was an overnight stop for travellers, who paid one shilling for dinner, one shilling for a bed and one shilling for their horse.
The state heritage listed House Museum is open on the last Sunday of the month (January – November) from 10am until 3pm and features a collection of more than 6000 items.
Bankfoot House
Heritage Walks
Drawing together history, heritage, local stories and great original music, the Nambour Heritage Soundtrail is a contemporary take on a truly historic town, narrated by Powderfinger’s and ABC Sunshine Coast’s Jon Coghill. Grab your smart phone or iPad and headphones and start at Nambour Library. You can even use the free council wi-fi to download the Soundtrails App.
If you’re in Buderim, you will discover the town’s colourful history along the Buderim Heritage Walk. Visit the historic Pioneer Cottage and learn about the Buderim-Palmwoods Tramway, which operated from 1914-1935.
The Caloundra Heritage Walk will take you along the footpaths, past shops and beautiful beaches where you can uncover the interesting history of this coastal town. Experience the history of Bulcock Street in days gone by and learn about the 1896 lighthouse, the oldest surviving building in Caloundra.
You can download the Buderim and Caloundra walk brochures from council’s heritage website or pick up a copy from your local Visitor Information Centre.
Museums
You can get a taste of the Sunshine Coast’s rich heritage right across the region.
From the Discover Eumundi Heritage and Visitor Centre in the north, to the Landsborough Historical Museum in the south, there’s so much to see.
If you love planes, the Queensland Air Museum in Caloundra is a must see with more than 70 aviation displays including an F-111C A8-129, GAF Mirage and Australia’s oldest DC3.
If you’re visiting Caloundra, Kawana, Maleny or Nambour libraries be sure to check out the hidden treasures in the fabulous Heritage Levy-funded museum boxes. Collections feature items from Inigo Jones (Caloundra Library), Bill Robinson (Nambour Library), the SS Dicky (Kawana Library) and Nambour GP Dr Francis Short (1886-1968) (Maleny Library).
If want to enjoy a touch of heritage at home every month in 2018, pick up a copy of the 2018 ‘Playtime’ cultural heritage calendar featuring iconic images that celebrate leisure, sport and recreation on the Sunshine Coast. Copies of the calendar are available for purchase from council’s library branches and Customer Service Centres for only $6.
Discover more by visiting council’s Heritage website - heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au, including more than 100 digital stories you can watch, listen to or read.