When it was announced that Tones and I would be playing in a regional town, there was a little spark of hope here on the Sunshine Coast. Could it be Coolum? We quietly imagined the buzz, the beachside build-up, the sunset soundcheck.

Despite all efforts — and plenty of wishful thinking — she’s decided to play somewhere else.

And while we would have loved the excitement of a big-name concert, here’s the truth: Coolum doesn’t need a headline act to be unforgettable.

The ocean performs every morning.

The sunrise sells out daily.

And the real magic here isn’t about a one-night event — it’s about how this place makes you feel long after you leave.

So no, Tones and I aren’t coming to Coolum.

But here are 10 reasons you absolutely should.

1. The Sunrise Show Is Always On

No tickets required.

Coolum’s sunrise is the kind that makes you pause mid-walk. Soft pink skies. Glassy water. Early swimmers cutting through calm waves. It’s quiet, unhurried and real — and it never feels the same twice.

Front row seats are free. Just set your alarm.

2. Mount Coolum Beats Any Stage Climb

The walk up Mount Coolum might leave you slightly breathless, but the view at the top is worth every step.

Ocean stretching north and south. Hinterland rolling behind you. That satisfying “we did it” feeling. It’s the kind of high that doesn’t need an encore.

3. The Beach Is the Main Event

Wide open sand. Consistent surf. Space to breathe.

Coolum Beach isn’t flashy — and that’s exactly why people fall in love with it. Swim, surf, walk for kilometres or just sit and watch the rhythm of the waves.

No wristbands. No crowd control. Just nature doing what it does best.

4. There’s a Gentle Pace Here

Coolum has mastered something rare — a lifestyle that doesn’t feel rushed.

Early swims. Long walks. Coffee that turns into conversation. Friendly surfers who nod as you pass. It’s not about ticking off attractions; it’s about sinking into the moment.

You don’t leave buzzing. You leave lighter.

5. Coastal Walks That Feel Like Therapy

Follow the coastline and you’ll find hidden pockets of sand, pandanus trees swaying in the breeze and lookout points that make you stop mid-sentence.

Some holidays are loud. This one is grounding.

6. You’ll Eat Very, Very Well

Beachfront cafés for post-swim breakfasts. Casual seafood spots. Sunset drinks with ocean views.

Nothing pretentious — just fresh, local and genuinely good. Long lunches feel normal here. Nobody checks the time.

7. Perfectly Placed on the Sunshine Coast

Stay in Coolum and you’re close to everything without being in the middle of everything.

A short drive north to Noosa. South to Mooloolaba. Inland to the hinterland villages and waterfalls. You can explore all day and still come home to calm in the evening.

8. Family-Friendly Without Feeling Busy

Kids can run on the sand. Teenagers can surf. Parents can actually relax.

The beach feels safe, open and easy to navigate. There’s space for everyone — and that’s part of the magic.

9. It’s Made for Doing Less

There’s something about Coolum that invites you to put the phone down.

You wake up. You swim. You eat well. You nap. You walk again at sunset. And somehow, that’s enough.

10. The Memories Feel Real

Big concerts are fun.

But the moments that stay with you?

The sunrise swim you nearly skipped.

The walk up Mount Coolum when your legs burned and you laughed anyway.

The quiet evening with salty hair and tired kids.

The way the ocean sounds at night.

Coolum isn’t about spectacle. It’s about connection — to nature, to each other, to yourself.

So yes, the concert is happening somewhere else.

But the ocean is here.

The sunrise is here.

The slow mornings, the surf, the coastal walks, the gentle pace — they’re all waiting.

And honestly?

That’s a better show.