Feeling a little under the weather? Perhaps it’s time to trade your office chair for a deck chair. This spring, the Sunshine Coast is calling on Aussies to turn their sickies into sandy escapes, with ten all-expenses-paid, two-night getaways up for grabs. The best part? They’ll even call your boss for you!
The Sunshine Sickie campaign was inspired by the juicy stats that 70 per cent of Aussies faked a sickie last year for reasons other than being crook – think burnout, lack of sleep and just needing a hard reset. To help you properly switch off, Visit Sunshine Coast is shouting ten guilt-free, 48-hour trips worth up to $3,756 each – including flights, transfers, two nights' twin-share accommodation and car hire. Now that’s fully sick!
Applications are open from September 1 to 11, with lucky winners drawn at random the following day. On September 18 at 5pm, they’ll get their itinerary and just 12 hours to pack a bag, grab a mate and head to the airport.
You won’t need to stress over logistics – Visit Sunshine Coast’s CEO is even putting his hand up to call your boss and arrange the day off for you. So while your colleagues imagine you curled up in bed with chicken soup, you’ll actually be living it up on one of three incredible itineraries.
The first option is the Forest Bathing Reboot in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, featuring a peaceful stroll to Gardners Fall in Maleny, a leisurely lunch at The Tamarind Restaurant and a secluded stay at Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat. Then there’s the Haycation Rejuvenation, serving up a farm-to-table feast at the brand-new ēthos by Alsahwa Estate, followed by alfresco cocktails at Sunshine and Sons, and a luxury farm stay at Sixty6 Acres, where freestanding outdoor baths await. Finally, the Vitamin SEA Booster itinerary involves a salty morning dip at Mooloolaba Spit, a laid-back Bushtucker Cruise with Saltwater Eco Tours, an afternoon soak at Tank Bathhouse & Day Spa, then a comfy overnight stay at Breeze Mooloolaba.
Whichever itinerary you pick, you’ll wake up feeling refreshed – aka anything but sick – with 24 more hours of freedom to explore the Sunshine Coast at your own pace. Pure bliss! Keen to swap your sick day for a sun day? You can apply for the Sunshine Sickie campaign here.