New Pride Cruise Comes to the Sunshine Coast

This year’s Sunshine Coast Pride is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever. Not only does Mardi Gras at Aussie World promise to be a night to remember, but there’s also a brand new event hoping to keep the party – and the pride – going.

The Official Sunshine Coast Pride Cruise Afterparty is the project of Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba general manager Sherry Price. After years of Sydney being Australia’s premier pride hotspot, Sherry felt that it was time for the Sunshine Coast to make some waves: “Pride celebrations on the Sunshine Coast serve as a powerful platform for advocating for equality, celebrating diversity, and promoting love and acceptance for all individuals, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.”

She elaborated that Pride on the Sunshine Coast has become an excellent way to bring the community together in a fun, energetic celebration. She wanted to get her team involved in the festivities in order to bring “that energy and fun to our cruise and to our staff.” Sherry also noted that the whole team at Coastal Cruises was excited to get on board: “When we mentioned to our staff that we wanted to offer this cruise, they were so excited and felt proud that they would be involved in the celebration.”

As a long-time member of Gay and Lesbian Tourism Australia, the team at Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba is always trying to find ways to make their cruises more inclusive and welcoming to all. Sherry explained that “Our role is to engage with the local LGBTQ+ community and advocacy groups to understand their needs better and tailor our services accordingly to ensure we offer an inclusive space.” As the crew already hosts monthly DJ cruises, a Pride DJ cruise felt like the perfect opportunity “to expand more into bespoke events and elevate our cruise offering.”

This year’s DJ Pride Cruise Afterparty – hopefully the first of many – will feature “an afternoon cruising the waterways, magnificent scenery, dancing to music, sipping on cocktails and glasses of champagne and just having fun.” With music by DJ Dave, attendees are sure to be on the dance floor throughout the evening. The event will also be hosted by the Sunshine Coast’s beloved drag queen Lady Saint Diva, so be prepared to be dazzled by her wit, humour, and, of course, her dance moves.

For anyone travelling up to the Sunshine Coast for Pride and wanting to make a weekend out of it, the team at Coast Cruises recommend experiencing “a taste of the Sunshine Coast” by visiting the plethora of stunning boutique breweries and distilleries throughout the region. The beginning of whale watching season is also fast-approaching, so a whale watching cruise is another item Sherry recommends for any Sunshine Coast to-do list.

If you miss out on tickets to the DJ Pride Cruise (or if you just couldn’t get enough of it!), don’t fret! Just around the corner is the Coastal Cruises Bottomless Lunch, held on the first Sunday of every month, and regular DJ Cruises run every second and fourth Sunday. DJ Dave is on board for these cruises as well, so you can keep the Pride going throughout the month at any one of these events!

Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba also offers an array of cruises throughout the week, so there is something for everyone if you are interested in their offerings beyond pride. The family-run company has been in operation for 20 years, bringing a perfect combination of passion for hospitality and experience in the industry. Sherry describes the team as “a tight knit bunch that thrive on tourism and hospitality and just having fun at work. We love to put smiles on people’s faces.”

Coastal Cruises runs daily Seafood Lunch cruises, featuring fresh, local seafood, as well as Sunset Cruises. Beyond their daily offerings, they host parties and events for birthdays, engagements, corporate events, and holiday events. In December they even run Christmas light cruises: “This is a great family cruise that runs for an hour looking at all the beautifully decorated homes on the canals. It gets everyone in the Christmas spirit.”

With Sunshine Coast Pride only two weeks away, be sure to snap up tickets for this new Official Afterparty as soon as possible! And to learn more about Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba, visit their Instagram page and stay up to date on upcoming events.