What’s hip this March

What to book

DON’T miss the final days of Queensland Theatre’s Pride and Prejudice, “the original Regency rom com”. The season continues until March 9 at The Playhouse, QPAC, in South Brisbane. Penned by Patrick White Award-winners Wendy Mocke and Lewis Treston, the theatrical adaptation of the Jane Austen classic novel, featuring independent and smart Elizabeth Bennet and the very eligible Mr Darcy, is described as “fiercely funny, fiercely feminist and fiercely Queensland”. As the world (and especially England) this year commemmorates the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth (on December 16, 1775), this production is a great way to celebrate her much-loved romantic tale. See queenslandtheatre.com.au/plays/pride-and-prejudice

Where to visit

BOKARINA Beach is the new kid on the block in Sunshine Coast tourism. Those frequenting Kawana Waters over the decades may fondly recall uncrowded surf spots such as ‘Whale Grave’ and deserted sandy beaches in the then-untouched stretch of coastline. While new development in more recent years has brought high-rise and a lifeguard tower, it also has welcomed the celebrated Bocca Italian restaurant, artisan ice-cream makers Wallace & Wood and other businesses on the ground floor of snazzy new accommodation offerings. One of those newbies is Stoa Bokarina: the sister venue to popular Moffat Beach brunch institution One Block Back. Stoa offers fresh, seasonally inspired breakfast and lunch dishes (try the poke bowl), then ramps it up with tapas, cocktails and live music at night. Go to stoabokarina.com.au

What to do for free

NOW there’s even more reason to wander the Scenic Rim: the region has just joined the world’s best in achieving ECO Destination Certification with Ecotourism Australia. The certification is a result of meeting best-practice standards in ecotourism, responsible travel and environmental conservation. An hour from Brisbane and the Gold Coast, the region is celebrated for its UNESCO World Heritage Gondwana rainforests, six national parks, award-winning local produce and progressive farming, plus warm hospitality. Covering more than 4200sqkm, it stretches from Canungra to The Lost World, Beaudesert to Boonah, Tamborine Mountain to Kalbar, and boasts adventure parks, farm stays, craft breweries, boutique wineries, eco lodges, gourmet experiences, world-class camping and glamping, plus three dams. Go to visitscenicrim.com.au

Back in the day…

THE Flintstones – that modern Stone Age family from the town of Bedrock – had its first broadcast on ABC TV in the US nearly 65 years ago on September 30, 1960. The Hanna-Barbera cartoon portrayed the ‘domestic bliss’ of mid-20th century suburbia but in a caveman setting. It followed the daily adventures of Fred and Wilma Flintstone, pet dinosaur Dino and their baby girl Pebbles, plus neighbours and best friends Barney and Betty Rubble, their adopted and super-strong baby boy Bamm-Bamm and pet hopparoo called Hoppy. Many TV commentators and fans still rate it the second-greatest TV cartoon ever, after The Simpsons. Watch the reruns, TV spin-offs and films to put more “Yabba Dabba Doo!” into your day.

Where to eat

YOU know you’re on a winner in the ‘Let’s try a new restaurant’ game when the menu emphasises fresh, paddock-to-plate flavours and offers a range of carefully selected wines from Australia and around the world. And that’s what chef-sommelier team Phil Poussart and Lachlan Matheson strive for at Gum Bistro in West End. A recent lunch event emphasised Sunshine Coast producers, including Peachester Fresh lamb, The Falls Farm at Mapleton, Benny’s Line Caught fish, Woombye Cheese and Maleny Dairies. Try a Menard-Gaborit Muscadet from France’s Loire Valley to be in gourmand heaven. Go to gumbistro.com