Hello Dear Readers! with Hello Sunshine Magazine
The results are in from the Hello Sunshine Magazine Reader Survey, Kathy Sundstrom explores who you are and what you told us.
The 2026 Hello Sunshine Magazine Reader Survey revealed something we’re incredibly proud of: our readers are not only passionate about the Sunshine Coast community, but deeply connected to the stories, people, places and businesses we showcase.
With 269 responses, this year’s survey paints a vivid picture of who our readers are, what they value, and how Hello Sunshine continues to shape and celebrate life on the Coast.
WHO YOU ARE
A local, engaged community.
Our Hello Sunshine Magazine readers are overwhelmingly local.
Nearly 80% live on the Sunshine Coast or in Noosa, with others across South East Queensland and a smaller but loyal group following from further afield.
Most readers are aged 45 and over, established and community-minded, with a strong interest in supporting local businesses and making considered choices about where to spend time and money.
Pets are very much part of the picture too. Almost half of respondents have a dog, along with many households that include cats and other companions.
This is a highly engaged, locally focused audience that actively supports businesses within its community.
HOW YOU LIVE & SPEND
Lovers of the good life.
Readers are active spenders across hospitality, retail, home and wellness, with strong intentions to invest in lifestyle categories.
Dining out is a regular part of life with 42% of readers dining out four to ten times a month, and an additional 6% dining out more than ten times a month, making food and hospitality a consistent part of spending.
Shopping locally is also a clear priority, with 74% saying they actively choose to support local businesses whenever possible.
Looking ahead, travel sits at the top of planned spending, followed by clothing and fashion, homewares and wellness. There is also strong interest in home improvement and renovation, pointing to an ongoing investment in how people live, not just where.
Across all of this, a clear pattern emerges: Hello Sunshine readers value experiences, quality and discovery.
WHY YOU READ HELLO SUNSHINE
A trusted guide to local life.
This result is one we love. Nearly 70% of you are avid readers of Hello Sunshine Magazine, with the vast majority of these respondents saying they read it “cover to cover”. Most of you pick up a copy of our magazine at a café or restaurant, followed closely by a retail store or boutique.
Print is thriving. Two thirds of you read the printed edition exclusively. Many keep it on the coffee table, pass it on to family, or include it in guest rooms and Airbnbs.
When asked to describe the magazine, three words appeared consistently: informative, local and vibrant. Readers also described Hello Sunshine as colourful, inspiring, community focused, high quality and well curated.
High reader loyalty and strong engagement positions Hello Sunshine as a trusted source of local recommendations.
THE SECTION YOU LOVE MOST
Where to go, what to do.
Content that is useful, local and experience-led drives strong reader engagement and response.
Your favourite sections reflect how you spend your time.
What’s On and local events, food and drink, local people and profiles, travel and escapes, and home and design all ranked highly. Together, they paint a clear picture. You are looking for ideas you can act on, whether that is planning your weekend, choosing where to dine or discovering a savvy someone new in the community.
Encouragingly, nearly 80% of readers feel the balance between editorial and advertising is just right, reinforcing the trust placed in both the content and the businesses featured.
WHAT YOU WANT MORE OF
Savvy, Surprising & Spirited!
Readers are highly responsive to savvy offers, surprising local discoveries and spirited lifestyle content.
Across your responses, several consistent themes emerged. There is strong interest in competitions, offers and local incentives, along with stories about everyday locals and community figures.
Many readers are looking for more affordable ideas and lesser-known places, alongside increased pet content and broader coverage across the Sunshine Coast and hinterland.
You also told us you would value more event information, shared earlier, as well as improved access to the print edition. Taken together, these requests point to a desire for content that is both inspiring and genuinely useful in everyday life.
YOUR IMPACT ON LOCAL BUSINESS
Supporting your community.
You shared that Hello Sunshine not only builds awareness, but directly influences customer behaviour and spending decisions.
The survey confirmed one of the magazine’s greatest strengths: Hello Sunshine changes the way people spend.
Readers told us they visit businesses after seeing them in the magazine, book restaurants and appointments, purchase products, follow brands on social media and recommend local businesses to others. Your community thanks you and we salute you!
A remarkable 90% feel more positive about a business because it appears in Hello Sunshine, proving the value of trusted local storytelling.
YOU LOVE TO SAY HELLO
Events bring us together.
Association with Hello Sunshine Magazine increases the appeal of events and attendance. There is strong interest in attending magazine branded or partnership events. Food and drink experiences, long lunches, art and music events and wellness offerings all ranked highly.
More than 80% of readers said they would be more likely to attend an event if Hello Sunshine were involved. So, let’s party together!
A FINAL WORD
The overwhelming message?
“Keep doing what you’re doing.”
Readers repeatedly praised the magazine’s photography, the covers, the quality of the print, and the way Hello Sunshine supports local businesses and artists. Many said they eagerly collect each new issue, pass it on to others, or use it to plan outings with friends and visitors.
And our favourite repeated line? “Hello Sunshine feels like part of my community.”
What’s Next
Your feedback will shape what comes next. More local stories, more useful ideas, more experiences and more connection.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts. Hello Sunshine Magazine exists because of this community, and it continues to grow with you.
We look forward to meeting more of you at one of our events soon!
