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Sunshine Coast - Just North of Brisbane.
Picture an area of sweeping shiny beaches, bordered by blue water. Picture scenic
drives through valleys, past mountain ranges and hillside villages. Picture the
Sunshine Coast. Picture Perfect.
Only one hour's drive north of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast serves up a dish
of pleasures for lovers of nature, action, culture and cuisine. The choice is
yours.
Beaches
There's a huge range of surf beaches on the Sunshine Coast from the rolling open
waters of Rainbow
Beach through to the sheltered King's Beach at Caloundra.
Other popular beaches include Noosa, Mooloolaba, Alexandra
Headland's and Coolum. For sea-based adventures,
cruise the Pumicestone Passage in a canoe or see the glassy tannin-filled water
reflections at the Noosa Everglades. Snorkel in rock pools or take in one of
the Sunshine Coast's major events including surfing and triathlon carnivals.
National Parks
Explore one of Queensland's oldest and best-preserved subtropical rainforests
at Mary Cairncross Park, Maleny or
climb the stunning Glass House Mountains, remarkable volcanic crags that rise
from the coastal plains. Captain Cook named these mountains and they remain a
vivid silhouette on the skyline. Cooloola National Park covers 56,000ha from
everglades through to dramatic coloured sand cliffs. There are many freshwater
rivers and lakes and tracks suitable for 4WD. Noosa National Park has some of
south-east Queensland's most stunning coastal scenery. You can view Fraser Island
from Inskip Point at Rainbow
Beach .
Hinterland
Travel west within an easy drive of Caloundra , Mooloolaba or Noosa to
pretty hinterland areas such as Maleny and Montville .
There's shopping, dining, art galleries, interesting crafts and walking options.
Visit deers at a sanctuary, try your luck fossicking in Gympie,
or take a train journey on the Mary Valley Rattler. There's major musical events
featuring opera, jazz and folk music at different times through the year.
Arts And Crafts
There are more galleries and artists in the Sunshine Coast hinterland than any
other region in Queensland. Admire fine paintings, pottery, glass, jewellery
and woodwork. You'll find pieces created by 600 artists, many local. The Art
and Craft Gallery Trail stretches from Eumundi to Kenilworth, Montville, Maleny and Landsborough.
Dining
If you're on holidays, treat yourself to fine dining at one of the many al fresco
restaurants in major centres such as Noosa , Mooloolaba or Maleny .
There's everything from fresh fish and chips to innovative Australian cuisine.
Try your hand at a cooking school. The Sunshine Coast Wine Trail takes in areas
from around Woodford north to Traverston. All wineries offer cellar door sales
and most offer light lunches featuring local delicacies.
Shopping
From high fashion to fine art, local craft to casual clothing, gorgeous gifts
to fresh produce, you'll find it all here. All top quality and at a reasonable
price. From antiques to appetising gourmet foods, tasteful trinkets to traditional
bric-a-brac, jewelery to jam, there's something for everyone. Shopping precincts
are located at Noosa, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore,
and Caloundra. There's
handcrafted jewellery and woodwork at Gympie, Cooroy, Kenilworth, Montville, Maleny and Mapleton.
And don't miss the markets, there's a market most days including the famous Eumundi markets
on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.
Sunshine Coast Airport services the region and there are regular train services.
Expect to find a well-established range of tourism operations in the area with
five-star resorts, golf courses, self-contained apartments, B & Bs, country
retreats, motels and backpacker establishments. Activities include helicopter
rides, abseiling, fishing, and hot-air ballooning. Where Else but Queensland
could you relax with fine wine and a sumptuous meal after a day's surfing and
nature walk on the doorstep of the State's capital. Take it all at your pace,
the locals call it Sunshine Coasting.
Nearest Highway : Bruce Highway
Nearest Airport : Sunshine Coast
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