About the area: As its name implies, the major attraction here is the sunshine and enjoying it on the region's 100 kilometres of beautiful surf beaches. The Coast begins at Caloundra, just one hour's drive north of Brisbane and extends to Cooloola, the gateway to World Heritage Listed Fraser Island. It takes in tranquil hinterland including the Glass House Mountains, Blackall Range, Noosa Hinterland and the Mary Valley.
Like the Gold Coast, the Sunshine Coast has a very attractive hinterland that makes for a perfect escape from the commercialisation and high rise development of the coastal strip. This subtropical region is dominated by the Blackall Range where Montville, Maleny and the other villages perch on or behind the escarpment and feature wineries, art galleries and boutique shops. These towns are set against a scenic backdrop of the mountains, parks, rainforests and waterfalls. A day's drive (or more if time permits) through the Blackall Range to these picturesque places is a must for visitors to the Sunshine Coast.
Beaches: The Sunshine Coast is characterised by beaches, coastal views contrasts with the nearby hinterland. It is indeed an aquatic paradise. Whether you’re a keen angler, diver, water-sports enthusiast or just simply enjoy feeling the sand between your toes, there’s a beach right for you. Just which one that is depends on whether you have a special activity in mind, whether you want to be seen (if so, Noosa is the one for you), or just want a quiet dip in the ocean away from everyone else.
Australia Zoo: It is not normally our practice to nominate a commercial operation as a Key Attraction, but in this instance it is justified due to its connections with the late Steve Irwin, whose wildlife documentary series The Crocodile Hunter made the zoo a popular tourist attraction. The zoo was opened by Steve's parents in 1970 long before Steve became famous. Over the years Steve and his wife Terri put all money raised from filming and merchandise into conservation and building new exhibits. Their efforts were rewarded when Australia Zoo won the Australian Tourism Awards for 2003-2004 in the category Major Tourist Attraction.
Rainbow Beach
The Cooloola Coast: The locals call it "our little patch of nature's paradise found just above Queensland's Sunshine Coast". Sandwiched between Fraser Island and The Sunshine Coast, there is plenty here to discover and enjoy - the spectacular coloured sand cliffs of Rainbow Beach; hand feeding the wild dolphins at tranquil Tin Can Bay; the mighty Mary River as it flows through the Mary Valley; Gympie's Rock Pools, an amazing natural rock formation along Boulder Creek.
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Noosa: There was a time not long ago when Noosa, at the northern end of Queensland's Sunshine Coast, was a sleepy village surrounded by tropical rainforests and nestled beside the Pacific Ocean. Those days are long gone. Noosa is today a glitzy high-end resort town, where up-market shops, outdoor cafes, restaurants and beauty salons line its iconic main thoroughfare - Hastings Street - and five star resorts line the beachfront, however the rainforests and sandy beaches are still there.
Blackall Range Tourist Drive: This is a most spectacular scenic drive and a 'must do' day-trip if you are holidaying on the Sunshine Coast. The twisting and often awe-inspiring road is full of surprises, not the least are the views to the coast and the Glasshouse Mountains. No matter what your interest - art galleries, food, wine, coffe, shopping, rainforest walks, waterfalls, views - you'll find it all here. The Blackall Range Tourist Drive starts from the historical township of Landsborough and ends in the foothills near Nambour. The Blackall Range is just over an hour's drive north of Brisbane.
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