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Sunshine Coast, Queensland


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.

Key Attractions

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.  

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.


Mooloolaba: This locality has become a focal point for activities and attractions on the Sunshine Coast. It is home to Underwater World, Queensland's largest oceanarium and aquarium; many sea cruises are based at Moollolaba, including Australia Zoo Whale Encounters, which departs from The Wharf Mooloolaba in search of the humpback whale; dives on the HMAS Brisbane (at a depth of 27 metres) and the local coral reefs with Sunreef Scuba Diving Services; fishing tours and charters, jet ski joy rides and ocean and canal cruises.

The Glasshouse Mountains: Situated 70 km northeast of Brisbane in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, the distinctive Glasshouse Mountains consists of a flat plain punctuated by volcanic plugs, the cores of extinct volcanoes that formed 27 million to 26 million years ago. These craggy volcanic peaks now tower over a scenic patchwork of pine plantations, bushland and cultivated fields. The Glasshouse Mountains offer some spectacular walking tracks through open woodlands and heaths to panoramic lookouts and mountain summits. The walks range from easy to challenging grades.


Bunya Mountains: One of the most picturesque reserves on this section of the Great Dividing Range, the Bunya Mountains National Park protects the largest remaining Bunya Pine rainforests in the world which densely cover the mountainous slopes. The mountains are the only outlying section of the Great Dividing Range, rising abruptly from the rich Darling Downs & South Burnett farmland. 24 km of graded walking trails have been formed in the park, giving access to its spectacular lookouts and waterfalls. About Bunya Mountains


Coolum: What sets Coolum apart from the other resort towns on the Sunshine Coast, besides being the largest of them, is Mount Coolum, to the south of the township. An isolated volcanic dome, 208 metres in height, Mt Coolum provides an unparalleled opportunity to escape the beach scene for a while, take the half hour walk to the top and see the Sunshine Coast from a different perspective. The view from the summit is truly magnificent; a 360 degree overview of the Sunshine Coast can be had by simply turning around; coastline and beaches extending from Moreton Island to Double Island Point, cane fields, as well as the main areas of the Coast.



Visiting The Region: The Facts

How to Get There: the Sunshine Coast is one hour's drive north of Brisbane via Bruce Highway.

Best Time To Go: the Sunshine Coast is an all-year-round destination, but if you prefer to avoid the sub-tropical heat, you may wish to visit during the winter when temperatures are pleasantly cool and rainfall is low.
The southern part of Queensland enjoys slightly drier summers in comparison to the north. Temperatures on the Sunshine Coast average around 20°C during winter and, although warmer, are still comfortable during summer.

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Regions of Queensland

Queensland Travel
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Southern Qld Tourism
Sunshine Coast Information
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Hinterland Tourism
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