Sunshine Coast and Hinterland
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 also 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.
How To Get There
The Sunshine Coast is one hour’s drive north of Brisbane via Bruce Highway. The region is serviced by trains travelling between Brisbane and the various coastal towns to the north of rthe region, however the railway does not follow a coastal route.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 deg C during winter and, although warmer, are still comfortable during summer.
