Sunshine Coast

An area of sweeping beaches, bordered by blue water, picture scenic drives through valleys, past mountain ranges and hillside villages.

The Sunshine Coast's white surf beaches stretch for about 40 miles, broken only by an occasional headland or the clear water of a river estuary. Coastal townships like Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum and Noosa are synonymous with the traditional Australian beach holiday.

Great resorts with award winning golf courses, beachfront apartments and self contained units as well as motels and hotels make it easy to enjoy the sun, the sand and the surf. Restaurants and cafes make the most of the climate and the views.

In the green, subtropical hills behind the Sunshine Coast, among the pineapple and sugar cane farms, are country hamlets. Old pubs serve excellent counter lunches on open verandas that overlook green valleys. Painters, potters and other artisans are drawn here by the tranquillity, the easy pace and the natural beauty.

Noosa and Noosa National Park are legendary in Australia. The protected cove beach virtually guarantees perfect surf year round and the stroll around the headland through the National Park rewards you with spectacular seascapes. Hastings Street, the hub of Noosa, is a mecca for designer label shoppers and discerning diners.

Caloundra
Caloundra sits on the stunning foreshore of the Sunshine Coast and offers everything you need for a relaxing holiday. There’s a large variety of accommodation and restaurants to choose from. Fabulous surf and estuary beaches plus fishing spots, and other tourist attractions will keep you busy.

Maroochydore
Maroochydore offers a blend of surf beach and the calm waters of the Maroochy River whose southern bank forms a virtually unbroken stretch of parkland and picnic spots. Ideal for boating, fishing and aquatic pastimes, it is also the venue of major surf sport carnivals. The location is a perfect central base for exploring the coast's attractions by car, coach or public transport.

Mooloolaba
Mooloolaba is a local Sunshine Coast town by the Mooloolah River that boasts coastal and river frontages. It has an all-weather port which is home to the Auckland-Mooloolaba and Sydney-Mooloolaba Yacht races. This area offers a harmonious mix of beach, harbour, parks and shopping with prime coastal strip panoramas.

Mooloolaba is home base to International standard marinas, the "Under Water World" oceanarium and a pilot station for Moreton Bay River, coastal, deep sea and game fishing. The local trawling fleet keep the restaurants, from beachfront cafes to fine dining, supplied with the freshest of seafood.

Noosa Heads
Noosa Heads, set on the edge of Noosa National Park and Laguna Bay, is alive with international standard shops, restaurants and accommodation. Accommodation options range from budget backpacker establishments, units and apartments to the luxury of the Sheraton Noosa Resort. From Hastings Street, the centre of activity, visitors are only a short distance from the Noosa National Park, the Noosa River Everglades and Cooloola National Park. Day tours and 4WD expeditions to Fraser Island are also a popular option.

Hinterland
Beyond the brilliant white beaches, the rolling surf and the resort towns of the Sunshine Coast lies a hinterland of lush green landscapes that invite discovery.

Take some time to explore the long and winding roads through some of Queensland's most picturesque countryside. Your journey will take you down country lanes that ride the crests of rolling hills, offering panoramic views of the distant coast then twist down into wooded valleys.

Along the way you'll visit historic towns and villages, see the natural treasures within national parks, find cool relief beside lakes and waterfalls and discover an enticing mix of rustic charms and country style.

Spend a few days indulging in some country hospitality in cosy B&Bs, rustic cabins and stylish retreats and begin your discoveries of the national parks, the gallery trails, restaurants, wineries, inviting country pubs, fresh local produce, shops and markets - all within a glorious green landscape, just a short drive from the coast. It's a taste of the good life.

Montville is a quaint mountain village and art colony brimming with local crafts, galleries and gift shops. The perfect place to relax in the natural surrounds of the hinterland.

Maleny township is set on the edge of the Blackall Range with stunning views over the coast and Glass House Mountains to Brisbane. The town has retained its colonial atmosphere and is a charming place to visit.