On the Sunshine Coast and its Hinterland, sunlight is as much a part of the beautiful scenery as the joy-inducing hills of the hinterland, the broad open skies and the resplendent beaches. Averaging seven hours of sunlight a day, this region has one of the highest sunshine readings in the world‚ which enables you to take advantage of its fabulous offerings almost all year round!
A short one-hour drive north of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast itself extends from Caloundra through to the gateway of Fraser Island, Cooloola. Over 100 kilometres of magnificent beaches fringe its coastline, including Caloundra, Kawana, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum Beach, Noosa and up to Rainbow Beach.For the discerning coast connoisseur, the beautiful beaches in this region offer everything from sun-drenched surf and sand and dramatic rocky coastlines, to hidden bays of crystal clear waters encircled by unspoilt rainforest. It starts at Caloundra, where the strong currents of Bulcock Beach edge the city centre, providing a popular site for flying kites from the boardwalk. It’s also home to the calm waters and varied wildlife of the Pumicestone Passage, which is the place to go for sailboarding, boating and sighting dugongs. Further north, Kawana offers a tranquil horizon of flat, clean white sand to stroll on and enjoy the sunset, whereas Mooloolaba is known for encompassing the famous rocky-point breaks of Alexandra Headland, Maroochydore and Coolum. Mooloolaba has been transformed over the last few years into a stylish beachside resort town, with elegant resorts, alfresco dining, delis, coffee shops and designer shopping lining the esplanade. At Maroochydore, the beaches and river are a paradise for water fun and some of the coast’s top fishing spots are found along the river. Coolum has a great village atmosphere, safe swimming and spectacular views.
Noosa is a sophisticated slice of life, and one of the few areas in Australia outside of the Tropical North that boasts a marriage of the forest and the sea. Hastings Street is a mecca for visitors from around the world who enjoy its elegant, low rise mix of cosmopolitan cafes, delis, designer shops, fabulous restaurants and alfresco dining. Nearby Sunshine Beach offers more advanced surfers some great breaks. Then there’s Noosaville and the Noosa River that’s popular for canoeing and kayaking and the numerous tour operators that offer boat hire, sailing lessons/trips too. The strip opposite the river is also a magnet for lovers of fine food and wine with plenty of cafes and restaurants to please any palette.
Just behind the beaches approximately a 30-minute drive inland, the dazzle of pristine white sand is replaced by green as far as the eye can see; acres and acres of green rolling hills and luminescent valleys, lush rainforests and scenic lookouts, and then there’s the lure of wine trails, gourmet produce, and art and craft boutiques.
Up here, the cooler weather gives a welcome respite from the summer humidity of the coast and life moves at an enjoyably slower pace. This is a land of plenty; plenty to see and plenty to do.
You can stroll through any of the quaint townships and find different things on offer in each. Of the most well-known, are the townships of Maleny, Montville and Mapleton, which thread across the top of the Blackall Range, in between fields of green and pockets of rainforest. In these towns, art galleries, craft outlets, gourmet eateries and small boutique shops may seduce you into considering a treechange! Walking down the main street of any of these towns, it’s likely you’ll find the pace of your step slowing down from a hasty city-jog, into a relaxed, rhythmic stroll; with plenty of time to browse, window shop, try things on, or just loll about drinking lattes out of tall glasses, or freshly squeezed juice through a straw.
Nature is integral to the identity of the hinterland. Just off the scenic drive to Mapleton lies the wonderful Kondalilla National Park, wherein you’ll find a sublime plunging waterfall and easy-to-navigate bushwalking tracks. Enclosed by overhead foliage and surrounded by the sounds of the forest, the bushwalk takes you down to the bottom of the waterfall and is a highly recommended daytrip for anyone visiting this region.
Your eyes will be filled with beauty, as there are gorgeous sights all around. Looking down from the hills, the views to the coast and out onto the Pacific Ocean are powerful and refreshing and certainly worth pulling the car over for! After shopping and sightseeing, you’d better not forget a trip to any of the local wineries as the fertile Hinterland soil produces some of the country’s most celebrated drops!
As a holiday destination, the Sunshine Coast boasts a range of cottage B&B’s, luxury resorts, large-scale hotels and beachfront apartment accommodation options, however one word of advice is to book early if you’re planning an extended stay in peak holiday season. This is a slice of heaven you don’t want to miss out on.
Heading to the Sunshine Coast is certainly one of our favourite holiday experiences, so follow the sun and head to Queensland’s spectacular Sunshine Coast and Hinterland!