Coast with the Most
Coast with the Most
Coast with the Most

A whole coast of sunshine is quite a claim to fame ...
Sunshine Coast

... but just north of Brisbane is an area which manages to deliver not just a superbly holiday-friendly climate, but also over 65 kilometres of the world’s most beautiful, sun-drenched beaches and acres and acres of lush hinterland rainforest. Choose almost any location along this rich stretch between Caloundra and Rainbow Beach, and you’ll be rewarded with an experience you’ll want to repeat sooner rather than later.

With the beach and the hinterland close enough to incorporate into either a super-sweet short break or a linger-longer stay, after a day of swimming, hiking, wine tasting, dining or shopping, you can enjoy a Sunshine Coast sleepover at one of the many B&Bs, retreats and resorts on offer. Heading to the Sunshine Coast is certainly one of our favourite holiday experiences, so follow the sun with this special introduction ...

CALOUNDRA - approximately 80 km from Brisbane

Just an hour’s drive from Brisbane, Caloundra is many visitors’ first introduction to the Sunshine Coast. Once regarded as somewhat of a sleepy second cousin to the rest of the coast, Caloundra has slowly but surely established its own reputation – and is still a favourite for those seeking an ultra low-key holiday experience. Voted the Sunshine Coast’s ‘Cleanest Beach’ in 2005, Currimundi Beach and Lake are worth a look, and Kings Beach and Dicky Beach are favourites if you’ve brought your surf board along. For those who enjoy a flutter on the ponies – or the flutter of a pretty race-day frock – Caloundra’s Corbould Park Race Course is also becoming quite the place to be, either for their July Winter Racing Carnival or their regular Sunday race days. And to get kick your day off to a flying start, The Moorings Cafe on Golden Beach serves up brilliant breakfasts with superb views (07 5492 2466). As well as gorgeous beaches, Caloundra offers one of the closest access points to the Blackall Ranges and the Glasshouse Mountains. Many ancient Aboriginal legends revolve around this area, and it’s also home to the impressive Tibrogargan rock formation, a popular climbing destination.

THE MAROOCHY SHIRE - begins approximately 100 km from Brisbane

Encompassing 25 kilometres of golden sand beaches and the coastal towns of Alexandra Headlands, Moloolabah and Maroochydore, this area is often called “the heart of the Sunshine Coast” and is an appealing mix of everything the coast has to offer – glorious beaches, high quality but refreshingly informal dining, and circus-worthy attractions. Finding a picture-perfect spot for fish and chips on the beach can be half the fun, so leave yourself time to explore.

Discover the laid-back charms and impressive ocean swells of Alexandra Headlands, and enjoy a lunch-with-a-view at the popular Alexandra Heads Surf Club. Mooloolaba is recognised as one of the coast’s safest beaches, and it’s certainly one of the prettiest. Make the vibrant Mooloolaba Esplanade your starting point, and for a fantastic photo opportunity (and one of the nicest ‘amenities blocks’ around) don’t miss the million-dollar Mooloolaba Beach ‘Loo with a View’. For shopaholics, a fix can be found at Maroochydore’s Sunshine Plaza and at Mooloolaba’s Underwater World you can get up close and personal with over 25,000 sea creatures and get a big fishy kiss from a seal at Seal Cove (www.underwaterworld.com.au).

COOLUM - approximately 120 km from Brisbane,15 minutes south of Noosa

If you’ve enjoyed the drive from Cairns to Port Douglas, the scenic coastal road from Coolum to Noosa (via David Low Way) should definitely be on your Sunshine Coast to-do list. Also keep the weekend free for Coolum’s annual Kite Festival (22 and 23 September). This light-hearted event features world-class ‘Big Kites’, entertainment, and fireworks. Play a scenic round of golf at the swish Hyatt Regency Coolum or hike the nearby Mount Coolum, finishing off with a splash in one of the area’s sheltered ocean bays.

NOOSA - approximately 160km from Brisbane

Noosa has long been recognised as the glamorous movie star of the Sunshine Coast set. But the up-market buzz of Hastings St shouldn’t overshadow the natural beauty of this area. After all, the national park and gorgeous beaches are what made Noosa such a drawcard decades ago – now luxury accommodation and world-class restaurants and shopping are just a bonus. Main Beach is certainly a must-see, but also check out the spectacular Tea Tree Bay. Surfers, head straight to Noosa’s First Point or Johnsons Beach to catch some of the best waves on the coast and for slightly more low-key thrills you can kayak on the nearby Noosa River. Dining is always a pleasure here, whether you’re enjoying a beachside breakfast at Season (winner of Best Breakfast venue on the Sunshine Coast in the 2006 Restaurant & Catering awards) or indulging in an elegant Michelin star-worthy feast at berado’s. Annual events such as the Celebration of Australian Food and Wine - Noosa Style (11 to 13 May, 2007) have also lifted Noosa’s profile, showcasing the succulent produce and wines of the area in a long weekend of good things. Check out the Tourism Noosa website for information on the extensive Noosa Food Trail, or simply follow the beachfront boardwalk to discover the natural charms of this area.

When you’re enroute to Noosa, be sure to include a stop at the muchloved Eumundi Markets. This bi-weekly event (Wednesdays and Sundays) attracts thousands of visitors and offers a broad range of Australian products and gifts under the proviso ”Bake It, Make It, Sew It or Grow It” (www.eumundimarkets.com.au).

COOLOOLAH

Beyond Noosa, a 4WD is usually the way to go to see the best of the rest of the Sunshine Coast. The Coololah (or Great Sandy) National Park is home to kilometres of unspoiled native flora and fauna and perfect for those who don’t mind pitching a tent. Just beyond is 40 Mile Beach, which is accessible as an 80 km/hour 4WD road. Continue your wilderness adventure right to the end of the Sunshine Coast at the coloured sands of the Red Canyon and Rainbow Beach. The cliffs here – some as high as 200 metres – date back to the Ice Age and display a magnificent array of over 70 different hues of red, orange, brown and yellow. The water in this area is usually very tranquil and there’s plenty of outdoorsy fun to be had, including swimming in freshwater lakes and sand tobogganing at the Carlo sand blow.

HINTERLAND - approximately a 30-minute drive inland from the coast

If the glint off your Chardonnay glass, the dazzle of pristine white sand and the heady wash of ocean waves become all too much, retreat to the sheltering embrace of the hinterland where a peaceful, green-themed serenity presides. Lush rainforest walks, scenic lookouts, and the lure of wine trails, gourmet produce, and art and craft boutiques offer more than enough incentive to explore prettily picturesque areas such as the Blackall Ranges, Noosa hinterland and Mary Valley. Make a start with the popular three ‘M’s’ of Maleny, Montville and Mapleton and extend your drive to Landsborough and Beerwah – site of Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo as well as beautiful national parks – in the south, to Yandina and Cooroy in the north. Rolling hills, historic towns, breathtaking scenery and old-fashioned hospitality are the order of
the day in this part of the world.

Despite all the interesting diversions and pit-stops on offer, you’ll also find yourself looking forward to curling up together beside an open fire in one of the
many gorgeous cottages, B&Bs and retreats on offer. Most are hidden amongst acres of rainforest, enjoying expansive views and a totally romantic sense of seclusion – and many offer in-room massages for travel-weary couples. In the hinterland there’s pampering options aplenty, but worth a special mention is the Balinese-style Ikatan Day Spa at Doonan (10 minutes from Noosa) where you can be relaxed, rejuvenated and refreshed to the point of blissful delirium.

GETTING THERE

From south to north, the Bruce Highway is your key to discovering the Sunshine Coast, then follow the signs to a variety of choose-your-own adventures. The Sunshine Coast Tourism website will help you plan where to go, where to stay and what to do (www.tourismsunshinecoast.com.au).