Why is the Sunshine Coast called the Sunshine Coast? Because the beautiful beaches dotting the coastline have a long history of tempting Queenslanders out to play in the sunshine.
A favourite holiday destination since the late 1800s, the Sunshine Coast received its well-known name in the 1950s and remains today one of the state’s premier vacation spots. Made up of a magnificent coastline stretching 100km from Bribie Island to Noosa and Tewantin, the Sunshine Coast is more laid back than its southern competition, the Gold Coast, but is equally as well endowed with beautiful beaches, spectacular mountain scenery, tourist attractions and facilities.
Caloundra
To the south, was known as (beautiful place) by the aborigines. Golden Beach is protected by Bribie Island, making for calm waters ideal for all sorts of water sports. Dicky Beach and Kings Beach are both patrolled surf beaches. The Queensland Air Museum is at Caloundra aerodrome, and a Aussie theme park, Aussie World, featuring the Ettamogah Pub, is at Palm View.
Currimundi Lake and the nearby environmental park attract families with young children.
Maroocyhdore -
The business centre of the Sunshine Coast, yet renowned for its surfing culture. From Maroochydore you can take a trip inland to the Ginger Factory at Yandina, the Fairytale Castle at Bli Bli, or a little farther afield to the Tanawha Valley and scenic drive.
Mooloolaba
Finish of the annual Brisbane to Mooloolaba yacht race, is home to Australia’s largest tropical oceanarium, Underwater World, which allows face to face encounters with creatures of the deeps through an 80m long viewing tunnel. There’s even a touch and feel lagoon for the curious. Nambour is 18km inland, a sugar town dating from the 1860s. Tropical fruits are grown throughout the district. Visit the Big Pineapple just south of Nambour to learn how, and the CSR Macadamia Nut Factory next door to check out Australia’s native nuts, famous around the world, being processed.
Noosa Heads -
A cosmopolitan gem surrounded by the natural beauty of Noosa National Park. Hatings Street is known for its boutiques, art galleries and restaurants. A short walk brings visitors to endless sweeping beaches.
The Beaches:
Noosa
Main Beach, Noosa, is only a few steps away from Hastings Street, one of the most famous Australian beach addresses.
After dining, take a leisurely stroll down to the water, or if friendly competition is your passion, plan your trip to enjoy any of Noosa’s regular triathlon and half-marathon events. The beach is popular with families, generally with safe and gentle surf for all ages and is patrolled on weekends and public holidays from September school holidays to Labour Day weekend in May.
The Noosa Heads SLSC can be found on Hastings Street, phone (07) 54745688 or goto www.nhslsc.com.au
Sunshine Beach
On the southern side of Noosa National Park and five minutes from Hastings Street, Sunshine Beach is the first of a strip of beaches stretching 15 km to Coolum. In general the beach receives strong ocean waves and experiences frequent rips. It is a patrolled beach from September to May. Stores are nearby.
For surfers, Sunshine Beach can produce bigger waves than anywhere else on the Sunshine Coast.
The Sunshine Beach Surf Club was voted best small club of 2004. To know more goto sunshinebeachslsc.com.au
Peregian Beach
Halfway from Sunshine to Coolum, guarded by sand dunes, the dedicated hunter of peace and quiet can find Peregian Beach. The beach joins Peregian Beach Environmental Park. Across David Low Way is The Peregian Beach caravan park.
Like all beaches facing the Pacific Ocean potential hazards exist for swimmers. Surfing is generally quieter than other Sunshine Coast beaches.
The beach is patrolled - www.peregian-surfclub.org from September to May.
each fishing is good, especially for whiting, dart and flathead.
Coolum Beach
Coolum Beach was established in 1919 as the beach to surf. Wind direction changes and variable swells with good breaks aplenty make it easy to see why. Coolum Surf Club overlooks the ocean and is just across the road from the shops - www.coolumsurfclub.com
The Beach is patrolled all year.
Fish for whiting and dart, bream and tailor in season, or try for jewfish off Point Arkwright.
Maroochydore -
Known for its family friendly atmosphere and heaps of holiday accommodation, Maroochydore is also ‘surf-central’ on the coast. Maroochydore is the oldest club, established 1916, and has an enviable surfing history
Visitors also enjoy walks to Alexander Headland and beyond, or north (for the energetic) to the river mouth.
Alexander Headland
The beach Heyden and Grant Kenny made famous is still a must for the dedicated surfer. Though short boards used to be the way, the malibu is well entrenched as the board of choice.
The surf club (www.surf-club.com) is close to accommodation, and the beach is patrolled by lifesavers from September to May.
Try fishing off the rocks at ‘Alex’ for bream and tailor, or spotted mackerel in the summer.
Caloundra
Rushed off your feet? Too much on your mind? Stressing out?
In Caloundra, the only thing you have to remember is to wear your sunglasses. Caloundra has been one of Queensland’s favourite holiday destinations for a very long time. The result is a holiday destination that has learnt to cater for everyone.
Is your idea of bliss a quiet walk along the beach? Try Golden Beach or Bulcock Beach.
Want to catch the ideal wave? Try Kings, Moffat, Dicky Beaches, or Currimundi or Wurtulla. The only difficulty is deciding where to wet your board first.
If exploring is your thing, check out the rock platforms at Shelly Beach and Caloundra Headland for rock pools enough to keep you interested all day.
And when you’re hungry, just look around. You’ll be sure to find one of the many free electric barbecues dotted along the beaches, most with nearby play areas.
At Caloundra you can even bring your dog. There are a number of signed beaches where dogs can run free at anytime.
Mooloolaba
Eat. Meet. Relax. Shop. Swim. All at Mooloolaba with a beach and a sea that generally is an ideal venue for family fun.
Three areas are patrolled all year www.thesurfclub.com.au Underwater World, the Wharf and a marina are nearby, as is accommodation from apartment style to caravan park.
The Hinterland:
When people think on the Sunshine Coast, they think of beaches, highrises and lifestyle. They seldom think about the Sunshine Coast hinterland, a green haven whihc has gone from being known the home of alternative lifestylers to the home of the weekend getaway.
Legions of bed and breakfasts offer what ever country experience you want, from genuine colonial homesteads to fully contained private cabins.
Hinterland towns are dotted with craft shops, galleries, restaurants, eateries and old style cafes, pubs and eclectic little shops selling anythi from homewares to saris, fudge to cuckoo clocks.
The wine industry is growing within the region, with several lables in the area operating from near Woodford, home to the annual Folk Festival each Christmas, north to traverston. Let the Sunshine Coast Wine Trail introduce you - www.maroochytourism.com/winemap.pdf
Buderim
Buderim, located on a mountain plateau that overlooks ocean and bushland, is known for it’s Queensland charm, beautiful gardens and tree lined streets. Floral and garden exhibitions are held each, but Buderim is also home to fine art and craft galleries, speciality shops and eateries.
Take a rainforest walk, passing by waterfalls, through bushland teeming with wildlife . Remember to enjoy the picnic areas (wheelchair access is available).
Eumundi
Every Wednesday and Saturday it’s market day at Eumundi. Thousands drop in to markets that display over 200 handicraft stalls.
Speciality hand made products include locally grown flowers, arts and crafts, fresh produce, home craft collectables, organic fruit and vegetables, home baked breads and preserves.
Eumundi is part of the Art and Craft gallery trail.
Forest Glen
Visit Forest Glenand take a drive through Tanawha Tourist Drive where you will find the Forest Glen Deer Sanctuary and Super Bee Honey Factory.
Glasshouse Mountains
Glasshouse is located in the shadow of the Glasshouse Mountains with access via the Bruce Highway. The Glasshouse Mountains are a series of steep-sided lava plugs. According to the Aboriginal legend, Tibrogargan is the the father at 364 metres and Beerwah the mother at 555 metres.
Visitin May or September to enjoy the Glasshouse Mountain Trail Runs, or at any time of the year bushwalk and picnic.
Mapleton
Mapleton, on the northern Blackall Range, overlooks the Sunshine Coast. It is an arts and crafts centre with rich natural attractions.
A short drive brings you to Mapleton Falls National Park. You’ll see Bunya Pines there. Their pine cones weigh as much as ten kilograms and contain large edible nuts.
Walk through eucalypt forest and rainforest at Mapleton Falls or visit the beautiful Liliponds Park.
Nambour
Nambour, at the foothills of the Blackall Range, is Maroochy Shire's administrative centre and principal hinterland town of the Sunshine Coast. The old sugar mill was based in the middle of Nambour and the sugar cane train lines to the mill can still be seen across the main street, creating images of a bygone age.
Pomona
Pomona nestles in a beautiful valley at one of the Coast’s small mountains, Mt Cooroora. Once a timber and dairy town, Pomona is now a popular area for enjoying a taste of serene, rural lifestyle. Pomona's Majestic Theatre is more than 80 years old - the oldest continually running cinema in Australia.
The annual King of the Mountain footrace up Mt Cooroora and back is staged at Pomona each July.
Yandina
Yandina was the first commercial centre on the Sunshine Coast Region and is now home to Buderim Ginger - The Ginger Factory (www.buderimginger.com), and Nutworks (www.nutworks.com.au), a macadamia processing complex. Both are open to visitors.
Maleny
Maleny is a very pretty township set on the edge of the Blackall Range with views over the coast and Glass House Mountains to Brisbane. The town has retained its colonial atmosphere with a community of over 3,000 people. 'Locals say the rolling green hills, deep pockets of rain forest and spectacular views in all directions cast a spell over Maleny'. Maleny provides a creative atmosphere for many painters, sculptors, musicians and writers. Make sure to take home some of their unique creations to enjoy everyday. Check with the locals to see if you can experience one of the many annual events such as the Festival of Colour and Chainsaw to Fine Furniture Expo.
Montville
Montville is a noted hinterland arts and crafts centre. It is sometimes referred to as the 'Creative Heart of the Sunshine Coast'. There are many gift shops, galleries, potteries and eateries from traditional bush tucker to continental delicacies. The many art galleries both exhibit and produce works of great interest to all art lovers. Many artists reside in the area and show their work locally.
Nearby is Baroon Pocket Dam and rainforest where you can walk the boardwalk and enjoy the peace and tranquillity of nature. It is also close to Kondalilla (Aboriginal for 'rushing waters') National Park, which is home to many scenic walks and waterfalls.
Montville is home to a growing number of wineries. Enjoy various scenic tours to established wineries, many featuring working vineyards, and learn about the patience and process, such as blending, needed to create the perfect bottle. Many wineries offer tastings and the opportunity to purchase quality wines at cellar door prices.