Sunshine Coast Queensland

SUNSHINE COAST BREAKAWAY

The Sunshine Coast, north of Brisbane, has no shortage of activities and attractions, but provides a completely different pace to the Gold Coast.

Experience the quaint inland villages of Buderim and Montville, the sophisticated beach destinations of Noosa and Coolum, the towering Glasshouse Mountains and the natural splendour of Fraser Island. The Eumundi Markets near Noosa host more than 200 stalls on Wednesdays and Saturdays – offering everything from home-grown produce to fine handicrafts.

>> if you are seeking accommodation on the Sunshine Coast this website will provide you with many options of accommodation including hotels, guesthouses and self-contained apartments.

Everyone has their favourite beach on the Sunshine Coast – and everyone’s spoilt for choice! One of the common features of the coastline is that, with only a couple of exceptions, the region has avoided the high-rise development that characterises the Gold Coast. Noosa, for example, is one of Australia’s most in-demand coastal towns, yet only a few buildings are taller than the palms and towering eucalypts that still envelop the area.

The winter months are ideal for escaping the chills of New South Wales and Victoria and taking a bushwalk through the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The Blackall Range has outstanding scenic value, boasting waterfalls, lookouts, deep gorges, rock pools, creeks and cool rainforests. The Great Hinterland Walk traverses some of the spectacular natural areas of the range, including Kondalilla National Park, Maleny Forest Reserve, Mapleton Falls National Park, Delicia Road Conservation Park and Mapleton Forest Reserve. The walk comprises three main sections, which can be tackled over a few days.

Today’s demand for action rather than mere sightseeing is answered in many ways on the Sunshine Coast. Imagine jumping out of a plane four-and-a-half kilometres above the earth’s surface in a tandem skydive and falling earthwards at 200 kilometres per hour (61 metres per second). Experience the physical freedom and exhilaration of free fall, followed by the absolute peace of the parachute ride down to the beach. Sunshine Coast Skydivers operate from Caloundra – you’re guaranteed the most spectacular views of the Coast and Hinterland.

One stop that has something for everyone is The Aussie World family fun-park, located behind the iconic Ettamogah Pub on Palmview on the main highway north of Brisbane. The park has over 30 rides and games and is set in beautiful native Australian gardens.

Aussie World boasts a roller-coaster, dodgem cars, the second largest Ferris wheel in the Southern Hemisphere, self-drive jeeps, classic swinging ship and octopus rides, and is reminiscent of old Australian country fairgrounds. Steve “Crocodile Hunter” Irwin’s Australia Zoo is located at Beerwah near the Glasshouse Mountains and is open daily for crocodile shows and the chance to get up close and personal with many examples of the Australian native animal kingdom.

You can watch the playful tigers as they stalk the handlers and enjoy the free-flight bird show. Other daily shows include the cheeky Asian otters, koalas, snakes and the giant Galapagos tortoise called Harriet, reputed to be the world’s oldest living creature.

There’s a chance to have your photograph taken wrapped in a giant python or cuddling a koala, to walk with Tasmanian devils or to have a massive wedge-tailed eagle fly and land on your arm.

The restaurants on the Sunshine Coast and its Hinterland are many and varied, with the freshest local produce served in imaginative ways and influenced by cuisine from every point on the planet. One of the most celebrated restaurants is The Spirit House at Yandina, which enjoys a tranquil garden setting that’s fully illuminated at night. Spirit House chefs cook the most wonderful, sensitive and fragrant Thai-inspired food. Two of the chefs conduct five daily classes every week in the hands-on cooking school.

These classes “demystify” Asian ingredients and cooking methods, and are a great day out with a group of friends. Limited to 16 people per class, students cook four to six recipes each class, using freshly picked Asian ingredients from the kitchen gardens. Afterwards, you can wine and dine on your efforts over a leisurely lunch in a garden dining pavilion.