The Sunshine Coast is certainly one of Australia’s most stunning locations. Located in Queensland, this space boasts of 300 days of tropical sunshine per yr, offering guests with the right local weather to get pleasure from its many pure points of interest. From lengthy sandy seashores to lush inexperienced rainforests, from marveling at native wildlife to indulging in native produce, climbing mountains to browsing crystal clear waves, this distinctive and laid-back vacation spot presents one thing for everybody. Here’s an area’s perspective on eight locations you merely can’t miss while you go to the Sunshine Coast.
Noosa National Park Walk
Noosa is also known as the jewel within the crown of the Sunshine Coast. One of the northernmost townships of the Sunshine Coast area, Noosa is a mecca for saltwater pursuits being surrounded by estuaries, rivers, seashores, and headlands. Whether it’s swimming, browsing, paddleboarding or fishing, you might be positive to seek out loads of spots round Noosa to maintain you entertained in your vacation.
If you don’t really feel like getting moist whereas admiring the blue hues of the Pacific Ocean surrounding Noosa’s bays and factors, the National Park Walk is a feast for the senses. Starting on the south finish of the favored primary strip, Hastings Street, the doorway of the coastal stroll takes you straight onto the boardwalk lined with Eucalypts and coastal foliage. If you’re in luck, you’ll even spot a koala or two dozing within the tall bushes above. Continuing the stroll will take you to numerous lookouts, the place you possibly can admire picturesque pure landmarks together with Boiling Pot, Tea Tree Bay, and Granite Bay. If the waves are pumping you’ll even be handled to a different present, with surfers flocking to the area from far and extensive to attain their very personal slice of the motion at these world-famous surf breaks.
Learn To Surf
As the saying goes, ‘when in Rome, do as the Romans do’.…and on the Sunshine Coast the locals go online! Why not do that common past-time for your self, with the Sunshine Coast providing among the most superb circumstances for these new to the game. Some of one of the best spots for learners on the Coast embody Noosa’s Main Beach with long-withstanding surf faculty ‘Go Ride A Wave’, or King’s Beach, Caloundra with the crew at Caloundra Surf School. In truth, wherever you might be on the Sunshine Coast you’ll discover a native surf faculty who’ll be stoked that will help you stand up and shredding!
Craft Beer Tour
The craft beer scene has exploded globally, however while you’re on overseas turf it may be troublesome to find one of the best native brewers. Thankfully the crew at Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Tours are nicely linked with the native beer producers and have, pardon the pun, crafted their very personal Sunshine Coast brewery tour.
Jump on the mini-bus and seize your self a beer or two at among the most extremely regarded breweries on the coast together with Your Mates Brewhouse and Moffat Beach Brewing Co. Not solely do you get the possibility to pattern a few of Australia’s finest brews, however as an added bonus you’ll journey by means of among the coast’s hottest spots together with Caloundra, Mooloolaba, and Maroochydore. Think of it as beer tasting with a aspect of sightseeing!
Maleny Hinterland Village
For a change of tempo from salty hair and sandy toes, make a journey inland and head to Maleny. This pleasant Sunshine Coast city within the hinterland presents a picturesque mixture of rainforests, interspersed with dairy farms and quaint little galleries and cafes. For the extra adventurous, take a mountaineering path to Gardners Falls and bathe within the freshwater swimming gap beneath the waterfall. Or for one thing a bit extra subdued, try Botanic Gardens for a stroll and a picnic, and the adjoining Bird World the place you possibly can stroll by means of their aviary of unique birds – the place one could even land in your shoulder!
Climb Mount Coolum
When considering of mountaineering, it may well conjure up photos of sheer cliff faces and treacherous heights. Thankfully the well-trodden path up Mount Coolum, 20 minutes south of Noosa, has none of that. This stroll is appropriate for just about all ages and health ranges, with a return journey taking 1 to 2 hours, relying on how lengthy you cease on the prime to admire the Instagram-worthy views.
What makes the summit particular, is with the ability to take within the entirety of the magnificent Sunshine Coast, from Noosa within the North all the best way all the way down to Caloundra within the South. The summit is simply over 200m above sea stage, providing a 360-degree view from the coast to the cane fields and past. When you attain the underside, head straight to Coolum Beach simply 3.5 kms away for a dip to chill off. Tip: If early mornings are your cup of tea, take to the monitor early and catch the solar rising over the ocean for a really memorable expertise.
Sea Life Aquarium Mooloolaba
Formerly referred to as Underwater World, this all-ages attraction positioned on the Wharf at Mooloolaba is a Sunshine Coast icon. Home to 1000’s of marine animals together with sharks, rays, tropical fish, jellyfish, seals, and penguins, you’ll be mesmerized as you make your means by means of the Ocean Tunnel spanning virtually 100m in size, while the ocean life frolics round you.
There’s additionally an interactive contact pool which incorporates quite a lot of starfish, a variety of day by day talks, and extra experiences to think about together with the seal swim and the nerve-wracking shark dive. And after your Sea Life session, what higher option to refuel than a contemporary seafood feast! Head up Wharf Road and take your decide from among the finest ‘fish & chipperies’ on the Coast, providing produce straight hauled from the Mooloolaba fishing trawlers together with calamari, barramundi, contemporary oysters, whiting, sizzling chips, and salads.
Australia Zoo
If an Aussie wildlife expertise is excessive in your precedence listing, you possibly can’t go previous the Australia Zoo. Founded by the late Steve Irwin, nicely referred to as The Crocodile Hunter, this attraction attracts each native and worldwide crowds in droves for its fabulous day by day exhibits and displays. Not to be missed is the crocodile present, the place among the park’s greatest crocs are precariously hand-fed by the zookeepers and the hilarious chook present through which uncommon and native birds showcase their distinctive traits, at occasions zooming above the viewers inside inches of their heads! Other uncommon animals to take a look at embody kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, koalas, tigers, meerkats, and a whole bunch of different fascinating creatures.
Visit the Glasshouse Mountains
The Glasshouse Mountains is a National Park within the Sunshine Coast hinterland scattered with 11 dramatic peaks and spanning throughout 1000’s of hectares. This space is definitely listed on the Heritage Register as a panorama of nationwide significance and presents numerous mountaineering trails for an journey within the wilderness. Many of those strolling tracks begin by meandering by means of open forests which steadily lead in direction of the varied mountain peaks, similar to Mount Tibrogargan, providing spectacular views of the encircling mountains at their summits. Rock scrambling, mountaineering, and abseiling are all doable right here for these with the proper gear and skillset. Check out the guides on the Queensland National Parks web site for detailed data on the paths, together with their gradings and gear necessities.
Kings Beach Caloundra
Your go to to the Sunshine Coast wouldn’t be full and not using a correct time out on the seaside, and what higher place to do it than Kings. This is a seaside suited to all walks of life, with gently rolling waves for surfers and swimmers, and a rocky headland that’s good for snorkeling round on calmer days the place it’s possible you’ll even spot a sea turtle or wobbegong.
On the Kings Beach foreshore, you’ll discover a child’s playground which incorporates interactive water options that may hold the kids amused for hours. There are extra cafes and eating places inside strolling distance from the seaside than you possibly can rely on two arms. With every part you possibly can ever need at your fingertips, it’s possible you’ll by no means wish to depart this idyllic seaside location!
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