The Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast starts around Caloundra and extends to Noosa in the north, the gateway to Fraser Island. It also extends inland to the beautiful and peaceful hinterland which includes the Blackall Range, Noosa Hinterland and the Glass House Mountains.
With a population 312,908 with up to an additional 50,000 in visitors and seasonal workers) is a coastal region located in South East Queensland, north of the Queensland capital of Brisbane. The Sunshine Coast has recently been united into a single Local Government Area, the Sunshine Coast Regional Council.
Beaches
The region is characterized by beautiful beaches, expansive coastal views and rich fertile soils in the hinterland. Many World and Australian-renowned beaches are located at Noosa Heads, Alexandra Headland, Mooloolaba, Coolum and Kings Beach in Caloundra. There are popular surfing areas along the beaches and headlands.
Tourism Attractions
The Sunshine Coast is a centre for tourism, containing attractions such as Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo, UnderWater World marine park, Aussie World with the Ettamogah Pub, The Buderim Ginger Factory, Big Pineapple and the Majestic Theatre to name a few.
National Parks
The Sunshine Coast region is home to more individual national parks than any other region in Queensland. The natural biodiversity of the area has been protected by five separate parks in both coastal and inland regions, including Mapleton Falls National Park, Kondalilla National Park, The Glasshouse Mountains National Park, Noosa National Park, and the Great Sandy National Park, which includes sections on Fraser Island and in Cooloola near Rainbow Beach.
Golf Courses
The Sunshine Coast boasts numerous golf links, including Coolum, Caloundra, Noosa Tewantin, Pacific Harbour, Noosa Springs, Peregian Springs, Twin Waters, Hyatt Regency Coolum and Pelican Waters.
Education
The Sunshine Coast's infrastructure includes, but is not limited to:
- Universities - The major university campus being the University of the Sunshine Coast, with Central Queensland University having a small campus based in Noosa.
- TAFE - five campuses at Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Nambour & Noosa.
- Schools - Many varied denomination, private and public primary and secondary schools.
Airport
Flights from the Sunshine Coast depart from Sunshine Coast Airport 10 km north of Maroochydore and fly direct to Sydney, Melbourne with Jetstar, Virgin Blue and Tiger Airways.
Regions
Caloundra - Kawana
Caloundra to Kawana takes in numerous beaches each with their own personality and loyal devotees. There's Golden Beach, Bulcock Beach, Kings Beach, Shelly Beach, Moffat Beach, Dicky Beach, Currimundi Buddina and Kawana.
The Caloundra Coastal Path stretches along some of the most scenic shorelines you could ever wish to see. The path is a continuous coastal link from Golden Beach in the south, around Caloundra Headland then Moffat Headland, before heading north following the long, sandy beaches of Kawana to Point Cartwright including the heritage listed Kings Beach Bathing Pavilion constructed in 1937. There are also magnificent views to enjoy at Moffat Beach, Kings Beach, Happy Valley and Bulcock Beach. A beach walk traverses remnant coastal vegetation between Currimundi and Dicky Beach.
If Golf is your game, then the challenging Greg Norman-designed Club Pelican is close buy or for a day at the races, Corbould Park Course is one of the finest regional thoroughbred racing facilities in the country.
Major attractions include Australia Zoo, Aussie World and the Ettamogah Pub, Big Kart Track and the Queensland Air Museum.
It only takes one look and you're hooked on Caloundra as the place to refresh and rejuvenate.
Mooloolaba – Alexandra Headland
Blessed with a heady mix of ocean beaches, riverfront, variety of restaurants and great nightlife, Mooloolaba through to Alexandra Headland is a popular, central Sunshine Coast resort strip It also has an all-weather port which is not only home to a large trawling fleet, but the finishing point for blue-water sailing races from both Sydney and Auckland.
With its international standard marinas and quality restaurants, Mooloolaba is a favourite anchorage for ocean cruisers and game fisherfolk. Surfers can also have their moments on the Mooloolaba waves or at nearby beaches such as Alexandra Headland, Coolum and Maroochydore. Enjoy fish and chips on the beach, knowing it is fresh off the trawlers. The scenic gems of the Sunshine Coast hinterland are just a short drive inland.
Maroochydore – Cotton Tree
Maroochydore is mid way through the Sunshine Coast, with Caloundra to the south and Noosa to the north. Cotton Tree, an oceanfront area also fronting the Maroochy River, is a hugely popular holiday spot, well-serviced by apartment resorts and a caravan park.
The Maroochy area has over 25 kilometres of golden beaches embracings such famous surf beaches as Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland, Coolum and Maroochydore. To balance the call of the sea, Home to the Business and shopping hub of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore has one of the counties largest shopping malls know as Sunshine Plaza along with numerous other retail centres
Noosa Heads – Noosaville
Located at the northern end of Queensland's Sunshine Coast, Noosa is renowned for its world class beaches, recently voted by Trip Advisor as one of the “world top ten beaches and a water temperature that invites year round swimming. And when combined with stylish, low-level architecture nestled against a lush, green hinterland, Noosa is the perfect setting for an unforgettable holiday experience.
The rare natural beauty of Noosa and its surrounds has been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as an official Biosphere Reserve. The listing confirms Noosa's commitment to protecting and treasuring the area's outstanding environmental values.
Located on the protected shores of Laguna Bay, Hastings Street is a relaxed, pedestrian-friendly thoroughfare, recently having undergone a $10million facelift is low-rise and leafy, it is a popular place with a range of accommodation from up market to budget and between, cosmopolitan cafes, designer shops and alfresco dining along the length of this wide, paved street.
Visit Noosa National Park where you are almost guaranteed to spot a koala relaxing in a gum tree or locate a vantage point where you may very well spot whales between July and November.
Noosa's Main Beach is one of the only north facing beaches on the east coast of Australia which makes it a great spot for families and those learning to surf, as the conditions are generally calm and inviting. The pristine Noosa River extends through a series of lakes up to the Noosa Everglades and is best experienced by canoe, kayak or river cruise.
Take in the stunning views from one of Noosa's many mountain-top lookouts or discover native fish, vegetation and bird populations on the calm waters of Noosa's lakes, parks and gardens.
Coolum
The home of three world class golf courses and the Hyatt Regency Coolum, Coolum Beach in undergoing a major transition from sleepy coast village to a cosmopolitan beach side town with a soon to be opened transformation of the main street retail centre.
With new up market holiday apartment development and resort accommodation has broadened its appeal both as a desirable place to live as well as a favored holiday destination.
Coolum boast a greats a fine surf beach and surrounding headlands and bays and rocky outcrops are favorite fishing haunts and surf breaks
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