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Sunshine Coast travel guide

The Sunshine Coast is a beautiful coastal area about one hour's drive north of Brisbane. Beaches, hinterland, rivers, bush, forest and villages merge to form an area of scenic beauty that makes the Sunshine Coast a very popular holiday destination.

The Sunshine Coast stretches from Caloundra in the south to Rainbow Beach in the North. Noosa marks the top end of the developed area and beyond is the North Shore providing access to Fraser Island.

The Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia, was given its name for a very good reason. With its glorious climate and beautiful beaches, you are pretty much guaranteed the ideal beach holiday if you choose this area for your annual break.

The Sunshine Coast was a favourite hideout for escaped convicts but it was the exploitation of its natural resources that began to put the area on the map. The network of rivers provided a route for timber to make its way to the coast but the coastal areas themselves failed to thrive.

That is until tourism started to have an impact and visitors discovered the vast swathes of undisturbed beaches.

The Sunshine Coast is where that old Queensland catch phrase “beautiful one day, perfect the next” really rings true. There are three things that Sunshine Coast holidays do dazzlingly well: beaches, nature and seafood.

There are many Sunshine Coast attractions and one that is very popular is Australia Zoo. As well as seeing the animals there are regular events that run throughout the year. For sports fans, there's diving, golf and go-karting and at the end of a hard day's activities, there are hundreds of Sunshine coast restaurants to dine in.

Sunshine Coast car rental is easy using the search below. Just find the best deal, book and all done! Pay once you take the car and of course choose which location is best for you start. If you are flying into Brisbane airport renting a car at the airport and driving up is a cost effective option. Sunshine Coast airport is convenient for many of the resorts along the coast.

It has daily flights to Melbourne and Sydney and from there you can get connect with domestic and international flights. A shuttle bus runs regular services from Brisbane Airport along the coast and there are various other shuttle, bus and coach services that operate between the major towns and resorts.

Obviously no visit to the Sunshine Coast would be complete without a few days spent on the beach.

However, travel a little inland and a whole other world awaits an deasy to do with one of the many Sunshine Coast tours. If you can't tear yourself away from the sand then Noosa National Park is the perfect compromise. It is actually a coastal park and you can explore some of the trails and walks without losing sight of the sea.

Sunshine Coast things to do

Showcasing the talents of the local artisans and crafts folk, Eumundi markets are a great place to visit over the weekend. The whole town comes alive when the markets are on, so expect anything from Spanish paella to camel rides, homemade soaps to hand painted portraits – you name it and its probably here. Come hungry as there is plenty of good local food on offer! Where better to learn to surf than on the beautiful beaches of the Sunshine Coast? Surfing is a way of life up here, so you know that your teachers are passionate about the sport and are keen to pass the excitement on to you! Choose from complete beginner to clinics to improve your skills, but come prepared to get wet and have a lot of fun!

The Sunshine Coast is renowned for its reliable whale watching spots, with Southern Humpbacks the most commonly seen as they migrate from July to November each year. Enjoy lunch and drinks on board the whale watching vessel as you cruise the coastline, while learning about the whales’ natural environment and habits. Be amazed at the sheer size of these mighty creatures, how gentle they seem as glide past your boat, and how they seem to defy gravity as they launch themselves into the air!

Say G’Day to Australia Zoo – the largest zoo in Australia, and legacy of Australian icon Steve Irwin. Expect your day to be action-packed, with daring crocodile shows, cuddly koalas, feeding the elephants – you even get the chance to walk a Sumatran Tiger! There’s so much to do, plan on spending the whole day here – you might even spot Terri, Bindi or Bob amongst the sightseers!

If you’re going to jump, you might as well do it in a beautiful location! The Sunshine Coast offers tandem jumps with qualified and experienced divers who will do their best to make your experience as fun as it will be unforgettable. Jump, freefall then glide to a soft landing on the area’s golden beaches. If you are brave enough to open your eyes on the way down, be stunned by the spectacular views from your one-of-a-kind vantage point!

On your way up the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane (or on your way back) stop in at the Ettamogah Pub for a look around and a bite to eat. You won’t miss the eccentrically shaped pub from the highway – the owners claim it’s the most photographed pub in the world! If you have some time, check out the theme park next door. Aussie World has over 30 rides and attractions including a ferris wheel, side show alley, roller coaster and mini golf!

Sunshine Coast accommodation is excellent and our team at Sunshine Coast eguide have selected the best Sunshine Coast accommodation that is easily booked on line at the lowest rates. There are plenty of options when it comes to finding Sunshine Coast Hotels. The area is popular with families and, as such, there are plenty of quality family-friendly resorts with fantastic facilities. There are also smaller establishments and self-catering houses and apartments that are available for short or long stays.

For complete Sunshine Coast Information please use the navigation on the left of this page, the site map or the search facility on the top right of the page.