Sunshine Coast

On the Sunshine Coast, the only thing more refreshing than the water is the lifestyle. With its endless beaches, lush rainforests and easy smiles, it’s a place where you will feel like a local from the moment you arrive.

By the beach

Choose your patch of sand from over 100 kilometres of pristine coastline – stretching from Caloundra in the south to Noosa and the rainbow sands of the Cooloola coast in the north – and soak up the warm sunshine and laid-back atmosphere.

Paddle into the home of longboarding with a surf lesson at Noosa’s Main Beach.
Hire a boat, kayak or stand-up paddle board and cruise the calm waters of Pumicestone Passage or one of the many lakes and inlets.
Build sandcastles, eat fish and chips, or just lay back with a book on Mooloolaba Beach.
Swim, ride and run your way through a triathlon, marathon or fun run with the best views on the coast.

Hinterland charm

From rolling surf to rolling hills, the Sunshine Coast Hinterland is full of natural beauty, cosy cafes and boutiques waiting to be discovered.

Be entertained by local artists and stock up on arts and crafts at Eumundi Markets.
Take in the view from the Glass House Mountains or wander through national parks and trails.
Pair local cheese and wine in Maleny or treat yourself to high tea and antique shopping in Montville.

Sample the ‘Sunny Coast’
With award-winning restaurants, food trails, vibrant food festivals and bustling farmers markets, the Sunshine Coast is one giant celebration of food and wine.

Tick off your foodie bucket list with beachfront and rainforest restaurants worth travelling for.
Sample just-picked strawberries and fresh-caught seafood at an outdoor farmer’s market.
Create your own cuisine at one of the many cooking schools.

Travel information

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Places to visit

Towns and villages are spread all along the Sunshine Coast, each with their own particular brand of charm.

Noosa

The most sophisticated village on the coast is filled with luxury hotels, stylish fashion boutiques, glamorous cocktail bars and great restaurants. While Noosa is famed for its surf beaches, there’s also beautiful, calm swimming spots ideal for families.

Mooloolaba

The Sunshine Coast’s urban centre, Mooloolaba has a pretty waterfront esplanade, a great beach and a protected canal system perfect for water sports.

Caloundra

At the southernmost border of the Sunshine Coast, Caloundra combines a laid-back attitude and an emerging culture of cool with slick galleries, impressive street art and a trendy microbrewery in nearby Moffat Beach.

Rainbow Beach

Famous for its dramatic dunes and swirling coloured sands, the coastal town of Rainbow Beach is a major entry point to the Cooloola National Park and the southern gateway to World Heritage-listed Fraser Island.

What’s on in the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast loves to celebrate and you can find food and wine festivals, endurance events, concerts and markets held throughout the region. Noosa in particular has a packed events calendar, so you can schedule your visit to catch something special.

Where to stay on the Sunshine Coast

There are great hotels and resorts across the Sunshine Coast from good-value holiday parks right on the beach to quirky treehouses in the Hinterland.

Noosa

If you’re looking for luxury accommodation on the Sunshine Coast, then Noosa is the place to be. Five-star resorts and stylish self-contained apartments are spread along the beach and around the river. You can also find holiday parks and family-friendly properties.

Mooloolaba and Caloundra

The best place to stay in Mooloolaba is right by the beach and the esplanade is lined with high-rise resorts and apartment complexes, holiday parks and homes to rent. Similarly, there are several accommodation options spread along Caloundra’s beach and esplanade, ranging from budget motels to contemporary high-rise resorts.

The hinterland

From luxury treehouse cabins in Montville to an Asian-inspired retreat in Maleny, the Hinterland’s varied accommodation options have one thing in common – blissful seclusion.

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Local Tip

The Sunshine Beach to Noosa track through Noosa National Park is one of my favourites. It’s best to start early, wear your togs and pack a picnic. Then finish back in Sunshine Beach with a signature iced chocolate at restaurant Fratellini. Alana Ingold
Sunshine Beach

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Getting there

The Sunshine Coast is about 100km north of Brisbane and there are a number of transport options to get there.

Take the train

Trains run every day from Brisbane direct to the Sunshine Coast town of Nambour and the journey takes about two hours.

Drive

If you’d prefer to drive yourself, you can hire a car at Brisbane Airport or in the city itself and hit the highway. The drive takes about 90 minutes.

Take a bus

Greyhound bus services travel from Brisbane through the Sunshine Coast to Noosa and on to Rainbow Beach, with stops including Mooloolaba, Maroochydore and Coolum Beach.

Fly to the Sunshine Coast

You can fly into the heart of the region at the Sunshine Coast Airport, half an hour south of Noosa. Direct flights operate to/from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Auckland.

Getting around

You’ll find taxis and ride-share services (like Uber) available in all the region’s major centres, including Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Noosa and Caloundra. If you want to discover everything the Sunshine Coast has to offer, then a hire car is the best option.

Local buses run along the length of the Sunshine Coast as far as Noosa. The journey from end to end takes about two hours, but you will definitely want to hop off along the way.

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