Sunshine Coast Travel Information

With accommodation ranging from budget to five-star luxury, there's a place to stay for holidaymakers of every taste and style. Don't waste another minute - see the Sunshine Coast for yourself!

Taste sensations

Research what's in season when; drive or take a tour along the Noosa Food Trail meeting the producers; taste award-winning ice-cream and cheese at Maleny; explore and buy just- picked tropical fruits from a farm; devour a kilo of prawns at Mooloolaba, or find an elegant restaurant overlooking the mountains, rivers or the sea.

You'll remember the local flavours long after your holiday ends: the tangy, locally produced wasabi cheddar washed down with a crisp glass of white; fresh basil so aromatic you can smell it as you wander the markets; plus mangoes, pineapples and Iychees, all ripe and flavoursome.

Shop 'til you drop

Retail therapy is as much a part of a Sunshine Coast holiday as a swim in the surf. Stroll along beachfront boulevards including Noosa's famous Hastings Street, potter around the specialty stores to find special mementos or simply hit the Sunshine Coast's shopping centres. Main-street shopping is also popular in many locations including Caloundra.

Head for the hills to discover the galleries and craft shops of the lovely hinterland towns such as Maleny, Montville and Mapleton. The famous Eumundi Market is an iconic reflection of the Sunshine Coast's special culture; a vibrant mix of market stalls, artists and musicians keep everybody entertained twice weekly. Meet the growers and producers at the Noosa Farmer's Market or experience authentic country-style markets, complete with organic fruit and vegetables, hand-dyed silks and beautiful handicrafts. Many local markets are located near main street shops, so you can have the complete shopping experience all in one session!

Rejuvenate at a first-class day spa, just a short stroll from your luxury beachfront resort, or visit a health retreat, idyllically located on a working organic farm near picturesque Maleny in the Hinterland. Try aqua therapy or a unique treatment such as the Cooloola sand and sea salt scrub.

Play a round or two

Hone your game under blue skies as you stroll through pockets of rainforest, fresh and saltwater lakes, and majestic stands of melaleucas. The Sunshine Coast is blessed with championship courses - Pelican Waters, Twin Waters, Hyatt Regency Coolum, Peregian Springs and Noosa Springs, and there are dozens of great public courses offering great value games.

Star attractions

Aquariums, zoos, theme parks and adventure are all part of the Sunshine Coast holiday experience.

Get a thrill diving with huge sharks and stingrays or swim with the playful seals at UnderWater World. Tuck into a scrumptious tropical fruit and ice-cream parfait at the Big Pineapple or watch the bee-keepers in action at The SuperBee. Finally, tickle your tastebuds at Yandina's Ginger Factory or gasp at the size of the crocodiles at Beerwah's infamous Australia Zoo.

Natural icons

Blessed with an abundance of beaches, strollers, sunbakers, family-fun seekers, paddlers, bodysurfers and latte-sipping onlookers will all find their perfect spot on the Sunshine Coast. Noosa’s main beach, Alexandra Headland and Caloundra’s Moffat Beach offer the most consistent point breaks for surfers; families will fall in love with Mooloolaba and Kings Beach in Caloundra; while those wanting some privacy or long windswept walks will find plenty of opportunity anywhere in between. Spectacular scenery is by no means restricted to the coast, however. A visit to the 90 metre Kondalilla Falls outside Montville is a must and Kenilworth Forest Reserve is a stunning rural escape but beachside conservation undoubtedly puts on its best display in the Great Sandy National Park, stretching from Noosa’s North Shore to Fraser Island off Hervey Bay.