Population 120,000
The Sunshine Coast stretches from Caloundra, 90km (56 miles) north of Brisbane,
to Double Island Point in the north. It boasts 55km (34 miles) of white
sandy beaches and rocky headlands.
Climate
Average Temperatures: January max 29C (84F) - min 20C (66F); July max 21C
(70F) - min 7C (45F). Average annual rainfall -1776mm (70 ins). Driest
months June-September. A lot of the summer rain falls in evening storms
after hot sunny days.
Characteristics
The Sunshine Coast is rather like the Gold Coast was in the 1960s, but
it has a friendlier, laid-back air with less razzamatazz. The beaches
and surf compare favourably with the Gold Coast, and there are fewer
high rise buildings that cast shadows on the beaches in the afternoons.
The high rocky headlands and areas of natural bushland divide the resorts,
and afford the holiday maker the opportunity to walk along shady paths
in the heat of the afternoon, or drop a fishing line into the shallow
waters of the rivers and savour the peace and quiet.
There are still secluded beaches which can only be reached by narrow sandy
paths meandering through sand dunes, and the mouths of the rivers are ideal
places to fish, canoe, row or sail. The Noosa River, which is navigable
to near its headwaters at Tin Can Bay, is home to thousands of birds. The
river flows through several lakes on its way to the sea, and many houseboats
are to be found along its reaches. The pace is more relaxed than on the
Gold Coast. There is plenty to entertain, and the area boasts of excellent
restaurants.
How to Get There By Air
The major airport for the region is the Sunshine Coast Airport, centrally
located at Mudjimba, and equipped for jet aircraft.
Qantas, 13 1313 flies directly from Sydney and Melbourne, with connections
from other capital cities.
By Bus
Suncoast Pacific, 5443 1011, and McCafferty's, 13 1499, operate routes
that service the Sunshine Coast frequently.
By Rail
Queensland Rail, 13 2232, electric trains service the area from Brisbane
to the main Sunshine Coast station at Nambour.
By Road
From Brisbane, via the Bruce Highway. The four lane section puts Caloundra
within an hour's drive of Brisbane, and Noosa is only another 61km (38
miles), or 45 minutes, further on.
Visitor Information
Tourism Sunshine Coast Ltd, The Wharf, Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba, (07)
5477 7311. The web site is: www.sunzine.net/suncoast/tsc/index.html and
the email address is tourism@sunzine.net
Maroochy Tourism and Travel, Sixth Avenue, Maroochydore, (07) 5479 1566,
have an email facility at admin@maroochytourism .com and a web page at www.
maroochytourism.com
Caloundra City Information Centre, 7 Caloundra Road, Caloundra, (07) 5491
0202. Their web address is www.caloundra.qld.gov
.au and the email address is c.stewart@caloundra.qld.gov.au
Tourism Noosa Information Centre, Hastings Street Roundabout, Noosa Heads,
(07) 5447 4988. The web site is www.tourism
noosa.com.au and you can email them here at info@tourismnoosa .com.au
There is another outlet in the area: Noosa Junction Tourist Information
Centre, Shop 5 The Oasis Centre, 20 Sunshine Beach Road, Noosa Heads, (07)
5447 3755.
Accommodation
A good variety of accommodation, ranging from caravan parks, motels, hotels,
guest houses, self-contained units and five-star resorts are available
throughout the coast from Noosa to Caloundra. For a copy of the Sunshine
Coast Accommodation Guide, (07) 5477 7311. Here is a selection, with
prices for a double room per night, which should be used as a guide only.
The telephone area code is 07.
Caloundra
Anchorage Motor Inn and Resort, 18 Bowman Road, 5491 1499. 22 units, 4
suites, licensed restaurant, swimming pool, barbecue, tennis - $75-125.
Altons Palm Breeze, 105 Bulcock Street, 5491 5566. 19 units, 1 suite, swimming
pool, barbecue - $55-75.
Caloundra Suncourt, 135 Bulcock Street, 5491 1011. 8 units, swimming pool,
barbecue - $65-120.
City Centre Motel, cnr Orsova Terrace & Minchinton Street, 5491 3301.
8 units, undercover parking, barbecue - $65-80.
Caloundra Motel, 30 Bowman Road, 5491 1411. 14 units, swimming pool, barbecue,
undercover parking - $55-65.
Caravan Parks
Hibiscus & Tripcony Caravan Park, Bowman Road, 5491 1564. (No pets
allowed) - powered sites $20-26 for two, on-site vans $35-60, cabins $40-60
for two.
Danmira Tourist Park, 1 Onslow Street, Golden Beach, 5492 1731. 70 sites,
barbecue, pool - powered sites $20-25 for two, units $55-95 for two, cabins
$40-85 for two.
Dicky Beach Family Holiday Park, Beerburrum Street, Dicky Beach, 5491 3342.
124 sites, tennis, swimming pool - powered sites $18-30 for two, cabins
$45-65 for two.
Maroochydore
Coachmans Courte Motor Inn, 94 Sixth Avenue, 5443 4099. 14 units, swimming
pool, spa, undercover parking - $90-95.
Heritage Motor Inn, 69 Sixth Avenue, 5443 7355. 18 units, swimming pool,
spa - $85-110.
Beach Motor Inn, cnr Sixth Avenue & Kingsford Smith Parade, 5443 7044.
18 units, swimming pool, barbecue - $90-135.
Blue Waters, 64 Sixth Avenue, 5443 6700. 20 units, swimming pool, undercover
parking - $60-105.
Avenue Motor Inn, 106 Sixth Avenue, 5443 3600. 16 units, swimming pool,
barbecue - $85-115.
Maroochy River, 361 Bradman Avenue, 5443 3142. 8 units, swimming pool -
$55-95.
Caravan Parks
Alexandra Gardens Top Tourist Park, Okinja Road, 5443 2356. (No pets allowed)
- powered sites $19-24 for two, villas $50-100 for two, cabins $40-65 for
two.
Maroochy Palms Holiday Village, 319 Bradman Avenue, 5443 8611. (No pets
allowed) - powered sites $26 for two, cabins $50-95, villas $65-125 for
two.
Maroochy River Cabin Village & Caravan Park, Diura Street, 5443 3033.
(Pets on application) - powered sites $19-21 for two, on-site vans $40-55
for two, cabins $65-80 for two.
The Maroochydore Youth Hostel is in 24 Schirrmann Drive, 5443 3151. They
have 9 rooms at $19 per person twin share.
Noosa Heads
Netanya Noosa Motel, 75 Hastings Street, Laguna Bay, 5447 4722. 48 units,
swimming pool, spa, sauna, gym, barbecue - $200-600.
Noosa International, Edgar Bennett Avenue, 5447 4822. 65 suites, licensed
restaurant, heated swimming pool, spas, saunas - $165-210.
At the Sound, 119 Noosa Parade, Noosa Sound, 5449 9211. 22 units, undercover
parking, swimming pool, barbecue - $450-550.
Hotel Laguna, 6 Hastings Street, 5447 3077. 48 units, licensed restaurant,
swimming pool, tennis, barbecue - $110-330.
Noosa Parade Holiday Inn, cnr Noosa Parade & Key Court, 5447 4177.
11 units, heated swimming pool, spa, barbecue -$100-140.
Chez Noosa Resort, 263 David Low Way, 5447 2027. 28 units, heated swimming
pool, barbecue, undercover parking - $70-120.
The Noosa Heads Youth Hostel is in 2 Halse Lane, 5447 3377. They have 26
rooms at $22 per person twin share.
Eating Out
The Sunshine Coast is a gourmet's delight. Dozens of restaurants feature
fresh local seafood complemented by delicious sun-ripened tropical fruit
such as avocados, pineapples and pawpaws. Beach and river fronts are
dotted with picnic tables where visitors can enjoy takeaway or picnic
food. Here is an idea of what is available in each district.
Caloundra
Island Restaurant, at the Anchorage Moror Inn & Resort, 18 Bowman Road,
5491 1499. Licensed premises, steak and seafood are specialties, a-la-carte
selection, cocktail bar. Opens at 6pm every night except on Public Holidays.
Trivolis of Pia Place, 118 Bulcock Street, 5491 1768. Licensed and BYO,
seafood, a-la-carte dining. Open 10.30am-3pm and 6pm-midnight Mon-Sat,
closed Sunday.
Chinese Holiday Restaurant, 106 Bulcock Street, 5491 6066.
Blue Orchid Thai Restaurant, 22 Bulcock Street, 5491 9433.
Brunos Taverna Italian Ristorante, 725 Nicklin Way, 5493 1806.
Bamboo Garden, 95 Bulcock Street, 5491 2768.
Flower Lounge Indian Restaurant, Shop 4 The Strand, Bulcock Street, 5499
7677.
You will find McDonalds on the corner of Erang Street & Nicklan Way
and on the corner of Fourth Avenue & Bowman Road. KFC is at 73b Bowman
Road. Pizza Hut is at 69 Bowman Road, 5491 5100.
Maroochydore
Swells Restaurant & Bar, 6 Duporth Avenue, 5443 6401. Fully licensed,
open 11am-11pm every day.
Sun See Chinese Restaurant, Shop 1, 50 Aerodrome Road, 5443 2636. BYO,
wide range of cuisines with an oriental emphasis. Open 5pm-9pm every day.
Som Tam Thai Restaurant, cnr Fifth Avenue & Aerodrome Road, 5479 1700.
BYO (wine only), open 5pm-10pm 7 days and 12pm-2.30pm Fri-Sun, closed Public
Holidays.
Waterfront, David Low Way, 5448 4488.
Gauchos Mexican Restaurant, Kingsford-Smith Parade, 5443 8877.
Jimmys Place, Shop 4, Broadmeadow Road, 5479 2241.
Azzurro Ristorante Italiano, 93 Aerodrome Road, 5443 3500.
Sizzler, cnr Fifth Avenue & Aerodrome Road, 5443 4377.
Indian Hathi Restaurant, 37 Aerodrome Road, 5443 5411.
McDonalds has two locations in Maroochydore: 14-18 Aerodrome Road and in
Sunshine Plaza. Pizza Hut is on the corner of Horton Parade and First Avenue.
Pizza Hut is at 153 Aerodrome Road, 5443 4911.
Noosa Heads
Freshwater Bar & Grill, Edgar Bennett Avenue, 5447 5900. Open 10am-midnight
7 days.
Riva Waterfront Restaurant & Bar, 10/1 Quamby Place, 5449 2440. A-la-carte
menu. Open midday-midnight 7 days.
Cocos, cnr Park Road & Mitti Street, 5447 2440. Licensed restaurant
open 8am-midnight.
Roma Pizza Restaurant, Sunshine Beach Road, 5447 3602. Offers prawns,
pizza, pasta and steak. Open 5pm-10pm.
Indian Empire, Shop 4 Noosa Wharf, Quambi Place, Noosa Sound, 5474 5655.
Emerald House Chinese Restaurant, 11 Sunshine Beach, 5447 3356.
Michels, 1 Hastings Street, 5447 3880.
Lindonis Italian Ristorante, Hastings Street, 5447 5111.
Sails, 75 Hastings Street, 5447 4235.
Pommies, Quamby Place, Noosa Wharf Shopping Centre, 5474 8600.
KFC is in 5 Sunshine Beach Road. Pizza Hut is on the corner of Lake Weyba
Drive and Weyba Road, 5449 7711.
Local Transport
Sunshine Coast Coaches operate daily bus services from Caloundra to Nambour,
and Noosa District Bus Lines operate a daily service from Nambour to
Noosa.
Points of Interest
Visitors to the area will quickly discover why it is one of Australia's
premier tourist destinations. With golden beaches, scenic hinterland,
lush rainforest, breathtaking mountains views, crystal-clear lakes and
waterways, the Sunshine Coast has it all. For most visitors, the main
attractions are sun, surf and sand.
The beaches stretch from Caloundra in the south to Double Island Point
in the north, taking in popular holiday spots like Moo-loolaba, Maroochydore,
Coolum and Noosa. Everyone, though, soon discovers that the hinterland
also has much to offer, with its patchwork of tropical fruit farms, rainforests,
State Forests and National Parks. It is the perfect complement to the coastal
resorts. You can enjoy a bushwalk, while away the hours in one of the many
arts and crafts galleries, sit down to a Devonshire tea, or take in the
spectacular panoramic views.
Caloundra
Population 19,700
Caloundra City, at the southern entrance to the Sunshine Coast, is an attractive
and affordable holiday destination. Located just an hour north of Brisbane
by four-lane highway, it is the perfect place to shake the nine-to-five
blues. Apart from 30km (19 miles) of beaches, Caloundra has a special attraction
which makes it the envy of other coastal resorts - the Pumicestone Passage.
It is a haven for a wide variety of water sports, is famed for its fishing
and harbours as well as two of the safest swimming beaches on the Sunshine
Coast - Bulcock Beach and Golden Beach.
Maroochy
Population 16,600
Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland and Maroochydore are the main coastal townships
of the Maroochy Shire.
Mooloolaba Beach, with Point Cartwright on the southern side and the Mooloolaba
Harbour wall, is a protected beach which is popular with families and windsurfers.
Mooloolaba is home to a large fishing fleet, and fresh fish can be purchased
daily from the Mooloolaba Fisheries Co-operative.
Alexandra Headland is renowned for its great surf. In summer, board riders
flock to the tiny cove every day.
Underwater World at the Mooloolaba Wharf is an enjoyable experience. The
moving acrylic tunnel allows glass-housed sharks, stingrays, and fish to
swim over and around the visitors.
Maroochydore, at the mouth of the Maroochy River, is a thriving tourist
and business centre. It has a fine surfing beach, and the river is a favourite
spot for watersports and fishing alike. Travelling north along the coast
the major townships are Coolum Beach, Peregian Beach, Marcus Beach, Sunshine
Beach and, finally, Noosa Heads.
Noosa
Population 6000
Noosa Heads, with its northerly facing beach, is protected from the prevailing
south-easterly winds. Noosa has a cosmopolitan atmosphere, coupled with
the natural beauty of the area. The headland is a National Park and there
are several walks meandering through it to the various attractions, including
Boiling Pot, Hell's Gates, Paradise Cave.
Noosa's boutiques and restaurants in Hastings Street are first class, and
there is no shortage of entertainment.
The coloured sands at Teewah can be reached by 4WD from Noosa along the
beach at low tide. Tours are available from Noosaville or Tewantin. Upstream
from Tewantin, the Noosa River meanders through lakes which are surrounded
by wetlands with prolific bird life. This area is the Cooloola National
Park. In the 1870s, huge log rafts were guided down the river to Tewantin,
where they were sorted before continuing their way to Brisbane. Five lakes
are linked in a waterway network stretching for almost 80km (50 miles).
Lake Cootharaba has a special area for learner water skiers, and many visitors
spend holidays on houseboats wandering through the river system.
Inland is Nambour, the most southern of Queensland's sugar towns, where
the old cane trolleys ramble across the main street to the Moreton Central
Sugar Mill. Pineapple and other tropical fruit plantations are also found
around the district.
At the Sunshine Plantation, 6km south of Nambour, you can see the Big Pineapple,
Nambour Connection Road, Woombye, and take a tour of the plantation by
train. It is open daily 9am-5pm, 5442 1333
Bli Bli has a Fairytale Castle, David Low Way, 5448 5373, a replica 11th
century Norman Castle with moat, portcullis and drawbridge. Inside, fairytales
are depicted in elaborate dioramas. Popular with children, the castle is
open daily 9am-5pm.
Nostalgia Town, 596 David Low Way, 5448 7155, is another attraction, just
north of Bli Bli at Pacific Paradise. Call in and have a laugh at the past.
Big Cow Antique Centre, 5446 8477, home of the Big Cow, is 6km north of
Nambour on the Bruce Highway, and milking demonstrations and feeding of
nursery animals are some of the highlights. Another 3km north at Yandina
is Gingertown, Pioneers Road, 5446 8455, the largest ginger processing
factory in the southern hemisphere. The ginger processed here is grown
in rich red soil between the Blackall Range and the coast.
On Tanawha Forest Glen Tourist Drive, visitors can visit three attractions:
Super Bee's Honey Factory near the Buderim turnoff, 5445 3544, has collecting
demonstrations and is open daily 9am-5pm. Admission is free.
At the Forest Glen Deer Sanctuary and Wildlife Park, 5445 1274, free-roaming
deer can be fed from your car. Koalas, kangaroos and emus can also be seen.
It is hopen 9am-5pm, daily.
The Moonshine Valley Winery, Bruce Highway, 5445 1198, specialises in fruit
wines. Free tastings are held daily.
Outlying Attractions Gympie
Gympie is a large township situated about halfway between Marybor-ough
and Maroochydore on the Bruce Highway. Like many towns in the north of
Queensland it was once known for its abundance of gold, after its discovery
by James Nash. The town sprung up during a rush in 1868 and it didn't take
more than a few months for 25,000 hopeful prospectors to cram the fields
nearby.
Gympie's attractions are mainly historic, including The Gold and Mining
Museum, the Woodworks Forestry and Timber Museum and a number of buildings
reminiscent of the town's colonial heritage. There are two places you can
contact for further information: the Gympie Tourist Information Centre,
Bruce Highway, Lake Alford, (07) 5482 2847 or the Coloola Regional Development
Bureau, 224 Mary Street, Gympie, (07) 5482 5444.
Blackall Range
The Blackall Range, on Brisbane's Sunshine Coast, is a world apart, with
its art and craft galleries, Devonshire teas, comfortable pubs, green
fields, hedgerows, and a feeling of Olde England. From high vantage points
between Mapleton and Maleny, the small farms and cane fields of the coastal
plain stretch out to join the blue Pacific, and south from Maleny are
the dramatic Glass House Mountains. Throughout the Blackall Ranges are
national and forestry parks, offering superb walks through tropical rainforest,
picnic spots beside waterfalls, and rock pools for swimming.
The scenic drive through the Blackall Range is one of the most popular
day outings in south-east Queensland. The southern end of the range drive
is little more than an hour north of Brisbane, and access is no more than
half an hour from most Sunshine Coast resort towns. The website to visit
is www.
sunshinecoast.com/blackallranges .html
