5 reasons to add the Sunshine Coast to your itinerary

Stretching from the Great Sandy National Park down to Caloundra, just north of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast is a place where even its name screams lifestyle. There’s the lush hinterland town of Eumundi – home of the famous bi-weekly market, the ultra-chic and ridiculously beautiful Noosa Heads, the surf and golfing hotspot of Caloundra and picturesque country towns like Maleny – which grows more hippie with each passing year. Even Maroochydore – the cultural heart of the Sunshine Coast region – is a delight to visit, with a multicultural food scene and a stack of great places to hang out.

Largely considered the gem of Great Sandy National Park, the Everglades is a combination of swampy land, mangroves, tall grass, riverside trees and blue-black waterways. Luckily for us – unlike in Everglades National Park in Florida, the United States – Australia’s Everglades is not inhabited by crocodiles or alligators. Known as the ‘River of Mirrors’ due to the unfathomably clear reflections you can see in the water, the Everglades is best explored by boat and by foot. If you’re the adventurous type, you can embark upon a guided or self-guided canoe trip, which will see you glide up the river system exploring secret spots and hidden bends. If you’d prefer to kick back in wonder and let someone else do the steering on a cruise, there are all sorts of safari tours available – some even with a roast lunch included! Either way, meandering through the waterways spotting aquatic plants and animals is an unforgettably tranquil experience and one you should definitely add to your Sunshine Coast itinerary.

Have a close encounter with marine life at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast – the largest aquarium and oceanarium in the whole state of Queensland. Waddle into a colony of tiny penguins, take a dip with some furry seals and see if you can count all the fangs in a shark’s toothy smile. The aquarium is conveniently located at The Wharf in Mooloolaba and central to most hotels in the region. Get hands on at the tidal touchpool, see giant sharks in the Oceanarium, say hello to the Little Blue Penguins and settle in for the interactive Seal show.

Step aboard a meticulously restored steam train in Gympie and meander through the quaint and pretty Mary Valley. This scenic 46-kilometre return journey will take you through towns like Dagun, with its cute heritage station, and gives you time to explore Amamoor: a historic place on the edge of Amamoor State Forest, which is home to over 120 species of our birds!

You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to water sport activities on the Sunshine Coast. With endless spots to surf, it’s the perfect place to learn how to hang 10, or perhaps you’re more interested in bobbing atop the ocean for a sunset cruise. Most of the main coastal towns – Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Noosa – offer Aquaduck and jet boat rides, and even jet skiing adventures that see you blast through open waterways to hidden spots as you learn about the history of the area. If your favourite water spot is plonking on the beach with an umbrella and a good book in hand, there are endless stretches of beach to laze around on – with Noosa Main Beach, Mudjimba Beach, Mooloolaba Beach and Kings Beach among the most gorgeous.

If you’re the kind of thrill seeker who’s always hungry for more adrenalin, a death-defying leap from an aeroplane flying high over the pristine Sunshine Coast should keep you satisfied for a while! Skydive from up to 15,000 feet, which will see you freefall for up to a whole minute at a speed greater than 200km an hour. The views of the coast, rainforest and scattered towns will take your breath away – if the jump itself doesn’t already!

Start planning your visit to the Sunshine Coast here, with our range of curated experiences certain to make your holiday extraordinary. Whether you are seeking a tranquil escape in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland or a coastal break filled with adventure, there is an experience for every traveller.