Queensland's Sunshine Coast.

The Sunshine Coast, an area of sweeping shiny beaches bordered by blue water and backed with lush valleys, beautiful mountain ranges and quaint hillside villages.

Just perfect.

Welcome to the Sunshine Coast one of the most beautiful places in Australia.

Experience the region's enduring appeal, including absolutely delicious food bursting with local flavours, and the pristine, unspoilt wilderness of the Cooloola coast and tranquil everglades.

This wonderful region begins at Caloundra, just an hour's drive north of Brisbane, and extends to Cooloola, the gateway to Fraser Island.

The Sunshine Coast takes in tranquil hinterland including the Glass House Mountains, Blackall Range, Noosa Hinterland and the Mary Valley, as well as more than 100 kilometres of beaches stretching through the coastal towns of Caloundra, Kawana, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum Beach, Noosa and Rainbow Beach.

The Sunshine Coast is holiday central for both couples and families.

You can keep the kids happy fishing, visiting attractions, canoeing or wandering through the markets.

Rivers, sheltered bays and surf beaches provide a variety of swimming spots.

Factor in an indulgent massage for two, a quiet rainforest walk, a round of golf or a romantic dinner in the mountains or by the sea.

If recharging is your aim, relax under the shade of a pandanus on the beach, wander through national parks, follow the food and wine trails or browse in hinterland art galleries.

Caloundra is the gateway to Queensland's Sunshine Coast and only an hour's drive north of Brisbane's international airport.

There's so much or so little to do in Caloundra and so much to enjoy.

With a large variety of attractions on the doorstep, Caloundra can suit either couples or families.

Visit Australia Zoo, Aussie World Theme Park or the Big Kart Track, one of the longest go-kart tracks in Australia.

The diversity of fun and excitement continues with fishing, golf, horse riding, kayaking, learning to surf and tandem skydiving landing on the beach.

With the white sandy beaches of Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headlands, Maroochydore and Coolum, coupled with a diverse range of landscapes and attractions, the Maroochy Shire is an ideal holiday destination.

The beaches are one of the main attractions of Maroochy and they won't disappoint.

Walk along a sealed track from the Mooloolaba Spit to the Maroochy River and take in the spectacular views of the ocean for the majority of your stroll.

Maroochy is home to a vast array of attractions including Underwater World, The Ginger Factory, Super Bee, Forest Glen Deer Sanctuary, The Big Pineapple and Bli Bli Castle, all keen to ensure you have a great time.

Noosa is renowned for its beaches, arguably some of the finest in the world.

Complete this with a series of waterways and you have the perfect backdrop for adventurous fun!

The Noosa National Park is just minutes from the heart of Hastings Street and is Australia's most visited national park, with lush forests, cliff tops, rocky coves and spectacular bays.

Activities are as diverse as camel riding on the beach, off-road driving on Noosa's North Shore, cruising the everglades or relaxing in one of many spas.

Take an easy drive from Caloundra, Mooloolaba or Noosa, and travel west to pretty hinterland townships including Maleny and Montville.

There is shopping, dining, art galleries, interesting crafts and walking options as well as major musical events featuring opera, jazz and folk music at different times throughout the year.

The Blackall Range offers some picturesque touring through the Sunshine Coast hinterland, with breathtaking views of the spectacular Glass House Mountains and the coast.

For the addicted shopper the Sunshine Coast offers high fashion boutiques, fine art, fresh produce and quaint art and craft local markets.

Meander along beachfront boulevards, including the most famous of them all, Noosa's Hastings Street, or stroll along Mooloolaba's Esplanade.

After you've cruised the stylish boutiques and specialty stores, take time out for a coffee or leisurely brunch and watch the world go by.

The Sunshine Coast shopping centres have their own special style, with waterfront or over-water locations, including the Sunshine Plaza.

Potter around specialty stores, find that special memento or simply splurge a little.

If art and craft is your passion, head for the hills.

One of the Sunshine Coast's most popular and enduring tourist attractions, the famous Eumundi Market is held Wednesday and Saturday mornings, rain, hail or shine.

With organic fruit and vegetables, freshly baked bread, locally made arts and crafts, clothing, sweets, toys, flowers and more to choose from, you won't leave empty handed!

The Eumundi Market is an iconic reflection of the Sunshine Coast's special culture.

The market motto, 'Make it, bake it, grow it or sew it' is passionately observed by its dozens of farmers, producers, artisans and craftsmen who set up their stalls before first light under the shade of massive ancient fig trees.

The Sunshine Coast is blessed with a unique style of cuisine featuring local produce grown in the lush hinterland and seafood plucked fresh from rivers and surrounding ocean waters.

Savour delicacies from award-winning restaurants that span the coastal stretch.

Browse the famous Noosa Farmers Market for the best of what's in season, taste award-winning ice-cream and cheese at Maleny, buy just-picked tropical fruits from the farm gate, devour a kilo of prawns at Mooloolaba or settle down to dine in an elegant restaurant overlooking mountains, rivers or the sea.

At sunrise or at dusk, you'll find a variety of hip sips in bars and cafes all over the coast.

Kick start your day with a freshly squeezed juice at Raw Energy or relax by the water with a chilled Sundowner at The Boat Shed.

Home to the internationally famous 'Crocodile Hunter', the late Steve Irwin, Australia Zoo houses a collection of 550 animals including crocodiles, tigers, koalas, snakes and the world's oldest giant land tortoise.

Don't miss the demonstrations featuring snakes, otters, camels, foxes and - the 1.30pm daily highlight - crocodiles!

See the wonders of the marine world including sharks, giant stingrays and gropers, as well as daily seal shows at Underwater World, located at The Wharf, Mooloolaba.

Go to Forest Glen Sanctuary where the close encounters with deer and Australian wildlife, including koalas, wombats, kangaroos and emus, are a first class interactive experience for children of all ages.

Hand feed deer from your car, cuddle a koala and discover the bush at night in the nocturnal house.

The park offers a daily park ranger show and wombat talk.

The Ginger Factory at Yandina, the largest ginger factory in the southern hemisphere, has an amazing array of ginger-based products and ginger plants to take home.

Kids will love the historic cane train ride, dolls' cottage and wildlife sanctuary.

Test your skills, and nerves, around the Big Kart Track, Australia's largest go kart track.

An educational and fun day out is the Super Bee Honey Factory.

The honey factory offers Australia's only live beekeeping demonstration and the chance to taste 28 types of honey!

Nestled in three hectares of tropical gardens, the Super Bee is home to the Three Bears Cottage, the House that Jack Built and Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, as well as mini golf, mini cars and a merry go-round.

Visit Ski and Surf Cable Water Ski where two large lakes are open year round for thrills and spills for beginners and the advanced.

You can enjoy hours of fun cable skiing, surfing, knee boarding or wave jumping.

Witness the remarkable natural phenomenon of the many different coloured sands which rise in 200-metre high cliffs stretching from Rainbow Beach to Double Island Point.

There's also night racing under floodlights and a separate kids' track.

Off-track, the Bungy Bullet will propel you 50 metres high into the sky in just over a second!

Take the Picnic Creek walk (1.2 kilometres) to the lookout for the spectacular 80-metre Kondalillia Falls.

The Wompoo circuit (1.3 kilometres) winds through rainforest to a lookout for the Mapleton Falls.

There are many pleasant walking trails and picnic spots in this area.

As I said, just north of Brisbane, just perfect.............enjoy,

John.

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