The Sunshine Coast - a laid-back holiday paradise

A little over an hour's drive north from Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast has top restaurants, plenty of water-based activities and quaint hinterland mountain villages.

Maroochydore At the centre of the Sunshine Coast, this busy town has great surfing beaches, ample picnicking areas and shopping malls. The Maroochy River's waters are popular for boating and fishing.
Tourist Information Centre, corner Sixth Avenue and Aerodrome Road
Open daily 9am - 5pm
Ph: 5479 1566

Noosa Heads
This long-time hippy surfing destination is now the haunt of the up-market tourist from southern capitals. Classy Hastings Street has some of Australia's best restaurants and the adjacent beach is the best place to relax.
Visitor Information Centre, Hastings Street, Noosa Heads
Open daily 9am - 5pm
Ph: 5447 4988

Aussie World
You'll recognise this place, on the highway 95 km north of Brisbane, by the weird-looking Ettamogah Pub - a replica based on a pub in a popular comic strip. Aussie World has rides, an Aboriginal Cultural Centre and a variety of arts and crafts outlets, shops and cafes.
Bruce Highway, Palmview.
Open daily 9am - 5pm
Ph: 5494 5444

Australia Zoo
Home to over 550 animals, this 20-ha zoo has displays of fish, birds and the world ís oldest captive giant tortoise. The biggest attraction, however, is the crocodile show.
Glasshouse Mountains Tourist Drive, Beewah;
Open daily 7:30am - 4pm
Ph: 5494 1134

Caloundra
Here you'll find fishing spots, great surfing beaches and excellent places to windsurf. The calm waters of the Pumicestone Channel are popular for boating and fishing.Check out the Queensland Air Museum at Caloundra Airport.
Tourist Information Centre, 7 Caloundra Road;
Open daily 9am - 5pm
Ph: 5491 0102

Eumundi
This small country town is home to the best art, craft and produce market in Australia. On Saturday mornings hundreds of stallholders gather to sell their wares. A smaller market operates on Wednesdays. The small town of Kenilworth,to the west, has an excellent cheese factory.
Visitor Information Centre, corner Sixth Avenue & Aerodrome Road, Maroochydore;
Open daily 9am - 5pm
Ph: 5479 1566

Maleny
Once a dairying town, today Maleny is a trendy day-trip destination for Brisbanites with cafes, art and craft galleries and lots of B&Bs and guesthouses. Don't miss the Sunday market. Nearby Mary Cairncross Park has fantastic hinterland views.
Maleny Community Centre, Maple Street, Maleny;
Open daily 9am - 3pm
Ph: 5499 9033

Mapleton
This mountain town has sweeping views of the countryside and out to sea. Mapleton Falls National Park has a rainforest walking trail.In nearby Flaxton are galleries, guesthouses, craft shops and Kondalilla National Park.
Maleny Community Centre, Maple Street, Maleny;
Open daily 9am - 3pm
Ph: 5499 9033

Mooloolaba
This all-weather port at the mouth of the Mooloolah River has international-standard marinas where charter vessels can be hired for game fishing trips and diving expeditions. Check out Underwater World, an aquarium which has displays of sharks, stingrays and reef fish.
Underwater World, Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba;
Open daily 9am -5pm
Ph: 5444 8088

Montville
Galleries, craft shops and restaurants line the streets of this pretty Blackhall Range town to the north of Maleny. Devonshire teas are available from several cafes and there is a signposted heritage trail.
Maleny Community Centre, Maple Street, Maleny;
Open daily 9am - 3pm
Ph: 5499 9033

Nambour & Big Pineapple
This little Queensland town has cane trains passing through its main street from July to October. The nearby Big Pineapple, one of the state's classic tourist attractions, has train rides, souvenir shops and a macadamia plantation.
Visitor Information Centre, corner Sixth Avenue and Aerodrome Road, Maroochydore;
Open daily 9am - 5pm
Ph: 5479 1566

Noosa Heads
Noosa's special ambience is a magnet for both local and international visitors. Hastings Street has some of Australia's best restaurants and the adjacent beach is a great place to relax. While the Laguna Bay beaches offer gentle waters, Sunshine beach has a pounding surf. Nearby Noosaville, on the Noosa River, has cafes, restaurants, accommodation and boat hire establishments. Noosa National Park is one of Australia's most diverse coastal national parks with heathlands, woodland and rainforest.
Visitor Information Centre, Hastings Street, Noosa Heads;
Open daily 9am - 5pm
Ph: 5447 4988

Yandina & Ginger Factory
The deliciously different Ginger Factory. Take the taste of Ginger Tour through the world's largest ginger factory and experience the delights of the Buderim Ginger Tasting Room, add in some stylish shopping amidst lush tropical gardens, a new Heritage Centre, cane train tour, courtyard cafe and icecreamery and you've got a perfect day for the family. The Ginger Factory tourist centre is an easy 90-minute drive from Brisbane.
The Ginger Factory, 50 Pioneer Road, Yandina;
Open daily 9am - 5pm
Ph: 5446 7100
www.buderimginger.com