| Caloundra - Maryborough | The Sunshine Coast & Beyond
 Featuring 65 km of sandy beaches and a warm sunny climate, this region represents coastal Queensland at its very best. Our journey also takes you to some superb national parks and the historic city of Maryborough.
Drive north out of Brisbane on the Bruce Highway, then take the turnoff to Caloundra, the gateway to the Sunshine Coast. The coast road leads to the ‘Sunshine Strip’, where Mooloolaba offers a good variety of shops and cafes, river and canal cruises and adventure activities.
Nearby Alexandra Headland is particularly good for surfing, and you can skydive from the busy centre of Maroochydore. To the north lie the small resort towns of Coolum Beach, Peregian Beach and Sunshine Beach, as well as the southern section of coastal Noosa National Park.
Beyond here, cosmopolitan Noosa Heads is the region’s most popular resort. With beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants, and activities like cruising the Noosa River and fishing, there’s plenty to do here. Shoppers will be delighted by the array of boutiques and art galleries along Hastings Street! Nearby Noosaville is the base for river cruises around Cooloola National Park’s Everglades and, if you need a change of scene, head inland to explore the high green hinterland.
You’ll be reluctant to leave the Sunshine Coast, but there’s more to see further north! From Gympie, take a detour to the villages of Tin Can Bay and Rainbow Beach - from where you can reach Fraser Island and Cooloola National Park - before arriving in the ‘Heritage City’ of Maryborough. Founded in 1842 and one of Queensland’s oldest cities, this is a delightful environment of historic buildings, parks, gardens and an interesting Heritage Walk.
Where to Stay
Time Required: At least 3 days are needed to really appreciate the region | | |
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