Five things to do on the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast ain’t just beaches. The popular (and populous) stretch of coastline north of Brisbane has an incredible variety of things to do other than surfing and sunbaking, with Australians flocking there year-round. Try these on for size.

From an altruistic viewpoint, spending money at one of the Sunshine Coast’s many SLCs helps fund beach patrols and swimming programs for nippers. More personally, you can’t get better seaside views while downing a coldie and enjoying an unpretentious feed. Try Sunshine Beach (big, breezy and top tucker), Mooloolaba (the seafood bar is great value and the Mooloolaba prawns are next level) or Noosa (if you can get a table, the best address on Hastings Street).

The Australia Zoo is a huge Sunshine Coast drawcard and by crikey, adults, as well as kids, will enjoy the array of furry, scaly and slithery critters on display. You’ll easily spend a day here with the mainly Australian wildlife collection and there are extra-cost animal encounters available, or just feed the roos and wallabies. You might even meet one of the Irwin family. If you want to get wild, consider a cruise or canoeing trip through the Noosa Everglades and its abundant birdlife, or the SeaLife aquarium in Mooloolaba, which has all things fishy under one roof.

While the vast beaches of the Sunshine Coast are its obvious attraction, venturing into the hinterland is a way of escaping the crowds and seeing the scenery. If you’re looking for short to medium hikes try the Glasshouse Mountains, the abrupt volcanic uprisings seen from the highway that offer easy walks and panoramic views. The Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve has shady gardens and a rainforest discovery centre and if you’re up near Noosa don’t miss the National Park’s spectacular coastal walkway.

What could be more relaxing than a morning or afternoon spent pootling about the Noosa River and canals with friends and family on a BBQ boat? You can gawk at the amazing waterfront homes, stop on a secluded sand bar for a swim then fire up the BBQ for a relaxed lunch. Boats range from "look at me" round orange ones, comfy cruising options to larger ones that include a toilet, BBQ and even a pizza oven. And the best thing? No boat licence is required, and they usually include ice and eskies.

Here’s a chance to get some sand under the tyres of that 4WD wagon or ute but be warned, beach driving requires the right vehicle, a permit and know-how to avoid a watery finish to the holiday. North of Noosa you can take the ferry and drive along the sand to Rainbow Beach, stopping to fish or swim if you want. Don’t have a 4WD or don’t want to risk it? Try a one-day tour out of Noosa and let the guides do the driving.

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