Sunshine Coast - Sunny Holiday Prospects

The Sunshine Coast is a region in the Australian state of Queensland, which takes up about 60 kilometres along Australia's east coast. The region's biggest city is Caloundra with almost 90,000 inhabitants in the administrative region of the City of Caloundra. Other administrative units are Noosa Shire in the north and Maroochy Shire in the centre. Parts of the regional geography are the Pacific Ocean and the foothills of the Great Dividing Range. The subtropical climate in the region causes pleasantly warm temperatures and balanced weather all year.

The landscape at the Sunshine Coast is characterised by scenic parts of coast with wonderful long sandy beaches and small, hidden bays as well as an idyllic hinterland with green mountains, rural valleys and subtropical rainforests. Members of the region's fauna are koalas, rare cockatoos and whales. 35 percent of the region's area consist of nature reserves such as the Noosa National Park and the Glass House Mountains National Park. The latter accommodate the impressive volcanic peaks of the Glass House Mountains, which were shaped by hot, liquid lava over 25 million years ago.

Due to its rural and Mediterranean atmosphere, the Sunshine Coast is a popular holiday destination among the locals and tourists from abroad. Its relaxed and informal character forms a contrast to the more southern Gold Coast. Its balanced climate and the many Mediterranean villages are the reason why the sunny coastal area is often called "Australia's Saint-Tropez". You find regional art exhibitions, charming museums and colourful markets as well as fashionable designer shops and elegant boutiques in Caloundra and Noosa Heads. The latter contains Hastings Street, which is a very popular destination for long shopping tours, evening entertainment or having lunch. Local products such as fish, cheese or wine are important items on the menu here.

The long beaches at the Sunshine Coast are excellently suited for all kinds of water sports. Surfing, fishing, swimming, kayaking and diving or taking relaxed walks are popular leisure activities at the region's beaches. The green hinterland, on the other hand, has numerous hiking trails (e.g. Sunshine Coast Hinterland Walk, 45km), which are ideal for hiking, climbing and cycling tours or horseback rides. In addition, you can do a number of thrilling activities such as planediving, parachuting, bungee jumping and speedboating at Australia's Sunshine Coast.

The sunny weather and the pleasantly warm temperatures make the Sunshine Coast an attractive holiday destination at any time of the year. You best arrive via the national Sunshine Coast Airport by changing planes in Sydney, Melbourne or Adelaide.