Sunshine Coast in Oz

by **gillyd** on Mon Apr 04, 2005 20:41 pm

Hi!! Has anyone been to the Sunshine Coast in South Queensland? We're hoping to go there for a week, enroute to New Zealand next year. We're looking at Caloundra. Somewhere not too frantic but with some life. Be grateful for any gen.Also, the distance to Caloundra from Brisbane airport, please ::roll: Gill

by **HW Chris** on Tue Apr 05, 2005 08:29 am

I have been down that way. Spent 4 weeks there, alas it was 5 years ago now

Although I shouldn't imagine it has changed much. What would you like to know?

Chris

by **shazrazmataz** on Mon Apr 11, 2005 12:25 pm

Hi, we went to Caloundra last nov/dec, we had a fab time, we stayed at the Gemini Resort & it was lovely. The beaches are fab & caloundra is quite central, we also went to Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Noosa.

I do recommend a day to Australia zoo ( Steve urwin ) its about 15 mis away from Caulondra, its a cracking day out well worth it.

What ever you decide on The Sunshine Coast is lovely, ENJOY.

by **travelagent100** on Tue Apr 12, 2005 22:14 pm

hi gilly

The Sunshine Coast is my fave place on the East Coast. The above is all true, Noosa has a nice national park walk, but watch out for the nudey beach half way through the walk. Coolum is nice too. We camped atCoolum and Noosa, which is a great way to travel if you hit the right time of year. If you have time one of the best areas is Fraser Island just off Hervey Bay. There are no roads and you have to drive in 4wd vehicles on the beach. They have wild dingoes there and Lake Mackenzie in the middle of the island. O r you could get a cheap internal flight with virginblue.com and fly from Brisbane to Whitsunday Islands.
There are too many options and never enough days off in my opinion...i'll shut up now before i write an essay

Oh, if you need ideas on new Zealand I've done both islands and i'm going back for more in June...

Loads to see and do there.

by **sally woodward** on Tue May 15, 2007 22:34 pm

looking for cheap flights to new Zealand or don't they exist .i no its the other side of the world but getting told �4000 for 4 flights? its no wonder its not visited as mush as Australia but sounds fantastic do i have to wait till kids leave home then only need 2 tickets.

by **GrahamM** on Sat Jun 16, 2007 19:56 pm

Re cheap flights to NZ. If you are going via Australia you can by cheap flights between Oz and NZ on the web. Air New Zealand, Freedom Air (part of Air NZ), Qantas and Virgin Pacific all have fares around Aud$300 1 way.

by **corkyfo47** on Mon Mar 16, 2009 15:50 pm

I spent a month on the Sunshine Coast two years ago and travelled about a little bit. Here are my observations;

CALOUNDRA-- very good but a little bit like Blackpool and rather 'sprawly'.

MOOLOOLABA--is the best place in that area.Lots going on but still small enough to be friendly.

MAROOCHYDORE--pleasantly quiet, lazy little town.Good beach and waterfront.

COOLUM a small seaside place right on the seafront. Very friendly.My own personal favourite.

NOOSA--trendy, full of posers and yuppies but really nice all the same. Lots going on beach and waterwise.

ALEXANDRA HEADLAND--sandwiched in between Mooloolaba and Maroochydore and really nice although quite quiet and relaxed.

AUSTRALIA ZOO-- go there, it's great. You can spend the whole day there and still want to go back next day.

The down side of the Sunshine Coast is that anywhere north of Brisbane is awkward to get to by public transport. Getting from Noosa to Brisbane is akin to cicumnavigating Jupiter. I'm sure Captain Cook would have found trouble getting from one place to the other. Whilst the roads are generally in good condition the main arterial road to Brisbane does not have crash barriers and I never felt safe travelling on it.

I would say to anyone who is thinking about going to the Sunshine Coast--just do it, it's lovely. Although Coolum is my favourite I would strongly recommend Mooloolaba as the place to be.