There are no less than four family beaches in Caloundra. Bulcock Beach, Currimundi Beach, Dicky Beach and Golden Beach are all characterised by their tranquil, sheltered, child friendly waters and beautiful surroundings. Bulcock Beach, for instance, is a small beach within easy walking distance of downtown Caloundra. It features a wonderful boardwalk and permanent street furniture, including shaded seating areas. This south facing beach has no waves, so the little ones can safely splash about it its waters.

Moffat Beach is another kettle of fish altogether. Mention Moffat Beach to a surfer and he will instantly recognise it as Caloundra’s premier surfing beaches and one of the best point breaks in Queensland. Moffat isn’t just for surfer’s though. The coastal walk out to Moffat Headland is something everyone will enjoy and the wonderful alfresco cafes in Moffat cater to everyone’s appetite.

South of Moffatt is a long stretch of isolated beaches and tidal pools known as Shelly Beach. For a romantic getaway for two, you need to be willing to walk out here, but its isolation is worth the effort. The currents are very strong on this exposed part of the headland, so it’s not recommended for children, but it does have a wonderful undeveloped wilderness feel to it.

Another favourite with couples and those who want to get out and stretch their legs is the long, open Kawana Beach. You can stroll for miles on Kawana Beach, keeping your feet cool by walking on the hard-packed low tide sand. If you prefer, rent a bicycle in town and take the wonderful coastal bike path, stopping off for a dip in the sea when the spirit moves you.

Of course, no matter how much you love the beach, you will want to get away from it from time to time and see what else Caloundra has to offer. You may be surprised to discover that there are over a dozen great art and craft galleries in Caloundra and its neighbouring towns. The Sunshine Coast attracts creative types and the galleries feature the works of many local artists and craftspeople, as well as national and international artists.

In 2008, Caloundra won the award for being Queensland’s tidiest town. The justification for this award is evident wherever you go or stay. Whether you choose to stay in a 3 star family accommodation or a 4 ½ Star luxury Caloundra accommodation, you will be sure to be more than satisfied with what you get. If you’re considering a Queensland beach vacation, give Caloundra a try. It has a certain magic that is missing in even many of the other wonderful Sunshine Coast resort towns.

Coolum is centrally located, almost exactly halfway between Maroochydore and Noosa, making it an even better choice for a vacation spot. With miles of pristine beaches at your doorstep and the beautiful Noosa National Park just a few miles north, there is no end to the outdoor activities you can enjoy in and around Coolum Beach. That’s one reason why some of the favourite activities cited by visitors include cycling, surfing and fishing.

The other activities listed by visitors to Coolum Beach include shopping and dining. This, too, comes as no surprise, since fine dining is an integral part of the Sunshine Coast lifestyle. In fact, there are so many special dining events going on in and around Coolum at any given time, you are almost sure to be able to attend at least one of them.

One of these events, the Audi Noosa Food and Wine Festival, held each year, has been recognized as Australia’s premier festival of its kind. This festival draws over a hundred and fifty of Australia’s best chefs, vintners and restaurateurs and is a magnet for everyone who enjoys the finer things in life. The event seems to grow even better each year, with more entertainment and culinary delicacies being added all the time.

Of course, if you want to stay in shape, you’re going to have to find something active to do to work off all of that delicious food and drink you’ve been enjoying. If you like surfing, all you have to do is stroll down to the beach with your surfboard tucked under your arm. Depending on swell conditions, the sandy bottomed beach at Coolum always has a wave to ride. If you’re a golfer, the Coolum golf course is quickly gaining a reputation as one of Australia’s finest.

While it cannot be denied that the white sand beaches and tropical seas of Coolum Beach are the Sunshine Coast’s main drawcards, take the opportunity while you’re there to explore the Sunshine Coast hinterlands. If you happen to be in the area on the first Sunday of the month, use the Beerwah Markets as your excuse to see what the interior has to offer. You’ll find unique handcrafted items, wonderful food, entertainment and fun for the whole family in a beautiful natural setting.

You won’t have any trouble finding a great Coolum Beach accommodation to stay in. If you like camping, there are fabulous campgrounds in the area. If you want to relax in the lap of luxury, there are many new Coolum Beach resorts to stay at that will cater to your every whim. If you haven’t yet discovered Coolum Beach, don’t waste any more time. You’ll love it.

Not surprisingly, Maleny’s biggest industry is tourism. Located just 56 miles (90km) north of Brisbane and 46 miles (75km) from Noosa Heads on the Sunshine Coast, Maleny is easy to get to. Once you are there, you’ll absolutely love it. Over the years, Maleny has gone through many incarnations. During its early history, it was a logging town. Then it became a dairy town. The logging activity ended long ago, but many dairy farms remain. However, Maleny started being discovered by an eclectic group of people who simply wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and back to nature.

Back to nature is where you will be when you visit Maleny. While there are some great places to explore in the town itself, surrounded by nature as you are, you will want to get out and explore. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to do that in and around Maleny.

If you like hiking, mountain biking or just getting out in nature, then Maleny is perfect for you. For example, not far from town is Kondalilla National Park. Kondalilla is an aboriginal word meaning "rushing waters" and that’s exactly what you will find at Kondalilla Falls, a precipitous 300 foot (90 meter) waterfall that plunges into the rainforest valley at the base of the falls. On a warm day, there is nothing more refreshing than taking a dip in the rock pool at the head of the falls.

Then there are all the other towns and villages surrounding Maleny in the Blackall Range to explore. Each of them has its own unique flavour, but all of them have one thing in common. This beautiful area attracts creative artists and artisans from all over Australia. Whether you’re in Maleny, Montville or Kenilworth, you will find fascinating arts and crafts shops, fresh organic produce and delicious homemade meals. Kenilworth was voted the friendliest village in Queensland in the year 2000, but the same thing could be said of just about any of the villages and towns in the region as well.

The artistic and environmental sensitivities of the locals can be seen in Maleny accommodation options. Imagine staying the night in a treehouse bungalow overlooking the Glasshouse Mountains. Or how about a stunningly landscaped bungalow in the hills, complete with its own spa? These are just a couple of examples of the unusual accommodations you will find in Maleny. The local craftsmanship makes these Maleny accommodations truly luxurious, while at the same time eco-friendly. Come to Maleny and stay awhile. You will soon find out why the locals are so friendly and happy.

An important aspect of Maroochy River conservation is the care of nesting bird species. Examples include the wedge-tailed shearwater. Watchful eyes could also spot gliding squirrels, wallabies, kangaroos, possum and echidna. Gaze in awe at these marvellous creatures, imprinting memories to last a life time.

The water draws lovers of aquatic sports to this area. Fishing and swimming are popular activities. Around these waters, surfers and divers also enjoy a relaxing place to practice their hobbies and spot vivid underwater life.

Though small, your destination is just two kilometres from many larger places to visit, placing guests at a good central location for stops north, south and west. Stop at Mudjimba Beach just two-three kilometres north. Take in shopping malls and coffee shops even closer to your resting spot.

Twin Waters accommodation makes way for different budgets, couples and families. Caravan parks exist near the park, while hotels and resorts make popular launch pads for days out. Easily find somewhere to bring your kids or experience renewed romance in your relationship.

Twin Waters Resort offers guests many amenities. Send kids to circus school where they will learn the ins and outs of their future career perhaps. Two-wheel segway riding has become popular: try some at the resort. For parents, there is always golf or a massage. Two resort restaurants serve meals for morning, afternoon and evening clientele. Alternatively, enjoy a coffee or glass of wine at their cafe and bar respectively. Coffee shops enjoy a strong presence near your lodging.

Beyond the resort and north of Twin Waters are several other restaurants. Italian appears to be a popular choice with at least two restaurants serving pasta, gnocchi and more. Also dine on fine Australian cuisine during your stay.

Strike out by car to explore the area. Points of interest include more conservation such as Mooloolah River Park, about five miles south. Australia Zoo rests a bit further inland but only a short drive away. Take this opportunity to meet some of the crocodiles Steve Irwin made so famous, maybe even watch a feeding session there. Easily board connecting flights between points in Australia via Sunshine Coast Airport, a very short drive north from your Twin Waters hotel.

The Sunshine Coast offers ample opportunity to browse shops, wineries, take an adventure tour or just lay back with a picnic on the beach and catch some rays. Book a dolphin or whale watching tour to get a sense of why this region is so environmentally important. Take to three wheels with a trike tour, try scuba diving, fishing or bush walking. Head out for big city life so you can really appreciate the serenity of Twin Waters. A train ride will take guests to Brisbane, a journey which takes about an hour.

The beach is the main attraction at Mooloolaba. It is a long curving stretch of white, sandy beach that has Alexandra Headland to the north and Point Cartwright to the south. The beach is patrolled by lifeguards from sun up to sun down all year round and it is a very safe beach for all the family.

There is a playground and park with barbecues that is right in front of the beach and this is a terrific location for enjoying the outdoors with friends and family while overlooking the beach. There is also a lookout at the north end of the park, which is known by locals as the "loo with a view" as it is on top of the beach bathrooms.

The beach is obviously a major reason that people come to stay at Mooloolaba, but there are plenty of other things to occupy your time too. There is great diving to be had off the beach where there was a navy boat sunk a couple of years ago. At The Wharf shopping centre in Mooloolaba, there is also Underwater World, which is an aquarium that has seals, sharks, turtles and many other marine animals to see. The touch pool is also very popular where you can touch small sea animals such as starfish.

There is plenty of good shopping around Mooloolaba, which is quite a fashionable area. There are many boutique clothing stores, jewellery stores and homewares shops to spend time browsing through. There are several arcades off The Esplanade, which is the main road alongside the beach and many beach front shops too.

Mooloolaba is also a centre for some of the best restaurants on the Sunshine Coast. You can find a very wide range of dining experiences from low key cafes and juice bars to high end restaurants. There are also many different types of international cuisine that is on offer from African, Thai, Chinese and Italian to Himalayan and Mexican. If you have a craving for it, you can be pretty much guaranteed that you will find it in Mooloolaba.

There are many different types of Mooloolaba accommodation in the area from resorts and apartment rentals, which are mainly clustered along The Esplanade and Parkyn Parade, to the ever popular caravan park, which has camping and caravan facilities right on the beach.

When the sun goes down there is still a lot to do around Mooloolaba with many night clubs and bars in the area to go out to. There are places to suit different age groups and music choices with popular hit, hip hop, electronica, salsa, live music and so on to be heard at in the different venues. Mooloolaba is a perennially popular vacation destination for families, couples, groups of friends or anyone that loves sun and sand. You can find reasonable Mooloolaba accommodation packages year round, but booking in advance is advisable in peak periods to avoid disappointment.

Waterside Villas in Noosa

The Sunshine Coast is situated 100 kilometres north of Brisbane city in Queensland. It has a populous of almost 3 million locals and 50,000 visitors each year. It is made up of three major areas, Noosa, Maroochy and Caloundra.

The most famous of the Sunshine Coast’s natural wonders is the Glass House Mountains, first sighted by Captain Cook in 1770. On the mountains now are a variety of craft stores, heritage sites and scenic lookouts.

The beautiful beaches that make up the Sunshine coast are Noosa Heads, Alexandra Headland, Mooloolaba, Coolum and Kings Beach. The locals are friendly and welcoming, and the beachside resorts provide a tranquil escape from urban environments.

The Sunshine Coast also has many national parks filled with long lush trails and challenging camping sites. For animal lovers, the Australia Zoo and Underwater World are two of Australia’s most famous places to visit.

Australia Zoo is the zoo that belongs to the late beloved Steve Irwin, and there are many educational shows in the zoo with proceeds all contributing towards conservation.

The Sunshine Coast is also famous for its Big Pineapple. The pineappale stands 16 metres high, and was first opened in 1971. The attraction hosts a sugar cane train and plenty of tropical fruits; all fresh and delicious.

Camel rides are also available by the beach (contact the Camel Company), and go-karting, and other sports such as golf, along with the usual water sports of surfing and diving.

To experience the gold-rush years visit the Gympie and pan for gold. There is also a Mary Valley steam train, which is a lot of fun for families. During October, Gympie also hosts the Gympie Gold Rush Festival, filled with plenty of opportunities to learn all there is to know about gold and enjoy some local festivities.

Planning on visiting the Sunshine coast soon, you will find a range of Sunshine Coast Accommodation, tours, activities and our Sunshine Coast information on our ‘Book it Now’ website.

Sunshine Coast by Nicole Chiu