Things to do on a Sunshine Coast road trip

Australia is a country I’m really excited to go back to. Despite all the travels I’ve done across Europe for the past three years, Australia is still one of my favourite countries in the world.

While being out of school and having a full-time job means I can’t travel as much as I’d like to, I also really like the idea of doing one big trip a year. While I’m already planning on spending most of my vacation days in Asia in 2017, my travel goal in 2018 is to go back to Australia, visit all of the places I’ve loved and to explore some new ones as well.

One of my favourite places in Australia is the Sunshine Coast, which is located in Queensland, about an hour north of Brisbane from Caloundra to Cooloola. It’s a popular tourist area, and understandably so, as the area is lined with pristine beaches and home to more national parks than any other area in the state.

Its name, the Sunshine Coast, couldn’t be more accurate, as it really has amazing, warm and sunny weather all year round…averaging more than 300 days of sunshine a year! I was there during Australian winter and it was still warm enough to enjoy the beaches there.

While the Sunshine Coast is easy to access and navigate around, because of the size of the region, car hire companies such as Alpha Car Hire, are great for groups of friends who want to travel together and save money while doing it.

Here are some of my favourite places in the Sunshine Coast!

1. Noosa

Noosa is a pretty resort town that’s filled with beaches, waterways, parks, and shopping opportunities. Hastings Street is filled with trendy cafes, restaurants and shops.

The Noosa Main Beach is a popular surfing destination and a great place for beginners to learn since the waves are gentle and clean. It’s popular with locals and tourists alike, so be aware that it can be quite crowded.

The Noosa National Park is also a must-see, with its own set of beaches that are less crowded than the Main Beach. The walking trail offers a beautiful ocean-view.

2. Mooloolaba

Mooloolaba is considered a young, trendy part of the Sunshine Coast filled with white, sandy beaches that are great for swimming and surfing.

The main beach is a crescent-shaped bay, and there are many hip bars, cafes and restaurants along the Esplanade.

3. Go Whale Watching

The Sunshine Coast offers lots of great opportunities to see humpback whales on their annual migration along the east coast during the winter months. The best time to go is in October, and Mooloolaba offers lots of great options!

4. Mary Cairncross Reserve

The Mary Caircross Reserve is a 55-hectare subtropical rainforest located in the Blackall Range east of Maleny, offering a panoramic view of the Glasshouse Mountains. It’s a remnant of the rainforests that once covered the Blackall Range, and is an island refuge for colourful birds and wildlife.

5. Glasshouse Mountain National Park

This park was named by Captain James Cook in 1770 and are what remains of a series of volcanoes from about 25 million years ago. Today, the mountains are a group of eleven hills that tower over the surrounding coastal landscape.

Renting a car makes it really convenient to travel across the Sunshine Coast. When comparing different car hire companies for the best prices, Alpha Car Hire is one of the best in offering the most competitive rates as prices start as low as $22 per day! For more information and to obtain a quote, check out their website!