The Sunshine Coast
Affectionately known as the Sunny Coast, this holiday destination is renowned for its white sandy beaches, rivers, rainforests and mountains. The Sunshine Coast is about an hours drive north of Brisbane, and the main hot spots to visit are Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum, Noosa and Caloundra.
In summer, people flock to the beaches, and in the cooler months this area is a bush-walkers haven with the nearby mountains and rainforests being a great place to explore. Other popular all-round year activities are the adventure sports, spa and health retreats, local restaurants, arts and culture, amusement parks, and of course, the world famous Australia Zoo. Did I mention the shopping, markets and people-watching. Market lovers must visit Eumundi Market which is Australia's biggest art, craft and produce market.