The Sunshine Coast really doesn’t have to try too hard when it comes to establishing itself as one of Australia’s most beautiful locations. While we may not be Byron, Bondi or Surfers, that’s part of our charm. We don’t need to see our name in lights – our beaches, sense of community and celebration of the laidback lifestyle tell the story for us.
Of course, the Coast does have its well-known hotspots. There’s the iconic Mooloolaba Beach, the world-renowned Noosa and tourism icons such as The Big Pineapple, The Ginger Factory and Sea Life (all well worth a visit!).
But if you look past the obvious, you’ll find pockets of beauty and calm that don’t make the holiday highlights quite as often. Gorgeous locations just sitting there, quietly waiting to be discovered – or revisited if you’ve been lucky enough to find them already.
With the autumn weather moving in, we decided to explore this piece of paradise and unearth some of our coastal and hinterland gems that are even more beautiful at this time of year.
Diamond Head foreshore, Golden Beach
Golden Beach has its busy stretch with playgrounds and cafés, but head further north along the esplanade, past Military Jetty and Keith Hill Park, to find the calm of Diamond Head. On the waterfront, you’ll find a stretch of grass with ample shade – the perfect quiet escape for a picnic or for letting the kids kick a ball. Enjoy a low-key swim in the Pumicestone Passage, kayak or wet a line. There are no shops or restaurants around, just plenty of room to sit back and enjoy a slow afternoon.
Tip: Walk towards the Bells Creek boat ramp and you’ll find a playground and public facilities.
Point Cartwright, Buddina
Most people head straight to the lighthouse at Point Cartwright and stop there, but the real joy is in walking the full headland circuit. The sealed track loops around with the ocean on one side and the Mooloolah River mouth on the other. It’s popular with runners, dog walkers and families taking in the views and enjoying the fresh air. From June through to November, it doubles as an unofficial whale-watching platform. Go early if you prefer quiet, or later in the afternoon when the breeze drops.
Tip: Start from either La Balsa Park or the car park at the end of Pacific Boulevard.
Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden, Tanawha
A short drive inland and you’ll notice less traffic and more trees. Situated on 82 hectares of natural forest and landscaped areas, the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden is bushland first, garden second. And while the location isn’t exactly a secret, there are a couple of quieter areas to take in. One is the sculpture garden, which has stolen our hearts. The garden features a 900-metre path through native landscape, with marble and sandstone works placed along the way – more than 20 tonnes of stone, shaped and crafted by local and international artists. There’s an audio tour available through the Sunshine Coast Council app if you want context, but it’s just as good wandering without the commentary. As for families with busy and active littlies, Whipbird Village has balance beams, rope bridges, living shrub cubbies and a small free library. Then there is Whipbird Walk, which adds a sensory trail and small, fun environmental lessons. Plus, be sure to check the events calendar before visiting. School holiday programs and guided walks are often scheduled.
Tip: We’ll let you in on a little secret… When you arrive at the garden, make your way across the bridge and over the fern glades. At the open lawns, turn left and continue beyond the toilet block. Here you will find a spacious and secluded grassed area, as well as a shelter. Take a rug and a book and enjoy the serenity. For more, visit botanic-garden.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
Yaroomba to Coolum
What is it about rock pools that intrigue both the young and old? For us, it’s the magic of discovery. If you love a good sea exploration (without getting wet), then the Coast has a couple of great locations for you to explore. The stunning Coolum bays – First, Second and Third – are not only beautiful locations but home to rock pools and marine life. Located between Coolum and Marcoola, Yaroomba keeps a lower profile, but is also worth a visit. The Yaroomba beach towards Point Arkwright headland is a popular surf location, but it boasts some of the region’s best views from bordering tracks and boardwalks. You’ll find a small rock pool or two at the end of the beach area, under the Point Arkwright lookout area.
Tip: Check tide times before heading to the rock pools, wear sturdy shoes for exploring and don’t touch any species you aren’t familiar with. If you’re based on the southern end of the Coast, why not visit Shelly Beach for the region’s best collection of rock pools?
Mount Ninderry, Yandina
Despite living on the Sunshine Coast for the past 21 years, I had never ventured to Mount Ninderry. Not once. It sat there in the background of my many trips up the Bruce Highway. But this changed recently, when I decided it was time to lace up my trainers, pile the family into the car and head to the mountain. The Mount Ninderry Summit Walk is a 3.4-kilometre round trip. Adventure Sunshine Coast marks the track as ‘difficult’ in terms of skill level and as suitable for walkers of ‘intermediate fitness levels’. I am not particularly fit and we had two kids in tow. So, it’s fair to say that there was no sunrise hero shot involved, but it was definitely worth the effort. The Mount Ninderry Bushland Conservation Reserve covers around 150 hectares, with the peak sitting 304 metres above sea level. The good news is that the car park is located high up on a ridge, so the walking trail only ascends about 130 metres. From the peak, you can drink in views of Mount Coolum, Maroochy River, the Pacific Ocean and the Blackall Ranges.
Tip: The summit walk car park is located near Ninderry Road and Eucalyptus Crescent, Yandina. Also worth a stop is Dunethin Rock, located along Dunethin Rock Road. Suitable for all levels of fitness, it’s a short hike to the boulder and offers much closer views over the river. Visit adventure.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
Marcus High Dunes and Lake Weyba, Marcus Beach
Part of the Maroochy to Noosa wallum corridor, the dunes between Peregian and Marcus Beach are easy to overlook if you focus only on the coastline. In late winter and early spring, banksias and coastal wattle appear along sandy tracks, but even in autumn, it’s worth the visit and you’ll discover an array of native plants. The paths are easy to walk and the high dunes offer views across to Lake Weyba. It’s a reminder that this region isn’t just surf and sand.
Tip: The six-kilometre return walk starts and ends at Calliandra Grove, North Peregian Beach. Stick to marked tracks to protect the fragile health of the woodlands.
Cooroy
Cooroy moves at its own pace and it certainly isn’t rushed. Home to around 5000 people, the township is located west of Noosa and is a unique mix of history, nature and arts. There is a distinct country vibe – timber shopfronts line the streets and cafes invite you to take your time. Cooroy is also a great place to stop before heading further into the hinterland or to Lake Macdonald. Lakeside, you will find the Noosa Botanic Gardens with lawn and picnic areas, a Greek-style amphitheatre, lily pond, fern house, open-air bush chapel, zen garden and bird watching.
Tip: If you are a keen waterman, be sure to take your kayak to the gardens. There is an adjoining foreshore park with a boat ramp.