Located on Australia’s Sunshine Coast, this region has four unique areas, each with many attractions to draw visitors. Rainbow Beach is named for its multicolored sand, and with seventy-four different shades it makes it a natural wonder not to be missed. Also at Rainbow Beach is the Double Island Pointhouse where you might see whales during migration seasons, and the Carlo Sand Blow where you can watch hang gliders and paragliders. There is excellent scuba diving area, and divers can expect to see manta rays, eagle rays, the giant Queensland groper, and also the endangered grey nurse shark.
For those who want to get out on the water, Tin Can Bay is a great spot for fishing or renting a yacht to cruise around the bay. Also, houseboats can be rented here for a truly different vacationing experience. If you’d rather stay on the shore, an environmental walkway allows visitors to view local wildlife without disturbing them.
Gympie is an old boomtown from the goldrush era, and still retains its mining roots. Here visitors can ride an old steam train or peruse the Gold Mining and Historical Museum as well as the Woodworks Forestry and Timber Museum. Those hoping to strike it rich can try their hand at panning for gold, just be sure to pick up a fossicking permit from the local information centre.
Mary Valley is a beautiful and natural area of rolling hills. Lake Borumba is a popular fishing spot and also a great place to enjoy waterskiing and other water sports. Visitors can also look for bell-birds in the specially preserved bell-bird habitat or take the fourteen kilometer forest drive through Imbil State Forest. Country music fans may choose to visit the area over the last weekend in August to enjoy the National Country Music Muster. With the natural setting as a backdrop, campers enjoy a beautiful setting and great music!
Located on the Australia’s Sunshine Coast, only an hour’s drive from Brisbane, the Australia Zoo is a favorite destination with families and fans of the Crocodile Hunter television program. The Zoo has remained in operation since Irwin’s death, and continues to draw people from all over the world. The zoo offers something for everyone, and to many visitors’ surprise, is not just a home for crocodiles. The zoo has several large cats, including five tigers, elephants, kangaroos, and many other furry critters.
Since there is so much to see and do, it is advisable to plan your day ahead of time. Take a look at the show times posted on the website to determine what you want to see. You might also consider signing up for one of the many guided tours, or even the Platinum Adventure, which includes VIP treatment and behind-the-scenes interaction with the animals and their handlers. The Animal Encounters program allows visitors to get up close and personal with their favorite animals, including tigers, dingoes, tortoises, wombats and more. Be sure to book ahead. The zoo is also home to many events throughout the year including music festivals and Halloween celebrations, which is another great reason for carefully planning your visit.
The main areas to visit are the Tiger Temple and the Crocoseum, a 5000 seat arena where most of the zoo’s shows, including the crocodile feedings, take place. Steve and Terri’s daughter, Bindi, also performs here in shows that are very popular with the younger crowd. Many visitors also enjoy the daily elephant feedings and feeding the kangaroos. Children may feel especially comfortable at the Kids Zoo, where baby animals are housed and fed. The zoo’s amenities include a food court and several restaurants, however they also encourage guests to bring their own lunch and picnic in the park.
Located in Queensland, close to the border of New South Wales, and only one hundred kilometers south of Brisbane is the remarkable area of Springbrook. With lush rainforests and incredible waterfalls, it is a beautiful place for photographers and nature lovers.
Springbrook National Park is almost 3000 hectares and is divided into three sections – Springbrook Plateau, Mount Cougal, and Natural Bridge. Walking tracks in the park are generally of an easier nature, allowing all visitors, including children, to enjoy the rich scenery. Do supervise children closely as there are sheer dropoffs, particularly near waterfalls and lookouts. The waterfall at the Goomoolahra picnic grounds in the Springbook Plateau provides an excellent backdrop for lunch, and there are two excellent lookouts here as well. The Tallanbana picnic area also has a short walk to the spectacular Twin Falls. The Purlingbroke Falls are famous for their one hundred meter drop into a pool surrounded by ferns and lilies, so be sure to stop at the lookouts here, or take the walking tracks that lead down to the Waringa rock pool, a popular swimming hole.
The Natural Bridge is a unique rock formation where water falls through the roof of a basalt cave. The walk to the bridge is an easy trek through beautiful rainforest filled with birds. Natural Bridge is most famous for its glow-worm colony and luminescent funghi. Walking unattended at night is not recommended, so join one of many local nocturnal tours that take visitors to see the glow-worms up close. Orchid walks and bush tours are also available. Also in the area is the Springbrook Homestead, home to the local observatory. Evening tours can be arranged for viewing of the moon and stars, and astrophotographers are warmly encouraged to visit the centre.
