As the gateway to Australia’s Sunshine Coast and only an hour’s drive from Brisbane, this town is an excellent getaway for travelers. Families will love the close proximity to the Australian Zoo, home of the Crocodile Hunter, as well as the Big Kart Track, Australia’s largest go-kart track. Also a family favorite is Aussie World, a diverse theme park where you can ride the second largest ferris wheel in the Southern Hemisphere. The park is also home to the Ettamogah Pub, a recreation of the pub from the Ken Maynard cartoon series. Visitors are drawn to the pub’s caricature architectural style. Aussie World also boasts the Sunshine Coast’s largest collection of Aboriginal art and artifacts. Another excellent stop is the Queensland Air Museum, where guests can explore the history of aircraft back to World War II.
Caloundra is also an wonderful place to enjoy Australia’s beautiful great outdoors. Pumicestone Passage Marine Park is full of mangroves and sea grasses, and is home to more than 350 species of birds. Local tour guides offer boat cruises in the area, or you can kayak or even walk along the coastal beach trail. The Glass House Mountains are also nearby, and can be enjoyed by taking a scenic tourist drive. The Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is a forty hectare area of protected land that is home to many different species of wildlife. Guided tours are available and it is also a popular picnic and barbecue spot.
Dining is an experience in Caloundra and there is cuisine to suit everyone’s taste. The Velvet Waters restaurant is similar to a Hard Rock Café, and also is home to the Walk of Stars, a tribute to Australian musicians. The walk extends to the top of the hill and includes commemorative plaques.
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.
Located on the Gold Coast, Lamington National Park is made up of two distinct sections, the Binna Burra area and the Green Mountains. Overall, the park encompasses more than 20,000 hectares of land, and is mainly made up of ancient rainforest. There are extensive walking tracks in the area suitable for all fitness levels, and the forests are filled with exotic birds. Lizards, snakes, and small mammals can also sometimes be seen. Visitors that make their way up to the mountainous lookouts, either by hiking or by road, will be rewarded with phenomenal views of Queensland and its neighboring state of New South Wales. The area is full of fast-flowing streams and waterfalls which create pools where it may even be possible to spot an elusive platypus.
There are two mountain lodges located inside the park, both offering excellent eco-tourism programs. O’Reilly’s offers guests excellent views, luxurious rooms, and even a spa. They offer a multitude of day trips, including guided walks and four wheel drive excursions, as well as nature presentations and tours as part of their Discovery Program. The Tree Top Walk is a 300 meter long walk along nine suspension bridges 180 meters from the ground. It offers an exceptional opportunity to view the forest and its inhabitants from a very unique perspective. The Binna Burra Lodge is located on the other side of the park, and offers both rustic cabins as well as hotel rooms for accommodation. A variety of day trips are available, including adventurous activities such as abseiling and zip lining through the tree tops, as well as guided day hikes and birdwatching. A health spa and evening entertainment round out a visitor’s stay.
The southern area of the park can be accessed through Christmas Creek or the Lost World Valley, both of which offer varied accommodation options including bed and breakfasts and farmstays.
