Noosa is a diverse region located on Australia’s Sunshine Coast and is made up of a variety of coastal villages and country towns. With a variety of beaches, including Main Beach, the area is an excellent place to enjoy ocean swims and lazy days soaking up the sun. There are also some great places to learn to surf, as well as some more experienced surfing locations such as First Point, Granite Bay, and Sunshine Beach. Additionally, the area is known for its excellent fishing with a reef system located only three kilometers offshore.
Noosa National Park’s Headlands section is one of Australia’s most visited national parks, and here you’ll find an abundance of ecosystems in a small area. Home to many types of wildlife, visitors often see koala and goannas, and there are also excellent walking tracks with incredible views. The park is home to a vast network of trails, so horse-back riding and mountain biking are also popular. The peace and quiet of the river system north of Tewantin is a haven for those needing to get away from the hubbub of the city, and is best enjoyed by canoe or kayak. The Kinaba Information Centre is a unique spot that can only be reached by boat.
Fraser Island is also nearby, and is a great destination for ecotourism activities. The largest sand island in the world, Fraser Island is 123 kilometers long and covers 184,000 hectares. The island is home to very large numbers of birds, and also has what are considered the most genetically pure dingoes in Australia. The island is also home to a small population of brumbies, Australia’s wild horses, which can be seen on the north end. Barges ferry cars over to the island, so you can either book a guided tour or take your own vehicle. There is limited accommodation available on the island as well.
The Gold Coast is a famous area of Queensland, and home to three of the state’s best beachfront areas – Main Beach, Surfer’s Paradise, and Broadbeach. Main Beach is well known as the Malibu of Queensland with its upscale and relaxed lifestyle. Enjoy the multitude of cafes and restaurants, luxurious accommodations such as the Palazzo Versace or the Sheraton Mirage, and trendy shopping boutiques. The area is home to several resort hotels, and even the Sea World Resort where the classic theme park is combined with a family friendly hotel. If you enjoy water sports, surfing and diving are popular in the area.
Surfer’s Paradise is another fantastic holiday destination. This famous coastline often shows up in Australian photographs, and is one of Australia’s most famous beaches. The surrounding centre is chock full of accommodation options in all price ranges, from backpacking hostels up to five star hotels, and there is much to see in the area, including the Dreamworld theme park that is a great family destination. The nightlife in Surfer’s Paradise is varied and exciting, with live entertainment featured everywhere. Every October the area is home to Indy 300 racing.
Only a few kilometers south of Surfer’s Paradise is Broadbeach, a wonderful area for families to enjoy. The quiet beaches are patrolled by lifeguards, and the local parks are not only child friendly but a great way for families to enjoy the area cost-free. Dining is known to be a little cheaper in this area as well, making it an ideal place to find affordable vacation packages. Outdoor craft markets are held on the beach on the first and third Sundays of the month. For the adults there is still plenty to see and do, including the large casino and entertainment complex. For those of a more adventurous sort, try Dracula’s Cabaret, a dinner theatre show where guests are taken to their seats on an old fashioned haunted ghost train and are treated to a three course dinner and two hour horror-comedy show.
