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Less than one hour drive north from Brisbane is the Sunshine Coast or North Coast to the locals. A favourite weekend destination for Brisbane residents it has a rapidly growing tourist population. 
Major coastal towns in the region include Caloundra, Mooloolabah, Maroochydore, Nambour and Noosa Heads. Casual and relaxed, the atmosphere is perfect for swimming, sunbathing and just taking it easy. The unique glasshouse mountains located behind the coastal towns offer beautiful rainforest walks, climbing for the more energetic and several national parks in the hinterland provide spectacular views of the coast and camping grounds.

Maroochydore
Maroochydore offers a blend of surf beach and the calm waters of the Maroochy River whose southern bank forms a virtually unbroken stretch of parkland and picnic spots. Ideal for boating, fishing and aquatic pastimes, it is also the venue of major surf sport carnivals. The location is a perfect central base for exploring the coast's attractions by car, coach or public transport.

Mooloolaba
Mooloolaba is a local Sunshine Coast town by the Mooloolah River that boasts coastal and river frontages. It has an all-weather port which is home to the Auckland-Mooloolaba and Sydney-Mooloolaba Yacht races. This area offers a harmonious mix of beach, harbour, parks and shopping with prime coastal strip panoramas. Mooloolaba is home base to International standard marinas, the "Under Water World" oceanarium and a pilot station for Moreton Bay River, coastal, deep sea and game fishing. The local trawling fleet keep the restaurants, from beachfront cafes to fine dining, supplied with the freshest of seafood.

Noosa

Noosa national park

Noosa Heads, set on the edge of Noosa National Park and Laguna Bay, is alive with international standard shops, restaurants and accommodation. Accommodation options range from budget backpacker establishments, units and apartments to the luxury of the Sheraton Noosa Resort. From Hastings Street, the centre of activity, visitors are only a short distance from the Noosa National Park, the Noosa River Everglades and Cooloola National Park. Day tours and 4WD expeditions to Fraser Island are also a popular option.

 Useful links for the Sunshine coast:

	Tourist attractions:
	Australia Zoo - (Home of televisions 'Crocodile hunter')
	Big Pineapple - Theme park and QLD icon
	Caloundra Tourist Information Centre
	Under water world - Mooloolaba
	Transport:
	Sunshine shuttle - Airport bus service
	Sunbus - local bus service

Further north: Fraser Coast
Fraser Island, just north of the Sunshine Coast, is the world's largest sand island, over 70 miles long and average 10 miles wide. Apart from a surf beach that stretches for about 50 miles, there are rainforests waiting to be explored, crystal clear freshwater lakes and wild life. Whale watching gets you close to the big humpbacks during the migration seasons (between August and October).