If you're dreaming of the Australian icons of sun, sea, surf and sand, Queensland's Sunshine Coast epitomises these images as well as anywhere else. Beautiful beaches, fashionable suburbs and the laid-back lifestyle sum up everything Aussie.

Just over an hours drive north of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast consists of golden beach upon golden beach. Beginning at Caloundra in the south and stretching north through Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland, Maroochydore and Coolum, the coastal strip is crowned by the ultra fashionable resort of Noosa, a famous surfing mecca since the early 1960's. Accommodation, dining, and activity choices are many and varied, ensuring an easy and enjoyable stay in this friendly holiday playground.

Although the beach culture is the region's main attraction, the Sunshine Coast has plenty more to offer. Running parallel to the coast, the spectacular scenery of the hinterland makes an excellent diversion from the sun and surf. At the foothills and hidden within the Glass House Mountains and Blackall ranges, the picturesque villages and towns of the coast interior have gone craft crazy, and are just waiting to be explored.

Perched on the northern beaches of the Sunshine Coast, Noosa is a resort town like no other in Australia. Strict regulations have avoided the predictable high rise conglomeration, dispersing Noosa's immense holiday facilities graciously into the surrounding environment. The lush tropical bush land, fringed by fantastic beaches and meandering waterways provides the idyllic setting for Queensland's most fashionable boulevards and avenues, which are seemingly overflowing with alfresco cafes, sidewalk restaurants, speciality shops, and elegant low-lying hotels and resorts. Amid glorious year round weather, this alluring blend encourages a wide cross section of people to visit every year, at times tripling the area's normal population.

If your bored with lazing on the beach or relaxing about sipping coffees and cocktails, Noosa has an abundance of activities on offer. Around town, the ocean and waterways are ideal for all kinds of watersports, most commonly utilised for surfing (lessons available), water-skiing, all kinds of fishing, and boating as fast or slow as you want it. Tranquil canoeing trips and river cruises are the best way to experience the beauty of Noosa's everglades, imparting an eye-opening look at the area's diverse mangrove ecosystems and luxury waterfront homes. Cruises depart from Noosa Harbour Marine Village near Tewantin, as do fishing charter companies like the popular Men at Work, catering for both river and deep sea fishing.

Noosa hosts an equally impressive range of land-based activities, with many adventure tour groups running exciting trips into the hinterland. Rock climbing, abseiling, horse riding, and mountain biking is just a taste of what's on offer. 4WD tours are also plentiful, providing the link to the otherwise inaccessible Cooloola National Park. Visitors are treated to an unforgettable journey all the way to Fraser Island (see Fraser Coast) along the deserted stretches and colourful sands of Rainbow Beach. For scenic landscapes closer to town, try a stroll in the picturesque Noosa National Park.

Surrounding Noosa's sparkling waterways, much of the lush tropical wilderness is protected by Noosa National Park. From humble beginnings when a small pocket of rainforest was set aside in 1879, the park now encompasses over 2300 hectares of coastal land, and it's many features include rugged cliff faces, secluded beaches and bays, sand dunes, trickling creeks and an amazing diversity of native fauna and flora. Varying in length and difficulty, a number of scenic walks begin at park headquarters, before winding their way over the spectacular cape of Noosa Head. Keep an eye out for the stately bluegum eucalypts, a favoured haunt of the resident koalas.

To the south of Noosa, the connecting resort towns of Sunshine Beach, Marcus Beach, and Peregian Beach are contained within a pleasant urban strip, running along kilometres of uninterupted coastline. They offer a quieter alternative to the always busy Noosa, as well as plenty more exceptional beach front accommodation. Further south, Coolum is the largest of the southern resorts, famous for it's quality world-class golf courses. The accommodation is of similar standard and encircles the friendly Coolum Village, the home to a lively restaurant and cafe scene.

Located centrally, Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, and Alexandra Headland merge together to create the holiday district known as Maroochy, and the heart of the Sunshine Coast. Forming the coast's largest urban centre, Maroochy is alive with exciting things to see and so, and you'll love the laid-back lifestyle and atmosphere.

With the ideal location along kilometres of waterfront, Maroochydore hosts the Sunshine Coast's best shopping as well as a majority of Maroochy's accommodation. Visitors have the luxury of stepping out of bed onto either the sands of the broad surf beach or the shores of the beautiful Maroochy River. The river is the area's natural centrepiece, and attracts not only huge birdlife population including large numbers of pelicans and swans, but a constant stream of anglers and watersports enthusiasts. Eco cruises are also available on the river, providing a first-hand experience of the unique ecosystems still flourishing among two hundred year old mangroves.

Alexandra Headland is the adjacent resort to the south, renowned for it's great surfing. A number other extreme sports such as roller blading, skate boarding, and free style bike riding are also on offer. Participate or watch from a cafÈ overlooking the popular beach.

Further south, the new-look Mooloolaba has become a holiday destination to rival any resort development in the world. Major refurbishment has seen the arrival of a impressive range of resturants and cafes, an array of speciality shops and boutiques, and a buzzing nightclub scene. These are within a stones throw of a top-class selection of self-contained apartments, (see Hotels in Accommodation) most overlooking Mooloolaba's magnificent beach and harbour.

The Mooloolaba Harbour is another recent development, complimenting the area's overall appeal. Home to the award-winning marine attraction of Underwater World, is also houses a promenade of quality shops and restaurants known as The Wharf.

Offering panoramic views of the picturesque coastline, the charming of village Buderim lies just a few kilometres inland of the Maroochy centre. At two hundred metres above sea level, this tiny town has very been successful in retaining it's enchanting historical flavour. Many fine nineteenth century buildings still line the streets, surrounded by beautiful and thriving sub-tropical gardens. Adding to the greenery and the scenery, pockets of rainforest adorn the adjacent Buderim Forrest Park, and the Headland Golf Course is one of the Sunshine Coast's most handsome. Buderim also makes the ideal location for those seeking a cosy bed and breakfast retreat.