The Sunshine Coast certainly is not one of those ironic names that are given to tourist destinations which belie their true character - the Sunshine Coast encompasses the sun-drenched beaches and dappled rainforest hinterland all the way from Rainbow Beach to Caloundra, 3 hours of straight driving but with days worth of exploring and relaxing to be done.
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It is almost impossible to cover the array of things to see and do on the Sunshine Coast, but certainly the only way to experience the region to its potential is with a cheap rental car in which you can go as fast or as slow as you like, from beach to beach or up into the hills of Glass Mountain for that hidden holiday retreat.
Whether you're inclined to pick up your car in Caboolture, only 50 minutes south along the Bruce Highway, or perhaps you are flying in to Brisbane Airport or Gold Coast Airport (a one hour and two-hour journey respectively in a rental car, but which would cost upwards of AUD $50 each way in a shuttle or taxi), having your own car on the Sunshine Coast is your ticket to see all it has to offer.
Comprising such must-sees as the award-winning area of Noosa Heads, with its white sand beaches, bath-warm water and bungalow architecture, and the acclaimed surf beaches of Maroochydore, there is no set agenda for where and how you spend your time on the Sunshine Coast. From surfing, to hiking, kayaking, wildlife watching, camping, sunbaking, hitting the theme parks or dancing the night away in town, all this is within an hour's drive in a car rental and well worth the outlay.
Road Trip: Sunshine Coast to Underwater World
1. Head southeast on Martincreek Rd toward Hillston St 270 m
2. Continue onto Bell Rd 170 m
3. Turn right to stay on Bell Rd 350 m
4. Take the 2nd right onto Gloucester Rd 400 m
5. Take the 2nd left onto Mill Rd 850 m
6. Turn right to stay on Mill Rd 120 m
7. Turn left at King St 800 m
8. King St turns slightly left and becomes Mooloolaba Rd 350 m
9. Turn right to stay on Mooloolaba Rd 2.9 km
10. Turn right to merge onto Sunshine Mwy 2.4 km
11. Exit onto Brisbane Rd 1.6 km
12. At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit onto Foote St 230 m
13. Turn left at River Esp 280 m
14. Take the 2nd right onto Parkyn Pde 700 m