Sunshine Coast Info
Introduction
Australia's Sunshine Coast is one of the most enjoyable places on the planet to visit, with pristine, beautiful beaches waiting to seduce visitors and relax them. Located in the eastern state of Queensland, the area is a relatively small stretch of coastline and adjacent land that is situated just a few hours' drive north of the state capital of Brisbane. Tourism flourishes in the area—as is the name didn't make that abundantly clear—, and for a variety of reasons: first of all, the gorgeous Pacific Ocean and its serene waters are too much to pass up; secondly, the natural attractions of the flora and fauna of the area are so unique and curious that they are quite an attraction on their own; and thirdly, it happens to be the home of the famous Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo! Throw onto all that the fact that the Sunshine Coast has more natural parks than any other part of Queensland, and is renowned for its ecological diversity and the strong and vigorous protection of native species, and you have got a winning combination of features.
Visiting the Sunshine Coast
Getting to the Sunshine Coast is a piece of cake, and most folks arrive by way of Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland. Simply take the Bruce Highway north on your way out of Brisbane and you will be in the Sunshine Coast in a matter of 2 to 3 hours. Within the area, there are two major arterial roads, the Nicklin Way and the Sunshine Motorway, which ought to get you around most parts of the area. Most people visiting are simply seeking out a little sea-side town to stop in, find a decently priced hotel, and enjoy the beach, the sea, and the wildlife and spectacular scenery. Of course, this is a really easy plan to fulfill, as the entire tourist industry in the area is geared to making those things a reality for the thousands and thousands of Australian and foreign tourists that visit every year (not just in summer, since the weather is great for most of the year).
In addition to Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo, another major attraction would have to be the UnderWater World marine park, which offers people a unique view into the lives of the water inhabitants of the area (as well as from many other parts of the world's oceans). Additionally, there are a tremendous variety of excellent natural parks, with Mapleton Falls National Park and Kondalilla National Parks both making significant impressions on all visitors, being just about the two most visited among the many other parks in the Sunshine Coast area, all of which are worth visiting. The best thing to do is to rent a car, a scooter, or a mountain bike and meander one's way through the area, discovering the vistas that most move your heart and inspire you as you go along.
History of the Area
The Sunshine Coast was first discovered by Europeans (of course, the aborigines had long before been inhabitants) when Captain John Cook sailed by this idyllic coast in 1770. The progression of events from there has been truly astounding, full of diversity, trials and travails, and lately marked by a significant and sustained bout of prosperity as the area has settled cozily down into being an attractive and successful tourist destination. The spirit of the area was forged by the aborigines and by the first three castaway white settlers, who preferred the freedom in the area to the incarceration in one of the nearby penal colonies (Australia was initially a British penal colony). With the passage of the years, there was a succession of gold rushes in and near the area, which served to further establish the ethos of the local population along rugged, independent lines. When railways were laid along eastern Australia, the traffic passing through the Sunshine area diminished as foot and horse travelers soon became rail passengers on lines that circumvented the the coastal strip. Henceforth, the mood in the area mellowed out a lot, and for several generations it has been considered a tranquil though lively destination for those with a love for fine living and beautiful natural surroundings. Hopefully she will stay that way for ever.