Take swathes of powdery sand, dreamy waterside towns, and reliably good surf, wrap it all in tropical rainforest, and you have the Sunshine Coast, a lush pocket of Queensland that is hard to fault. The official area stretches from Caloundra in the south to the Cooloola section of Great Sandy National Park in the north, with attractions in between catering to outdoor enthusiasts, gourmands, and sybarites alike. The most difficult decision you’ll face is which town to use as your base — many choose Noosa Heads for the diversity of dining and shopping options, not to mention easy access to great beaches and national parkland. But plenty of other postcard-perfect hamlets await, whether by the sea or in the hinterland just a short drive from the waves.

Part of the appeal of the Sunshine Coast is that you can touch down at Brisbane Airport (BNE) and be on the sand in just over an hour. Direct buses run north to Caloundra, Noosa Heads, and other villages along the coast. If you’re planning on basing yourself in a single town — and don’t have too much sporting equipment to lug around — then you won’t need your own transportation, as public buses, taxis, and rideshare offerings operate around the region. But if you are planning on exploring the hinterland or hopping between destinations, then having a car is ideal —  you’ll need a 4WD if you’re tackling the Great Beach Drive from Noosa North Shore. You can also fly from Sydney, Melbourne, Cairns, Canberra, Adelaide, or certain regional centres to Sunshine Coast Airport (MYC), whence onward bus connections service Noosa Heads.

There’s never a bad time to stay in one of Sunshine Coast’s holiday houses — it’s blessed with blissful weather year-round. But there are optimal times, depending on your interests. Peak season is the summer months, particularly the period around Christmas and New Year, when visitors descend to make the most of the sun, sand, and surf. Almost as busy are the Easter school holidays, which usher in perfect conditions for outdoor activities. The cooler months are a magnet for hikers and bikers, with lowered humidity and the chance of spotting migrating whales (May through November) a major draw. In between, you’ll find a packed calendar of events, including Noosa Festival of Surfing (May), Velothon Sunshine Coast (July), and Noosa Eat & Drink (June), for those looking to sample the produce this part of the state is known for.

Noosa Heads

The culinary and retail heart of the Sunshine Coast, Noosa Heads delivers the perfect dose of seaside glamour. Hang out in breezy restaurants and bars just steps from the sand, cool off with a dip in the ocean (the beach is patrolled by lifesavers), then peruse boutiques along main Hastings Street, where stores sell beach-chic homewares and clothing.

Coolum

Whether you like to tee off or jump on a wave, the coastal village of Coolum is a must-visit. The beach’s reliably good waves make it a magnet for surfers of all capabilities, with a surf school for grommets stepping on a board for the first time. Veer off the sand and onto a world-class fairway in town, one of which was designed by famous American course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr.

The Original Eumundi Markets

Held twice weekly since 1979, this mega-market — the largest of its kind in Australia — consumes the Noosa hinterland every Wednesday and Saturday. Browse hundreds of stalls selling handcrafted furniture, homewares, fashion, jewellery, and so much food. The people-watching opportunities are almost as good as the shopping.