Mar/100
Discovering The Sunshine Coast Of Australia
This scenic drive meanders through the Blackall Range, the emerald green hills that surround the beaches and resort villages of the Sunshine Coast. Along this tour you will find quaint villages along the hillsides along with stores, cafes and galleries. To the far southern end of the tour is the sculptural majesty of the Glass House Mountains. This picturesque drive can be done in a day but if you care to stay overnight there are many accommodations available.
Begin your tour at Noosa Heads, which is known to be the epicenter of the Sunshine coast, set on the lovely Laguna Bay. The dramatic clifftop views that span downward to the sandy beaches are amazing. Next stop is Eumundi. Eumundi is a 19th century timber town which begins the ascent to the hills. The fresh market on Wednesday and Saturday is a great time to stop and enjoy the local produce and craters. Yandina is the next stop on this journey. Ginger is a major crop in this area and they have a factory which also serves as a theme park for visitors. Don't miss the ride through the gardens on the Queensland Cane Train.
On the way to the next location take a rest at the Dulong Lookout. The views here are breathtaking, from the rolling green hills to the dense forest, worth the stop. Mapleton falls National Park is a preserved rainforest with a lovely 120m waterfall. The road from Mapleton to Flaxton traces the Blackall Range and offers unparalleled views to the east and west. Just past Flaxton to the south is the turn-off to Kondalilla National Park where three are over 100 now bird species to be found. Another cascading waterfall can be fund here along with a rockpool for swimming.
Between Montville and Maleny is Gerrard Lookout -375 metres above sea level. It takes the entire spread of the Sunshine Coast from the high rise of Caloundra to the dense coastal forests around Noosa Heads.Balmoral Lookout, a few kilometers further along offers views across farmland to nearby Lake Baroon and westward to the forests around Kenilworth. Beyond Maleny is Mountain View Road which provides breathtaking views of the Mountains .At McCarthys lookout a sign identifies the peaks including those of the Glass House Mountains. Further along, visit Mary Cairncross Park named after the famous environmentalist where there are walking tracks and a natural history centre.
Old Gympie Road cuts right through the middle of the Glass House Mountains and veers southward to Landsborough. There are 16 volcanic plugs and peaks and plugs which make up the Glass House Mountains at their maximum height of 556 meters. Rock climbing is a popular sport for climbing here.
Many travelers searching for the right Sunshine Coast accommodation start by searching the internet. Online you can search for just the right Sunshine Coast hotels to fit the needs of your group for your upcoming trip.