3 Best Sights in Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Incorporating 16 km (10 miles) of beachfront that stretches north to Noosa national park, lovely Sunshine Beach is patrolled year-round. Beach breaks, reliable swell, a rocky headland sheltering it from winds, and clear, glassy water make Sunshine popular with surfers. End a long day of swimming with a beer or a meal at The Sunshine Beach Surf Club. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; sunset; surfing; swimming; walking.

With gentle waves and year-round lifeguard patrol, Noosa's Main Beach is a perfect swimming spot, ideal for families or those who aren't confident in the bigger swells. The beach backs onto leafy Hastings Street with its bustle of upmarket cafés, bars, restaurants, and shopping spots. For a quieter scene, head to Noosa Spit, a popular picnic spot and off-leash dog beach. Or for wild beauty and great surf, Tea Tree Bay in the national park is a 20-minute walk away. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking; showers; toilets. Best for: sunrise; sunset; swimming; surfing; walking.

About 3 km (2 miles) northeast of Noosa Heads you'll find the Teewah Coloured Sands, an area of multicolor dunes created in the Ice Age by natural chemicals in the soil. Teewah's sands stretch inland from the beach to a distance of about 17 km (11 miles); some of the 72 distinctly hued sands even form cliffs rising to 600 feet. A four-wheel-drive vehicle and permit are essential for exploring this area and sites to the north, such as Cooloola National Park—home to 1,300-plus species of plants, 700 native animals, and 44% of Australia's bird species—and Great Sandy National Park. Access is by ferry across the Noosa River at Tewantin.

Tour operators run day trips that take in these sights; some include visits to K'gari (Fraser Island), north of Rainbow Beach. You can also explore the area on foot. One of Queensland's Great Walks winds through Cooloola National Park.