National Parks

The Sunshine Coast is the gateway to World Heritage listed Fraser Island. The world's largest sand island is a paradise of crystal clear lakes with white sandy bottoms and pristine rainforests to wetlands.

At the southern end of the Sunshine Coast lie the Glass House Mountains. This is an ideal area for scenic drives, bushwalking and adventure rock climbing. Kondalilla National Park atop the Blackall Range takes its name from an Aboriginal word meaning rushing waters, no doubt named for the beautiful Kondalilla Falls which cascade almost a kilometre into a rainforest valley. Or you can picnic by the bank of a gently rippling creek in the nearby Mapleton Falls National Park.

There are literally hundreds of walking tracks and trails on offer on the Sunshine Coast. The diversity is amazing: from gentle rainforest circuits and picturesque coastal trails to challenging overnight wilderness camping treks like the 46.2km Great Sandy National Park's Cooloola Wilderness Trail. In the heart of the hinterland village of Buderim, you'll find the 45 hectare Buderim Forest Park which offers excellent walking and bird watching. A short stroll from Noosa's fashionable Hastings Street you'll find the sublime Noosa National Park, one of Queensland's few coastal national parks. Follow the picturesque bush and sea-view tracks past secluded coves and turquoise seas.

In Cooloola National Park, from Lake Cootharaba to Rainbow Beach is an unspoilt haven of ancient massive dunes, mangrove ecosystems, rainforest, fragrant wildflower plains and eucalyptus forest. Explore mystical Mount Coolum, Australia's second largest monolith.

Offshore from Caloundra is the Pumicestone Passage Marine Park, a haven for dugong, dolphins and birdlife and providing ideal conditions for sailing, guided kayak tours, eco cruises, kite surfing and fishing. The vast expanse of bush, sand and water that is Noosa's North Shore offers campers, walkers, boaties and anglers a pristine playground. Birdwatchers and photographers are in their element canoeing the tannin-stained mirror like waters of Noosa's tranquil Everglades.

Rainbow Beach is the "Gateway to Fraser Island".

This former sand mining town now hosts many attractions including the truly dramatic coloured sand cliffs of Rainbow Beach, Carlos sand blow, Double Island Point, and the Cherry Venture Shipwreck.

It's a 4x4 adventure land. Kilometres of unspoilt, white sandy beaches and turquoise rolling surf.

Cruise past massive banks of coloured sands, their ochre shades in picture perfect contrast to the blue skies and sparkling ocean.

Close to shore and soon to be declared a National Park, Mudjimba Island offers safe, easy and interesting diving. Lots of soft corals, sea sponges, sea anemones, Nudibranchs and many varieties of tropical fish inhabit this area. Also a great area for snorkeling.

Diving is fantastic on the Sunshine Coast. Take a closer look at the rusting skeleton of the SS Dicky wreck on Dicky Beach, one of a handful of Australian beaches with its own shipwreck.