Throw Away the Winter Woollies... Maroochy Awaits

Set in the heart of the Sunshine Coast, Maroochy is one of Australia’s best kept secrets.

Whether you’re looking for pristine sandy beaches, rainforest walks, culture, shopping, fine dining or a relaxing café experience, Maroochy is the perfect holiday destination.  It’s an easy seventy-five minute drive north of Brisbane and the ideal place to relax and rejuvenate in the tropical Queensland sun.

What makes this destination so refreshing is the lack of high rise buildings and throngs of beach goers, despite it being one of the most popular holiday destinations in Australia.

It’s almost as though this little gem is still to be discovered by the masses, which makes it a perfect place to wind down and enjoy the region’s diversity… one relaxing day at a time.

The endless white beaches and year-round warm ocean make it easy to while away the time whilst the natural attractions in Maroochy are bountiful.  National parks with scenic walks, waterfalls, rainforests and an array of birds and wildlife make them a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike.

While the slower pace of Maroochy is one of its drawcards, this is no sleepy beachside destination as there are many vibrant hotspots to keep you entertained.

One of these is Mooloolaba which has a spectacular beach and thriving Esplanade making it a firm favourite with visitors to Maroochy.  With an impressive selection of restaurants, buzzing cafés, shopping and nightlife, the energy in this beachside enclave is contagious.

UnderWater World is only a couple of hundred metres from the esplanade and is the largest aquarium in Queensland, boasting a 2,5 million litre oceanarium with thousands of coral fish, sharks, rays and other spectacular sea creatures.

Local dive operators are ready to escort you to the largest diveable wreck on Australia’s east coast, the ex-HMAS Brisbane - a guided missile destroyer which was sunk off the coast only three years ago.  The site attracts divers across all levels of experience and is home to thousands of marine animals including turtles, damsel fish, butterfly cod, wrasse, eels and sharks as well as a range of soft corals.

Further up the coast, the resort towns of Alexandra Headland and Cotton Tree offer more beautiful beaches, while Maroochydore offers retail therapy and waterside dining with breathtaking views of the Maroochy River.

Eateries across Maroochy pride themselves in offering the highest quality local produce and seafood fresh off the boat.  Whether you’re after fish and chips or fine dining, there is something to satisfy every appetite.

Or why not dabble in a cooking class at the internationally acclaimed Spirit House in Yandina and learn to cook authentic Thai as a souvenir to take home?  You’ll certainly be popular with friends for your mouth-watering repertoire!

Also north of the Maroochy River, the beachside villages of Mudjimba and Coolum are favourites with the surfers and the second biggest monolith in Australia, Mt Coolum, makes for an impressive landscape.  It overlooks the Australian PGA Championship golf course at the Hyatt Regency Golf Resort & Spa and with 180 degree views along the Sunshine Coast, the climb to the top is really worthwhile and manageable, even for a novice! 

The Maroochy hinterland offers a completely different dimension to this coastal holiday experience and only half an hour’s drive inland finds you in picturesque mountain villages connected by winding country roads.

Art galleries thrive, luxury retreats and wineries are tucked away in the hills and the scenic drives through the Blackall Range will take your breath away.

Montville is everything you could imagine a hinterland village to be, with tea shops, galleries, craft and gift shops and even a magnificent clock shop and tiny candy factory where you can watch the delicious merchandise being handcrafted.

Nearby the spectacular Kondalilla Falls are easily accessed from the main road and are also incorporated into the 58km Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk which takes in some of the Range’s most scenic areas.  Take a half-day or full-day stroll or enjoy the complete walk over four to six days taking advantage of the camping facilities available.

Further north lies the market town of Eumundi which is like stepping into another era.  The main road is lined with historic buildings and enormous trees and the world-famous markets attract over 1.25 million visitors a year on Wednesday and Saturday mornings. 

The 500 market stalls transform the township into a hive of activity with music, entertainment and activities for the kids and the pub across the road is the perfect place to spend the rest of the afternoon enjoying the live music.

Maroochy offers you the opportunity to relax and recharge with a vast range of exciting tourist attractions and infinite natural beauty.  So if it’s diversity you’re after, visit the destination that has it all! 

For more information visit www.discovermaroochy.com.au and plan your visit to one of Australia’s most idyllic holiday destinations.

Order your free copy of Jasons Sunshine Fraser & Coral Coasts RoutePlanner now!

Editorial supplied by www.discovermaroochy.com.au
Images © www.discovermaroochy.com.au