The name says all - bask in the warmth of the sun and enjoy the bounty of the earth when you find your haven on the Sunshine Coast, 200km north of Brisbane’s CBD, on the Coral Sea. It includes 60 km of coastline and lush hinterland - from Pelican Waters to Tewantin.
The Sunshine Coast takes in stunning, unspoilt beaches and picture-perfect waterways with lush forests teeming with birdlife, Heritage-listed National Parks and relaxed, welcoming towns. It’s also often referred to as one of the top retirement destinations.
There’s Never A Dull Moment
From cafe hopping and dining beneath the stars, Noosa is in the heart of the Sunshine Coast and is as fashionable as Sydney’s Double Bay or Melbourne’s Toorak Village. In fact, many people from both of these places descend on Noosa during the holiday season, which can be good and bad.
With retirement communities close by, Noosa offers an upscale village lifestyle, for the sophisticated retiree.
But there’s so much more to explore in the Sunshine Coast when it comes to settling down here including the many attractions of less fashionable Maroochydore or Caloundra and Coolum, which is a popular choice for retirees thanks to the championship golf course. Meanwhile, Maroochydore offers putt-putt golf and karaoke, which is a lot of fun for all ages.
Keeping Your Cool On The Sunshine Coast
The climate is humid and subtropical with cooler nights during the winter season but warm days, which usually hover around the 20s even in the coolest months of the year. The water temperature remains in the early 20s in most of the popular beaches, so swimming in winter at the beach is very possible.
Arriving Is Easy, Leaving Is Hard
After all, few people want to leave the Sunshine Coast once they settle in. Fly into the Sunshine Coast Airport situated at Marcoola, a 34 minute drive to Noosa Heads, which is 27km away on the Sunshine Coast Motorway. The Sunshine Coast Airport is serviced by most airlines including Qantas, Virgin and Jetstar. You can travel to and from there by bus, taxi, car or take the shuttle service.
The main rail station for the Sunshine Coast is at Nambour, halfway between Caloundra and Noosa Heads. Getting around the Sunshine Coast is a breeze via car, taxi, bus and Uber.
Choosing Your Place In The Sun.
If you’re a beachcomber at heart and the sound of crashing waves is music to your ears, there’s a wonderful, picture-perfect, unspoilt beach at the town of Mooloolaba, near Maroochydore. Both of these relaxed destinations have an interesting scene and a cafe lifestyle.
However to experience another take on The Sunshine Coast, go inland towards the stunning Blackall Range with the warmth and charm of its villages including Maleny, Montville and Mapleton.
Living Your Best Life For Less.
The median house price on the Sunshine Coast is around $587k, which is much less expensive than Sydney, for example, and is certainly less expensive the further you go away from the beaches. You could find a studio apartment in a retirement community for as little as $160k, which may leave you with more disposable income for travelling and indulging in the many activities that the Sunshine Coast has to offer.
Away from the tourist centres, you have more spending power at the supermarket or at the more casual restaurants where a dinner for two could cost around $60 per person.
Feast In Style On The Sunshine Coast.
With fresh seafood and the best local produce, dining out is always going to be a good idea around the Sunshine Coast. Noosa is the epicurean epicentre with many restaurants that have become institutions and spawned a new breed of young chefs. The small towns offer everything from Thai to tapas, French to Southern American and everything in between. But sometimes, nothing beats the warmth of a Queensland pub bistro for a steak `or a chicken `parma’. At the Sunshine Coast, you’ll discover another taste of the good life.
Flex Your Shopping Muscle On The Sunshine Coast
Let’s start off with the ultimate farmer’s market, Eumundi Markets are open each Wednesday and Saturday morning until around 2 PM. You'll find the freshest produce here from tropical fruits to indulgent cheeses, meats and seafood. You can also discover arts and crafts, clothes, accessories and homewares among the 1,000 stores. Plan to arrive there early in the day and have breakfast or lunch in one of the open-air cafes, while you enjoy the live entertainment.
However, you may also shop in air-conditioned comfort at the magnificent Sunshine Plaza at Maroochydore. Meet your friends in front of the lavish fountain as you browse the many shops. Afterwards, you could take in a movie at the large cinema complex.
Other shopping malls include Stockland Caloundra, Noosa Village and C-Square Nambour. Did we also mention the joys of boutique hopping on Hastings Street in Noosa. You’ll want to discard many of your city clothes and look resort chic all year round.
Taking Really Good Care Of Yourself
Just because you feel as though you’re on a forever holiday, you still need to be reassured that you can have big city health care close to your new home.
The Sunshine Coast University Hospital is a $1.8billion public hospital in the township of Birtinya, which is closest to Mooloolaba. The campus, in this modern, well-designed hospital has a range of specialities including cancer care, trauma service, rehabilitation, renal dialysis and specialist ambulatory care services.
There’s also smaller hospitals and health facilities dotted all around the Sunshine Coast, so you’re never far away from health care should you need it.
Living It Up
This is the time to indulge yourself with all of your favourite past-times. The Sunshine Coast offers everything from championship golf courses to putt putt at the Holey Moley Mini Golf in Maroochydore, go bushwalking in the beautiful Sunshine Coast hinterland and discover the wonders of the rich vegetation. You could become a fully-fledged beachcomber, discovering the many sensational beaches. Or take up fishing or challenge yourself with one of the many water sports on offer. Perhaps you’re after something even more chilled, then take a scenic drive along the Bli Bli Road from Maroochydore to Mapleton and stop off for lunch at the historic pub there. You’ll soon be feeling as relaxed as one of the locals as you find your haven on the Sunshine Coast.
Pros
- The Sunshine Coast can feel like an adult playground, filled with fun activities.
- The beaches are spectacular
- There are great dining choices
- Eumundi Markets are world-class
- The hinterland is magical
Cons
- It can get very humid, also stormy
- You’ll need air conditioning or ceiling fans in summer
- Insects and wildlife like living on The Sunshine Coast as well
- There’s a lot of tourists in summer, especially around Noosa.
- Prices go up in summer for everything from a cappuccino to a bottle of wine.
- The public transport can be a little laid back as well.
