Noosa National Park, Sunshine Coast © Big Jobs

One of Queensland's premier holiday destinations just north of Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast runs further south down the state running from Caloundra and extending to Cooloola, the gateway to the World Heritage listed site of Fraser Island. A thriving city life is juxtaposed by the wildness of the coast and nearby Blackall Mountain Range and Noosa Hinterland, providing all kinds of holiday opportunities for visitors.

With an average of 300 days of sunshine a year, it's no surprise why the Sunshine Coast is named so, and why it is a favourite holiday destinations for visitors of all persuasions. This region is home to more national parks than any other area of Queensland, as well as numerous world-class golf courses, rewarding fishing opportunities on the reefs at Mooloolaba, and over 62 miles (100km) of sugary white beaches to laze upon, where travellers can soak up all that glorious sunshine. The surf along this stretch of coastline is good too, with Noosa National park offering clean waves and a very nice right hand point break at the Alexandra Headland.

The most popular holiday destination on the coast is the resort town of Noosa. Visitors can explore the Noosa Everglades on a boat tour, visit the Blackall Range and drop by the quaint villages of Montville, Flaxton and Mapleton to experience true hinterland hospitality. Then there's the breathtaking natural beauty of the Mapleton Falls National Park and Kondalilla National Park, which are also located in the Blackall Range, and the hinterland towns of the Glasshouse Mountains, home to Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo in Beerwah.