22
SHARETIME
Australia road trip:
PA RT
2
The Sunshine Coast - Welcome to Paradise
In this second part of our Australian timeshare road trip, Jan Murphy from Dial An Exchange suggests places to visit on Australia’s beautiful Sunshine Coast.
T
he Sunshine Coast is nowhere near as brash as the Gold Coast. It has plenty of beautiful beaches, good golf courses and gourmet restaurants. But the debate continues as to which is the better destination. We think it all depends upon who you talk to! First you must get out on the water. Those who like comfort should go on Whale One, with its buffet lunch and on-board photographer. However, the adventurous will prefer Liquid Getaway’s ‘rubber ducky’.
Just see how many whales pass you by while you loll in comfort. For a total change of pace, visit the biggest handmade art and craft market in Australia in lovely Eumundi. If none of the divine stall treats tempt you, have lunch at the landmark Imperial Hotel. Ask for a lager from the local brewery while you’re about it. If you prefer to cook yourself, the Buderim Ginger cooking school is one of half a dozen that offer the chance to shine in the kitchen.
Tasmanian devils that will be coming out of their mum’s pouch for the first time around the end of August. Ride a horse on the beach or a steam train through the Mary Valley; walk the National Park trail or the top shopping strip in Noosa; take a breathtaking drive through Maleny and Montville on your way to listen to the bellbirds. You may have come to the Sunshine Coast for the whale watching, but you’ll be glad you stayed for everything else.
If you’re not one for leaving the land, visit the Underwater World aquarium instead. There aren’t any whales, but you can kiss a seal! Highlights en-route – Gold to Sunshine Coast *Stop for a quick burn on a go-kart at Le Mans Kart Racing Complex or Pacific Kartsport, both just off the highway; *Take the edge off with a delicious Yatala Pie, renowned throughout the region; Though you won’t get lunch, being so close to the water adds something unique. Imagine … dolphins surfing the bow wave, whales breaching up ahead. Ahhh. If you’re not one for leaving the land, visit the Underwater World aquarium instead. There aren’t any whales, but you can kiss a seal! Alternatively, take some local wine and fresh gourmet produce to Point Perry or Arkwright, in Coolum; Point Cartwright, in Kawana; Moffat Headland, in Moffat Beach; or Dolphin Point, in Noosa National Park.
*Check out the life of the mangroves and some indigenous Australian art totems in the Boondall Wetlands Reserve;
Alternatively, take the kids to Aussie World and have lunch at the quirky Ettamogah Pub, immortalised in cartoons. Make a day of it at Steve Irwin’s multi-awardwinning Australian Zoo. Apart from the expected crocs, make time to see the baby
*You’ll know you’re almost there when you spy the steep, rocky points of the Glasshouse Mountains that thrust high in the Western sky. If you have time, turn off the highway for a picnic and panoramic viewpoints in the National Park; and *Stock up with juicy, organic berries at Strawberry Fields and freshly baked ginger scones and jam from the Ginger Factory. In our next issue: finish your road trip on Fraser Coast