By Peter Bloom
If the idea of an affordable holiday spent amidst the beauty of nature and close to stunning beachfront locations sounds appealing, you may want to discover the delights of caravanning on the Sunshine Coast. Every year, more and more Australians seem to be finding out for themselves just how ideal this area is, for the seasoned caravan enthusiast or the first-time caravaner alike. Whatever you are looking for in a holiday, you are likely to find it here in abundance.
The Sunshine Coast is just over an hour’s drive north of Brisbane, but this drive takes you into a world you may not have imagined. It’s a world of unbroken stretches of golden sandy beaches, lapped by the blue Pacific waves, of sub-tropical rain forests, and of spectacular ancient mountain landscapes. Not only this, but it benefits from Australia’s most benign climate — it has one of the world’s highest year-round sunshine ratings, and enjoys consistent sub-tropical temperatures with no extremes of heat or cold.
Sunshine Coast Caravan Park Locations
If the idea of caravanning on the Sunshine Coast sounds attractive, you have an incredible variety of locations to choose from. There is free camping in some areas, though you always need to check with visitor information centres to make sure camping is allowed. Alternatively, there is an amazing selection of caravan parks, both on the coast and inland, most of them with power, and many providing laundry, toilet and shower facilities, and kitchens. So whether you prefer to enjoy your creature comforts, or get right away from it all, the choice is yours.
Caravanning on the Sunshine Coast is for everyone, singles, families, or retirees and grey nomads. Certainly, if you are looking for a family holiday, many of the holiday parks provide not just a stunning location, but a fantastic selection of activities which your kids will find irresistible. A special favourite with many families is the Cotton Tree Holiday Park, with nearly 400 powered caravan sites, right on the water’s edge where the Maroochy River runs into the sea. The Forest Glen Rainforest Resort has a marvellous range of activities for kids, and in addition this is the closest holiday park to big attractions like Aussie World, the Australia Zoo, and the famous Eumundi Markets.
Alternatively, if you fancy a wilderness experience, the Noosa North Shore Retreat is accessed across the Noosa River via a gorgeous cable ferry, and has powered and non-powered sites, but no plumbed water. There are plenty of wallabies to see, and this is one of the few parks that welcome your dog as well.
Hinterland Attractions
It’s not just the beautiful beach-side locations that make holidays here so delightful. The Sunshine Coast hinterland incorporates many unique attractions, including natural wonders like the Blackall Ranges and the Glasshouse Mountains. The Blackall Range Drive is one of the most dramatic of the scenic drives, and at its highest point you can see the whole Sunshine Coast spread out before you.
Whether your choice of holiday activity is rainforest walks, fishing, basking on the beach, kayaking, or simply enjoying the peace, you can certainly find it while caravanning on the Sunshine Coast. If you’re new to caravanning, it’s the best place to start, as everyone is so friendly, and there’s so much help available. For a holiday that’s affordable, comfortable, exciting and adventurous, it’s pretty hard to beat.
Caravan Photo by: FreeDigitalPhotos