Sunshine Coast holiday or Gold Coast this year?
Got a week to spend in SE Queensland? Trying to decide whether to go to the Sunshine Coast or the Gold Coast? Or even both? Both Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast accommodation are equally first rate and with both regions being equally distant from Brisbane airport, each having their own domestic airports, it can be very hard to choose.
However, ask yourself what kind of holiday you are looking for; is it fun and action packed excitement, or is it relaxation and getting back to nature? The two regions are very different from each other and although it is possible to find both types of holiday in each place, they each have their speciality.
When you think of the Sunshine Coast, you can expect to find pristine, lazy beaches with early morning surfers, lush national parks, gourmet dining, boutique style shopping and beautiful hinterland.
The Sunshine Coast is home to more individual national parks than any other region in Queensland. The natural biodiversity of the region has been protected by five separate national parks in coastal and hinterland areas, including Noosa National Park, Mapleton Falls National Park, The Glasshouse Mountains National Park, Kondalilla National Park, and the Great Sandy National Park, which includes sections on Fraser Island and in Cooloola near Rainbow Beach. Indeed Noosa now has UNESCO Biosphere status in recognition of its unique efforts in reconciling people and nature.
Sunshine Coast accommodation can offer the ideal place for a relaxing family holiday or peaceful couples retreat. You can share the simple pleasures with the children, such as strawberry farms around the Sunshine Coast where you can pick your own before paying. Take the kids for a walk through Noosa National Park where you may see koalas and goanna, and many birds including the black cockatoo. Or you could take them snorkelling in some of the little coves to see turtles and a dazzling array of fish. Make sure you visit Eumundi on a Wednesday or Saturday for the best country market around, particularly for arts and craft.
However, there are still activities to take the kids to on a rainy day, such as Australia Zoo, the rides at Aussie World, Underwater World, the Big Pineapple and the Buderim Ginger Factory.
If you travel straight to the Gold Coast from the Sunshine Coast, the first thing that will strike you is the proliferation of high rise buildings. Being the sixth most populous city in the country with a very active nightlife and huge variety of tourist attractions, there is a temptation to believe that the Gold Coast is over populated and spoilt by soaring constructions. However, to the west of the city, the hinterland offers a tranquil rainforest alternative.
Major tourist attractions include internationally renowned surf beaches, and theme parks including Dreamworld, Sea World, Wet'n'Wild Water World, Warner Bros. Movie World, WhiteWater World, Fleays Wildlife Park, Currumbin Sanctuary, Australian Outback Spectacular and Paradise Country.
The gold Coast also boasts the world’s highest residential tower, the Q1. With an observation deck at level 77, it has been a popular tourist destination since it opened in 2005. At 322.5 metres high, it towers over the Surfers Paradise skyline.
Of course, no visit to the Gold Coast is complete without observing or taking part in its most popular past time; surfing. With 57 kilometres of coastline, the city has some of the popular surf breaks in Australia, including Burleigh Heads, Snapper Rocks Superbank and Main Beach.
No matter whether you choose a relaxing, laid back holiday, or adrenalin fuelled fun, both Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast accommodation will offer a huge range of places to stay; from backpackers and campsites, to farm stays and luxury five star resorts.
So what kind of holiday do you want? The choice is yours.
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