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Sunshine Coast, Australia Sunshine Coast - Queensland, Australia

Australia's Sunshine Coast has many names similar to BC, but then that's to be expected of coutries part of the British Commonwealth. Their Sunshine Coast starts at Caloundra (North of Brisbane by about an hour's drive), and runs to a place called Cooloola (where people can continue on to Fraser Island if they like).
Big landscape pieces include:
the Glass House Mountains, Blackall Range, Noosa Hinterland and the Mary Valley Flat sandy beaches are all over the place (100km), including along the edges of:
Caloundra, Kawana, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum Beach, Noosa and Rainbow Beach.

Just like BC you can fish and canoe, although Australia is well known for phenominal surfing. Australia has some of their own rainforests complete with trails for hikers, but the trees don't take up all the landscape as there are places to play golf or visit events.

Here's a big piece of envy: the Australian Sunshine Coast averages ten hours of sunshine daily. Cheeese... Winter sees temperatures of 7C - 22C, while in the summer the thermometer goes from 17C - 28C. Swimming isn't affected much by the seasons as the ocean goes from about 19C - 26C. Expect to see lots of shorts and casual wear, and a severe lack of ties or sweaters.

Attractions (Of course there's more than just scenery...)
Australia Zoo, AKA Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo: located in Beerwah, 70 acres in size and home to over 1000 animals (Crocs, Tigers, Elephants, Snakes, Kangaroos, tourists, etc). There is a free coach available to the zoo, just look for the right signs.

Underwater World Oceanarium: at The Wharf Mooloolaba has 3 metre sharks and giant sting rays, seals, otters and an eighty metre transparent tunnel where you can look out at all the sushi... I mean, wildlife...

Aussie World: a family park with over 30 great rides and games, including the Big Kart Track, the largest commercial Go-Kart Track in Australia. The range here runs from tandem skydiving with the Skydive Ramblers located at Coolum Beach to the relaxed Ettamogah Pub.

Opals Down Under: near Aussie world (Palmview), this is where you can go and dig around or just straight-up buy Australian opals.

They also have ginger factories and tours, beekeeping and honey factory tours, and of course a macadamia factory, as we all know in a good tourist town you can find plenty of nuts.

The Sunshine Coast comprises of three Local Government Areas, which are:
Noosa Shire, North
Maroochy Shire, Middle (suburbs: Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland, Maroochydore, Buderim & Nambour)
Caloundra City, South
Occasionally, the towns of Gympie, which is 30 minutes' drive north of Noosa Heads, and Caboolture, 30 mins drive south of Caloundra, have been included in a broader definition of the Sunshine Coast region.

History
Since the Glass House Mountains were first sighted by James Cook from the deck of HM Bark Endeavour in 1770, the Sunshine Coast's history has been as diverse and colourful as its scenery.
The Sunshine Coast's first white inhabitants were three castaways who shared the life of the Aborigines for 8 months; it became the home of numerous runaway convicts who preferred life among the Aborigines to the living hell of the Moreton Bay Convict Establishment; it was the scene of some of the most bitter skirmishes of Australia's 'Black War'. Timbergetters used its rivers and lakes as seaways to float out their great logs of cedar, gold diggers scaled its mountains to reach the Gympie gold. With the coming of the railway line to Gympie, the coastal towns, founded as ports for its early river trade, were bypassed, and grew slowly into quiet holiday resorts whose peace remained undisturbed until the development boom of the 1960s and 1970s - just 200 years after Cook had passed that way.

National Parks
The Sunshine Coast region is home to more individual national parks than any other region in Queensland: Mapleton Falls National Park, Kondalilla National Park, The Glasshouse Mountains National Park, Noosa National Park, and the Great Sandy National Park, which includes sections on Fraser Island and in Cooloola near Rainbow Beach.

Golf Courses
The Sunshine Coast boasts numerous golf links, including North Lakes, Pacific Harbour, Noosa Springs, Peregian Springs, Twin Waters, Hyat Regency Coolum and Pelican Waters.

Universities - University of the Sunshine Coast and Central Queensland University (has a small campus in Noosa).
Hospitals - Nambour Hospital is the region's major hospital, although there are smaller hospitals located in Caloundra & Maleny which can handle less-complex cases. Private Hospitals include Caloundra Private Hospital, Selangor Hospital at Nambour, and the Kawana Private Hospital.

Plane
Flights from the Sunshine Coast depart from Sunshine Coast Airport 10 km north of Maroochydore and fly direct to Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne with both Jetstar and Virgin Blue.

Rail
The Sunshine Coast has an extensive public transport network, with QR CityTrain's Nambour & Gympie North line operating numerous interurban services daily, with most trains running express between Caboolture and Bowen Hills stations.

Bus
Bus services are operated by Sunbus, which operates under the TransLink public transport system, in which buses connects the suburbs and localities within the Caloundra, Maroochy and Noosa Local Government Areas. Noosa Shire Council operates free bus services connecting Noosa Heads to surrounding suburbs and major park and ride stations during the peak summer holiday period.

Ferry
There is a public ferry that operates between Tewantin, Noosaville, Noosa Waters, Northside and Noosa Heads

Events

MARCH

  • 28 to 30 Mar 2008
    Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival | Mooloolaba
    Now in its sixteenth year the Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival encompasses more than just triathlon - it is a three day celebration of sport.
  • JUNE

  • 5 to 9 Jun 2008
    Etchells Australian Winter Championship | Mooloolaba
    Free Entry
  • JULY

  • Open Cockpit Weekend – Caloundra Air Museum, Caloundra
  • Caloundra City Cup Carnival - Sunshine Coast Turf Club – Caloundra
  • James Morrison Jazz in the Park – Kings Beach, Caloundra
  • AUGUST

  • Mary Valley Show, Rodeo & Arts Festival – Imbil Showground’s, Imbil
  • National Country Music Muster – Gympie
  • Caloundra Classic Boat Regatta – Golden Beach
  • Australian Money Tennis Tournament – Caloundra & Kawana
  • Sunshine Coast Art Prize Exhibition – Caloundra Regional Art Gallery
  • 17 to 26 Aug 2008
    The FKP Peregian Springs Series | Noosa Heads
    Includes the Bribie Island, Caloundra, Headland, Noosa par3, Beerwah, Horton Park, Kabi and Peregian Springs Pro-ams
    10 day golf tournament. www.sunshinecoasttourism.com/
  • 25-26th August
    Australian Body Art Carnivale | Eumundi
  • 15 Aug to 14 Oct 2007
    Sunshine Coast Art Prize | Caloundra
    The Sunshine Coast Art Prize is a national contemporary painting and two dimensional art award.
  • 30 Aug to 2 Sep 2007
    Noosa Jazz Festival | Noosa Heads
    The Noosa Jazz Festival celebrates the talents of Australian and international jazz performers with a four day frenzy of traditional, modern, swing, nu-jazz and blues.
  • SEPTEMBER

  • Gymnastics Junior State Titles & Womens National Club Championships – Caloundra
  • National Road Cycling Championships – venues across the Sunshine Coast
  • 7 to 8 Sep 2007
    Noosa Country Show | Pomona
    Animals (horse, cattle or dogs), arts and crafts, cooking, plants, fruit and vegetables and more.
  • 8 to 9 Sep 2007
    Quiksilver Queensland Junior Series | Maroochydore
    The final stage of the Quiksilver Queensland Junior Series.
  • 14 to 16 Sep 2007
    Sunshine Coast Blues Festival | Nambour
    The third annual Sunshine Coast Blues Festival is on in September at the Nambour Showgrounds.
  • 22 to 23 Sep 2007
    IGA Coolum Kite Festival | Coolum Beach
    Kite flying, kite surfing, live performances, artistic creations and interactive workshops.
  • 25 to 30 Sep 2007
    Honda Australian Junior Motocross Championship | Coolum Beach
    Over 700 junior motor bike riders from Tasmania, Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory and New Zealand
    Six Days
  • 28 to 30 Sep 2007
    Abreast in Australia 2007 Dragon Boat Regatta | Quad Park, Kawana Waters
    Get ready for a Pink Lady invasion.
  • 29 Sep 2007
    IGA Tin Can Bay Seafood Festival | Tin Can Bay
    Free Entry
    Over 8000 visitors enjoy a day full of family activities, entertainment, music, seafood and more
    Foreshore parklands by Tin Can Inlet.
  • OCTOBER

  • Nutfest – Beerwah
  • Caloundra City Tennis Open – Caloundra
  • Gympie Gold Rush Festival – Gympie
  • 1 to 5 Oct 2007
    Brothers Neilsen Junior Surf Challenge | Maroochydore
    Free Entry
    Expect carves, punts and shacks aplenty from Queensland's new breed of up and coming grommets when the Brothers Neilsen Junior Surf Challenge hits the streets of the Sunshine Coast in October.
  • 24 to 27 Oct 2007
    Heart of Gold International Film Festival | Gympie
    Heart of Gold Film Festival is a four-day festival of exceptional and enriching short films from around the world.
  • 31 Oct to 4 Nov 2007
    Noosa Triathlon Multi Sport Festival | Noosa Heads
    The Noosa Triathlon will celebrate its 25th anniversary on November 4, the event stepped in rich history and uniqueness not matched anywhere in the world.
  • NOVEMBER

  • ATP Challenger Tournament (Tennis) – Caloundra
  • Caloundra Surf Classic – Dicky Beach
  • Melbourne Cup Day, Sunshine Coast Turf Club – Caloundra
  • North coast International Boat Show & Fishing Classic – Quad Park, Kawana
  • DECEMBER

  • Australian PGA Championship Hyatt Regency – Coolum
  • Carols on King – Kings Beach, Caloundra
  • Christmas Boat Parade – Kawana Waters
  • Woodford Folk Festival – Woodford
  • Sunshine Coast, Australia


    Sunshine Coast, Africa Sunshine Coast - South Africa

    Travel to South Africa and enjoy the wonderful hotels , bed & breakfasts, self-catering accommodation and game lodges that our beautiful country has to offer. The Sunshine Coast is the coastal route between St Francis Bay and East London in the Eastern Cape. From luxury travel to discount travel options, African safaris to adventure travel, beautiful beaches and game lodges which offer Big 5 game viewing , to the rich historical sites and scenic splendour, the Sunshine Coast is a veritable travel destination for the holiday maker. Port Elizabeth has long been known as the watersports mecca of South Africa, and has now also become home of Ironman South Africa Triathlon. The Eastern Cape including the Sunshine Coast, Route 72 and Frontier Country - Magnificent wildlife including the BIG 5 in a malaria free environment African safaris Watersports mecca alongside South Africa's finest and unspoilt beaches Ethnic culture with a splendid array of arts & crafts Outdoor action and adventure travel Scenic splendour Steeped in history with a diversity of places to visit Port Elizabeth hosts the South African Ironman Triathlon.

    The Sunshine Coast is the coastal route in South Africa's Eastern Cape, between St Francis Bay and East London. It is a malaria-free region, and incorporates the major towns of Port Elizabeth and East London, as well as miles of stunning beach, gorgeous bays and even some game reserves. Here are some of the main places on the Sunshine Coast route: Cannon Rocks: This is a small seaside village not far from Kenton on Sea. Jeffreys Bay: If you're a surfer, you'll know that this is the home of the best right hand point break in the world! If you're not, it is better known for beautiful beaches and proximity to great nature reserves. St Francis Bay: This is about 1 hour's drive west of Port Elizabeth. Kenton on Sea: Kenton is a small village roughly half way between Port Elizabeth and East London. It is known for its wide sandy beaches, sand dunes, and it is also between the two rivers of the Bushmans and the Kariega. It has generally excellent weather, with mild winters and superb summers. Kariega Game Reserve and Sibuya Game Reserve are also within the coastal region.

    Highlights Miles of stunning sandy beaches. Excellent surfing. Lots of nature reserves. Choice of wildlife reserves in the region. Good birdwatching. Very good climate for much of the year. Situation The Sunshine Coast is the coastal route in South Africa's Eastern Cape, between St Francis Bay and East London. Activities Watersports; swimming; fishing; visiting nature reserves; wildlife watching; surfing; enjoying the beach! Health Non-malarial area. Best times to go As the name suggests, this area has a particularly mild climate. The months with least rain are April to October. Getting there There are flights to Port Elizabeth and East London, or you can self-drive in this region.

    The wind and swell direction is predominantly south west and the wave faces regularly reaching 2 to 3 meters at the point breaks. The water temperature varies between 16 and 20 Degrees Celsius. In summer the wind regularly swings between south west and south east. The swell direction varies between west and east making some surfing spots turn on that work on east swell. The wave faces vary between 1 to 2 meters and if there are cyclones of Madagascar we just get the swell not the rain or wind. In summer the water temperature varies between 16 and 24. The Eastern Cape is strikingly varied in it's scenic beauty. It's landscape ranges from pristine forest to arid desert, from looming sandstone cliffs to unspoilt emerald green coastline. The coastal area of the Eastern Cape lies directly between the subtropical conditions of the Western Cape, while its inland area is bisected by the Great Escarpment, resulting in the southern reaches defined by a series of rivers and corresponding wetland fauna and flora, while the northern areas are those of the altitudinous plains of the Plateau and the Great Karoo. The climate is subtropical, with winter average day temperatures reaching 21 degrees Celsius and the average summer day temperatures reaching 28 degrees Celsius. In summer it can reach the middle 30’s quite often. The sea temperature varies between 14 and 24 degrees Celsius. In summer shorts and t-shirts are the order of the day and in winter jeans and jerseys are needed. There is no malaria in the Eastern Cape and medical assistance is just a phone call away. Make sure you have medical insurance as well as any medication you may need. South Africans are friendly and the cuisine is mix of our local african flavour and European tastes. You can travel lightly and buy clothes, sunblock and any other items as goods in South Africa are cheap. Our travel agent can assist you with airline tickets and any other travel assistance you may require In winter there are many cold fronts that sweep past East London bringing plenty of swell to the surf spots. For those of you interested in surfing but have little or no surfing experience we offer surfing lessons for beginners. Check out our learn to surf site at the link below Click www.sunshine-coast.co.za/learntosurf.html

    The Sunshine Coast, South Africa: The Sunshine Coast is the coastal route between St Francis Bay and East London in the Eastern Cape , South Africa . The Sunshine Coast incorporates more then a million hectares of malaria free game reserve, and, this is one route that deserves its name. Stretching from Port Elizabeth in the west to East London in the east, it boasts hundreds of kilometres of shining beaches that bask in sunshine. Port Elizabeth , offering diverse leisure options from water-sports to township tours, from vibrant nightlife to nature trails, is an excellent base from which to explore the coastline and the interior.

    The Sunday's River Valley, a major fruit producing area, is also worth seeing. The Addo Elephant National Park, home to rhino, Cape buffalo and antelope as well as elephant , is undergoing an exciting enlargement programme.

  • Port Elizabeth: Port Elizabeth is fondly referred to as "The Friendly City". The city offers a diverse selection of attractions as a family-fun vacation destination including eco-attractions, scenic nature trails, wildlife and cultural experiences, as well as 40 km of breathtaking coastline and beaches ...
  • East London: South Africa's only river port city is set on the broad Buffalo River and one of the most attractive stretches of the Eastern Cape seaboard. East London's sweeping white beaches extend for miles, unpolluted, uncrowded, unspoilt. Swimming, sailing, water-skiing, boardsailing and boating ...
  • Cape St Francis: Cape St Francis, named after the patron saint of sailors, is worth a visit for many reasons, not least of all its famed Seal Point Light House, built in 1873, and one of the highest stone and masonry lighthouses in the country - and it is the most southern point in the Eastern Cape ...
  • Jeffreys Bay: Jeffreys Bay, or "J-Bay" as it is known to the locals, brings to mind surfing, sunshine and beautiful beaches - and you’d be right. Home to the Billabong Surfing Festival every July and rated among the ten best surfing spots in the world, surfers from across the globe come to enjoy the rolling surf ...
  • Cannon Rocks: Cannon Rocks is a delightful seaside village in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Nestled in between the Boknes Village and the boundary of the Greater
  • Addo Elephant Park it has the vast expanse of the warm Indian Ocean in front and rolling farmlands behind, making Cannon Rocks ...
  • Port Alfred: Port Alfred, with its stretches of sandy beach that extend for miles, lies on the banks of the Kowie River. Port Alfred was established by a group of English settlers in the early 1800s and, although now an active commercial and residential town, it has retained most of its English fishing village ...
  • St Francis Bay: Just 90 km west of Port Elizabeth , St Francis Bay is the millionaire’s playground of the Eastern Cape and one of the best kept secrets of the Garden Route . 50% of the town is built around a series of man-made canals and waterways - South Africa’s answer to ‘little Venice’. With 8km of ...
  • Kenton On Sea: When you think of Kenton on Sea , you invoke a vision of beaches as far as the eye can see, unspoilt by time and consumerism, where two rivers meet and run into the Indian Ocean. Midway between Port Elizabeth and East London, Kenton On Sea is where the sun is rumoured ...
  • Kariega Game Reserve : This private Game Reserve is situated in the malaria-free, upper reaches of the Kariega River Valley, 14 km from
  • Kenton On Sea on the R343 to Salem and Grahamstown and 145 km from Port Elizabeth . Sanctuary to abundant game and wildlife such as lion, elephant ...
  • Sibuya Game Reserve : Sibuya Game Reserve covers more than 2000 hectares and incorporates the unique East Cape Valley Bushveld, Grasslands and Coastal Forests. Antelope abound, including the rare Bontebok and Oribi. Malaria Free and conveniently situated near Kenton on Sea ...

    One of the South African sites had this ad (I kid you not):

    SLED DOGS OF GREENLAND
    The Canadian Voice for Animals – Canada and CVFA-Argentina, are taking up the cause of the Greenland Sled Dogs that are abused in an unthinkable manner. The following words were in a letter from a Greenland representative: Mr.Paornánguaq Kleist, Section of Information P.O. Box 1015, 3900 Nuuk. Letters to Mr. Kleist can be sent to this address: PAKL@gh.gl This is an excerpt from his mail: “Sled dogs are an important part of Greenland’s cultural heritage. It is therefore of the utmost importance to stress that the abuse referred to in the Danish newspaper Ekstrabladet on 5 February 2007 is illegal under Greenland legislation on animal protection and keeping sled dogs. Greenland Home Rule condemns all forms of abuse of sled dogs.” This may sound impressive, but in actual fact it is nothing more than Governmental Redundant Rhetoric…in actual fact this is what is happening to the sled dog of Greenland. The situation with these poor dogs are about the same as I know alot of sled dogs are treated. In Greenland some aboriginals are keeping dogs in short chains without giving them food or water. The chief vet tells me 60 to 70 per cent of all dogs in Greenland (the total number is 21.000) are mistreated. They have no shelter in the winter or they get no food during the summer when the fishermen don't need them. Some dogs are put out on an island in the spring and are not brought back until fall - by then most of them are dead off course. Those who survive have eaten their mates. Some of the pictures show dogs that get their teeth removed with a hammer! Some places in Greenland people do that because they want to make sure the dogs can't bite their chain and run away. We ask that you sign this petition against the Danish and Greenland governments, and let them know that the world is watching. This horror must stop….Please sign this petition and then send it to ten of your friends and have them do the same. Addresses for the Danish and Greenland governments will be added as soon as we secure them. We ask that all animal organizations who view this petition, contact us and become a sponsor. A link will be provided to your site page where you have the petition URL listed. We thank you and the Greenland Sled Dogs thank you. Sincerely, Earle Bingley, President, CVFA – Canada Professor Myrta Montiel, President, CVFA - Argentina

    Sunshine Coast, Africa

  • The Cedar Rose B&B, Gibsons
    Check out the Cedar Rose B&B!


    The Gypo Logging Board Game
    Squamish's Logging Board Game



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