Playing golf, nice walks and a whale-watching cruise

During our trip to the Sunshine Coast, we stayed in a lovely rental house near Nambour. This spot was great for exploring the Hinterland and beaches. We also visited the charming town of Montville, the beautiful Mooloolaba beach, and the Eumundi market. Additionally, we checked out the trendy Noosa and some amazing national parks.

The Sunshine Hinterland

The Sunshine Coast Hinterland in Queensland is a picturesque region. The landscapes are lush green and the villages are charming with art galleries, and boutique shops. The hinterland is known for its rolling hills, rainforests, waterfalls and volcanic peaks.

Our accommodation was great, secluded, with a lot of nice birds and stunning views up to the coast. It was just a 10-minute drive to shopping or playing golf in Nambour.

The Kookaburras were very naughty and tried to take any food. One even picked the blueberries from our bowl while eating.

The Kookaburras were quite cheeky. They tried to steal any food they could find. One even grabbed blueberries straight from our bowl as we were eating.

Nambour is a good location, with all the necessary facilities, but not too crowded. We like the golf club, but the course challenges and the often steep fairways. The people were helpful, and we enjoyed a drink with them after the game.

Our accommodation was great, secluded, with a lot of nice birds and stunning views up to the coast. It was just a 10-minute drive to shopping or playing golf in Nambour.

Then, from Nambour, we explored the wonderful hinterland and the small towns of Montville and Maleny.

We drove into the stunning hinterland from Nambour. It’s a stunning region with lush rainforests, mountains, and waterfalls. Hiking trails and wineries abound here. We also explored the art galleries, antique shops, and restaurants in Montville and Maleny.

Later, we visited the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve twice. Rainforest Discovery Centre is wonderful, and from the upstairs café, you have a stunning view of the Glasshouse Mountains.

We went twice to the fantastic Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve near Maleny. There are diverse plants and animals in the 55 hectares of subtropical rainforest. While walking we spotted Pademelons, snakes, frogs, dragons and walked under a very noisy fruit bat colony. After our walk, we went to Mountain View Cafe for a nice lunch, from where you have breathtaking views of the Glass House mountains.

The walks are easy, and there are a lot of rainforest plants, many species of birds, some pademelon and also a fruit bat colony

The walks are easy, and there are a lot of fascinating rainforest plants. Watch the huge Strangle figs, rubble some leaves of the fragrant Sassafras, they smell terrific and be careful not to touch the giant stinging tree to avoid extremely painful stings. Get a map from the centre with the location of all the interesting plants.

Another view of the Sunshine Hinterland.

Another panorama view of the Sunshine Hinterland.

View of the Glasshouse Mountains

Then, after strolling in the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, we went to King Ludwig’s Restaurant and Glasshouse Mountain Bar King Ludwig II. Named after King Ludwig II of Bavaria, also known as the “Fairy Tale King. Ludwig, well-known for commissioning the construction of extravagant buildings, including the famous Neuschwanstein Castle.

When we were there they had a German backpacker couple. The waitress is in a traditional dirndl dress, and her boyfriend plays the accordion.

If you like baverian food, that’s the place to be. The pork knuckles are huge, and you can wash it down with German bier, and some “Snaps”’ When we were there they had a German backpacker couple. The waitress is in a traditional dirndl dress, and her boyfriend plays the accordion.

During our trip from Nambour to Noosa, we stopped by the fascinating Eumundi market. There are 600 stalls selling artwork, fashion, jewellery, fresh farm products, and street food.

During our trip from Nambour to Noosa, we stopped by the fascinating Eumundi Market. The market has more than 600 stalls and over 1 million visitors a year. It offers a unique selection of a vast range of locally made artworks, fashion, jewellery, homewares, and woodwork. They support local artisans, growers, bakers, and makers. We loved walking around the amazing stalls, had delicious food and enjoyed the live music.

The Waterfront

Noosa was a bit of a disappointment. We tried twice to walk the popular National Park without any success. It’s impossible to park your car anywhere unless you arrive just after dawn. The beaches are nice like many other beaches in Australia. The famous Hastings Street is a nice hub for shopping and dining if you can find a spot for parking.

Then, instead, we strolled along the famous Hastings Street, with all the boutiques and cafés. Later, we walked around the North Shore.

We loved staying in Nambour. It’s close to the Hinterland but also to the beachside town of Mooloolaba. We liked the nice beach and walking along the Esplanade. The wharf and foreshore are also beautiful spots to visit.

The Wharf in Mooloolaba is a wonderful place to visit. It is on the pretty Mooloolah River. There, you’ll find restaurants, shops, and many things to do. There are whale watching, snorkelling, scuba diving, fishing charters and river cruises, or hire a watercraft.

We took a Humpback Whale watching tour with “Sunreef” from Mooloolaba. Sailing out of Mooloolaba, past stunning beachfront homes and the yacht harbour.

We came across some Humpback whales and, in the distance, the panorama of the Glass Mountains.

It was great to see the Humpback whales breaching and fin slapping.

More from Queensland: North Queensland

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