Weekend Getaways from the Sunshine Coast: Noosa Hinterland, Fraser Island and the Glass House Mountains

The Sunshine Coast's position on the Queensland coastline north of Brisbane places it within easy reach of outstanding hinterland, island and wildlife destinations. Noosa National Park, immediately adjacent to Noosa Heads, is a coastal national park with walking tracks through coastal heath and rainforest to pristine secluded coves including Hells Gates and Fairy Pools that are accessible only on foot. Fraser Island (K'gari), 2.5 hours north via Noosaville ferry or the Rainbow Beach 4WD barge crossing, is the world's largest sand island, a UNESCO World Heritage site with freshwater lakes including the extraordinary blue Mackenzie Lake, rainforest growing from sand and 75 Mile Beach as a natural highway. The Glass House Mountains, 30 minutes south, are a series of volcanic plugs rising dramatically from the flat coastal plain, with walking tracks to volcanic summits accessible from the Bruce Highway turnoffs. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland towns of Maleny, Montville and Mapleton sit in the Blackall Range above the coastal strip and provide a cool, green alternative landscape with arts, local food and pastoral views back to the coast. The Australia Zoo at Beerwah, 40 minutes south, is Steve Irwin's wildlife park and one of Queensland's most popular family destinations.