The Sunshine Coast is the name given to an urban coastline area in South East Queensland, approximately 100 kilometres north of Brisbane. It is the third largest metropolis in Queensland, covering Noosa Heads, Caloundra, Maroochydore, Coolum, Eumundi and Nambour.

First discovered when Captain James cook sighted the Glass House Mountains from the deck of the Endeavour in 1770, the Sunshine Coast began as a haven for runaway convicts from the nearby Moreton Bay penal colony in the 1820s. These convicts were the first Europeans to make contact with the local Kabi Kabi Aboriginal people.

Many of the Sunshine Coast’s towns began as ports or jetties for the timber getting industry in the 1850s. When the gold rush hit Gympie, prospectors scaled the mountain range to develop easier roadways to and from the Gympie gold fields, however when the Gympie railway line was established, the Sunshine Coast towns were bypassed.

Following WWII, the Sunshine Coast grew into a favourite holiday & surfing destination, and the Big Pineapple was also built, boosting visitors to the region. Nowadays, the Sunshine Coast has a population of 251,081 and a strong reputation built on the tourism and activities on offer.

The Sunshine Coast economy is currently dominated by three main sectors – tourism, retail and construction. There is also a strong agricultural sector in the hinterland, with fruit growers finding an ideal climate for pineapple and other tropical fruits. The climate is fairly temperate, with an average of only 100 days of rainfall each year, and temperatures ranging from 15°C to 25°C.

Other attractions, which keep visitors returning to the Sunshine Coast, include Australia Zoo, UnderWater World, the Ettamogah Pub, Glasshouse Mountains National Park and Double Island Point. The local calendar is full of diverse events as well, such as Noosa Jazz Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, Mooloolaba Triathlon and Noosa Festival of Surfing. The region truly has something for everyone.