Sunshine Coast attractions

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Noosa National Park.
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Theme parks and zoos

Australia Zoo - The home of The Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin is located between Landsborough and Beerwah on the Glass House Mountains Tourist Drive. As well as the famous crocodile shows Australia Zoo features tiger, snake and bird shows. The nearest coastal resort is Caloundra.

Big Kart Track - If you feel the need for speed this is the place to get your fix. The 1.2km track features high-speed straights, sweeping bends and tight, challenging corners. It is also home to the Bungee Bullet which shoots passengers straight up at 400km/h. It's on the Glasshouse Mountains Tourist Drive between Landsborough and the Caloundra turnoff.

Big Pineapple - One of the coast's oldest attractions and probably still the best known. It is surrounded by a tropical fruit plantation which visitors can tour by train, Nutmobile or boat. You can taste the product of the Queensland sun at the restaurant. The complex also features an animal nursery, wildlife garden (with daily koala show) and nocturnal animal house. Photo

Ettamogah Pub and Aussie World - Have a coldie at a replica of the wacky hotel made famous by Ken Maynard's cartoon series. The adjoining Aussie World fairground has more than 30 rides and games, and plenty of places to eat. It is located on the Bruce Highway, 2.4km north of the Caloundra turnoff.

Sunshine Castle - A coast landmark since 1973 , the Castle (formerly named The Fairytale Castle and also known as the Bli Bli Castle) has grown over the years to include features such as a 24m-high tower, a doll museum, the obligatory dungeon, a model train exhibition and a collection of medieval armour and weapons. It is on the David Low Way at Bli Bli, about 7km north of Maroochydore. Photo and Castle website.

Underwater World - See the creatures of the deep without getting wet. As well as giant walk-through aquariums there are seal shows, crocodile feeding and otter presentations. It is a short walk from Mooloolaba Beach.

Natural attractions

Beaches - Swimmers, surfers and sunbathers are spoiled for choice. Kings Beach (Caloundra), Mooloolaba Beach and Main Beach (Noosa) are regarded as the safest in most conditions. Swimming at beaches patrolled by lifesavers is highly recommended as many people down at unpatrolled beaches around Australia each year. For safety advice go to www.lifesaving.com.au. If you want to catch a wave like a pro you can learn to surf from an expert.

Blackall Range - For a cool change from the coastal strip venture into the lush, green hills and visit the towns of Mapleton, Montville and Maleny. There is a multitude of cafes, arts and craft shops, and galleries along the range. Natural attractions include Mapleton Falls, Kondalilla Falls and Mary Cairncross Park with spectacular views of the Glass House Mountains. One way to take in the sights is from the back of a Harley Davidson.

Cooloola National Park - This wilderness area starts on the northern side of the Noosa River and features pristine lakes and forests. There are walking tracks but it is best explored from the water by canoe, kayak or boat. Cooloola is also home to the famous coloured sands and the Cherry Venture shipwreck.

Glass House Mountains - These volcanic relics provide spectacular silhouettes to the west on the drive to and from Brisbane. Some can be easily climbed and there are plenty of vantage points you can reach by car. Photo and details of walking tracks and lookouts

Noosa National Park - Coastal scenery does not get any better than this. The crystal-clear turquoise waters of the Pacific gently breaks into pandanus-fringed coves and crashes into rugged headlands. A walking track takes visitors to Witches Cauldron, Tea Tree Bay, Dolphin Point, Hells Gates and the secluded Alexandria Bay. Get there early or you may not get a parking spot. There are plenty of places to stay in and around Noosa.

More attractions

Golf - The coast is home to some of the best golf courses in Queensland. More

Noosa's Hastings Street - The place to be seen at Noosa. It is lined with restaurants, cafes, boutiques, gift shops and is right beside Noosa's famous Main Beach where you can swim or surf. Both are popular though, and parking can be a problem, so be prepared to walk a couple of hundred metres from your parking spot on weekends and other busy times. If you want some more action try horse riding, mountain biking, or kayaking in Noosa's hinterland or take your family on a guided fishing trip on the Noosa River or beach.

Wineries - Enjoy the fruits of the coast's hinterland at the growing collection of wineries in the lush, green hills. The smaller scale of winemaking gives the coast's wines their own special quality and character. More

Woodford Folk Festival - For six days from December 27-January 1 a usually tranquil valley outside Woodford becomes a mecca for music, circus, cabaret and comedy lovers from around Australia. The 2007-08 Woodford Folk Festival line-up includes these artists:

The Cat Empire, Sarah Blasko, Tommy Emmanuel, The Waifs, Blue King Brown, Archie Roach, James Morrison, Mia Dyson, Harry Manx, The Toothfaeries, Blue Grassy Knoll, My Friend The Chocolate Cake, Shane Howard, Ernie Dingo, Graeme Connors, Tripod, Casey Donovan, John Schumann & The Vagabond Crew, and Akmal Saleh.