State of Queensland Travel Forum

I am visiting this location in February next year. Have been to Palm Cove and Whitsundays, etc., but know they are too hot for that time of year. What would be the best town/area to stay around this area. I have read about Caloundra and Maroochydore but have also thought about NSW near the border. I will be travelling with husband and parents-in-law who will be on holiday from England, and we really like dining out but definitely no clubbing!!! Would ideally like two 1 bedroom apartments in a resort or just 2 hotel rooms somewhere but in a location where we can walk to restaurants, walk along beaches, etc. Any ideas?
Thanks!

Hi, i am sure you are aware it is about 250km from Maroochydore to the NSW Border, It is actually the Gold Coast which Borders NSW not the Sunshine Coast. Their are many places on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts that suit your needs. I would stick with Noosa, its pretty small and quite most of the time. Some hotels are acually on the beach, and also border hasitngs street as well, Hastings street is full of resarauts and shops, and the Noosa National Park is just around the corner. You will pay for it however, its very up market.

Places to Avoid would be Mooloolaba on the sunshine coast and Surfers Paradise on the gold coast, which is where most of the partying and clubbing occurs. I am sure other posters will give you loads of suggestions.

Hi Lisa, welcome to VT.

I agree, I'd go for Noosa too. If you have a car then you can stay a little bit out of town, there are some excellent motels which would be cheaper than in the town itself.

I agree with the above two posts - Noosa is your spot! Nice food/cafe culture, very few late nite spots, and the beach is absolutely beautiful. Don't forget the national park hike that starts just off the south side of the beach!

Feb will still be hot as can be there, so I'd tell the English to bring the 45+ sunscreen to cover their skim milk skin!

Happy travels :)

Some great suggestions here and I agree with the Noosa suggestion too. On top of what was said regarding the sun hazzard.....do also use a hat (as well as the sun screen) and try not to be 'out in it' in the hottest part of the day. I like the European idea of a siesta after lunch.

Carole.

Thanks all for your helpful replies. I have stayed at Noosa but found it a little bit "Double Bay" if you know what I mean. It's sometimes nice to have a mix of nice cafes/restaurants, but real Aussie places too. That's sort of why I was looking for something a bit more rustic or true to Queensland beach/small town.

Inland from Noosa is Mont(e)ville, which is up in the hills a bit and therefore cooler. We've only visited there once but never stayed. There's a great national park up in them there hills. Possibly combine a stay in Double Pay err Noosa and go up and cool off in Montville - and from memory the main street is almost a recreation of an English town so your parents in law will feel quite at home - LOL

Their is not much left with an easy country feel about it between noosa and Coolongatta! The whole coastal strip has sold itself to tourism unfortunatly.

Look at Moreton or stradbroke islands, which are both about a one hour boat ride from brisbane! other than that maybe you should look to some towns in NSW south of Byron Bay, or north of Noosa, have a look at the area around Raindow Beach, (about 1 hour north of Noosa) that may suit your needs better!

You could look at 2 bedroom holiday apartments, but at that time of the year be very sure to get one with airconditioning, we stayed in one at Noosa Heads some years ago and the humidity was severe, sleeping would have been all but impossible without the aircon.

Forgot to say, Raindow Beach is also the Closest port to Fraser Island. You could book at day tour and go to fraser for the day as well!

For a more relaxed holiday on the Sunshine Coast I prefer Caloundra and even around as far as Golden Beach or Pelican Waters. Google Sunshine Coast accommodation and you will get many choices. Mooloolaba isn't too bad with lots of great places whilst Maroochydore/Alexandra Headlands is getting fairly 'nightclubby' but still great to see. You will enjoy any of those places and probably the order I have listed in goes from cheapest to more expensive areas although you will find a variety in all of the destinations.
Caloundra is about an hour from Brisbane and Maroochydore probaby another hour with Mooloolabah in between.

The Gold Coast is about a similar distance below Brisbane and goes right to the NSW border. Cooloongatta is probably the best and cheapest area on the Gold Coast but my pick is more the Sunshine Coast. Both coast have shopping, fishing, beaches and walking in abundance plus HEAPS more if you do get more energetic and both focus heavily on tourism and advertising so I won't recommend much you will be show all your option on many websites and once you arrive there also.

Possibly less touristy (but still touristy if you know what I mean) and possibly cheaper is the Byron Bay/Ballina area about 2-2.5 hours south of Brisbane into NSW. Byron Bay was known for being very alternative but I think this is getting less and less.

I think all of these locations will suit you well and I would recommend staying with chain hotels in all the places for guaranteed comfort but that said many of the 'individual' places will be equally nice. Let me know if you would like any more advice specific to each location.

February will be a nice time to visit but will still be quite warm. Have a great time.

Hi Noosa Heads and as close to Hastings Street and the beach as possible. We had 7 days there 2 years ago , late August and weather was perfect. Many easy day trips from Noosa, we took a 4 wheel drive tour to Fraser Island, the largest sand island in the world, BBQ lunch included on McKenzie lake, champaygne Breakfast etc.

From Noosa easy drive to Steve Irwins Australian Zoo and also the Glasshouse mountains. Check out photos on my pages, it may help you decide.

Good Luck,
Mike