Sunshine Coast hinterland road trip

From the iconic Australian land formation of the Glass House Mountains to the world-famous beach destination of Noosa, here are some great places to visit on a Sunshine Coast hinterland drive.

Glass House Mountains

The best place to start your journey is smack-bang in the middle of nature. The Glass House Mountains can be accessed via the Steve Irwin Highway and is home to some incredible volcanic peaks and lush rainforests. You can spend the day exploring the mountains by foot on one of the many walking tracks, or for the adventure seekers out there, abseiling or rock climbing will be a sure hair-raiser.

Australia Zoo

The world-famous Australia Zoo, just 3km from the township of Beerwah, is a must-stop destination that is sure to delight all the family. You will see hundreds of animals including those in the stunning African Savannah, South-East Asia exhibit and Bindi’s Island exhibits. The original part of the zoo has all your Aussie favourites. Visitors can also do their bit for the environment with part of the money you spend supporting conservation projects around the world. RACQ members can get discounted tickets.

The town of Maleny

Thirty minutes’ drive north from the Glass House Mountains, along the Blackall Range drive, you’ll pass by some picturesque country towns including Maleny, known for its delicious locally made wines. The area is also home to the annual Real Food Festival, a fun event where you can stock up on everything from homemade jams to natural cooking vinegars, oils and more.

The Ginger Factory

With free admission, educational tours, a train ride for the kids, and of course ginger products to buy, the Ginger Factory located in Yandina is another unique place to stop on your Hinterland Drive. Plus, it’s only 10 minutes from the Big Pineapple, so it shouldn’t take you long to get there. Get the most out of your visit with the Ginger Factory Play Bundle available to RACQ members.

Noosa

Lastly, drive a further 30 minutes north to end your Sunshine Coast hinterland road trip by pulling out your togs, sunscreen and boogie boards for a day at the beach at family-friendly Noosa. Don’t forget to stop by the Eumundi Markets, held every Saturday, or if you’ve got a bit of extra holiday time up your sleeve, hire a houseboat to travel down the beautiful Noosa River.

Source: sixt.com.au

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