Image credit: Tourism Australia
David Whitley explores the stunning scenery of southern Queensland
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When putting Queensland and nature together, thoughts tend to leap instantly to the Great Barrier Reef. The largest living thing on earth stretches along much of the Australian state’s coastline. So it may seem initially a little odd that the newly-branded Nature Coast is just to the south of where the reef starts.
Sell: Better together
This new initiative is essentially a joining of forces between long-time popular holiday strip the Sunshine Coast, and the wilder Fraser Coast slightly further north.
The Sunshine Coast is usually seen as the alternative to the brasher theme parks and high rise-heavy Gold Coast on the other side of Brisbane.
It is more a collection of beach resort towns that have somewhat different characters rather than a single, cohesive identity. Mooloolaba is mid-range and family-focused, while Noosa has an air of exclusivity and gourmet indulgence. Both are popular with the domestic market, meaning availability is scarce and prices high during the peak Christmas, January and Easter periods.
The Fraser Coast, however, is more sparsely developed. Until fairly recently, it was largely all about Fraser Island – the world’s largest sand island. It’s a backpacker staple due to the multi-day, self-drive jeep and camping trips that head out there.
This has started to change, however. Less rough and ready options are available on the island, while Hervey Bay has become a bonafide resort town in its own right and Rainbow Beach has emerged as a more laid-back, in-the-know alternative.But where does the nature come in? Well, you don’t have to venture too far to spot kangaroos, wallabies and koalas in the forests and hills, whales lumber up and down the coast between May and November, and wild dingoes roam Fraser Island.
It’s as much about the landscapes as the fauna, though – Noosa’s gorgeous waterways, the lushness of the Glasshouse Mountains in the Sunshine Coast hinterland and the sweeping dunescapes create the character.
For epic trips up Australia’s east coast, the highlights of the newly-pitched Nature Coast have always been worth a few days en route. But the joining of forces makes the region a much stronger proposition as a 10 to 14-day holiday destination in its own right. With Hervey Bay at the northern extremity less than three-and-a-half hours’ drive from Brisbane airport, accessibility is a key strength. And there’s enough variety to build a great multi-stop itinerary without spending gruesome stretches behind the wheel.
See: Sand, surf and swank
Image credit: Kingfisher Bay Resort
Fraser Island: The region’s unquestioned top draw card, and a wild space quite unlike anywhere on earth, Fraser Island is basically a giant sandpit. Shipwreck-lined 75 Mile Beach is the main highway, but walking tracks lead to dazzlingly pure lakes and towering, rainbow-striped sand bluff formations. Natural saltwater rock pools and eucalypt forests are also part of the mix. Austravel sells a 18-35-orientated, three-day jeep tour with dorm share accommodation for £296, while Anzcro offers a more comfortable two-day tour that includes dolphin-watching at Tin Can Bay for £238.
Hervey Bay: Long a party town for backpackers letting their hair down after three days on Fraser Island, Hervey Bay has broadened its horizons in recent years with watersports, skydives and the Reef World aquarium being among the daytime options. Between May and November, it’s one of the very best places in the world for whale-watching. Humpbacks use the sheltered bay as a feeding ground. Anzcro sells half-day catamaran tours for £74.
Rainbow Beach: A more blissed-out jumping off point for Fraser Island, Rainbow Beach has an air of undiscovered cool. The dunes and bush-heavy Great Sandy National Park is on the doorstep, with Surf and Sand Safaris running half-day tours for £40. For those with sea legs, Epic Ocean Adventures runs £38 kayak tours among the turtles, manta rays and dolphins just off the shore.
Noosa: For nature lovers, the superb coastal clifftop scenery of Noosa National Park is within a short walking distance of the town centre. Remember to look up in the gum trees for koalas. Other natural options include a six-hour cruise along the ‘everglades’ of the Noosa River – available for £80 through Travel 2. Active types can try out surf lessons, stand-up paddle-boarding, kitesurfing and kayaking tours through local operators. But Noosa’s as much about swank as sweat – with restaurant and boutique-crammed Hastings Street the good living epicentre.
Glass House Mountains: An inland diversion for those bored of the beach, the Glass House Mountains National Park has plenty of easy-going forest walking trails and hilltop lookouts to pull over at. But the big draw here is Australia Zoo, the former home of boisterous naturalist Steve Irwin, and arguably the best place in Australia to meet the native wildlife. The combo of shows and meet-a-creature experiences mean it’s worth spending a whole day here. Entry costs £32.
Stay: Sea views and barbecues
For anyone not wishing to camp on Fraser Island, the Kingfisher Bay Resort is the most pampered option. Designed to blend in with its natural surroundings, the resort has an admirable activity programme including guided walks and canoeing trips. In the June to August low season, doubles can be had for £61 and up, and two- bedroom villas from £128.
The Eurong Beach Resort is more solidly functional – it feels somewhere between a motel and holiday park – but handily acts as the island’s hub. This is where you’ll find decent pub food, shops for emergency supplies, plus a barbecue area and tennis courts. Rooms cost from £81.
For backpackers, the proudly independent Pippies Beach House in Rainbow Beach is personably small and has a sociable atmosphere that doesn’t veer over the line into enforced fun. The National Park’s a 200-metre walk away, plus there’s also free Wi-Fi, a DVD library, an open fire and free body board hire. Dorm beds cost from £13, doubles from £36.
Hervey Bay’s classiest accommodation tends to cluster around the marina, but that feels somewhat detached from the rest of town. The Shelly Bay Resort on the bar and restaurant-lined Esplanade is a happy four-star compromise.
The reasonably spacious apartments have balconies and beach views over to Fraser Island, there’s a decent-sized pool, and the overriding perky brightness of the place makes it very likeable. One-bedroom apartments cost from £69.
In Noosa, apartment rentals are very popular, but for five-star luxury in a plum spot on Hastings Street, the Sheraton is the best bet. The day spa is hugely popular, the pool has a swim-up bar and the entry-level studio rooms are slick, if somewhat neutral. They come with a minimum 55sq metres of space and balconies overlooking the village. Studios cost from £174.
For a more resort-like feel, the Islander Noosa Resort has four acres of billowing tropical gardens, palm-roofed pool bars plus villas equipped with full kitchens and washing machines. Two-bedroom villas, sleeping four, cost from £119 for one night, but rates drop for longer stays.
The Mantra (pictured above) on the waterfront at Mooloolaba is a strong family option. Again, it’s apartment style, but with little extras such as the spa baths, two heated pools and barbecues on the rooftop deck adding value. One-bedroom apartments cost from £146.
