Australia's Sunshine Coast lies just to the north of Brisbane in Queensland and comprises a collection of several coastal towns including old-fashioned Coolum, laid-back Caloundra and touristy Noosa, as well as the peaceful Sunshine Hinterland area.

There are many historical attraction in the Sunshine Coast. To start with there is the scenic railway, Valley Rattler, that tour the Mary Valley in the Cooloola region. You can take a half morning, half day or full day tours on an old fashioned steam train called the Red Rocket Rail Motor. If you decide to take a full day tour you will travel to Dagun, Imbil and Kandanga. This tour allows passengers to disembark at these towns for touring or exploration. For a half day tour you will take a trip to Amamoor and Dagun to enjoy morning tea or a glass of wine. Half morning tour are two hours and travel between Gympie and Amamoor where you will get a chance to explore some of the arts and crafts fairs in the area.

Then there is the Landsborough Museum, located on Maleny Street. This is an extensive look at the social history of the Sunshine Coast. This area museum collects, preserves and exhibits all the artifacts, documents and stories relating to Caloundra City. There is a exhibit that includes the personal collections of explorer William Landsborough, Premier of Queensland; Sir Francis Nicklin and local businessman John Tytherleigh. There are also exhibits of indigenous tools, camera equipment, dental equipment and relics from the SS Dicky wreck. The museum also house an extensive library of local documents of historical significance, photographs and Government Gazettes.

And last but not least is Sunshine Castle Bli Bli, a unique recreation of a Norman Castle in the Australian outback that dates back to 1971. Castle Bli Bli offers tourists so many things to do that it is hard to know where to start describing them and hard to know what to do first.

You could start by wandering through the toy and doll museum, with its fairytale dioramas, model train railway and dancing dolls or you could, instead, start by climbing the 24m tall lookout tower to enjoy the superb view of both the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland. But whatever you do, don't miss your chance to sit on the original throne as used in the Xena, Warrior Princess, television series.


When you are looking for Sunshine Coast Accommodation log onto www.sunshinecoastinformation.com.au. Whether you are looking to stay in one of the many Sunshine Coast Hotels or wanting to know about local events all you need can be found on this site.

When you are traveling around the TNQ region of Australia , the going can be tough, especially if you are unfamiliar with the region. Taking the time to prepare yourself and your vehicle for any issues or problems that may arise while traveling will help ensure a smooth holiday in this region.

The first thing that you can do is rent your vehicle through a reliable car hire company. You will find that many of the names that you are familiar with, including Budget, as also available for your overseas vacation to Australia. You want to make sure that your vehicle is reliable, especially when traveling around the Outback.

The next step is to prepare yourself in case of an emergency. You can do this by obtaining a set of current maps for the region you are visiting, always travel with water in your car, and be sure to have a first aid kit on you at all times. Even though you may never need these items, it is still a good idea to have them on you, just in case.

The last thing that you need to be sure to have is a cell phone with an overseas SIM card. This will allow you to make international phone calls with your phone, as well as local calls while you are on your vacation. A cell phone is also great to have on hand should you have an emergency or your car brakes down and you need to contact roadside services. Before you depart to your destination you will also want to save your emergency contacts, hotel information and car hire company in case there is an emergency and you are unable to get this information across to the emergency assistant.

One last tip, that will be allow you to have a safe vacation is to never abandon your car if it was to brake down in the Tropical North region. Always stay in your vehicle and never wander around. There are a lot of desolate areas and you do not want to get lost and have to have a search party looking for you. Stay with your car and wait until assistance arrives.


If you are ready to holiday in Australia be sure to use the car hire Surfers Paradise has loved for years. Log onto www.budget.com.au for the best deals available. You can also get a brisbane car rental vacationers have enjoyed while driving from sight to sight.

About 20 kilometers north of Caboolture, there is an odd group of volcanic crags jutting from the coast, called the Glass House Mountains. The legends of the Aborigine say that these belong to a Mountain Spirit Family. This story is called the Weeping Mountain and his Wayward Son.

It has long been believed that the Mountain Spirits are ruled by the father of all tribes, Tibrogargan and his wife, Beerwah. Their children include Coonowrin, the oldest, Tunbubudla and Coochin, twins, as well as Ngungun, Tibberoowuccum, Miketeebumulgrai and Elimbah.

One day Tibrogargan was looking out towards the coast when he noticed the sea level rising. Anticipating a flood, he became fearful for Beerwah who was close to the water. But he was also concerned about his children and would not be able to save them all. So Tibrogargan called to his eldest son Coonowrin to help his mother. As Tibrogargan gathered his younger children he looked behind him to see if Coonowrin and Beerwah were safe, but to dismay Coonowrin had fled and left his mother unassisted.In a blinding rage, Tibrogargan picked up his club and struck Coonowrin dislocating his neck.

When the flood went down, the family could go back home. When his siblings saw his crooked neck, Coonowrins felt ashamed from their teasing. He went to his father to ask for his forgiveness. His father wept large tears of despair, asking why he didn't help his own mother. The son responded that she was bigger than them all and should have been able to take care of herself. What he did not know what that she was very pregnant. The siblings all began to weep, forming many streams reaching to the sea.

The law of the tribe said that he could not forgive his son's disgrace, so he had to forsake him forever. Even now, Tibrogargan faces outwards to the sea while his son still hangs his crooked neck, crying. And Beerwah, is still pregnant.


When looking for a good Caloundra Accommodation, go to sunshinecoastinformation.com.au for the best prices. We can assist you find the best combinations for all families when it comes to Caloundra Hotels.

When you are planning your trip to the Tropical North Queensland region of Australia you will want to be sure and pack a pair of binoculars and a camera. This Australian region is the perfect place to observe bird life in their natural habitat.

A favorite amongst bird watchers, the Tropical North of Australia is the perfect destination for a bird watching holiday. Whether you find yourself staying in Daintree, in the Highlands, or on the Cairns Coast , you will find that some of the accommodations land you right in an incredible location to be able to catch a view of some of the most amazing birds of the rainforest from the balcony of your accommodations.

The Tropical North Queensland region is filled with many lakes, parks and beaches in addition to the rainforests making the entire region a haven for various species of birds and the year round moderate climate makes this region the perfect habitat for the birds all year long.

Some birds are more easily spotted during certain times of the year. The Channel Billed Cuckoo, Paradise Kingfisher and the Koel can be found easiest between October and April. This is also breeding season for birds which will give you the opportunity to see newborns hatching and mothers taking care of their young.

The Tropical North Queensland of Australia is a wonderful place for bird watching, but if that isn't your thing, don't worry because there are plenty of other things to see and do in the region. Just choose accommodations that are centrally located to whatever you want to see and do in the region. This will ensure that you have the best possible holiday, whether you will be enjoying the beaches or scuba diving in the reef, there are many natural wonders to explore, with just about something for everyone, you are bound to find that the TNQ will become your favorite vacation hot spot.


When you are searching for port douglas hotels go to tropicalnorthqueensland.com. It is a great tourist information centre right at your fingertips. In addition to port douglas accomodation you can also view local events to do and more.