Ok, so we’ve been residents on the Sunshine Coast for just over a month now (less a couple of weeks in Vietnam). We’ve settled in well and are loving it beyond words. I have a list a mile long of places to explore, but here’s what I’ve learned already:
1. Active wear is appropriate for most social occasions.
2. So are thongs (flip flops or jandals…)
3. Everyone here can tell you exactly how long it takes them to get to Sunshine Plaza and Mooloolaba Beach.
4. The parking is actually free. Yes, really. That means you don’t pay for it. In most places.
5. Nearly everyone came here from somewhere else. Apparently we’re all imports – with most of us coming from Sydney, Melbourne or Auckland.
6. There really is a (closed) Facebook group called Haunted: Sunshine Coast, for, well, haunted stuff on the Sunshine Coast.
7. There really is a suburb called Bald Knob, and a beach called Dicky’s. (insert juvenile titters… I said titters)
8. Surely the coast has more yoga classes, new age options, and organic food places than anywhere else – on a per capita basis? (Is there a statistic on this?) And acai bowls. They’re everywhere.
9. There are more markets held each weekend than anywhere else in Australia – on a per capita basis. (I just made that statistic up, but it seems true).
10. The Sunshine Coast has the lowest rate of smoking than anywhere else in Queensland. (I didn’t make that one up, but read it somewhere – so it must be right.)
11. Indicators on cars seem to be optional extras.
12. You don’t need to leave for the airport three hours before your flight.
13. The sign going into Noosa that points towards Noosa, or “all other destinations” annoys every non-Noosa local. The implication, of course, being that Noosa is the only place that matters.
14. There’s a lot more to the Sunshine Coast than Noosa. I saw this really funny meme that said it all but, in the interest of not upsetting Noosa locals – not that I’ve met any yet, but I’m sure that I’ll like them when I do – I won’t re-post here.
15. There’s a lot more to the Hinterland than Maleny – but Maleny is pretty fabulous.
16. We get annoyed when people mix up Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. It’s like the Australia and Austria thing.
17. There are at least twenty coffee shops in and around Mooloolaba that apparently serve the best coffee on the coast.
18. It’s tough to get a decent dumpling – anyone who knows where the best dumplings are on the coast, please tell me…
19. Beer yoga is a thing – and it’s happening at the pub in Eumundi.
20. Public holidays are really public holidays – even Woolworths and Bunnings is closed. What’s a public holiday without a DIY project (building Australian dreams – one project at a time).
21. The Queen’s Birthday holiday is held in October – which is Labour Day for most of the rest of the country – and Labour Day is held on the first Monday in May – closer to the Queen’s actual birthday. Go figure.
22. There’s absolutely nothing better on earth than watching the sunrise from a Sunshine Coast beach. Nothing. Except maybe a sunset…
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the Sunshine Coast is a lovely area to live Jo and I’m sure you will settle in well after living in the hustle and bustle of Sydney. Maleny is beautiful and so is Montville although I haven’t visited for quite a number of years.. We must take a drive there.
I can’t put into words how much we love it. We thought we knew the area well – after visiting for 19 years, but it’s so much fun exploring new places and things. I miss my friends and family, but I’m not missing Sydney one little bit.
I haven’t spent much time there since I was kid! I kind of worry it would seem busy compared to my kid memories.
Especially during the holidays. As kids it all seem so idyllic, but when we’re older we curse not being able to get a carpark at the beach during a long weekend. There’s still parts of the coast that aren’t so crowded – and they’re worth seeking out.
The Sunshine Coast (and the Gold Coast) are on my list of places to visit in the not too distant future – if it’s any consolation, drivers in WA don’t indicate either (especially at roundabouts and especially 4WDs!)
NIce to have some insider recommendations on places to see.
Leanne | cresting the hill
There’ll be plenty more recommendations coming, so watch this space! Have a great week…
You’re tempting me to visit soon…
SSG xxx
Oh you should… 😉
No. 17 made me LOL! And re: no. 8, I think Sedona, Arizona, would give the Sunshine Coast a run for its money in this regard. Psychic Superstore, anyone?!
Psychic superstore? Now *that* I’d have to see! Have a great week…
I’ve only been there once but I loved all parts of it. I stayed in Mooloolaba and visited a friend in Gympie. I loved driving around the area. If it wasnt for the fact my hub would find the humidity too much, I would consider moving there…but then again. Qld. Can I do that? Seriously my daughter’s best friend from HS moved up after she got married and lives in Buderim with hub and 2 kids and is happy as. Family from Sydney visit all the time. It looks like a really cool and happy place you’ve settled in. I too am so used to beach wear as day wear here too. Love it. Beats what it was in the Hills hey!! Thanks for linking up for #lifethisweek 18/52 Next week: “My Mondays”.
Hey, we settled in Buderim too. It’s such a great spot. I think the height of summer will be difficult, but right now the temps are perfect. It beats the bus on the M2 hands down!
I have never been to Australia before but now it’s on my bucket list for sure! Your pictures of the Sunshine Coast are great – the beaches and surroundings seem to be so beautiful!
About your #16 – I promise I’ll try not to mix them up, Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast… You say it’s like Australia and Austria… I know what you mean, it’s like the Sweden and Switzerland thing! Love to hear, read and see more about your lovely Sunshine Coast!
Love, Anna Karin
It’s all as beautiful as the photos show 🙂 You’d love it.
Sounds like a lovely area and a fantastic decision to move! I’d looked at the Sunshine Coast as an option when I was looking for my seachange…I did chicken out a bit and settled for something closer. Plus I don’t know if I could deal with the humidity.
Promise you won’t tell anyone, but I’m not sure how I’ll deal with the humidity either…but right now, it’s perfection. Thanks for dropping by 🙂
Have I mentioned that my SIL’s parents live at Mapleton? They were still living in Sydney when they built their house there so I went with my bro and SIL and stayed there quite a bit while it was empty.
I think the Gold Coast (sometimes called the South Coast by Brissy people) has a very different vibe to the Sunshine (North) Coast. And I suspect you’re right about the organic cafes and the like. Every time I see a place offering gluten-free options (etc) they’re usually on the North Coast!
You mentioned they were around, but in Mapleton? That’s lovely…