Australia

Day 1.

Brisbane to Noosa is an easy 1 hour, 45 minute drive via the beachside towns of Mooloolaba, (where you can join a game fishing boat), Maroochydore and Coolum Beach. Noosa has a unique combination of sophisticated charm, subtropical climate, golden beaches and bush clad coves and bays. The township of Noosa Heads is set on the edge of Noosa National Park so spend some time walking here and browse the boutique shops and cafes of Noosa Heads. Take a trip on the Noosa Ferry leaving every 90 minutes with pick up points all around the Noosa waterways.

Day 2.

Take a drive up to the hills behind Noosa to the Blackall Range (40 minutes drive) and visit the pretty towns of Flaxton, Mapleton and Montville — these areas are home to many artisans and the galleries here feature some of Australia’s best-known artists. Carry on to Mary Cairncross Park for the best views of the Glass House Mountains or, if you are feeling energetic, visit Kondalilla Falls, a lush rainforest national park for hiking. Return to Noosa.

Day 3.

Noosa to Rainbow Beach (1 hour, 15 minutes). Leaving early, drive north to the Cooloola National Park and Reserve and take a river cruise through the Everglades here (allow 4 hours for a cruise). Gympie is an historic gold mining town worth visiting on the way and at Tin Can Bay you may be lucky enough to see dolphins particularly in the morning. You can also catch the Ferry to the world heritage listed Fraser Island, a short barge trip across from Inskip Point. Join one of the daily island tours which leave from Rainbow Beach and explore Fraser, the largest sand island in the world. Although sand is the dominating feature here, the island is home to pristine creeks and rainforest and to over 265 species of birds, including pelicans, ospreys and kingfishers. The sea teems with fish here and wildlife includes wallabies, possums and echidnas. Return to Noosa.

Day 4.

Spend the day in and around Noosa - there are plenty of options within an hours drive of the town. For families, visit Underwater World and The Ginger Factory at Yandina, the Big Kart Track, the House of Bottles and The Big Pineapple. Noosa River is an excellent place to hire a boat and some fishing tackle and several operators offer full day big game fishing trips at sea. Take a Camel Safari from Tewantin, hire a pontoon boat complete with barbecue and spend the afternoon cruising and swimming along the Noosa river waterways. Do some shopping at the local markets — the best known are in the nearby towns of Eumundi, Peregian, Maleny and Buderim.(Check with the Visitors Centre to see which days these are running.) Stay Noosa.

Day 5.

Return to Brisbane (1 hours, 15 minutes) or travel on up the Queensland Coast.