As far as Aussie treasures go, Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is easily the most aptly named. With clear blue waters and some of the richest natural habitats on the planet, the Sunshine Coast is a magnet for tourists the world over – and a reminder to those of us who live in Australia that not all of this wide brown land is, in fact, brown.

From luxe Noosa Heads to the packed-out sunny beaches of Caloundra, the Sunshine Coast is every beach-lover’s paradise.

The sun-drenched, laidback surf haven is a little slice of what life should be. While you’d be more than forgiven for wanting to spend your entire trip camped out on the beach, there are plenty of other attractions that are well worth a look – assuming you can tear your eyes away from the effortlessly bronzed and happy locals.

There’s Steve Irwin’sAustralia Zoo, the breathtaking Glass House Mountains, Noosa National Parkand a gaggle of gastronomic gems, with more and more popping up each days as Sydney and Melbourne chefs decamp north to live their dreams.

Of course, if that all seems like too much work, no-one will stop you from making the only items on your itinerary rolling over every 20 minutes to even out that tan.

Noosa

Simply one of the most beautiful and famous spots on the Sunshine Coast. The resort area of Noosa Heads is home to Noosa National Park, a great place for a nature walk, wildlife sightings and a number of small but stunning beaches, including Alexandra Bay.

Once you’ve had a quick dip in the blue waters, jump on a cruise along the Noosa River to view the unspoiled scenery from a different perspective. Feel like getting back in the water? Who could blame you, really. Noosa has a stack of surf and scuba diving services available around Laguna Bay.

When you’re done with the sea and surf (for the day, at least), make your way to the shopping paradise that is Hastings Street. There’s also a bunch of great eateries and bars scattered around.

Mooloolaba

Once just a sleepy locality, Mooloolaba is now one of the Sunshine Coast’s trendiest spots with beautiful beaches (hellooo, Mooloolaba Beach!) and other great attractions. Discover the creatures of the deep at UnderWater World or visit the iconic Australia Zoo (where the spirit of Steve Irwin really does live on) for the best animal experiences.

For something quirky and true-blue, hit up Ettamogah Pub and Aussie World, an Australian-themed fun-park that boasts a stack of rides, games and entertainment. You can even approach it ironically, if you like!

If you’re up for a little travel, the Buderim Ginger Factory has a live bee show (sounds weird but is surprisingly fun), cooking classes and every kind of ginger-based product you could imagine (and some you couldn’t!). Make sure you head over to the Mooloolaba Wharf to buy some kitschy souvenirs – nothing says ‘missed you’ like an underwater-themed toilet seat.

Montville

Although one of the smaller towns on the Sunshine Coast, Montville still has many gems to be explored. Start with the lush, subtropical rainforest of Kondalilla National Park, which also includes the gorgeous Kondalilla Falls. Take a walk, have a picnic and inhale the fresh scents of nature.

If you’re up for some shopping (and who isn’t?), Montville also has dozens of tiny speciality stores that cater for pretty much every taste. Whether you want leather, antiques, handmade wooden toys, original art or adorable teddies and dolls, you’ll find it here.

Maleny

Close to Montville is this Sunshine Coast town with an eclectic population. Start with the Glass House Mountains National Park, a stunning piece of nature with fab views of the Glass House Mountains. Next, why not visit the Maleny Mountain Winery for a cheese and wine-tasting fest, as well as more excellent views? If you’re after more spectacular scenery and plenty of photo-ops, try Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, a massive hinterland rainforest filled with native fauna and flora, including cuties like the pygmy mouse, wallabies, sugar gliders and echidnas.

Caloundra

Laidback Caloundra is famed for its extraordinary beaches, so if you need a tan and are dying for another swim, make sure you pay it a visit. Check out King’s, Bulcock, Moffatt, Golden and Dicky beaches for yellow sands and clear waters. Most are great for families, but beware of strong tides and big waves at Bulcock Beach. Don’t forget to feed that grumbling tummy at one of the many surf clubs and chilled cafés scattered around and remember, as mum would say, stay out of the water for a good half an hour after you’ve finished!

We all love our food and wine, so head to the Audi Noosa Food & Wine Festival in mid-May. National and international celeb chefs come to host workshops and presentations and the markets have a stack of delicious stuff on offer. Yummo!

Celebrate the history, culture and wonderful achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at NAIDOC Week, held in early July. Enjoy dance, music, art exhibits and loads of market stalls brimming with traditional eats and arts and crafts.

The Caloundra Music Festival in early October is a family-friendly event that hosts a stack of musical performances, parades, market stalls, carnivals and fairs as well as big outdoor concerts. Most genres are covered at this music-fest, so whether you like hip-hop or rock, you’re bound to find something that makes you move.

You probably have fond memories of kites from your younger days, so go and relive them at the Coolum Kite Festival in early October. This festival showcases some of the best kites and kite flyers in the world and hosts a bunch of concerts, kids activities and cultural exhibits.

There’s a reason why it’s called the Sunshine Coast. Summer, autumn and spring all see hefty amounts of sun. Even winter, while slightly cooler , is no stranger to the big yellow ball in the sky!

• The waves can get mighty rough out there, so unless you’re super-experienced and a strong swimmer (and even if you are), it’s best not to surf if it looks dangerous – and always swim between the flags.

• The recent floods have caused some waters to be littered with debris like wooden planks and bits of plastic, so be wary about where you step.

If you’re not planning to drive to the Sunshine Coast, both Noosa and Maroochydore have their own airports. Then, Sunbus buses and TRANSlink trains, ferries and buses are the top ways to move around. Grab a Go-Card to get more value.