Your nature-loving side is likely yearning for the chance to snorkel over coral or bushwalk among koalas and kangaroos.
And if you can swim with turtles, feed dolphins in the wild and meet humpback whales close up — well, that probably would take your trip beyond all expectations.
But you don’t have to go long-distance walkabout to enjoy an exceptional Australian adventure.
It is all there in abundance in one unspoilt stretch — known as Australia’s Nature Coast.
Clean and green, this refreshing chunk of southern Queensland combines the Sunshine Coast and the Fraser Coast.
In this area you can start your holiday with big-city thrills in Brisbane. From there, you can head for an Australia that teems with wildlife, and where you’ll find more than 205 kilometres of safe, pristine beaches, subtropical rainforests and sunshine, 300 days a year.
With the southern tip of the Great Barrier Reef at Lady Elliot Island and two Unesco biosphere reserves full of rare flora and fauna to explore, plus a rich Aboriginal heritage in the Glass House Mountains, there’s something for every nature lover here.
FRASER COAST
The natural world comes alive at Queensland’s Fraser Coast, where Australia’s Great Beach Drive is a must.
Make tracks on more than 97 kilometres of white sand, between the sparkling Pacific Ocean and the bush, with kangaroos, whales, turtles, dingos and over 300 rare bird species for company.
To the north, the coral cay of Lady Elliot Island is one of the finest scuba-diving and snorkelling locations in the world.
Plunge in and encounter green and loggerhead turtles, whose hatchlings emerge from their sandy nests to scurry into the sea at this time of year. A supporting cast includes resident manta rays, whales and more than 1,500 other marine species.
From Fraser Island you can gaze out from the multicoloured Arch Cliffs, where Aboriginal men once played didgeridoos to migrating humpback whales.
You can also explore the world’s largest sand island by Hummer, ferry or scenic flight, go bushwalking through lush rainforest, and laze on 75 Mile Beach, watching for rare birds, turtles, dolphins and whales.
Alternatively, chase the big catch at Indian Head, one of the best fishing spots in Australia.
Just to the south, snorkelling, surfing, boating, fishing, prawning and crabbing are all sublime at Rainbow Beach. Nearby Tin Can Bay, on the beautiful Cooloola Coast, is one of only three places in Australia where you can officially hand-feed a pod of friendly wild dolphins — and jump right into shallow water and meet them.
SUNSHINE COAST
Your first jaw-dropping moment on the Sunshine Coast will come at the famous Australia Zoo, where you can cuddle a koala, feed rascally red pandas, see crocodile shows or even take a tiger for a walk.
Then head on to the laid-back resorts of the subtropical Noosa Biosphere, centred on the trendy beach town of Noosa, where cool cafés and alfresco restaurants serve Australia’s famously good fare. Noosa Beach is a perfect place to surf gentle waves, try paddle-boarding and jet-skiing, or start a 64-kilometre beach drive.
You could kayak or river cruise through Noosa’s mysterious Everglades, looking out for dugongs, dolphins and turtles. Or head into the lush, green hinterland of Noosa National Park to spot koalas snoozing in trees and black cockatoos as you stroll to the summit of Emu Mountain.
And you can cruise up close with humpback whales in calm, protected waters at Mooloolaba, from July to November. A whale-watching cruise can touch the deepest of emotions as you marvel in the presence of one of the most magnificent mammals on the planet.
Australia’s Nature Coast is loaded with natural wonders and wildlife experiences — and there’s a lifetime of incredible memories just waiting there for you.
— Daily Mail
