On Friday I visited Maroochydore, an hour or so on the public bus south from Noosa. It’s the major commercial centre on the Sunshine Coast, as well as a popular holiday spot.

Cotton Tree

The bus stopped near the Maroochy River, which forms a broad estuary before flowing out to the sea. This forms a safe swimming area with an adjacent park named for the yellow-flowering trees that shade it.

Maroochydore Beach

The beach seemed much less crowded than at Noosa, possibly because families prefer the safer waters of the river back behind the dunes.

Signs of Maroochydore

Lots to do here, clearly. The ‘hotels’ are sometimes named with a Spanish flavour, which in translation sound less exotic.

Map