Sunshine Coast or Gold Coast?
This was my first dilemma as soon as I landed in Brisbane. Almost everyone had told me about the beauty of the Gold Coast, while few mentioned the Sunshine Coast. As always, the best thing is to experience it for yourself.
So, after wandering around Brisbane and understanding its essence, a vibrant and colourful city, we took the car and headed north.
The idea was to get to the Sunshine Coast, but we realised there was a beautiful world to discover before that, so it took us a few days before we got there, there was so much to discover and every place was worth our time.
BRIBIE ISLAND, a small sandy island south of the SUNSHINE COAST
We took the Bruce Highway, it is always busy in the morning, but fortunately the traffic was going in the opposite direction. Within half an hour we were out of the city traffic congestion and took the exit signposted 'Bribie Island'.
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The straight road passes large farms, small villages and horse pens. It is an unexpected, peaceful landscape, it doesn't even feel like Australia. At the end of the road we reach a bridge, it is the only bridge to reach Bribie Island, built in the 1960s.
Once on the island, we began our exploration by starting from the area to the south, the part of the island facing the mainland. Here the water is shallow, transparent and calm. A true paradise for fishing and for those who love walking, there is in fact a beautiful path all along the coast and there are numerous parks.
Walking along one of these paths I came across a 'pile of toys' and thought 'look at you, what a lot of people, here they lose their toys, here in Perth they lose their slippers'. But actually they were toys left there by the locals, there was a sign in fact saying 'the toys are for the children to play with, use them and then kindly bring them back'. Unbelievable, if they were in Italy (sorry, but every time I think of the comparison with my homeland) I don't think even the sign would remain.
Bribie Island National Park
Bribie is one of three sand islands in Moreton Bay and, of the fact that it is entirely sand, we soon realised.
We took the road heading north until we came to a residential complex with wonderful villas and a huge golf course. From here the road continued unpaved, but we did not worry. Undaunted, we continued for a few kilometres, dodging potholes and sandy knolls, until we had to give up when we came to sand, lots and lots of sand. I got out of the car to check it out, found my knees knee-deep in sand, looked at Frank and said 'I guess we'd better walk on'.
Freshwater Creek Lagoon
Leaving the car in the middle of the 'track' we walked a bit north until we came to a bay, Freshwater Creek Lagoon where we had the whole ocean to ourselves. Miles and miles of white beach where there was no one, not even seagulls, just us and the wind, us and the ocean. The wind was really unstoppable, hard to stay on the beach. So we took off our clothes, played with the waves a bit, and then, as we do here in Australia, still wet we walked back to the car.
Back towards the centre of the island, at Woorim, we discovered that a large part of the island is Nature Park, accessible only by guided 4×4 excursions.
The island is a paradise, you don't need to hire a 4WD to appreciate its coastline. Already from Woorim you can access the main beach. There are then several access points and among these fascinating is Woody Bay, in the southernmost part of the island. Here, the wind seems to be blowing. Never has there been so much wind as here, not even in Albany. But it is a great place to relax, close your eyes and let your thoughts fly away!
SUNSHINE COAST
Continuing on the Bruce Highwy or M1, to explore the Sunshine Coast we decided to start at the southernmost part, namely Caloundra.
Caloundra is a village, with tall buildings, shops and restaurants.
The town centre is unique, because on one side it has the quiet beaches, sheltered by a tongue of sand (which is the northernmost tip of Bribie Island) and on the other side it has the ocean coast, with waves ideal for surfing and yellow beaches.
Of the various beaches in Caloundra, one I liked best of all, Kings Beach. Not only is it a long, wide beach the colour of gold, but here we also discovered a public swimming pool. Wonderful, with umbrellas and sunbeds, very clean and ideal for taking a dip when the wind is too strong to stay on the beach.
From Caloundra, we went north, passing through small villages with wonderful houses and a crazy coastline. I wouldn't know which to choose from the hundreds of bays and beaches that dot the coast. One different from the other, one more beautiful than the other. It was like looking at the sky and having to choose the most beautiful star, impossible.
As we went up north, I realised how much I liked this area. The beautiful coastline, the sea with waves that seem to sing. Small towns with shops and bars. People walking their dogs, girls doing yoga in parks. It looked like a postcard. Beautiful and alive. I felt at ease, like it was a familiar environment.
Then we arrived in Moololaba. A little livelier, a little more touristy, and with an incredible view. We followed the signs to Point Cartwright Light. We parked the car and headed for the easternmost tip of the coast. Here is an old lighthouse, still active, looking out over the ocean on one side and the mouth of the Mooloolah River on the other. A spectacle. The wind was always there with us, it just wouldn't leave us, but given the heat (it was midday by now), it was also a dear friend.
Back down to the beach, we didn't wait long before diving into the ocean, it was too inviting.
From Mooloolaba northwards, it is all a teeming of neighbourhoods, small towns and villages. A few kilometres from Mooloolaba is also the Sunshine Coast airport, useful for those who want to avoid Brisbane's busy city centre.
Noosa Heads, the heart of the Sunshine Coast
From Mooloolaba we took road No 6, the one that runs along the ocean. Every kilometre there was a little road leading to the ocean and we saw them all. From Marcoola to Cooolum Beach, from Peregian Beach to Marcus Beach. All with the same common thread: a crazy ocean, golden sand and very few people.
As in Western Australia, the beaches here are all free, there are no beach facilities. Neither umbrellas nor deckchairs. Everyone brings their own chair, umbrella (although sometimes it is impossible to set up, given the strong wind), and cooler.
In the northernmost part of the Sunshine Coast is Noosa Heads, the heart of the Sunshine Coast. Noosa Heads is different. Still free and beautiful beaches of course, but much more lively.
The centre of Noosa Heads is very reminiscent of the streets of Miami, albeit on a smaller scale. Branded shops, restaurants, luxury flats. A classic seaside town, with plenty of places to eat, drink and have fun. But in the evenings, even here, it gets quiet, as it does all over Australia.
In Noosa Heads there are so many beaches, that to get to know them all, we decided to stay one night.
Sunshine Beach, so long you can't even see the end of it. Alexandria Beach, with ancient rocks and crystal clear water. To reach it we had to cross the dunes, climb up and down through sand and prickly bushes, but in the end the trek was rewarded with a piece of paradise.
Boiling Pot Lookout
Boiling Pot Lookout, is located in the northern part of Noosa National Park. We arrived at Noosa Park and the car park was full. While waiting I went to the toilet and 'bumped into' a girl. who apologised and told me that she was late, her husband was waiting for her in the car. So I got out and signalled to Frank that a parking space was freeing up. It was freeing up, but not so fast. She stayed in the bathroom for half an hour. He, with the baby in his arms, was trying to wedge the buggy into the car. He fits, no he doesn't. Baby cries. He tries again. And we watch in amazement and amusement. At some point Frank gets out of the car and goes to help the man. Finally the buggy is inside, the baby is in its pram, the girl gets out and we have the spot.
From the car park we walked along the sandy path along the ocean.
On one side the blue ocean, the waves rumbling, and on the other the forest of eucalyptus trees and curious wild turkeys following us. After half an hour of ups and downs we arrived at the 'lookout', a sight. Strange brown rocks that looked like a wide hand-knitted woolen sweater stood there, as if waiting to be refreshed by the ocean. And he, unfailingly, covered them, hugged them and then waved goodbye. We stayed for two hours on the rocks watching this wonder.
Before leaving the Sunshine Coast, we stopped at the last beach, perhaps the one I liked best. The road to the mouth of the Noosa River runs through a forest. There are 'beware of koalas' signs but we didn't see a single one.
The mouth is incredible. The ocean, so energetic and strong, seems to calm down here. It arrives quietly, rests on the sand and lets itself be lulled by the deep blue of the Noosa River, which, calmly, flows over its arms. It is a paradise for anyone. Those who cannot swim go to the clear waters of the river, those who want to surf, go to the point on the opposite side. Those who are undecided, sit on the tongue of sand that separates the two waters.
With some bitterness, it is time to return to Brisbane.
Sunshine coast or Gold Coast?
After seeing both the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast I can answer: for me, the Sunshine Coast wins with flying colours.
The Sunshine Coast is tranquil, has the colours of the ocean, the smells of the forest and the scents of Australia. This is the area where I would also feel like living. Away from the traffic and traffic lights of Brisbane, away from the theme parks and skyscrapers of the Gold Coast. It's good here. Relaxed, lulled by the waves. But at the same time among people, those who love nature.
Those who like to get up early in the morning to fish, eat fish and chips by the ocean and in the evening sit and listen to the waves.
This is my way of life, quiet and sometimes a little crazy. A life where the hours flow by following the rhythms of the sea and the sun. Where there is no need to be perfect all the time, where the joy is in taking what the day offers you, now and now. And where appreciating what you have and what you are.
The Sunshine Coast embraced me with its gold. The gold of its beaches, the gold of the sun that stretches in the morning and bids you good morning. A place you realise that not everything in the world has an explanation. The ocean cannot be explained, you look at it, you love it, you fear it, but you cannot explain the ocean. In the same way, I cannot explain the happiness that this coast has left me, because it is something that I do not have inside me, but something that accompanies me.
That's how I say goodbye to the Sunshine Coast, simply with a 'goodbye'.
