What are the best beaches in Sunshine Coast

The clear, calm waters of Noosa Main Beach, paired with its warm white sand, are truly postcard-perfect. With lifeguards on duty and paddle boards available to hire, you're sure to have a relaxing day out. If you don't want to swim, you can stroll along the wooden boardwalk running the length of the beach, or shop on nearby Hastings Street.

If you're looking for a quiet alternative to Noosa Main Beach, walk a little east and you'll soon arrive at Little Cove. The houses overlooking the beach, paired with the surrounding forest, make Little Cove feel like a private beach. The sun isn't as intense here, so it's the perfect place to spend a few hours fishing and exploring rock pools.

Coolum Beach is a surfing and golfing mecca. The golf course in the area has both coastal holes and fairways surrounded by native bushland, and the beaches are a perfect place for a surf. Coolum Beach has a carefree atmosphere. Here, you can spend days strolling along the boardwalk, swimming, and shopping at nearby boutiques.

Mooloolaba Beach has all the qualities you're looking for. It's scenic with beautiful clear waters and clean beaches that rarely get too crowded. Laze about on the soft sand, or spend hours exploring the rock pools for shells and creatures. There are also plenty of dining options a stone's throw away, so when it gets too hot you can duck indoors for a cold one or an ice-cream.

Situated at the northern end of Kawana Beach, Point Cartwright is an unpatrolled beach at the base of coastal cliffs. From here, there are amazing views of Mooloolaba, Mount Coolum and the mouth of the Mooloolah River, so it's a great place to sit back and relax, spot whales, and watch ships leaving the Port of Brisbane. The slopes covered in lovely green grass are perfect places for a picnic. Plus, there's great fishing nearby on the banks of the Mooloolah River.

Moffat Beach has some of the best surf around, making it a popular spot for jet-skiing, surfing, stand up paddle boarding and kite-surfing. It's not just for the active-holiday makers however, with a great strip of cafes and a brewery, it's also ideal for a long lunch or a picnic on the grass. From here, you can take a breezy, scenic walk along the headland all the way around to Kings Beach, a particularly beautiful walk at sunset.