Why Should Cyclists Visit the Sunshine Coast?
You may be thinking ‘Why the Sunshine Coast?’ when planning a trip to Queensland. Out of all the places you could visit in Australia, it can be difficult to narrow down just one to embark on a getaway to. Well, for our resident cycling enthusiasts, here are just a few reasons you should visit this little slice of paradise!
The Sunshine Coast is very bike-friendly!
Boasting a number of glorious cycling routes, the Sunshine Coast terrain is made for cycling. The roads and paths are diverse and allow cyclists of all abilities to really experience and get amongst the stunning natural beauty. Both locals and tourists love cycling around the Coast and so the roads have awesome cycling lanes and traffic is cyclist-friendly.
The Sunshine Coast has some of the most stunning coastlines
We know it’s a little obvious, given it’s the Sunshine Coast, but it would be remiss of us not to mention the beaches! It’s exactly what you think of when you picture the ‘perfect coastline;’ idyllic white sandy beaches, rolling turquoise waves and beautiful warm sun!
The thing about beaches on the Sunshine Coast is there is so much variety. There are popular beaches, ‘secret’ beaches, calm beaches, surfing beaches, coves, rivers, inlets, islands and so much more! There’s quite literally a beach for any occasion – and all of them perfect for post ride recovery! Not to mention the stunning cycling tracks that follow the coastline…
It’s easy to support local, Australian businesses
Especially in the current climate of the world, it’s becoming increasingly important to support local businesses, buy Australian-made and produced products and contribute to local economies. There is no better place to do this than the Sunshine Coast! Especially in the Hinterland, you’re almost always supporting a family-owned business and keeping your experiences genuine and real!
Picturesque rolling hills and charming country towns
The Sunshine Coast isn’t all about the coastline – in fact, we like to think that we have a bit of everything here. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is pretty special and has a lot to offer both visitors and locals.
The sheer amount of biodiversity in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland is astounding! You will see some of the most charming country towns, bursting with locally made produce, gifts and art. The ‘cultural hub’ of the Sunshine Coast also boasts forests, sub-tropical rainforests, dairy farms, pineapple and sugar cane plantations, macadamia nut and fruit tree orchards. So much variety!. Cycling through the hinterland definitely isn’t boring, nor does it leave you with a lack of scenery.
The Hinterland is also one of the best-kept secrets on the Sunshine Coast, meaning it has a very low number of ‘mass tourists!’ This is particularly great for cycling, as the roads lay on the contours of land, maintaining the true character of the landscape. Without high volumes of cars, caravans and busses you are assured of an incredible ride!
Incredible local micro-breweries
It doesn’t get much more Australian than a post-ride beer from a local brewery. Luckily, the Sunshine Coast is full of them! For any lover of good beer, you will not be disappointed by the selection of local craft brews created with love – you can taste the passion in every sip! After all, what more could you want than cycling along the coastline and then enjoying a refreshing drink and good food? We can’t think of anything better…
You have to see the historic Glasshouse Mountains at least once in your life
The Glasshouse Mountains are certainly a breathtaking sight! The cluster of mountains inland from the Sunshine Coast hold about 25 to 27 million years of history! So significant, these mountains are actually listed on both the Queensland and National Heritage Register.
They feature many walking and hiking tracks for adventurers of all levels – including professional mountain climbers. The Glasshouse Mountains are a very significant location for Indigenous Australians, with historical sites all throughout the landscape.
We could go on forever and list a million reasons why you should visit the Sunshine Coast! It’s a fantastic place, especially for cycling enthusiasts with a love for stunning scenery, great food and supporting local businesses. If you are keen to see the Sunshine Coast from the saddle like a local, check out our Sunshine Coast cycling tours.
VéloRoo was born out of a deep love for cycling and an enchantment with everything southern Europe has to offer. Our purpose is simply to share this with others, and to do so whilst supporting them in any and every way possible. Run by Sunshine Coast locals, Steve and Julia, VéloRoo provides authentic, genuine and personal experiences that combine the joy of cycling, with exploration and immersion in local cultures. Find out more about VéloRoo on our About Us page, as well as view our other once-in-a-lifetime Cycling Experiences!
Indeed! Whether you are a novice rider, an aspiring competitor, or a seasoned pro, the Sunshine Coast has a cycle option for everyone.
Whilst I can appreciate your enthusiasm could I suggest a word of caution on using the shared paths and roads in the Mooloolaba to Maroochydore coastline area. For the rider who doesn’t feel comfortable on roads where only white lines provide separation the paths are the only option. But mainly repurposed pedestrian paths with no delineation or user guidance make for a chaotic and dissuasive riding environment. A number of pedestrians are obviously anti bike too so the challenge in meeting the requirements and expectations of the middle order rider who is not confident on the road and doesn’t want to be confronted by busy paths is not well met in this network section.
Can’t complain about the weather though! I’m from Canberra. Perhaps my expectation of cycling paths is a little high?
Hi Mark, thank you for your comment. I’m sorry to hear that it sounds like you might have had a tough time on the section between Mooloolaba and Maroochydore. Without knowing which section you were specifically on, everyone exercising increased awareness and tolerance is important.
The Sunshine Coast council have been investing heavily into bike lanes and active transit routes of late, so hopefully when you return for your next Sunshine Coast holiday there will be a better facility on that stretch.