3-day nature lover's guide: From coast to rainforest

Start your Sunshine Coast nature mini break with the essentials: good coffee and a view. For a spot that combines both, turn your car towards Glasshouse Plantation, where your latte will come served alongside glimpses of the Glass House Mountains and the farm's very own coffee trees. Add to the experience by taking a Plantation Tour to learn more about how coffee is grown onsite and harvested or book a coffee tasting.

One of the highlights of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland is the spectacular Kondalilla National Park, located around a 5-minute drive from Montville village. The Kondalilla Falls Circuit is a great option to make the most of this lush rainforest gem, with its beautiful vantage point of Kondalilla Falls and 4.7km trail to explore*. Make sure you set aside a couple of hours to make the most of the experience. You can also grab a scenic lunch at the Kondalilla Eco Resort Restaurant, which you can easily walk to from the Kondalilla Falls Road carpark.

Once you've had your fill of waterfalls, take a drive to your accommodation for the next couple of nights. Spots like Seven Peaks Farm Stay and Spicers Clovelly Estate will set you up for a cosy Hinterland stay with a touch of luxury, while stargazers won’t want to miss the Starstruck package at Narrows Escape Rainforest Retreat.

Did you know? The Sunshine Coast Hinterland is now officially home to Queensland's first International Dark Sky Reserve, which means... stargazing needs to be on your agenda. To best appreciate our glittering night sky, you'll want to book an experience with Sunshine Coast Stargazing, where you can look through telescopes, hear from an astronomer and learn cultural stories of the night sky.

Some of the Sunshine Coast's most impressive pockets of natural beauty can only be accessed via 4WD, so if you don't have one (or you'd rather let someone else take the wheel), booking a tour with Sunny Jeeps is a must. The full day Hinterland Adventure runs for approximately seven hours and will take you deep into the spectacular Conondale National Park. You'll get a picnic lunch, a customised itinerary, and an experienced guide who knows the best spots to go, including Booloumba Creek.

You might have heard of beach-hopping, but how about lookout-hopping? Once you've wrapped up your Sunny Jeeps tour, make your way towards Maleny to witness the Hinterland's scenic vistas at golden hour. Highlights to add to your list include Howell's Knob Lookout, McCarthy's Lookout and Mountain View Road Lookout, which all feature sweeping views of the Glass House Mountains.

Awaken bright and early for another day of natural beauty... this time on (or in!) the water. You'll take a drive to Mooloolaba, where your pre-booked tour awaits. Whether you've selected to go swimming with turtles at Mudjimba Island (The Pressure Project and Sunreef), whale watching (Sunreef, Sunshine Coast Afloat) or paddling the Mooloolah River on a Saltwater Canoe Tour, you'll be creating Sunshine Moments with every splash.

Carry on your day of coastal bliss by taking an early afternoon drive down to Caloundra, where you can refuel with a beachfront lunch at the Kings Beach Bar. Take the short walk to the beach, where you can spend time unwinding to the soundtrack of the ocean. For a dip with a difference, make sure you stop by the Kings Beach Ocean Pool, where you'll find 25 sparkling metres of sea water to cool off in.

It's time to explore the Coastal Pathway, which comprises nine sections (several of which can be found in Caloundra! See here for more details). Wrap up your afternoon with a short (or long) walk, and don't forget to keep your camera handy as you pass by some stunning ocean views.