Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast is a coastal city in southeastern Queensland, spreading along the Coral Sea north of Brisbane. The Queensland government and local shire councils adopted the name Sunshine Coast in the 1960s to replace the historic North Coast designation. The district holds official biosphere reserve status designated by UNESCO for its balanced native ecosystems and marine reserves.

Australia Zoo, established by Bob and Lyn Irwin, conducts wildlife preservation programs and zoological presentations. The Glass House Mountains consist of 11 volcanic plugs rising above the coastal plains. The Big Pineapple displays a 16 m (52 ft) fiberglass structure built beside a heritage farming plantation. Point Cartwright Light provides marine navigation guidance from its headland position near the mouth of the Mooloolah River. Kings Beach borders an oceanfront boardwalk and a public saltwater swimming pool in Caloundra.

James Cook sighted and named the Glass House peaks in 1770 during his navigation of the eastern coast. European settlement expanded when William Pettigrew built a sawmill during the 1860s to harvest red cedar. Gold discoveries near Gympie brought a coaching route through the interior, prompting cattle grazing, citrus orchards, and sugar cane plantations. Coastal townships developed fishing and holiday guesthouses throughout the early 20th century. The three local shires of Maroochy, Caloundra, and Noosa merged into a unified regional council in 2008.

Buderim Ginger produces crystallized ginger confectionery and brewed ginger beer in Yandina, sourcing raw ginger roots from regional agricultural growers. Gourmet Garden manufactures cold-blended herb purees and seasoned garlic pastes in Palmwoods for grocery retail networks. HeliMods designs custom aerospace modifications and airborne medical equipment for emergency helicopters, and Country Chef Bakery Co bakes packaged pavlova desserts in Kunda Park.