Today you could visit Surfers Paradise (Gold Coast entertainment and tourism centre, Australia's iconic coastal tourist destination), Burleigh Heads (between Coolangatta and Surfers paradise, breathtaking scenery, Burleigh Heads National Park, international surfing tournaments), Coolangatta (the southernmost suburb of Gold Coast, on the state border of Queensland and New South Wales), David Fleay Wildlife Park, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Superbee Honeyworld, Currumbin Creek to enjoy some stand up paddle boarding, see Captain Cook Memorial Lighthouse, Tweed Heads, The Minjungbal Aboriginal Cultural Centre, Banora Point, Chinderah, Kingscliff, Bogangar, Hastings Point, Pottsville, Crabbes Creek, or Ocean Shores, ride a long board off Watego Beach, surf off The Pass, Belongil Beach, or at Main Beach, in front of the town, snorkel out to a wreck or enjoy a meal at any of the prime spots in Byron Bay. Direct driving 88km (1.05 hour) .

Laid back Byron Bay (festivals, surfing, whale watching, dolphin spotting, coastal walks, Indigenous experiences, beach fishing, arts and crafts), Byron Bay beaches - Byron Main Beach (smaller waves close to shore), The Pass Beach (easy ride out, great long boarding - wide rollers), Watego's Beach (where the cult of longboarders gather), Tallow's Beach (south of the headland, long beach bigger surf) - 2,200,000 candle power Cape Byron Lighthouse (historic lighthouse tours, cafe, walk track), Broken Head Nature Reserve (Two Sisters Rocks), Brunswick Head Nature Reserve, Julian Rocks Nature Reserve, Cape Byron Hedland Reserve (reputedly one of the most beautiful places in the world, rainforests, stunning cliffs, brilliant vistas, Akakwal National Park (taking in Tallow Beach), Boat Harbour Nature Reserve (walking track, viewing platform, Wilson River, Coopers Creek, remnant pilings of historic wharf from riverboat era), Broken Head Nature Reserve, Mooball National Park (subtropical rainforest, rare endangered fauna - long-nosed potoroo, marbled frogmouth, red-legged pademelon, Stephen's banded snake and the giant barred frog), World Heritage Listed Mount Warning National Park (eroded remnant central plug of an ancient volcano. Views of Tween Valley), Nightcap National Park (100m tall waterfall Minyon Falls), Tyagarah Nature Reserve (secluded 8 km beach, bird watching, fishing).

Discover pretty country towns as you meander through the fertile Tweed Valley; be awed by the beauty of the Lamington National Park in landscapes created by ancient wonders when larva spewed, some 23 million years ago; en-route, get spectacular views from the heights above Murwillumbah (or M'bah to the cogenesis - friendly art deco town, off the highway, known for 'alternative lifestylers' and Hare Krishna, antiques and cafes, 13 km from the NSW border with Queensland); in the NP experience the diverse and amazing natural beauty and charm of the Lamington National Park . Wander a bush track to suit your ability, see some of the 500 cascading waterfalls of the Lamington National Park, take in awesome vistas across mountain tops and lush, fertile valleys, or walk above the world on a Tree Top Walk, suspended through the canopy of the forest or climb to an observation deck, some thirty metres above the ground; discover unique flora from the last ice-age and an amazing range of fauna, from parrots to lyrebirds to tree frogs to skinks to platypus and more in the sub-tropical wonderland that is the Lamington National Park.

Upmarket Noosa (beaches, river, enjoy the good-life and the unique taste of Hastings Street), Coolum (beaches and Clive Palmer's beautiful world class golf resort), Beerwah (Beerwah State Forests, the big mower, Australia Zoo), Bli Bli (wetlands and fairy castle), Buderim (Buderim Ginger Factory, Mini-theme park, Cane Train ride through forest), Caloundra, Coolum (beaches, world class golf and family fun), Flaxton (pretty mountain village, orchards, Devonshire teas, galleries, arts, crafts), Kawana and Kawana Waters (canoeing, kayaking, dragon boat racing outrigging), Kenilworth (Kenilworth State Forest) , Landsborough, Maleny, Mapleton, Maroochydore, Montville (Kondalilla National Park, subtropical rainforest, 90m tall Kondalilla Falls, lookouts), Mooloolaba (patrolled beach, Esplanade with al fresco cafes and boutiques, Mooloolaba Surf Club), Mudjimba, Nambour, Noosa (river, beaches, coastal paths, upmarket eateries and boutiques), Palmview (Aussie World, Ettamogah Pub), Yandina.

Overnight Sunshine Coast

Today you could play on some amazing beaches or play a round on an amazing Sunshine Coast golf course in Coolum, owned by the richest man in Queensland; maybe take in the sights of the fertile region known as the Fruit Bowl of Queensland or visit Eumundi Markets (open Wednesdays and Saturdays, Australia's biggest art, crafts and produce markets in historical Eumundi town); or take the opportunity to indulge in a tour of the wineries. Maybe visit Blackall Range (mountain range behind Sunshine Coast, numerous lookouts toward coast), see the “Big Pineapple” (a pineapple standing 16m tall), Macadamia Nut Factory (ride in a Nut Mobile or a train around plantation and small animal farm), Bli Bli, Sunshine Castle, taste fresh Queensland honey at Superbee Honey Factory. Discover the Queensland Air Museum (large display of historic aircraft), Mooloolaba, Underwater World (marine mammal park, oceanarium and wildlife sanctuary), Buderim, Caloundra, Opals Down Under, the House of Herbs, The Big Kart Track, Elimbah, Caboolture Historical Village, Burpengary, Brighton, Alma Park Zoo, Strathpine and the iconic Australia Zoo. Perhaps visit the Rum Distillery at Beenleigh, Ormeau, Pimpama, Coomera, Oxenford, Sanctuary Cove, Helensvale, see breathtaking natural scenery or experience the man-made thrills at the theme parks: Dreamworld (Australia's largest theme park, The Giant Drop is the tallest free-fall in the world, Big Brother House and more), Sea World (the marine mammal park, oceanarium and theme park, promotes conservation of sea-life), Movie World, Wet'n'Wild, Water World, visit a Casino or a National Park. Perhaps see Binna Burra and Green Mountain in Lamington National Park (the world's largest subtropical rainforest) or rise to great heights in the World Heritage listed Springbrook National Park (1000 meters above sea level, waterfalls and mountain scenery). Direct driving 200km (2.5 hour) .