Getting to the Sunshine Coast

Last Updated: August 17, 2023
Try the beautiful tea-coloured freshwater lake of Poona Lake

Getting to the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast in Queensland begins at Caloundra in the south and stretches along the coastline up to Noosa and Fraser Island in the north.

Popular places to stay on the Sunshine Coast areย Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Coolum and Noosa.

 

Driving to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane

If you are driving from Brisbane, take the Bruce Highway heading north.

Caloundraย is approximately 94 kms north of Brisbane – about 1 hour 15 minutes driving time.

Mooloolabaย is approximately 100 kms north of Brisbane – about 1 hour 20 minutes driving time via the Bruce Hwy and Sunshine Motorway.

Maroochydoreย is approximately 103 kms north of Brisbane – about 1 hour 25 minutes driving time via the Bruce Hwy and Sunshine Motorway.

Coolumย is approximately 120 kms north of Brisbane – about 1 hour 25 minutes driving time via the Bruce Hwy and Sunshine Motorway.

Noosaย is approximately 140 kms north or Brisbane – about 1 hour 50 minutes driving time via the Bruce Hwy and the Eumundi/Noosa Road.

 

Flying to the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast Airport is located at Marcoola, just north of Maroochydore. Virgin Australia and Jetstar have several flights a day into the Sunshine Coast Airport.

Another option is to fly into Brisbane Airport, just north of the Brisbane CBD.

There are excellent bus transfer services and hire car facilities available at both Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast airports.

Theย bus transferย companies greet most flights and offer door to door transfers to your accommodation.

Car hireย companies are based at both airports. There are also taxi and limousine services available.

Travelling Times from Sunshine Coast Airport:

To Caloundra – 30 minutes

To Mooloolaba – 15 minutes

To Maroochydore – 12 minutes

To Coolum – 15 minutes

To Noosa Heads – 40 minutes

 

Getting to the Sunshine Coast by Bus

Bus transport from Brisbane, North Queensland and other capital cities of Australia is available withย Greyhound Australia.

 

Getting to the Sunshine Coast by Rail

Queensland Railย operates rail services to the Sunshine Coast. Trains depart from Brisbane Central and Roma Street Subway stations and travel to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland via Landsborough and Nambour. From Nambour and Landsborough there is a regular bus link service operated by Sunbus to the towns on the coast.

Bus timetables, maps, etc can be found on theย Translink Timetablesย webpage.

Train times and ticket prices can be found on the internet by searching theย Queensland Governments journey planner (TRANSLink). Simply type in your departure location and your destination on the Sunshine Coast and the planner will assist you on the best way to arrive at your accommodation.