For L-platers, the Sunshine Coast is a terrific place to learn to drive.
Incorporating everything from freeways and main thoroughfares to country roads and business parks, there plenty of places you can brush up your skills.
If this is something you are keen to do, here is where you should go.
- Business Parks
The Sunshine Coast has quite a few business parks and industrial areas, which are virtually deserted after 4.30 pm on weekdays and all day at the weekend.
Subsequently, these areas make excellent places to learn to drive as you’ll find traffic at a minimum. There are also lots of opportunities to practice turning and reverse parking.
One of the most popular places to head to is the Kunda Park Industrial Estate, which has a layout with big, wide roads that are easy to navigate. You could also try the Caloundra Industrial Estate, which is just behind Corbould Park, while Mammoth Industrial Park in Forest Glen is another decent option.
- Car Parks
In pretty much all suburbs of the Sunshine Coast there are several car parks you can take advantage of. They represent good places to go for those just starting to learn as it gives them the chance to familiarise themselves with the vehicle and get to grips with basic manoeuvres like starting the car, moving off, indicating and turning.
Depending on the time of day you go – often before 7am or after 7pm is ideal – you should have lots of space in which to practice.
One of the most notable car parks to head to is at the top level at the Sunshine Plaza (Coles/Target entrance). You should also try the massive Flame Tree Church parking lot on Coes Creek Rd in Burnside, which doesn’t get locked up and is virtually empty on most days.
At weekends, Maroochydore State High School has a small, empty car park that might be a good option, while the huge Bunnings car park in Maroochydore is another terrific choice.
- Driving Test Routes
To get your P-Plates, you will need to take a test at some point. Therefore, it is a good idea to practice on the roads that make up the test routes at the various Department of Transport and Main Road Centres in the area.
Overall, there are four centres on the Sunshine Coast – namely at Nambour, Maroochydore, Caloundra and Tewantin.
Subsequently, you can use EZLicence to book driving lessons near the centre where you plan to get tested. The local instructors should know the routes well, so it could provide you with invaluable practice.
- Country Roads
One thing many people tend to forget about the Sunshine Coast is that it is not all about beaches. It also has plenty of country roads and quiet rural areas you can hone your techniques in.
The roads leading to places like Kin Kin, Peachester, Kenilworth, Beerburrum (you can even head to the Perma Poultry Markets there), Mooloolah and Eudlo are usually free of traffic, so they make great places to build your confidence behind the wheel in a leafier setting.
- Hinterland
The Sunshine Coast is notable for its hilly areas, so once you have got the hang of the basics, you might want to head up to places likes Montville, Flaxton, Maleny or the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve to practice techniques such as hill starts.
It is also a good opportunity to learn how to navigate twisty and turny roads and get a handle on driving along different degrees of inclines and declines.
Other good places to develop these skills are Obi Obi Creek Road and in the area leading up to Kings Beach in Caloundra.
- David Low Way
At some stage before your test, it is worth navigating the David Low Way. This elongated stretch of road will take you all the way from Bradman Avenue in Maroochydore to Noosa Heads.
What makes this route such a good option for learners is that it tests all your skills. This includes merging lanes, roundabouts, traffic lights and coastal driving. It also takes you through busier areas such as Coolum and Peregian, where you will suddenly find yourself having to account for zebra crossings.
- Bruce Highway
Another excellent place to drive before you take your test is the Bruce Highway. More specifically, the stretch of highway that takes you from Nambour/Maroochydore on past Gympie and towards Gunalda.
By driving on this stretch of road, you will have to negotiate changing lanes, overtaking at speed and sharing the bitumen with long vehicles. As the maximum speed limit is 110km/h, it will provide you with an excellent opportunity to practice skills you wouldn’t be able to otherwise do elsewhere on the Sunshine Coast.