The Sunny Coast is a tropical wonderland, and when you are here its easy to see why it is one of the most popular campervan destinations in Australia. Its beautiful coast and the lush hinterland provide a huge diversity of natural attractions, and there are lots of other family oriented activities up and down the coast that could fill up a thousand holidays. The first suburb on the Sunny Coast is Caloundra, which is just an hours drive north of Brisbane, which is where we hail from, and it extends all the way up to Cooloola, which is the gateway to the beautiful Fraser Island. We chose to stay at Noosa, a favourite amongst tourists that is about an hour and a half from Brisbane. The other suburbs considered hotspots on the Sunshine Coast are Mooloolaba and Maroochydore, which are laid back and pretty suburbs with pristine beaches.

The whole of the coast caters well towards campervans, with plenty of campsites dotted up and down its length. You don't normally have to book ahead, but in busy seasons it may be advisable. Maroochydore, which is perfectly situated on the banks of the scenic Maroochy River, is serviced by a large caravan park, which is well utilised by campervan travellers because of its central location on the Sunny Coast. The combination of the beach and the river is a basis for all sorts of watersports, so you and the kids can enjoy surfing, swimming, fishing or canoeing. If that sounds a bit energetic, then just kick back and relax on golden beach sands.

We chose to stay in Noosa, as its our favourite spot on the Sunny Coast and one of the premier destinations in the country. The beach here is swimming safe with gentle waves that make learning to surf a pleasure. The Noosa River enters the ocean here, and the headlands provide beautiful panoramic views of the coast. The river provides great fishing opportunities, as my husband and young son can attest to! Read more about Noosa in my first lens documenting our trip. The green forests that line the coastline here are home to a phenomenal amount of koalas, so keep your eyes peeled for strange looking lumps in the trees! Being such a popular tourist spot, Noosa is well equipped for holidaymakers in their motorhomes. The BIG4 Noosa Bougainvillia Holiday Park is situated 12 kilometres from town and has everything and more you would expect for a comfortable stay. Our favourite spot is the Noosa River Caravan Park, because of its close location to the river.

Inland of the coast you will find a stunning mixture of rugged mountains and thick rainforest criss crossed by smooth flowing rivers that provide the lifeblood of the lively flora and fauna of the Sunshine Coast hinterland. The Glasshouse Mountains are a favourite for day trips because of the opportunities they offer for bushwalking, sightseeing and picnicing. Sealed and unsealed roads lead to lookouts with spectacular views of the coastal region and the mountains around you. There is a tourist drive through the mountains that is an option when making the drive from Brisbane to the coast.

For a fun day out with the kids the legendary Australia Zoo, established by the late Steve Irwin, is located in Beerwah. The croc shows are entertaining and scary at the same time, and there is lots of other Australian and Asian wildlife to be seen, including the rather large Asian elephants! Another fun outing is the Eumundi Markets, open every Wednesday and Saturday the 500 plus stalls here sell everything from local art to designer clothes... so if your hunting for that ultimate bargain or just after a souvenir or two Eumundi is the place for you.

1. The Beaches- The most beautiful and laid back beaches in the world are on the Sunny Coast. Chill out, catch a tan and have a surf!
2. The Valley Rattler- take a ride on an historic steam train through the Queensland countryside.
3. Wine Tasting- Go on an afternoon wine tasting tour through the hinterland. Finsih up at the Australian Nougat Company Factory!
4. Australia Zoo- Visit the zoo in Beerwah that Steve Irwin made famous. Enjoy the wide variety of Australian and Asian animals here.
5. Eumundi Markets- 20 minutes inland from Noosa are the magnificent outdoor markets with over 300 stalls and a very festive atmosphere.
6. Adventure Sports- This is your chance to break out your comfort zone and try something really exciting, like kite surfing or sky diving!
7. Koala Spotting- Take a walk through the Noosa National Park and keep your eyes peeled for the cuddly koalas up in the trees.
8. Mountain Drive- Go for a scenic drive through the Glasshouse Mountains, enjoy the birds eye views of the coast and its surrounds.
9. Camel Safari- For an unique experience go for a ride on a camel on the lovely beaches of the Noosa North Shore.
10. Play a Round of Golf- There are numerous courses here, including the Greg Norman designed Club Pelican.

Rainbow Beach is often just remembered as the gateway to Fraser Island, but don't overlook this picturesque coastal village as a prime holiday destination and a relaxing place to spend a couple of days in your campervan. It takes its name from the tall sandcliffs to the south of the town whose multi coloured sands glisten and sparkle in the hot sun like a colourful rainbow. Thick rainforest drapes the surrounding countryside, with the Cooloola National Park stretching from here down to Noosa and providing a haven for indigenous flora and fauna threatened by urbanisation. The isolated nature of the town means your time on the beach or in the forests here will be quiet and undisturbed. The rivers and coast are perfect for anglers, and the beach is swimming and surfing safe, and is one of the last spots on the Queensland coast where the waves actually reach the shore.

There are two camping sites at Rainbow Beach, one in the town itself and one slightly out. These have all the facilities you require, and the town itself is well equipped to deal with tourists. Alternatively there is National Park camping available, but remember to pay your park fees to the rangers. There is a camping spot at Inskip Point, which is handy as this is where the barge to Fraser departs from. Remember that Fraser Island is only accessible by 4WD vehicles due to the very sandy roads, so if your campervan is not 4WD then consider hiring a car for your trip across to the island.

Fraser Island stretches for over 123 kilometres, and is the largest sand island in the world. It combines a stunning mixture of dense rainforest, pristine beaches and inland freshwater lakes and is a World Heritage Listed Site. The beaches stretch undisturbed around its entire length except for the occasional rocky headland that buts into the ocean and provides spectacular views of the island and the coast. Indian Heads towards the north of the island is the most famous of these, and is reached by a magical drive up the beach.

There are over 100 freshwater lakes on the island, and their crystal clear waters provide the ultimate swimming playground for you and your family. Some of the waters here are so pure they do not support any life, although the flora and fauna surrounding them still grows thick and fast. Lake Mckenzie and Lake Wabbie are two of the most visited lakes, but tracks throughout the island will bring you into contact with lots more.

You can camp anywhere on Fraser unless there are prohibitive signs, just remember to get your camping permits and your permits to drive on the island from the rangers beforehand. Fraser is a haven for wildlife of all descriptions, and dingoes are especially common. Enjoy them from afar, and don't feed these wild animals!! It goes without saying that Fraser needs to be preserved in its natural state as best it can be, so enjoy your special time here and make sure you erase your footprint from the island.

Continue following us on our journey as we venture up Queensland's Discovery Coast.