Naturally Delicious - Great Beach Drive

Start your Naturally Delicious Great Beach Drive after spending the previous night in one of the award winning luxury accommodation options on the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, which is filled with sub-tropical rainforests and waterfalls. Explore the quaint township of Montville, where you can visit the galleries, craft shops and stop for a coffee at one of the cafes, as you take in the views down to the coast and the Pacific Ocean.

Start the day early with a delicious breakfast at one of the region’s local cafés, serving a variety of expertly prepared local ingredients and produce.

After breakfast, visit North Shore Seafoods as you travel north towards Noosa, to stock up and sample more of the freshest seafood you are ever likely to come across.

As you continue your drive north, other ‘foody’ hotspots include The Ginger Factory, a fully operational factory and tourist attraction where you will gain an incredible insight into the production of the world’s largest range of ginger products.

As you get closer to Noosa, be sure to sample a range of other tasty treats, such as Eumundi Strawberries, and the very popular Noosa Chilli.

If you are lucky enough to arrive in Noosa on a Sunday, you must visit the famous Noosa Farmers Market. Voted Australia's best Farmer's Market, it has great options for self-catering visitors and places to sample delicious breakfast options.

Before your departure, please contact the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to arrange your permits, and to also receive a safety briefing, tide information and an up to date beach condition report.

Depart your accommodation to collect your 4WD hire vehicle, and head north to Noosa North Shore, the southern gateway to the Great Beach Drive.

Cross the Noosa River on the vehicle ferry at Tewantin and disembark at Noosa North Shore. Take the time to reduce the amount of air in your tyres to prepare for sand driving, and take the third beach access road to commence your Great Beach Drive experience, approximately one kilometre from the vehicle ferry.

Continue on to Double Island Point, where the surfer amongst us, can enjoy the world’s longest right-hand surf break. Non–surfers can choose to take a walk up to the lighthouse for panoramic views overlooking the bay and on to Fraser Island (K’Gari).

Take the Leisha Track (be sure to check tide times before proceeding any further) onto Rainbow Beach, a picturesque seaside town overlooked by towering and colourful sand cliffs at heights of up to 250 metres, after which the town is named.

Before your departure, please contact the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to receive tide information and an up to date beach condition report. Also be sure to contact Manta Ray Barges to confirm your vehicle transfer.

After a delicious Rainbow Beach breakfast overlooking coloured sands and Fraser Island (K’Gari), be sure to check out the Lee Fishing Company, located in Tin Can Bay. The Lee Fishing Company operates a fully integrated seafood operation incorporating catching, processing and the distribution of quality fresh seafood which is distributed throughout Queensland, interstate and internationally.

Depart Rainbow Beach and travel to Inskip Point, taking the barge to the southern end of World Heritage listed Fraser Island (K’Gari).

Enjoy the thrill of driving on Fraser Island’s (K’Gari’s) 75 Mile Beach. Explore the stunning east coast of the island and drive further north to stop at attractions such as Lake Wabby, Eli Creek, the SS Maheno shipwreck and Indian Head.

Continue along the Great Beach Drive through Fraser Island’s (K’Gari’s) towering lush rainforests to Kingfisher Bay on the west coast of Fraser Island (K’Gari), and check into your accommodation for your overnight stay.

Before your departure, please contact the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service to an up to date island tracks condition report, and also contact Fraser Island Barges to confirm you barge transfer.

Depart Kingfisher Bay by vehicle Barge to River Heads on the mainland and drive into Hervey Bay on Queensland’s Fraser Coast.

Hervey Bay is widely regarded as the whale watching capital of Australia, if not the world, and also offers some of the best seafood produce you are likely to try anywhere in Australia.

The whale watching season in Hervey Bay takes place between July to November, and it is the only location along the east coast Australia where humpback whales deviate from their migratory path to rest and play in the calm sheltered waters between Hervey Bay and Fraser Island (K’Gari). There are a range of whale watching options located in Hervey Bay, including a range of ‘swim with’ and immersive experiences which allow you to get closer to humpback whales than ever before!! Whilst in Hervey Bay, a whale watching tour is an absolute must do.

Depart Hervey Bay after a sensational beachside dining experience, to continue the last leg of the Naturally Delicious Great Beach Drive. From Hervey Bay, continue onto the historic town of Maryborough, the home of the creator of Mary Poppins – PL Travers.

The streetscapes of Maryborough’s original wharf district, Portside is full of tastes and sounds, remaning relatively unchanged from its days as a thriving river port, when it was one of Australia’s largest and busiest destinations for immigrants in the mid to late 1800’s.

Between Maryborough and Gympie, you can also sample delicious macadamia nuts from the small Fraser Coast town of Bauple at the Barenuts macadamia nut orchard.

Continue along the Bruce Highway to the last stop of your Naturally Delicious Great Beach Drive experience. The stunning Gympie Cooloola region is also home to fantastic natural produce for you to enjoy and explore.

Check into your accommodation on the Sunshine Coast for your last night of the Naturally Delicious Great Beach Drive itinerary, and choose from the variety of resorts, lodges, holiday house and bed and breakfasts that are on offer on the Sunshine Coast.