Spread a Little Sunshine Coast in Australia

Huge thanks to Tourism and Events Queensland and Visit Sunshine Coast for providing this luxurious adventure! As always, all opinions are our own.
Aerial view of Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

In our travels we often wonder “How did this place get its name?”

The Sunshine Coast of Queensland is most certainly not one of those places.

This stretch of Australia’s eastern seaboard is situated in the prime position on the planet to provide positively perfect conditions year-round.

The Rumba Resort in Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

Having had the ultimate aerial view of the area while leaping out of a perfectly good airplane at ten thousand feet and landing on Coolum Beach, we decided on a somewhat more tranquil way to spend the next couple of days.

The Rumba Beach Resort in Caloundra offered the perfect beach setting for kicking back and soaking up some of those namesake rays.
The hilarious jacuzzi rules at The Rumba Resort in Caloundra, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

We easily could have hung out for hours on our balcony overlooking Bulcock Beach and the northern tip of Bribie Island National Park, but then we would have missed the distinctive pool.

<– LOVED these rules (especially #5, 11 & 13!), but can’t fiqure out #7, 9, & 10– leave your guesses in the comment section below!

This was a swimming situation unlike any we have ever encountered.

Underwater in the pool at Rumba Resort in Calundra, Queensland Australia
Underwater!

A glass wall forms a window that offers an underwater view of all of the beach activities, while other windows in the floor of the pool look down into the lobby below.

It was so cool that we had to run back up to the room to get our diving masks and water-proof camera.

Sunset over the Glasshouse Mountains from our balcony at Rumba Resort in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia
Sunset from our balcony at Rumba Resort as we were dressing for dinner!

Follow us into our room at Rumba Resort!
Tapas at Tides restaurant in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

Dried off and hungry, we headed a few steps up the beach to Tides Waterfront Dining to finish watching the sun set on the Pumicestone Channel with the Glasshouse Mountains in the distance.

After toasting the day with a local riesling, we ordered some tapas, followed by Mooloolaba prawns, and a filet.
Mooloolaba prawns at Tides restaurant in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

If any Australian had ever said “throw another shrimp on the barbie,” (which they never have because the tasty shellfish are always called prawns Down Under) they would have been talking about these bad boys from just up the coast in Mooloolaba.

These guys bypassed the bar-b-que and were served sautéed with garlic.
The GypsyNesters riding bikes along the Caloundra Coastal Walk, Sunshine Coast, Australia

The next day, we rented bikes for a leisurely ride along the Caloundra Coastal Walk.

The walkway extends over fifteen miles along the shoreline from Golden Beach, just south of Caloundra, all the way up to Mooloolaba – home of those jammin’ prawns.

Caloundra Coastal Walk in Queensland, Australia
Surfing dogs in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

We rode the part of the trail that winds its way along the rocks of Moffat Head and through George Watson Park on our way up to Dicky Beach.

As we pedaled up from the sea and back down again, our reward for cresting each hill was a breathtaking view of the Coral Sea.

Caloundra Coastal Walk in Queensland, AustraliaSaltwater Restaurant in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

At the base of one of those hills we took a break at an aptly named seaside café, Saltwater.

Even though we grabbed a table outside, we noticed the cheeky dress code sign “no dick togs allowed.”
Saltwater Restaurant in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

Once again we found ourselves confused by Aussie slang, but the sign was simply asking that men not wear their togs, otherwise known as swimmers, sluggos, budgie smugglers, cossies, lolly bags, bathers, or marble bags… all meaning swimsuits, inside.
Pork belly salad at Saltwater Restaurant in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

The upscale beach bar menu offered a new twist on what we had quickly discovered to be an Australian favorite (as well as one of ours), pork belly.

This is basically bacon that was never sliced.

The difference here was that Saltwater served the big hunks of deliciousness with an Asian flare, and on a salad.
Fish and chips at Saltwater Restaurant in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

In an effort to keep either one of us from a slipping into a cholesterol induced coma, we decided to split it and share an order of traditional fish & chips too.

Usually that would offer little assistance, but luckily the fish was lightly breaded and fried to perfection, so the grease factor remained acceptably low.

We had plenty of time to work off the meal, with a good bit of riding still ahead of us to get to Dicky Beach and back.


The only beach in the world named after a shipwreck is Dicky Beach, Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

The beach’s name has nothing to do with the previously mentioned swimwear, or any other article of clothing for that matter.

It takes the name from an old iron steamboat, the SS Dicky.
The shipwreak of the SS Dicky on Dicky Beach, Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

The ship ran aground during heavy seas in February of 1893.

After several efforts to refloat the SS Dicky failed, a decision was made to abandon it, which led to this becoming the only public beach in the world to be named after a shipwreck.
Veronica swims at Dicky Beach, Caloundra, Queensland, Australia! GypsyNester.com

Our take was that it was pretty cool to explore the old hull in water that was shallow enough to stand up, which is certainly not the usual situation for a shipwreck.

Veronica lounges at Dicky Beach, Caloundra, Queensland, Australia! GypsyNester.com
Soaking up some well-earned beach time

It was also good timing on our part because plans are in the works to move the Dicky off the beach.
No final decision has been made, but the old wreck has been deemed a hazard after over a century of being battered by the surf.

The idea is to move it to a safe spot and create a memorial with a display telling the story of the steamer’s demise.

Feeling lucky to have seen the Dicky before her move to a final resting place, we climbed aboard our bikes and pedaled back down to Caloundra.

Spectacular ocean view while riding bikes along Caloundra Coastal Walk in Queensland, Australia
Oysters three ways at Drift restaurant in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

In no time at all our togs, and our throats, were dry as a dead dingo’s donger.

Not to mention we were getting a tad peckish from the ride.

No worries, the restaurant, Drift, was right below our hotel, so all we had to do was change out of our cossies and head down for a schooie of grog and a bit of tucker (better known as grub to us).
Bangers and mash at Drift restaurant in Caloundra, Queensland, Australia

With the sea breeze blowing in, the evening’s special, oysters three ways, seemed ideal. The shell fish are found all along Australia’s coasts, so we knew they were fresh.

For a heartier second course, and in keeping with our day of Aussie slang, we opted for heapin’ helping of fancy bangers and mash. Spot on, and the perfect nightcap.

G’day mate.

David & Veronica, GypsyNester.com

Delve Deeper into Australia:
See more of our hotel in Coloundra
Bucket list check! We snorkeled the Great Barrier Reef!
Watch us skydive above beautiful Queensland – yikes!
Watch us feed crocs!
Follow us into the Australian Hinterland
Go for the Gold Coast of Queensland
Find out how we saw all of the bizarre Australian animals in one place!
Let Us Introdoos-ya to Noosa

Huge thanks to Tourism and Events Queensland for providing this adventure! As always, all opinions are our own.

Click here to see all of our adventures in Queensland!

Huge thanks to Tourism and Events Queensland and Visit Sunshine Coast for providing this luxurious adventure! As always, all opinions are our own.


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33 thoughts on “Spread a Little Sunshine Coast in Australia”

  1. I can see why they call this beautiful location the Sunshine Coast. Looks like you had a great time and took advantage of all it had to offer. So happy they allow ‘happy people’ into the hot tub, although I can’t understand why they won’t let you dry your hair in it. : )

  2. I had a feeling I shouldn’t read this while hungry… looks like you had some great dining there on the sunshine coast.Actually, everything about your luxurious adventure looks and sounds pretty amazing. Funny jacuzzi signs — I’ll assume that you obeyed them all.

  3. I thought it said no “dick tags” and thought “wouldn’t those be painful?” I love Aussie/Kiwi humor! My sign guesses:
    #7 no standing up #10 no mooning people. Great post – really enjoyed it!

  4. Do you want to make me ‘homesick’? The Sunshine Coast is certainly one of the most beautiful coastal regions of Australia – when it’s not raining, which unfortunately tends to happen quite frequently (but then the name isn’t right anymore either).

  5. The Rumba Beach Resort in Caloundra sounds like a gem. I’ll bet they do insist your wear your marble bags in that wonderful window-full swimming pool. Did you watch the swimmers from the lobby?

  6. We’re loving our time in Queensland, but it’s coming to an end without exploring these coastline communities. I’m placating my remorse with a promise to return. Fun stuff in the signage and the slang. 🙂

  7. Looks like a fun place to do so much under the sun. So here’s my take on #7-Don’t skydive using your bikini bottom for a parachute. Personally I was always worried that I’d pull the cord on the flotation wings instead of my rip cord. #9-You can wave at & talk to famous people like the Gypsy Nesters. #11- no mooning against the glass window. Have you ever mooned a steamed glass window? It leaves a funny imprint.

  8. I want to hop on a plane now and go to the Sunshine Coast now. The place looks wonderful. I couldn’t figure out the signs – thanks to Shelley for explaining.

  9. Looks like a wonderful holiday spot. Those rules are a giggle; even those I have no clue about. I agree with the poster above, #7 has to be something about keeping yourself covered…lol.

  10. Wow, the food there looks delicious as well as the stunning coastlines. I would love to visit some day, maybe 2015 will be the ticket

  11. I’ve long since dreamed of Australia and who wouldn’t want to visit the Sunshine Coast? I love the quirky Aussie phrases and “no dick togs allowed” as well as “dry as a dead dingo donger” really crack me up! As for the swimming pool sign the no peeing and electrical appliances also had me laughing!

  12. Hi Veronica and Dave,

    Thanks for taking us along with you on your fun day and stay. Love your humor and adventurousness!
    And how cool to have Shelley comment — her local notes added a nice final touch!
    Wishing safe and happy travels,
    Josie

  13. Hi Dave and Veronica,

    Transparency here: I’m one of the early residents of Caloundra. In fact, in junior high (1980) I had the weekly free paper run back when there was not a single traffic light in the street and I earned $1.24 for delivering 50 papers). So as the unofficial media ambassador, let me try and interpret those signs for you:

    Number 7 — don’t take you pants off!! Caloundra used to have nudey beaches near Currimundi but we are now a bit prudish. Nudity not allowed, thank you. (You have to go to Noosa for that).

    Number 9 – have fun.

    Number 11 — don’t put your head under the water. Or if it’s directed at teenage boys, “no mooning” allowed in the jacuzzi. Which one do you think?

    PS. The path you took is what I call the “Magic Walk”. Everytime I go home, i take the same trail and just drink in the serenity. Thank you for showcasing my home to your world. We do love visitors.

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