short road trips from sunshine coast

Short road trips from the Sunshine Coast? Take the Blackall Range Tourist Drive to Maleny and Montville (about 45–60 km) for views, cheese, and the smug glow of a good lookout. Cruise up to Noosa via the David Low Way (30–40 km) for beaches and gelato you definitely earned by sitting. Glass House Mountains lookouts are an easy 70–85 km round trip and make your Instagram do bicep curls. Kenilworth in the Mary Valley (around 55 km) means country bakeries and creek dips—bring an appetite. Eumundi Markets are a breezy ~20 km hop for colour and crafts, while Rainbow Beach is a longer day dash (~120 km) if you fancy sand that squeaks. Pack water, check conditions, and pretend every detour was part of the plan.