Where to find the best views on the Sunshine Coast

Between the beaches and the hinterland, the Sunshine Coast is not short on natural beauty. And while the best way to appreciate it is often up close and immersed amongst it, sometimes it’s nice to just stop and take it all in from afar. Good thing the Sunshine Coast has plenty of spots that boast spectacular views.

From those that require zero effort (hint: all you have to do is go out on your prize home balcony), to views that are well worth the hike, here’s where you can enjoy the best views on the Sunshine Coast.

Mount Ngungun

The picturesque drive along the Glasshouse Mountains Tourist Drive is the perfect way to whet your appetite as you work your way up to Mount Ngungun. Along the trip you’ll see volcanic plugs rising out of the trees as you venture through the Glasshouse Mountains National Park, plus the mix of sealed and unsealed roads in the park give you the freedom to choose your own adventure. The drive also includes plenty of glimpses over the hinterland treetops out to the coastline, and there are so many stunning lookouts to stop at to warrant a whole day trip in the area. Once you arrive at Mount Ngungun it’s a relatively easy two-hour trek to the summit, which rewards with amazing views of Mount Tibrogargan, Mount Coonowrin and Mount Beerwah.

Tip: This day trip will be even more memorable in your new Range Rover Evoque, included in our prize lottery. It’s a plug-in hybrid that combines a 3-cylinder, 1.5 litre petrol engine with an electric motor and is designed for modern-day urban adventures. To make your road trips even more enjoyable it’s equipped with innovative features such as Pivi Pro1, Apple Carplay®2, Android AutoTM3 and an intuitive Touchscreen. It also has intelligent Terrain Response 2 and All Terrain Progress Control, allowing you to handle any change in weather or terrain with ease for those days when you decide to go off-road and find your own best views in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

There’s no denying that the Glasshouse Mountains are one of the Sunshine Coast’s most striking landmarks, and there are a lot of contenders for best viewpoints to take in its beauty. There’s the aptly named Glass House Mountains Lookout, McCarthy’s Lookout and Wild Horse Mountain Lookout, but one of the top places to see the Glasshouse Mountains in all its glory is from the upper deck of the education centre at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. Grab a coffee and a slice of cake from the on-site cafe to sweeten the experience.

Point Cartwright Lighthouse

If you’re craving a coastline view where you can also feel the salty air in your hair, then Point Cartwright is the place to go. It’s the perfect place to watch the sunrise, sunset, or spot whales from the months of July to October. Located at the headland between Buddina Beach and the Mooloolah River, the view looks out over to Mooloolaba, Mount Coolum, Alexandra Headland, Maroochydore Beach and Cotton Tree in the distance in one direction. Around the other side of the headland you’ll get uninterrupted views down the coastline to Caloundra. When the conditions are right, you’ll also get to witness some spectacular surfing from the locals below.

The Terrace Seafood Restaurant Maleny

A view this good deserves to be enjoyed long and hard so order yourself something nice off the menu and sit and stay awhile. On a glorious summer’s day, the hot and cold seafood platter is a no brainer. In winter, a comforting bowl of spaghetti marinara with a glass of Australian-grown red wine will go down a treat as you stare out over the balcony at the breathtaking views that stretch all the way to the coastline on the horizon.

Home sweet home

The above list of Sunshine Coast’s best views are all must-sees, but they really can’t compete with the one you’ll wake up to every day in our latest Mater Prize Home lottery No. 302. You’ll never grow tired of looking out over your 5-acre Mapleton property across the hinterland to the ocean as you sit up in bed, walk down the hallway, make yourself a cup of coffee in your modern open plan kitchen, wander out onto your outdoor living space, or chill out in your rumpus room. The scenery is beautiful everywhere you look out within your 4-bedroom home. But perhaps no viewing point is better than the one you’ll enjoy from within your private saltwater pool.

Ready to be spoilt with stunning scenery every day? Buy your tickets today to win this Mater Prize Home lottery and spend your days ticking off the Sunshine Coast’s best views (and uncovering a few of your own!). Plus, for every ticket you purchase you’re helping support the vital medical research and patient care at Mater.