Maroochydore Airport serves the coastal area of Queensland called the Sunshine Coast. The coast is the collective name for the dozens of small beachside resorts that stretch for fifty miles north of Brisbane. All are popular holiday destinations each offering a different take on Queensland beach life and are visited mainly by Queenslanders and people from Sydney who have holiday homes there.
Apart from the white sandy beaches, the resorts are known for their stunning emerald green jungle hinterland, easily reached in a hire car, and their delicious local agricultural produce.
Maroochydore Airport Mini Guide
Where is Maroochydore?
Maroochydore is part of Australia’s so called ‘Sunshine Coast' on the southern coast of Queensland, less famous than the
Gold Coast, it is popular because it is less commercialised. Running for 45 miles along the coast, the region is backed by the Glasshouse Mountains which give a contrasting alternative to the beautiful white sand beaches of the area.
A number of theme parks have sprung up along the coast including Aussie World and the Ginger Factory, both of which offer basic fun activities for all the family. At Kondalilla you can experience the flora and fauna of an Australian rainforest in the national park there which also encompasses Kondalilla Falls, a 300ft waterfall.
How do I Get to the Sunshine Coast?
Maroochydore Airport is more commonly called Sunshine Coast Airport and serves the towns of the coastal region. The airport receives daily flights with various carriers from Melbourne and
Sydney and offers an island hopper flight to Lady Elliot Island. Transport at the airport has to cover a wide area and SunAir and Henry’s Airport Shuttle offer airport to resort and hotel transfers at reasonable rates. There are no local buses as such as the distances are too large compared to the demand. Car hire at maroochydore Airport is another good option with nearly 200 square miles of territory to discover. Roads around the airport have had a recent upgrade to make accessing the coast road simpler and with improvements to the Sunshine Coast road as well, driving is simple and it's quick to get to your destination as traffic is usually light.
What is the Airport Like?
The airport has a single terminal with one level so departures and arrivals are in the same part of the building. The airport had a recent facelift and is surprisingly modern and well equipped for a small regional airport.
What Should I do When I Land?
There are no direct-to-terminal facilities at the airport so it’s a short walk into the terminal building. Passport control doesn’t apply so you’ll be waiting at the two baggage carousels very soon after landing. Take your bags through to the arrivals hall where you can arrange accommodation at the information desk if you need it and collect a hire car. It’s often best to pre-book to ensure you get the car you want. If you need money, the airport has two cash machines in the main hall and you can also buy tickets for the shuttle buses there too.
What is the Airport Like for Departing Passengers?
The airport has a great range of facilities including Wi-Fi but you’ll have to pay to use it. There’s a good selection of shops including a Rip Curl so you can stock up on trendy surf clothing and a jewellery store should you want something more elegant for an evening out. The airport has a number of places you can eat ranging from the naughty such as Velluto which serves full breakfasts to the healthy at Sumo Salad. If you’re after something to read on your flight, visit News Travels for books, magazines and newspapers.
22/04/12 - At last international travel comes to Maroochydore Airport. Air New Zealand have just begun a seasonal service from July to September from Auckland. The airport has built new customs and security facilities to cope with the new flights and hopes to welcome further international routes in the future.