Maroochydore
Postcode: 4558
Maroochydore is the geographic centre of the Sunshine Coast. Maroochydore contains a popular surf beach. The Maroochy River’s southern bank forms a virtually unbroken stretch of parkland and picnic spots in the area. Maroochydore is also a major commercial area of the Sunshine Coast with most shopping precincts located in the CBD itself. It is home to the Sunshine Plaza shopping centre and the Sunshine Coast’s major bus interchange for TransLink services on Sunshine Coast.
Maroochydore is also a venue of major surf sport carnivals, and is a popular holiday point from which to travel the rest of Queensland. The name Maroochydore is said to come from the Aborigine name Swan.
Maroochydore is a classic Queensland coastal holiday destination with virtually continuous development – high-rise blocks of flats and units interspersed with lower development and housing from the 1950s – stretching down the coast to Caloundra. With a population of around 17500, it is the geographical and commercial heart of the Sunshine Coast and a perfect holiday destination without the pretension of Noosa or the vulgarity of the Gold Coast.
The township of Maroochydore came into existence in 1900 but it wasn’t until the 1960s that the area really developed as a major tourist destination.