Active Pursuits in Australia's Sunshine Coast

Main Beach, Noosa Heads, is the place to swim, surf, and sunbathe. If the bikini-clad supermodel look-alikes are too much for you, head to Sunshine Beach, just behind Noosa Junction off the David Low Way, about 2km (1 1/4 miles) from Noosa Heads, or to Peregian, slightly farther south. Both are just as beautiful, and all three are patrolled.

Learn to surf with two-time Australian and World Pro-Am champion Merrick Davis (tel. 0418/787 577 mobile; www.learntosurf.com.au), who's been teaching here since 1992. Merrick and his team run 2-hour lessons on Main Beach daily for A$60, 3-day certificate courses for A$165, and 5-day courses for A$240. They will pick you up and drop you off at your accommodations. They also rent surfboards, body boards, and sea kayaks.

If you want to rent a Windsurfer, canoe, kayak, surf ski, catamaran, jet ski, or fishing boat that you can play with on the Noosa River or take upriver into Great Sandy National Park , check out the many outlets along Gympie Terrace between James Street and Robert Street in Noosaville.

The Aussie Sea Kayak Company (tel. 0407/049 747; www.ausseakayak.com.au), at the Wharf, Mooloolaba, runs a 2-hour sunset paddle on the Maroochy River every day for A$45 -- including a glass of champagne on your return. Half-day tours run every day for 3 to 4 hours at Mooloolaba (A$65). Day tours of the Noosa Everglades run for 7 hours on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at Noosa (A$135), or there's an overnight tour leaving on Wednesdays and Saturdays, for A$295 per person.