The Sunshine Coast is classed as one of Australia's leading tourist destinations with a permanent population of over 300,000. This swells enormously during our winter months when there is an influx of both Kiwis and people from the southern states escaping winter. As such it caters for the visitor with a multitude of cafes, restaurants and things to do and see. Apart from the many walks through National Park, this includes day trips to visit World Heritage listed Fraser Island and/or whale watching during the season, either from our beach or take a whale watching boat trip from Hervey Bay or Mooloolaba. Steve Irwin's Australia Zoo and Mooloolaba's Underwater World are both close by. We are just north of Coolum Beach and south of Noosa Heads and Brisbane International Airport is less than 1.5 hours drive south. Direct flights to the Sunshine Coast from Sydney and other capitals. We both have bicycles and because of the 93 k's of bike tracks it's safe cycling. A comfortable walk along the beach to the Peregian shopping village where there is a wide choice of cafes, including French patisserie and German bakery, for our daily coffee. Several of the cafes and restaurants overlook the centre of the square, a small grassy area with trees and garden, making it a delightful place to sit outdoors away from traffic. As well, Peregian has many clothing shops, Hotel, Surf Club, tennis courts and, if the surf is too big, public pools close by at both Coolum and Sunshine Beach. There are a large number of golf clubs within easy driving distance where visitors are welcome. The Gold Coast is 2 hours drive south and Bundaberg 3 hours drive north. Lady Elliott Island, a small island off the coast of Bundaberg, is sited in a Marine National Park and boasts splendid of coral, bird and marine life. There are a several Bridge Clubs nearby and all welcome visitors.

We are Allison (a Kiwi) and Dennis (Aussie),early & mid 60's, non smokers, and several years ago elected to take early retirement. We have lived and worked in a number of countries plus places in Australia but have been on the Sunshine Coast since 1981 and could not imagine a nicer place to live. The coastal area between Brisbane and Bundaberg has the least variation between summer and winter temperatures in the southern hemisphere. As our winters are mild, e.g low 20's, with ocean temp 18/19.c mid winter, we don't own heavy winter clothing and so ice and snow do not appeal. We enjoy swimming, both in the ocean and lap swimming in a pool, cycling, walking, reading, wining and dining and Allison is a keen bridge player. We have done several successful exchanges, USA, Canada, NZ plus a few in Australia and have one arranged for Holland in June 2013 but would like to organise something for early 2014 to NZ.