Marcus Beach, Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Ever since the children were toddlers I’ve tried to take them away for a summer vacation. This year we decided to go to Marcus Beach, Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Marcus Beach is located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. It’s the next beach after Peregian Beach travelling north and just south of Noosa Beach. I’ve been going to the Sunshine Coast since I was a baby and it’s my most favourite part of the world. We usually vacation at Coolum Beach, just south of Marcus Beach but leaving it until the last minute, I couldn’t find any accommodation for the dates we needed so we found a cute little house at Marcus Beach. 

I love the Sunshine Coast for it’s unspoilt beauty. No high rise buildings, no fancy hotels. Just wide open spaces, beautiful beaches, sand dunes, natural bushland adjoining the beach and crystal clear ocean. Except for the busy times people walk their dogs, you can sometimes feel like you’re the only person on the beach.

Accommodation

When my husband and I vacation just with our two dogs, we take any accommodation but because we had the children, we chose a place with a swimming pool. When we weren’t at the beach they were in the pool. It was so refreshing to see them get back their childhood with absolutely no electronic devices brought with them at all.  

Even the dogs went in for a quick dip. The drive up was so hot. We put them in to lower their body temperatures. They aren’t too keen on the water at the best of times.

My husband is such a good step Dad. The kids absolutely adore him. He loved playing with them in the pool and they loved it too.

The house we rented had a real retro feel about it, resembling something like a Swedish sauna with timber internal walls and vaulted ceilings. We had all the creature comforts of home and that’s all we needed. As long as we have a bed, a shower and somewhere to cook, we’re happy. Considering the small window of time we were able to go away, the house was really reasonably priced for the location. Only 1 street away from the beach and surrounded by beautiful trees and nature.

The evenings were spent watching television, playing board games and winding down from a hot, tiring day.

The Beach

In the afternoon, we took the dogs for a walk along the beach. It was a bit windy the first day and there was a really bad storm brewing back home in Brisbane so we didn’t stay long.

The second day we went back to our favourite place, Coolum Beach and a walk through Stumer’s Creek, a dog friendly beach that we love. The dogs immediately remembered it and felt right at home.

Our little miniature Fox Terrer, Bonnie will be 16 years old after Christmas and she still goes alright for an ‘old girl’. She loves the beach and keeps up with us walking even having a little game with ‘Dada’. (We love our dogs and they come everywhere with us.)

My husband is such a joy to go away on vacation with. He packs the car, unpacks it, looks after the dogs, looks after me and makes holidaying a real joy.

It was only 3 days long but hopefully the time we spent together will have a lasting memory for the children. Holidaying with them as they’re getting older is definitely a lot easier compared to when they were toddlers.

 

The Honeymoon - Coolum Beach, Queensland

We were very lucky, extremely lucky, to be blessed by family and friends for our wedding who made our honeymoon dreams come true. We didn't really want (or need) anything for our home as far as wedding presents go so I put a little note in the invitations that said if guests wanted to, a monetary gift would be greatly appreciated. We received more than enough for a lovely week away at our favourite beach destination, Coolum Beach on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Damien and I are huge dog lovers, especially of our dogs, and there was no leaving them behind so we managed to rent a beach house that was dog friendly and our two little friends came with us. (At the end of the day, this holiday was all about them.)

 

Coolum Beach is just over an hour from home and a place that is very dear to my heart. My grandparents lived on the Sunshine Coast since 1969 so just about every chance we could, we would go there. I went to many church camps at the Luther Heights Camping Grounds at Coolum as a young girl with a lot of great memories. When (and if) the children ever leave home, this is where I would like to spend the rest of my days. There's just something about the unspoiled coastline in this area and the natural surroundings. I know you can't stand in the way of progress but I think the council has done well to not build up the coastline with high rise unit blocks and commercialism. This is where I feel at peace.

Our accommodation was located close to Stumer's Creek, a special area dedicated to our four legged friends. There are plenty of dog 'doo doo' bags for picking up their mess, fresh water taps and hoses to clean them and an off leash area so they can have a good run. Most of the dog owners are responsible and keep their dogs under control.

One day we went to another favourite beach of mine, Noosa Beach about 15 minutes away from where we stayed. It was a really warm day and the water was crystal clear. Damien got in a bit of surfing while I caught up on some magazine reading and catching a few rays.

Another day we went to King's Beach at Caloundra, about 20 minutes south. This area, from Caloundra to Noosa, is known as the Sunshine Coast and has some of the best beaches in the world.

Damien gave me his wallet (I really took it when he wasn't looking) and I headed 5 minutes up the road to Peregian Beach for a good look around the shops. So many gorgeous homeware shops and boutiques. They have such a lot of unique and one-off items you don't find in the shops around me. I didn't buy too much but had a good look around and was inspired to try a few ideas when I got home.

I collected a few shells and coral on our morning and afternoon walks. I'll use some of these when I put together a little something to remember our honeymoon. I think shells are the best souvenier. They don't cost anything and when you look at them you remember where you got them from, or I do.

We were blessed with such wonderful weather but on our last day, the dark clouds came over and it rained a bit and got a bit cool. It gave us time to relax on the couch, watch a movie and get ready to pack up for our return home.

It was such a lovely time and a time to take stock, reminisce a little on the wedding and enjoy each other's company without any interruptions from the day to day. Oh, except for the whining and barking when it was time for walkies. Some things never change.

The Honeymoon - Coolum Beach, Queensland

We were very lucky, extremely lucky, to be blessed by family and friends for our wedding who made our honeymoon dreams come true. We didn’t really want (or need) anything for our home as far as wedding presents go so I put a little note in the invitations that said if guests wanted to, a monetary gift would be greatly appreciated.

We received more than enough for a lovely week away at our favourite beach destination, Coolum Beach on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland.

Damien and I are huge dog lovers, especially of our dogs, and there was no leaving them behind so we managed to rent a beach house that was dog friendly and our two little friends came with us. (At the end of the day, this holiday was all about them.)

Coolum Beach is just over an hour from home and a place that is very dear to my heart. My grandparents lived on the Sunshine Coast since 1969 so just about every chance we could, we would go there. I went to many church camps at the Luther Heights Camping Grounds at Coolum as a young girl with a lot of great memories.

When (and if) the children ever leave home, this is where I would like to spend the rest of my days. There’s just something about the unspoiled coastline in this area and the natural surroundings. I know you can’t stand in the way of progress but I think the council has done well to not build up the coastline with high rise unit blocks and commercialism. This is where I feel at peace.

Our accommodation was located close to Stumer’s Creek, a special area dedicated to our four legged friends. There are plenty of dog ‘doo doo’ bags for picking up their mess, fresh water taps and hoses to clean them and an off leash area so they can have a good run. Most of the dog owners are responsible and keep their dogs under control.

One day we went to another favourite beach of mine, Noosa Beach about 15 minutes away from where we stayed. It was a really warm day and the water was crystal clear. Damien got in a bit of surfing while I caught up on some magazine reading and catching a few rays.

Another day we went to King’s Beach at Caloundra, about 20 minutes south. This area, from Caloundra to Noosa, is known as the Sunshine Coast and has some of the best beaches in the world.

Damien gave me his wallet (I really took it when he wasn’t looking) and I headed 5 minutes up the road to Peregian Beach for a good look around the shops. So many gorgeous homeware shops and boutiques. They have such a lot of unique and one-off items you don’t find in the shops around me. I didn’t buy too much but had a good look around and was inspired to try a few ideas when I got home.

I collected a few shells and coral on our morning and afternoon walks. I’ll use some of these when I put together a little something to remember our honeymoon. I think shells are the best souvenir. They don’t cost anything and when you look at them you remember where you got them from, or I do.

We were blessed with such wonderful weather but on our last day, the dark clouds came over and it rained a bit and got a bit cool. It gave us time to relax on the couch, watch a movie and get ready to pack up for our return home.

It was such a lovely time and a time to take stock, reminisce a little on the wedding and enjoy each other’s company without any interruptions from the day to day. Oh, except for the whining and barking when it was time for walkies. Some things never change.