The Caloundra District abounds in natural beauty. From white sandy beaches to the scenic splendour of the famous Glasshouse Mountains, there's something for everyone to see and enjoy.

CALOUNDRA-KAWANA BEACH DRIVE: This coastal strip looks out to the main shipping channel for the Port of Brisbane, so on any given day large ships can be seen gliding slowly by almost within reach. Follow any of the Esplanades from Golden-Bulcock-Kings beaches up to the Caloundra Headland, around to Moffat and Dicky beaches and continue to Kawana beaches via Oceanic Drive. Along the way, you will find part of Caloundra's history at the various cairns e.g. Landsborough, the explorer, and ships - Centaur, Queen of Colonies and the SS Dicky.

GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS TOURIST DRIVE: From Caloundra/Landsborough turn-off on the Bruce Highway, take the Landsborough exit to the Glass House Mountains Tourist Drive. Continue south taking in the attractions along the way to Matthew Flinders Park at the foot of Mt. Tibrogargan. Continue on to Beerburrum and follow the Forestry Lookout 589 signs for BBQs and panoramic views of the Glass House Mountains, ranges, Brisbane, coastal beaches and Moreton Island sand dunes. Continue along Old Gympie Road and Coonowrin Road back to Glass House; or, Old Gympie Road and turn into Mt. Beerwah Road to drive to Mt. Beerwah National Park - good walking and fresh air. Take the Peachester Road for a pretty drive through Peachester and home via the Peachester-Bald Knob Road to Landsborough.

MALENY-BLACKALL RANGE TOURIST DRIVE: From Caloundra, travel west 10kms towards the Bruce Highway. At the interchange, enter the Glass House Mountains Road by following the Landsborough sign. Drive through Landsborough and take the Maleny Road to the southern edge of the Blackall Range. Continue through the town to the outskirts of Maleny. The tour offers outstanding views of the Sunshine Coast from the many lookouts. Potteries, art and craft galleries are found along the drive, together with many fine eating establishments. On the outskirts of Maleny, follow the signs to Mary Cairncross Park, where you can enjoy a rainforest walk. Continue west on this road to Reesville and the Howells Knob Lookout. This lookout has magnificent 360 degree views and should not be missed. Complete the circuit by driving into the charming rural town of Maleny and browse the shops. Continue along the range road to Montville, call into Balmoral Rest Lookout, Crawfords Lookout, Montville, Flaxton and Mapleton before heading to Nambour.

DICKY BEACH:"S.S. Dicky", carrying 11 crew and 40 tonnes of sand, was forced onto the beach during heavy seas in 1893. Attempts to refloat the ship were unsuccessful. A memorial stands in the park at Dicky Beach near the caravan park.

MOFFAT BEACH : A female passenger on board "Queen of Colonies" died as the ship was sailing into Moreton Bay in 1863. It was decided to bury her on Cape Moreton but the burial party was marooned by a storm and washed up on the rocks at Moffat Head. A plaque has been erected at Moffat Headland.

WWII: "Centaur", an Australian hospital ship, was torpedoed and sunk in 1943 by a Japanese submarine 10 miles east of Cape Moreton. Of the 365 medical staff and crew on board, only 64 survived. A plaque has been placed on Wickham Head, Caloundra.

LANDSBOROUGH: William Landsborough, was awarded £2,000 for his explorations in 1882 by the State Government. With his money, he bought 2,372 acres on Golden Beach. He died in 1886 and his family erected a cairn at what is now the Golden Beach Shopping Centre.

LIGHTHOUSE: The historic Caloundra Lighthouse, located in Canberra Terrace, was built in 1898 and is the city's oldest building - constructed when just four other houses existed in the township. Owned by Caloundra City Council, this Caloundra landmark stands beside a new lighthouse, built in 1967 at a cost of $38,000.

GLASSHOUSE MOUNTAINS: It seems that Tibrogargan, the father, and Beerwah, the mother, had many children - Coonowrin (the eldest), Beerburrum, the Tunbubudla twins, Coochin, Ngungun, Tibberoowuccum, Miketeebumulgrai and Elimbah. According to the story there was also Round who was fat and small, and Wild Horse (presumably Saddleback) who was always straying away to paddle in the sea. One day, when Tibrogargan was gazing out to sea he noticed a great rising of the water. Hurrying off to gather his younger children in order to flee to the safety of the mountains to the westward, he called out to Coonowrin to help his mother, who by the way, was again with child. Looking back to see how Coonowrin was assisting Beerwah, Tibrorgargan was greatly angered to see him running off alone. He pursued Coonowrin and , raising his club, struck the latter such a mighty blow that it dislocated Coonowrin's neck, and he has never been able to straighten it since. When the floods had subsided and the family had returned to the plains, the other children teased Coonowrin about his crooked neck. Feeling ashamed, Coonowrin went to Tibrogargan and asked for forgiveness, but filled with shame at his son's cowardice, Tibrogargan could do nothing but weep copious tears, which, trickling along the ground, formed a stream which flowed into the sea. Then Coonowrin went to his brothers and sisters, but they also wept at the shame of their brother's cowardice. The lamentations of Coonowrin's parents and his brothers and sisters at his disgrace explain the presence today of the numerous small streams of the area. Tibrogargan then called Coonowrin, asking him why he had deserted Beerwah; at which Coonowrin replied that as Beerwah was the biggest of them all she should be able to take care of herself. He did not know that Beerwah was again pregnant, which was the reason for her great size. Then Tibrogargan turned his back on Coonowrin and vowed that he would never look at him again. Even today, Tibrogargan gazes far out to sea and never looks around at Coonowrin, who hangs his head and cries, his tears running off to the sea. His mother Beerwah, is still heavy with child as it takes a long, long time to give birth to a mountain.