Noosa sits roughly two hours north, on the far side of Brisbane, and rewards the runners willing to treat the marathon as the opening leg of a longer trip rather than the whole point of it.
Noosa National Park
The headland trail through Noosa National Park is the single best reason to come: coastal walking with genuine chances of koala sightings in the trees above the path, ending at secluded swimming spots along the way.
Winter on the Sunshine Coast
July's mild days and cool evenings make this an easy season for walking the headland without summer's heat, and the region is markedly quieter than during the Christmas and Easter peak periods.
Where to Stay and Eat
Hastings Street is Noosa's main strip, dense with restaurants and boutique accommodation, all within walking distance of the national park entrance and main beach. Quieter, more self-contained options exist further along the Sunshine Coast in Coolum and Peregian Beach for anyone wanting distance from the main tourist strip.
Getting Back
The drive or coach trip back to the Gold Coast retraces the outbound route, skirting Brisbane, and can be timed around an onward international or domestic flight from either Brisbane or Gold Coast Airport.