64 km north of Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast. The largest town on the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore has a population of over 45,000. The coast from here south for the 5 km to Mooloolaba is now practically one long strip of development. Maroochydore has a pleasant beach, the mouth of the River Maroochy and a few small islands. It becomes fairly hectic during the summer. Out of season it’s an agreeably quiet spot – with everyone going about their business and paying little attention to the odd surfers going about what appears to be their entire business. Otherwise there are just the oldies and the pelicans – who are cut-throat rivals in the fishing business.