Australian Towns, Cities & Highways: Sunshine Motorway

Sunshine Motorway (includes Emu Mountain Road)

The Sunshine Motorway, a north-south arterial road built in the early 1990's links the main Sunshine Coast centre of Maroochydore with Noosa, the Sunshine Coast Airport & the Bruce Highway and at the time featured a new bridge across the Maroochy River. It replaced an overused, windy route along the coast (David Low Way) allowing motorists to not only bypass the myriad of coastal townships but also enabled traffic to traverse the Sunshine Coast without having to travel inland to reach the Bruce Highway. Built in several stages outwards from Maroochydore, the motorway was initially tolled to fund subsequent sections. However, due to public objection, the tolls were eventually lifted delaying the progress of the motorway becoming dual carriageway for its length. An overdue extension of the Sunshine Motorway was originally planned to connect Maroochydore with Caloundra although the emphasis in recent times has been for the construction of a light rail system instead.

Starting as an interchange from the Bruce Highway at Sippy Downs, the Sunshine Motorway heads east through low lying swampy fields to reach the western edge of Mooloolaba where it intersects with the Nicklin Way. Continuing north-west, the Sunshine Motorway bypasses Maroochydore and Buderim before crossing the Maroochy River. The motorway then heads north through the old toll gates, alongside the Sunshine Coast Airport and at the western foot of the prominent Mt Coolum to reach the Yandina-Coolum Road junction (roundabout). Continuing north, the motorway heads further inland, changing name to Emu Mountain Road where it carries traffic into the Noosa Shire and eventually to the tourist strip of Noosa Heads.

State: Queensland
Name Origin: The Sunshine Motorway was appropriately named as it spans a considerable length of the Sunshine Coast.
Start: Bruce Highway (Sippy Downs)
Principal Towns/Cities: Mooloolaba *, Buderim *, Maroochydore *, Coolum Beach *, Noosaville, Noosa Heads
Finish: Eumundi-Noosa Road (7km south-west of Noosaville)
Length: 42km
Road Standard: Bitumen
Road Quality: Excellent. Limited access road for its entire length. Dual carriageway from Mooloolaba to Maroochydore. Elsewhere single carriageway.
Road Continuation: Click here for the Bruce Highway
Speed Limit (outside built up area): Generally 100km/hr - some sections of 90km/hr and 80km/hr exist around the old toll gates and between Mooloolaba and the Bruce Highway.

Photos from the Sunshine Motorway (Click on thumbnail for full sized image):

Heading south-east on the Sunshine Motorway approaching the Brisbane Road/Sunshine Mwy exit. Motorists continuing south-east join the Nicklin Way, Mooloolaba (2004).

Looking south-east along the Sunshine Motorway as it becomes dual carraigeway, Mooloolaba (2004).

Heading east along the Sunshine Motorway between Maroochydore and Mooloolaba (2004).

Distance sign, heading south from the David Low Way exit, Mudjimba (2004).

Directional sign indicating the upcoming interchange on the Sunshine Motorway as it passes through the old toll gates, Mudjimba (2004).

Looking south across the old toll gates (note the higher street lights) along the Sunshine Motorway. This wide area now facilitates a U-turn facility as the sign suggests, Mudjimba (2004).

Looking south along the Sunshine Motorway as it approaches the Yandina-Coolum Road with Mt Coolum in the background, Coolum Beach (2004).

Distance sign, heading north from the Yandina-Coolum Road junction. Note on the left the Yandina-Coolum Road itself running parallel to the motorway, Coolum Beach (2004).

Distance sign, heading south-east along Emu Mountain Road, Doonan (2004).

The Eumundi-Noosa Road, heading south approaching the Emu Mountain Road junction, Doonan (2004).

	Heading south-east on the Sunshine Motorway approaching the Brisbane Road/Sunshine Mwy exit. Motorists continuing south-east join the Nicklin Way, Mooloolaba (2004).
	Looking south-east along the Sunshine Motorway as it becomes dual carraigeway, Mooloolaba (2004).
	Heading east along the Sunshine Motorway between Maroochydore and Mooloolaba (2004).
	Distance sign, heading south from the David Low Way exit, Mudjimba (2004).
	Directional sign indicating the upcoming interchange on the Sunshine Motorway as it passes through the old toll gates, Mudjimba (2004).
	Looking south across the old toll gates (note the higher street lights) along the Sunshine Motorway. This wide area now facilitates a U-turn facility as the sign suggests, Mudjimba (2004).
	Looking south along the Sunshine Motorway as it approaches the Yandina-Coolum Road with Mt Coolum in the background, Coolum Beach (2004).
	Distance sign, heading north from the Yandina-Coolum Road junction. Note on the left the Yandina-Coolum Road itself running parallel to the motorway, Coolum Beach (2004).
	Distance sign, heading south-east along Emu Mountain Road, Doonan (2004).
	The Eumundi-Noosa Road, heading south approaching the Emu Mountain Road junction, Doonan (2004).