I really enjoyed the Sunshine coast when I was there July 2009. The roads are good, nice beaches & epic mountains up behind. From a holiday sense, accomodation & food is cheap (outside Noosa). I got lucky with a big July swell & not so lucky losing a fin on rocks at Kirra before heading North. I missed a day surfing when I arrived getting my board fixed but enjoyed checking out the mountains.
This was on the news the night I arrived
This was the reefie 2 mins walk away from out accommodation the arvo while my board was getting repaired. Enjoyed surfing it at 1/2 size on my own the day after. The sandbanks out the back of the rivermouth were double overhead long rights, 3 or 4 sections with like 2 guys out. Moffats was going off apparently. But I didn't see it, I was drinking beer filming this.
Warning for you sensitive types, video contains boogers, but clearly displays fun looking waves too


We went to Noosa after a couple of nights in Caloundra, arrived at lunch. I went straight to TeaTree, missus went shopping & I had a great time getting long rides with a couple of barrel sections & walking back. I grabbed some beers & filmed this vid that arvo, swell had dropped but still really fun. Next morning was waist high, heaps of longboards fully dominating.
But anyway the missus & I were on an exploritory mission considering moving over back then. The work situation was ultimately the deciding factor for us & we have since found a place we are very happy with. But if you can find a way to get by on the Sunshine coast or Northern NSW somewhere you will find yourself in a beautiful part of the world. Best of luck to ya m8