sunshine coast sweat & savings: a broke student's humid haiku

okay, got off the bus with my backpack that smells like desperation and instant noodles, and sunshine coast hits me with this wall of humidity. 24 degrees but feels like 25, and 100% humidity? i'm drowning in my own sweat. but hey, free beaches, right? i took the greyhound from brisbane because it was cheaper than the train, and let me tell you, the seats are not made for long hauls. my butt still hurts.

someone told me that the best spot to people-watch is at mooloolaba beach, but don't bother with the overpriced ice cream trucks - i heard from a local that they charge like 10 bucks for a cone. what a rip. instead, grab a cheap bag of chips from the supermarket and sit on the esplanade. the coles across from the hostel has these mini pizzas for 2 bucks, perfect for a lazy afternoon.

here's the map of where i've been wandering, mostly lost but finding hidden cheap eats:



the vibe here is weirdly chill for a tourist hotspot. maybe it's because everyone's too sticky to care. i've been crashing at this hostel that costs 25 bucks a night - check it out on hostelworld if you're broke like me. they have a kitchen so i'm not eating out every day, which saves major cash. the kitchen closes at 10 pm, which sucks when you're hungry late, but whatever, i meal prep like a boss.

speaking of food, i stumbled upon this fish and chips shop that's been there since forever. the old guy who runs it doesn't smile, but the portions are huge and under 15 AUD. that's a win. *definitely try the battered prawns, but skip the soft drinks - they're marked up like crazy.

if you need more tips, the sunshine coast visitor board has a cheap eats guide here, but it's kinda touristy. better to ask at the hostel kitchen - someone always knows a secret spot. like this one time, this dutch girl told me about a fruit market that gives away bruised fruit for free on sundays. i got like 10 apples for nothing.

oh, and the weather? it's perpetually 23.92 degrees with 100% humidity, so bring a towel for your pits, not just the beach. i learned that after sweating through my only shirt on a walk back from the coast. gross but cheap.

for a day trip, when the beach gets old, brisbane's a quick bus ride away for city lights, but save your cash for the ferry rides here. the ferry to bribe island is like 10 bucks round trip and gives you a different view. i heard that the night markets on sunday are lit, but the prices are negotiable - don't pay the first number they say. i got a bracelet for half price just by pretending to walk away.

i've attached some pics from my phone - that aerial view is from the helicopter tour i couldn't afford, but a friend took it from a drone. looks fancy, but i was just lying on the sand:

the bird on the beach? that's a curlew, and it's always there judging everyone. i named him gary. he doesn't care about your selfie sticks:

and the bench? that's my favorite spot to write postcards and avoid spending money. it's near the library, which has free wifi, so i can skype my family without using data. pro tip: bring a snack and sit there for hours.

overall, sunshine coast on a budget is doable if you're smart. skip the tours, walk everywhere, and eat from supermarkets. but seriously, the humidity is no joke - i've never sweat so much in my life. but for the price, it's worth it. i met this couple from germany who've been here for a month and they say july is the best time, less humid. but i'm here in whatever season this is, and it's fine.

if you're planning a trip, read the reviews on tripadvisor but take them with a grain of salt. i heard that some hotels scrub the bad reviews, so look for the ones from real travelers. also, check yelp for cheap eats, but again, filter by price.

don't forget to pack light clothes and sunscreen - the sun here is brutal even when it's cloudy. and if you're a student, always ask for discounts! i got 10% off at a surf shop just by showing my student ID. major win*.

that's it for now. gotta go find a free event or something. catch you later.

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