The Sunshine Coast is the perfect holiday destination, no matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you’re looking to get out of your holiday.
The number of attractions and fun things to do on the Sunshine Coast is endless – and there are loads of beautiful spots to do nothing at all if that’s more your scene.
Pack a picnic and pack your hat, and get ready for a holiday filled with pristine beaches and natural beauty, topped with adventures for the whole family. Here is a list of our favourite things to keep you busy during your Sunshine Coast getaway.
Explore the Beautiful Beaches
The Sunshine Coast is home to some of Australia’s cleanest and most beautiful beaches. There are so many different beaches to choose from, depending on your reason for going. So, to help fill up your bucket list, browse through these local options:
- Sunshine Beach is a dog-friendly beach with long stretches of sand for our furry family members to enjoy. Even the eateries in the area welcome them with water and treats.
- Coolum Beach has swells catering to surfers of all ages, and if you’re just starting out, they even offer lessons. (We also recommend stopping by Coolum National Park.)
- Mooloolaba is a great fishing beach for the entire family, and the trawlers reign in the freshest swordfish and prawns into the harbour daily.
- Bulcock Beach is a family field day, with calm, shallow waters and patrolled beaches to keep you busy. There’s also a grass area complete with a pirate ship and castle to play in.
Enjoy the Majesty of the Glass House Mountains
The Glass House Mountains National Park in the Sunshine Coast’s hinterland has 12 bold rock formations with volcanic peaks dating back to 25 million years old. Here are our top picks for this destination:
- If you’d like an uncomplicated hike with a view, Mount Beerwah offers the highest peak with only a 1.4KM walk.
- Mount Tibrogargan isn’t as high, but you can challenge yourself to rock climb the steep summit ascent.
- There are numerous lookout points with barbecue pits and picnic areas in the shade of these walking tracks, with public toilets available.
- You can also head off to the nearby Maleny Botanic Gardens for another marvelous sight to be seen.
Discover Noosa’s Everglades
This hidden gem is one of only two Everglades systems on the planet! This primarily untouched wilderness stretches 60km along the Noosa River and is home to one of the country’s most diverse ecosystems.
- Book a romantic couples’ kayak tour of the Everglades or go for the family-friendly option. Float by the wildlife and watch them go about their day in their natural habitat.
- The Noosa River is also known as the River of Mirrors, named after the way the water reflects when it’s still. If you have your own boat, you can join the river at the upper reaches through the lakes system.
- Pack a picnic and swim in the water while you’re at it – don’t worry, there aren’t any crocodiles.
- While you’re there, head out to Noosa National Park for incredible coastal views of this world-famous location.
Book Boozy Sunshine Coast Tours
When you’re on holiday, it’s totally necessary to let down your hair and live it up a little. Here’s how you can do that in style with all that the Sunshine Coast offers:
- Book a wine tour and learn about the winemaking process, and frolic in the vineyards. Most tours offer a few different wineries as part of the visit and usually include a cheese and charcuterie platter to enjoy.
- If you’re after something a bit stronger, there are three distilleries in Noosa that produce various gins and vodkas to sample.
- Go brewery hopping and try some of the locally brewed craft beers. Head behind the scenes to meet the brewers and be dropped off right at the door to your accommodation after a fun day out.
Visit Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo
From kangaroos to koalas to crocodiles and even rhinoceros, Australia Zoo is the home of our very own Crocodile Hunter and offers a day of educational fun for the whole family. The ticket includes free shows and presentations, with a favourite being the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Show in the Crocoseum at 1:15 PM every day.
Supplement your ticket with an extra $2 and take a sneak peek at the wild animals being rehabilitated at the Wildlife Hospital. There are also up close, and personal animal encounters that you can book for an additional fee.
Find Nemo at Sea Life Aquarium
If it isn’t beach weather, this is a great activity, and the kids need some entertainment. There are daily educational talks and marine life presentations included in the ticket price, and the whole family can watch the feeding process or engage in the many exhibits around the location.
Sea Life also features an 80m-long ocean tunnel walkway that provides an insider’s view into the depths of the ocean. Marvel at the scary sharks and stingrays or make friends with the silly seals and pretty penguins – the choice is yours!
Get Adventurous at Aussie World
One of the main Sunshine Coast theme parks is certainly the action-packed Aussie World. There are rollercoasters and water slides for both young and old thrill-seekers, so no one in the family will be left out.
If you’re more after the adrenaline of a different kind, try out the haunted Mayhem Maze or Professor Bogglesworth’s Illusionarium. If you’re competitive, there’s also mini-golf or the Side Show Alley with lots of prizes to be won.
Ride Australia’s Largest Commercial Go-Kart Track
Big Kart Track has a 1.2km-long race track that’s designed to meet international standards, with 50 karts that can reach up to 70km per hour.
You don’t even need to skip this adventure if the weather’s seen better days – different conditions merely make for a unique track. And don’t worry, mum, there are pre-race briefings, compulsory protective helmets, and a fully trained crew on hand at all times.
The track is open daily, but it is open until 10:00 PM on Fridays and Saturdays so that you can experience the sunset strip under the dazzling lights.
Key Takeaways
There are so many things to do on the Sunshine Coast that you’ll be lucky to fit everything into one family holiday.
Do some relaxing on some of Australia’s best beaches, and discover the national parks through the surrounding hinterland. Take a hike or do a scenic drive and enjoy all the outdoor activities on offer.
Meanwhile, kids and adults alike will love the Sunshine Coast as it truly offers fun for the entire family. Choose between the Australia Zoo, Sea Life, Aussie World, and the Big Kart Track – or just go ahead and do all four!
This scenic coastal location is the perfect destination for a getaway with stunning views and some of the country’s top attractions. Add these Sunshine Coast attractions to your bucket list.
