Things to do in Sunshine Coast
And where to stay, the best time to visit, what a day costs, and the traps to skip.
Best time to visit Sunshine Coast
• a note or something on ✦ an occasion worth the trip
Best weather, warm sea, lower humidity and best walking conditions.
Dry, clear and underrated. Cooler sea, whale season and best value outside holidays.
Hottest, busiest and wettest with summer storms and school holiday crowds.
Warm shoulder month but late summer rain and humidity can disrupt fixed plans.
Warm and busy around the Noosa Triathlon period in Noosa Heads.
What's on
- Noosa Eat & Drink Festival Late May to early June
Four days of festival village events, long lunches and chef collaborations in Noosa.
- Noosa Alive! Mid to late July
Ten day arts and performance festival adding evening culture to winter.
- Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival August
Large winter running festival around Mooloolaba and Alexandra Headland.
- Noosa Triathlon Early November, festival week from late October
Huge triathlon filling Noosa Heads. Attend as participant or spectator or avoid that week.
Best things to do in Sunshine Coast
Noosa National Park
Coastal track past Tea Tree Bay to Hells Gates with koalas, dolphins and whale lookouts.
Noosa Main Beach
Sheltered north facing patrolled beach in front of Hastings Street with a gentle point break.
The Original Eumundi Markets
Huge artisan market under fig trees with local makers and the best cheap market lunch around.
Australia Zoo
Steve Irwin zoo with Crocoseum show, wildlife hospital and hand feeding across a full family day.
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
Compact aquarium at The Wharf with tunnel, seals and sharks, ideal for rain and young kids.
Hastings Street
Low rise beachfront street of boutiques, cafes and restaurants leading to the national park.
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Easy old growth rainforest loop with pademelons and classic views to the Glass House Mountains.
Mooloolaba Beach
Long patrolled north facing beach with esplanade cafes and a coastal path to Point Cartwright.
Where to stay in Sunshine Coast
Noosa Heads
luxury, special occasions, walk everywhere
Main Beach, national park and best restaurants on foot at the highest prices on the coast.
Noosaville
families, longer stays, Noosa value
Quieter riverside eating and apartment resorts a short shuttle or drive from Hastings Street.
Mooloolaba
first trip, all-round base, families
Patrolled beach, harbour, aquarium and boats all on foot from central apartment resorts.
Caloundra
value, families, slower stays
Spacious local base with headland beaches and calm passage water at kinder rates.
Maleny and Montville hinterland
couples, winter escapes, add-on nights
Rainforest, waterfalls and fireplaces 30 to 45 minutes from the beach, not a beach base.
Think twice about
- Bruce Highway and Nicklin Way motel strips
Not unsafe, but car dominated, dull and dead at night, with a drive to every beach and meal.
- Central Maroochydore away from Cotton Tree
Commercial centre rather than a holiday base. Stay at Cotton Tree, the river or Mooloolaba instead.
Best restaurants in Sunshine Coast
Spirit House Restaurant
Destination Thai banquets in lit tropical gardens around a pond, plus a famed cooking school.
Rickys River Bar + Restaurant
Benchmark riverfront fine dining with local seafood and sunset views over the Noosa River.
Sails Restaurant Noosa
Iconic beachfront fine dining on Main Beach with seasonal menus and the best ocean outlook.
Locale Noosa
Handsome Hastings Street Italian with handmade pasta, farm produce and a deep wine list.
Sum Yung Guys
Loud modern Asian share plates including prawn toast, roti and barramundi larb in Noosaville.
Bistro C
Beachfront boardwalk bistro for swim to table breakfasts, long lunches and sunset cocktails.
Rice Boi
Cult Asian street food dive bar at The Wharf with bao, curries and marina water views.
See Restaurant
Over water upscale seafood at The Wharf with tasting plates, barramundi and harbour views.
Outdoor things to do in Sunshine Coast
Kanu Kapers Australia
Guided or self guided kayak days in the mirror still Noosa Everglades with expert briefing.
Sunreef Mooloolaba
Dive and whale operator for Ex HMAS Brisbane dives and seasonal swim with humpback whales.
Twin Waters Golf Club
Peter Thomson championship course among waterways, the headline resort round on the coast.
Maroochy River Golf Club
Links style Graham Marsh course with water on most holes and Mount Coolum as backdrop.
Mount Coolum National Park
Short steep climb to a volcanic summit with panoramic views from Noosa to Caloundra.
Kondalilla Falls
Rainforest circuit to an 80 metre waterfall and cold swimming holes near Montville.
Mount Ngungun
Most rewarding short Glass House summit, steep but formed, with views over the other peaks.
Merrick's Noosa Learn to Surf
Beginner lessons in sheltered Laguna Bay waves with small groups and all gear included.
Best hotels in Sunshine Coast
Elysium Noosa Resort - MGallery Collection
Hastings Street flagship resort opposite Main Beach with lagoon pool, spa and full service.
Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas
Hillside resort and villas near the national park with two pools, spa and room to spread out.
RACV Noosa Resort
Spacious suites and villas with lagoon pool near Hastings Street at well below flagship rates.
Halse Lodge Noosa Heads
Heritage hostel in rainforest five minutes from Main Beach with bar, restaurant and dorms.
Oceans Mooloolaba
Luxury esplanade apartments opposite the beach with large suites, ocean views and pool.
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Reliable esplanade apartment resort with ocean view suites, pool and rooftop barbecue area.
Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort
Family lagoon resort with free kayaks and catamarans, surf beach access and kids activities.
Rumba Beach Resort
Polished Bulcock Beach apartment resort with glass bottom lap pool and ocean view balconies.
Is Sunshine Coast expensive? What a day costs
| Budget | A$140 a person |
|---|---|
| Classic | A$320 a person |
| Splurge | A$700 a person |
A day of food, drink, sights and getting around, before the room
What to book ahead
- Australia Zoo: weeks ahead
- SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast: a few days ahead
- Kanu Kapers Australia: weeks ahead
- Sunreef Mooloolaba: weeks ahead
- Twin Waters Golf Club: weeks ahead
- Maroochy River Golf Club: a few days ahead
- Merrick's Noosa Learn to Surf: a few days ahead
- Elysium Noosa Resort - MGallery Collection: months ahead
- Noosa stays in school holidays and festival weeks need booking months ahead.
- Spirit House, Rickys, Sails and Locale dinners need booking weeks ahead for weekends.
- Everglades kayaks, whale swims, dives and weekend tee times sell out in season.
Is Sunshine Coast safe?
- Swim between the red and yellow flags at patrolled beaches and heed lifesaver advice.
- UV is extreme in summer. Carry water on hinterland walks and stay on track.
- Emergency number is 000.
Sunshine Coast travel tips: tourist traps to skip
- Hastings Street parking and peak season shopping as a main activity.
- Big Pineapple as more than a photo stop, and Tibrogargan or Beerwah summits described as easy walks.
- Basing in Brisbane and day tripping the whole coast.
Getting around Sunshine Coast: public transport and more
- Rent a car to see more than one town. Buses link the coastal towns but Noosa to Mooloolaba takes about 80 minutes.
- Sunshine Coast Airport is near Maroochydore. Brisbane Airport is about 90 minutes to two hours away.
- Walk or cycle the coastal paths between neighbouring beaches and use the Noosa Ferry on the river.
Who Sunshine Coast suits
| Solo travellers | Good |
|---|---|
| Groups of friends | Good |
| Couples | Great |
| Bachelor parties | OK |
| Families | Great |
| Bachelorette parties | OK |
Make Sunshine Coast your trip
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