📚 26 in-depth guides
Sunshine Coast Guides
Local, in-depth guides to help you make the most of your time on the Coast — from national parks and wildlife to markets, surf, sunsets and everything in between.
The Wider Region3 guides
01
🗺️South East QueenslandFrom the surf towns of Byron Bay to the wild dunes of K'gari, South East Queensland packs extraordinary variety into a short drive. Use the Sunshine Coast as your regional base to explore Brisbane's galleries and laneways, the Gold Coast's world-class theme parks, the Scenic Rim's ancient crater lakes and some of the most breathtaking national parks in the southern hemisphere.Read guide →
→02🚗Road TripsSix drives worth doing — the coastal strip, the hinterland villages loop, the waterfalls run, the Kenilworth donut, the wild Cooloola Coast and the Pomona & Lake MacDonald loop. Every route has been mapped with distances, best stops, scenic lookouts and hidden detours built in so you can explore Queensland's most spectacular driving country at your own unhurried pace.Read guide →
→03✈️Getting HereFly direct into Sunshine Coast Airport at Marcoola, drive from Brisbane's CBD in under 90 minutes via the Bruce Highway, or catch a comfortable coach direct to the beachfront. Every option is covered in detail — arrival times, current costs, airport shuttles, car hire tips and honest advice on which approach suits your trip best.Read guide →
→The Natural World7 guides
04
🏞️Noosa National ParkSix kilometres of dramatic coastal headland trails where wild koalas doze in the treetops and dolphins surf the breaks far below. The full loop rewards walkers with hidden coves tucked between headland bluffs, sweeping Pacific views and the kind of raw, unhurried coastal beauty that makes it genuinely hard to believe you're ten minutes from Hastings Street.Read guide →
→05🌋Glass House MountainsThirteen ancient volcanic cores erupting from the flat coastal plain — sacred to the Jinibara and Kabi Kabi peoples, named by Captain Cook as he sailed past in 1770, and still the most iconic natural landmark on the Sunshine Coast. Each peak tells a different story, and several can be summited on short day hikes with sweeping views across the hinterland to the sea.Read guide →
→06🥾Mountains to ClimbFrom the crowd-friendly scramble up Mount Ngungun to the demanding hands-and-feet technical climb of Tibrogargan, every climbable peak in the Glass House range is covered here. Trail grades, accurate distances, difficulty ratings, best starting points and honest assessments of what you're in for — so you can choose the mountain that matches your fitness and experience.Read guide →
→07💧Waterfalls & Swimming HolesKondalilla, Gardners Falls, Mapleton Falls and a dozen more — the hinterland's most beautiful rainforest cascades and freshwater rock pools. This guide covers every waterfall worth visiting, from a roadside five-minute stroll to a full-day hike through subtropical rainforest, with trail conditions, swimming safety notes and the best times to visit for minimal crowds and maximum flow.Read guide →
→08🏊Swimming HolesThe best natural freshwater swimming holes on the Sunshine Coast — cool, clear and refreshingly crowd-free even in peak summer. Rock pools carved by ancient creeks, shady dam lakes and peaceful hinterland swimming spots well away from the beach crowds. Every location includes driving directions, parking notes, depth guidance and the best season to visit for the most enjoyable swim.Read guide →
→09🛶Noosa EvergladesOne of only two everglade systems on Earth — a pristine, protected wilderness of mirror-calm, tea-tree-stained waterways deep inside Great Sandy National Park. Kayak the River of Mirrors at sunrise, join a guided cruise or camp overnight beneath an impossibly clear night sky. This guide covers every way to experience one of Australia's most extraordinary and least-visited natural places.Read guide →
→10🌅Best Sunset SpotsThe Sunshine Coast has no shortage of spectacular places to watch the sun go down. From the dramatic clifftop lookouts of Noosa headland to Maleny's sweeping mountain valley panoramas and the golden tidal flats at Cotton Tree — each location is rated for ease of access, parking, the direction of light and the best month to visit.Read guide →
→Ocean & Wildlife5 guides
11
🐊Australia ZooSteve Irwin's legendary wildlife park at Beerwah is one of Queensland's most iconic family days out — home to 1,200-plus animals, daily keeper shows, close-up wildlife encounters and the extraordinary Wildlife Hospital. This guide covers tickets, opening hours, which shows to book in advance and how to make the most of a full day at the zoo.Read guide →
→12🐋Whale WatchingEvery year between July and November, thousands of humpback whales travel past the Sunshine Coast on their annual migration along the eastern Australian coastline. Some rest and calf in local waters close enough to see from shore. This guide covers the best viewing season, recommended tour operators, shore-based spotting points and what behaviour to watch for.Read guide →
→13🤿Scuba DivingThe ex-HMAS Brisbane ranks among Australia's top artificial reef dives — a decommissioned navy destroyer deliberately sunk off Mooloolaba and now teeming with fish, turtles and soft coral. This guide covers the Brisbane wreck dive in full, plus the best reef and snorkel sites from Caloundra to Noosa for every level of diver.Read guide →
→14🏄Surfing GuideThe Sunshine Coast's breaks range from gentle beginner beach breaks at Mooloolaba to punishing hollow reef waves at Point Cartwright and beyond. This guide covers the best surf spots by skill level from Coolum Point down to Caloundra, where to find learn-to-surf schools, the best boards for each break and what seasonal swell conditions look like.Read guide →
→15🚩Surf Life Saving ClubsThe Sunshine Coast's volunteer surf lifesavers protect over forty kilometres of patrolled beach every summer weekend and on public holidays year-round. This guide explains where and when to swim between the flags, how patrol schedules work, which beaches are patrolled outside summer and everything a visitor needs to know to stay safe in Queensland's surf.Read guide →
→Experiences & Planning11 guides
16
🗓️ItinerariesPre-planned, day-by-day itineraries for every type of Sunshine Coast traveller — a romantic 48-hour weekend for two, a 5-day family adventure built around beaches, Australia Zoo and hinterland day trips, a luxury coastal escape and the full 7-day coast-to-hinterland explorer working through every major region from Caloundra in the south to Noosa in the north.Read guide →
→17🛍️Eumundi MarketsMore than 600 artisan stallholders set up every Wednesday and Saturday in the shaded streets of Eumundi — Australia's most beloved authentic market experience. Handcrafted jewellery, local art, organic produce, freshly made street food and live music all in one beautiful hinterland village. This guide covers what to buy, when to arrive, where to eat and where to park.Read guide →
→18🍽️Foodie GuideThe Sunshine Coast's food scene has quietly grown into one of Queensland's finest. Ocean-to-plate dining at Mooloolaba Wharf and Noosa's Hastings Street, hinterland farm tables, roadside cane juice stalls and legendary market breakfasts. This guide covers the best restaurants, standout cafés, must-try local food experiences and where to eat across every region of the Coast.Read guide →
→19🍺Microbreweries & Craft BeerThe Sunshine Coast has quietly become one of Queensland's most exciting craft beer destinations. Eight independent breweries and taprooms stretch from Caloundra in the south to the Noosa hinterland in the north — each with its own character, signature house styles and food offering. This guide covers them all with tasting notes, opening hours and how to make a brewery run of it.Read guide →
→20👨👩👧👦Family ActivitiesThe Sunshine Coast is one of Australia's most family-friendly holiday destinations — calm patrolled beaches, Australia Zoo, Sea Life Sunshine Coast Aquarium, hinterland farm stays, adventure parks and dozens of free playgrounds and nature activities. This guide brings together the very best kid-friendly beaches, attractions and experiences in one practical resource, organised by age group and area.Read guide →
→21🆓Free Things to DoThe best things on the Sunshine Coast very often cost nothing at all. Patrolled beaches, dramatic coastal walking tracks, free lookouts with panoramic views, busy weekend markets, freshwater swimming holes and some of Australia's most spectacular national parks. This guide rounds up the very best experiences that won't cost a single cent — organised by area and activity type.Read guide →
→22🐕Pet-Friendly GuideThe Sunshine Coast is one of Australia's most welcoming destinations for travelling with dogs. Off-leash beaches, dog-friendly cafés with shaded outdoor tables, tree-lined walking trails, pet-welcoming accommodation and parks where well-behaved dogs can roam freely. This guide covers every dog-friendly location across the region, from Caloundra's off-leash beach to the hinterland walks.Read guide →
→23📸Photography & Photo SpotsThe Sunshine Coast offers outstanding photography conditions year-round — dramatic coastal headlands bathed in golden hour light, misty hinterland valleys glowing at dawn and mirror-still everglades waterways reflecting perfect blue skies. This guide covers the seven most photogenic locations on the Coast with GPS coordinates, the best time of day for the light and the optimal month to visit each spot.Read guide →
→24🎒School Holiday HubQueensland school holidays bring a packed calendar of family events, activity programs and special attraction offers across the Sunshine Coast — many of them completely free or low-cost. This guide rounds up every family-friendly event, attraction discount, guided activity program and local experience worth planning around, updated for each set of school holidays through the year.Read guide →
→25🌤️Best Time to VisitA careful month-by-month breakdown of Sunshine Coast weather patterns, ocean temperatures, average rainfall, event highlights and crowd levels — everything you need to choose the ideal time to visit. Whether you're planning around the humpback whale season, the winter school holidays, the big triathlon events or simply the quietest beach conditions, this guide helps you find the perfect window.Read guide →
→26🌡️Weather & ClimateDetailed monthly climate data for the Sunshine Coast covering average temperatures, rainfall totals, humidity, ocean water temperatures, UV index ratings and practical packing advice for every month of the year. The guide also compares coastal conditions against the hinterland, which can differ significantly season to season, and explains the weather patterns that most affect when and where to visit.Read guide →
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