The beautiful Sunshine Coast is blessed with year-round sunny days and is one of Queensland’s most popular family holiday destinations. If you’re visiting the Sunshine Coast with kids you’ll find so much to keep the whole family entertained that you’ll have to schedule your downtime, and even then you can do it at one of the Sunshine Coast’s beautiful beaches. From the sand to the mountainous hinterland, the world famous Australia Zoo, local markets and outdoor activities, there’s something for all the family on the Sunshine Coast.
Getting to the Sunshine Coast.
You can fly directly to the Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) located in Marcoola on Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin. Buses run every hour from Brisbane Airport to the Sunshine Coast, and you can take the train here from the north and the south.
If you’re driving or hire a car, it’s only 90 minutes from Brisbane and two hours from the Gold Coast.
The best time to visit.
The Sunshine Coast is beautiful all year round, and most locals love the mild and sunny winter months the best. September to March is best for beach swimming, and whale-watching cruise season runs from June to November.
The best things to do on the Sunshine Coast.
Visit Australia Zoo
Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo is a favourite with families visiting the Sunshine Coast as kids can get up close with the animals and learn all about native and exotic wildlife. There are free daily shows and the popular daily Wildlife Warriors performance in the Crocoseum features some of the Zoo’s favourite stars like massive salt water crocodiles.
Pic thanks to Australia Zoo
Maleny Dairies and Botanic Gardens
A visit to Maleny Dairies is a beautiful day out learning about dairy farming, drinking fresh milk, taking tractor rides, feeding the resident emus and picnicing under the trees. This family-owned dairy farm in the Sunshine Coast’s hinterland showcases farm-life and milk production, with lots of cute animals for everyone to enjoy. Farm tours run from Monday to Saturday and are suitable for the whole family.
There are BBQs so bring a picnic or grab a Devonshire tea from the snack bar and make a day of it.
Kids will love feeding the dairy calves.
Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World.
More than 18 hectares of privately owned gardens with view over the hinterland, the Glass House Mountains and surrounded by rainforest, a visit to Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World is a beautiful morning or afternoon activity. Follow six kilometres of walking paths throughout the gardens and four walk through aviaries with more than 700 native and exotic birds.
Stunning gardens at Maleny
Take a dip at beautiful beaches
You are spoilt for choice on the Sunshine Coast, but a family favourite is Noosa Main Beach where you can learn to surf or just enjoy the waves.
From here you can take the picturesque coastal walk to Sunshine Beach – keep an eye out for koalas, dolphins and whales.
Check out seven beaches in seven days on the Sunshine Coast.
Don’t just pick one beach, try them all!
SeaLife Sunshine Coast
This huge aquarium in Mooloolaba will be a hit with all the family as you learn about marine life and conservation in 11 themed aquatic zones featuring thousands of species. Get discounted tickets for the whole family here.
Hire a boat
Bills Boat Hire at Caloundra has all kinds of boats from BBQ pontoons, fishing pontoons, half cabin cruisers and tinnies to SUPs and kayaks. There’s no license required and you can cruise around Bribie Island National Park and Pumicestone Passage. In Noosa you can hire boats from T Boat Hire and explore Noosa River.
Explore on water – and you don’t need a licence.
Visit an Aqua Park
Aqua Parks are the best fun! They’re like jumping castles on water, with obstacles and climbs and slides. Coolum Aqua Park is the largest on the Sunshine Coast and perfect for a day’s adventure for all the family.
Look out below
Waterfalls and watering holes
The Sunshine Coast’s hinterland has beautiful waterfalls to explore. Buderim Falls, Kondalilla Falls and Gardner Falls are popular for hiking and swimming, so take a towel and be ready for a dip. You can read here all about the top five waterfalls and waterfall hikes to visit on the Sunshine Coast. This day-trip takes you to rainforests, waterfalls and the Glasshouse Mountains.
Beautiful Buderim Falls
Visit local markets
From Wednesday to Saturday the Sunshine Coasts markets come alive. There are so many you can even hop from market to market, picking up local produce, supporting farmers and finding handmade arts and crafts. Popular markets include Eumundi, Yandina, Noosa Farmers markets, Caloundra Street Fair and Peregian Beach. Find out more, including opening times, here.
Go sky-diving
If you’re feeling really adventurous then Noosa Sky diving will give you a thrill while you’re in town. Check out the views from above as you exit the plane at 15,000feet, freefall for 100 metres at 200km an hour before floating back down to land. Are you up to it?
Braver than me!
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve in Maleny is 55 hectares of subtropical rainforest, full of native birds and diverse plant and animal life. Explore on walking trails and learn about the rainforest at the Discovery Centre. There’s a Glasshouse Mountain viewing platform, a café and picnic facilities with BBQs. The centre offers Junior Ranger Kits for kids to borrow and use while they explore, with binoculars, pencils and paper and a magnifying glass.
The walks are open from 7am to 6pm each day, and the internal walks are classes as easy and between 1.3km and 1.7km long. Two are wheelchair accessible. You can also join guided tours and download the Agents of Discovery app for kids to use while they are exploring.
Enjoy the beautiful walkways and activities
Take a day-trip to Montville
Only a 15- minute drive from Maleny is the charming town of Montville, popular for its vineyards, art galleries, cafes, cute fudge and chocolate shops, boutiques and The Edge restaurant overlooking the gorgeous valley.
Where to stay.
The Sunshine Coast has a range of accommodation on the coast and in the hinterland.
Noosa is a popular base for families, and the RACV Noosa Resort has everything you need to keep the family entertained when you’re not exploring.
The Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort is fabulous for a bit of luxury and the Seahaven Beach Noosa Resort is right between the beach and the shops on Hastings St. you can check out more Noosa accommodation here.
About the author:
Simone Collins from Our Year in Bali has been living in Buderim on the Sunshine Coast for the last two and a half years. With her two kids aged 11 and 13 they have tried and tested everything you can do here and now they share with you why a visit to their neck of the woods should be a must on your holiday list.
Visit Simone at www.ouryearinbali.com or Facebook @ouryearinbali