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The Sunshine Coast is a 630-square-mile region of Queensland that lies 62 miles from the huge city of Brisbane and some 120 miles north of the popular Gold Coast area. The Sunshine Coast is less commercialized than the Gold Coast, which makes it a little quieter and more affordable. Plus, the beaches here offer more sheltered conditions than those on the Gold Coast, meaning they’re well-suited to inexperienced swimmers and surfers.
If you’re planning to make the Sunshine Coast your next vacation destination, you might be wondering which part of this sprawling region to base yourself in. Let’s take a look at some of the best areas for tourists and highlight some popular Sunshine Coast hotels to help you decide where to stay.
Noosa Heads for Luxury Vacations
Photo Credit: Visual Collective
Highlights: Main Beach, Noosa World Surfing Reserve, Noosa National Park, Hastings Street, Noosa River
Noosa Heads is an upmarket seaside village just north of the residential suburban town of Noosaville. It’s known as an elegant area with a laid-back atmosphere and plenty of natural beauty. Its Main Beach is a popular spot for sunbathers, swimmers, and surfers. Noosa National Park attracts nature lovers thanks to its coastal trails, which boast breathtaking ocean views and lots of opportunities to spot local wildlife.
Hastings Street is Noosa Heads’ main thoroughfare, and it’s packed with luxurious boutiques, art galleries, cafes, bistros, and gourmet restaurants. If you’re looking for more adventurous activities, you can try your hand at kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, and sailing on the nearby Noosa River.
Noosa is renowned for its upmarket atmosphere, and there are many indulgent resorts to stay in. A few of our favorite picks include:
- The luxurious On The Beach Noosa Resort lies just steps away from Main Beach and a short walk from Hastings Street. It has studios, apartments, and penthouses to choose from — some of which are equipped with jacuzzis.
- Tingirana Noosa overlooks Laguna Bay and Main Beach, and its Hamptons-style apartments are modern, luxurious, and equipped with plenty of home comforts.
- Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort has a Parisian vibe and lots of amenities on-site, including a restaurant, a day spa, and a pool. Rooms, suites, and two-bedroom apartments are available, and some have ocean views.
- Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas boasts a spa, a swimming pool, and a restaurant, and you can choose to stay in a luxury hotel room or a serene villa tucked away in Noosa National Park.
- RACV Noosa Resort is a five-minute drive from Hastings Street and is surrounded by bushland, which gives it a sense of privacy. It’s the perfect luxury resort for families thanks to its outdoor pools, splash park, games room, tennis courts, playground, and kids’ club.
Caloundra for Beach Breaks
Photo Credit: Fotologer
Highlights: Beaches, Hastings Street, Caloundra Headland, Caloundra Street Fair
If beautiful beaches are your main reason for visiting the Sunshine Coast, head to Caloundra, a picturesque coastal town with a wonderfully laid-back atmosphere. There are several beaches in the area, including Kings Beach, Dicky Beach, and Moffat Beach, which are connected by a scenic coastal path that offers incredible panoramic views. Caloundra Headland is a particularly impressive vantage point where you can spot whales during the migration seasons. You can also get out on the water by kayaking along Pumicestone Passage or joining a fishing trip out to the deeper waters of the Coral Sea.
Caloundra Esplanade is the beating heart of the town, and it’s here where you’ll find a fantastic mix of cafes, restaurants, and boutique shops. Check out Bulcock Street to see some cool street art and drop into White Picket Fence for a great cup of coffee along the way. On Sunday mornings you can pick up fresh produce at Caloundra Street Fair.
There’s a good mix of hotels, motels, inns, and resorts to suit a range of budgets in Caloundra. We recommend you check out these two places to stay in Caloundra:
- Rumba Beach Resort is at the heart of Caloundra and it offers fantastic views across Bulcock Beach and the Pumicestone Passage. It has a pool, a rooftop lounge, and cafes, shops, and restaurants right outside the door.
- Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort is a great option for families. It has a variety of kid-friendly activities on-site, including a water park and a putt-putt golf course.
Golden Beach for Peace and Quiet
Highlights: Golden Beach Bathing Reserve, Fraser Park
Golden Beach stretches along the shore of Pumicestone Passage and it offers much calmer waters than those at Caloundra’s surf beaches. This neighborhood offers a quieter pace but that doesn’t mean you won’t find plenty to do. Hire paddleboards or kayaks from Golden Beach Hire, or a pontoon boat from Bill’s Boat & Bike Hire. If you’re looking for some adrenaline you could give jet skiing or electric hydrofoil surfing a try. For a romantic evening, take an evening cruise to watch the sun set over the Glass House Mountains.
Golden Beach is a relatively small area with just a few resorts, hotels, and holiday parks to choose from. A popular choice is the Ramada Resort by Wyndham Golden Beach, which has a spa, an outdoor pool, free WiFi, and direct access to the beach. You’ll find a wider variety of options in nearby Caloundra.
Montville for Hinterland Escapes
Photo Credit: Dale Lorna Jacobsen
Highlights: Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, Kondalilla National Park, Lake Baroon
The jaw-dropping hinterland area surrounding Brisbane is known as ‘the green behind the gold’ because it serves as a stunning backdrop to the golden sands of the coastline. Montville is a popular hinterland village nestled within the lush Blackall Range. It’s home to charming boutique stores, galleries, and workshops where you can pick up handcrafted artworks, crafts, and jewelry. There are plenty of stunning vistas to appreciate the impressive landscape, many of which are in the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Glass House Mountains.
If you’re looking for lush rainforest over golden beaches, Montville is a fantastic base. There are lots of scenic parks and gardens to explore and copious opportunities for spotting native wildlife in the rugged landscape. It’s a 25-minute drive to the coast when you want to enjoy the seaside, and it’s worth considering having a rental car rather than relying on public transport.
You’ll find plenty of accommodation in Montville and the surrounding countryside, including hotels, resorts, cottages, inns, and B&Bs. The Falls Montville is a four-star resort that lies 350 meters from Kondalilla Falls National Park and a 2-minute drive from Montville itself. There are several secluded cottages and houses to choose from, and the resort offers gourmet breakfast and dinner provisions.
Mooloolaba for Family Getaways
Photo Credit: Alex Cimbal
Highlights: SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium, Mooloolaba Beach
Mooloolaba is one of the liveliest destinations on the Sunshine Coast. It offers fantastic beaches and plenty of family-friendly tourist attractions, such as the SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium. The town’s esplanade is a bustling area lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops, and it’s a great place to indulge in some of the region’s best local cuisine. Be sure to try the fish and chips from The Spit and grab a coffee from The Velo Project. If you’re into surfing, you’ll catch some fantastic waves on the main beach at Mooloolaba.
There are plenty of popular hotels and resorts available in Mooloolaba with options to suit a variety of budgets. Two of our favorite places to stay in Mooloolaba include:
- Breeze Mooloolaba is an ultra-modern resort with one and two-bedroom apartments available, plus a pool, a spa, and barbecue facilities.
- Oceans Mooloolaba is a five-star resort right on the Esplanade with luxury apartments and penthouses available. Amenities include an ocean-view pool, a rooftop hot tub, and a fitness center.
Maroochydore for Shopping and Dining
Photo Credit: Alizada Studios
Highlights: Maroochydore Beach, Cotton Tree Park, Maroochy River, Sunshine Plaza, Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens
Maroochydore has recently been redeveloped and is now considered the very heart of the Sunshine Coast. It blends natural beauty with metropolitan convenience — don’t miss the Ocean Street Precinct which is in the city center and has a fantastic shopping and dining scene to explore. Head to the beach for surfing and sunbathing, or go to Cotton Tree Park to enjoy a picnic beside the Maroochy River. Discover the city’s more peaceful side when you rent a kayak or paddleboard to cruise along the river.
There’s some very affordable accommodation to choose from in Maroochydore and the surrounding area. We recommend:
- Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort Hotel is in nearby Twin Waters, just across the Maroochy River. It’s a beachfront resort offering easy access to many of the Sunshine Coast’s popular activities.
- Oaks Sunshine Coast Seaforth Resort is in Alexandra Headland, just outside Maroochydore, and is one of the area’s best hotels for families.
Coolum Beach for Natural Beauty
Photo Credit: Guillem Lopez Borras
Highlights: Mount Coolum National Park, Coolum Esplanade
There’s a wonderfully laid-back vibe in Coolum Beach which makes it a great neighborhood for travelers looking for a quiet pace of life. The long stretch of beach here is beautiful and there’s plenty of space for all activities, including swimming, sunbathing, surfing, and walking. Stroll along the Coolum boardwalk to access Point Perry lookout where you’ll see panoramic coastal views.
If you’re a fan of hiking, you’ll love the nearby Mount Coolum National Park. There are several trails to choose from, some of which are very challenging but they offer the prospect of jaw-dropping vistas at the summit. Back in the town of Coolum itself, you’ll find an array of cafes, restaurants, and boutiques, plus a friendly local community.
There are plenty of hotels and resorts dotted along the coast in Coolum Beach and the surrounding area. Element on Coolum Beach offers spacious, bright, and breezy apartments with open-plan living and dining areas. A heated pool and barbecue facilities are available on-site. The Ramada By Wyndham Marcoola Beach is a 10-minute drive south of Coolum Beach. It’s a peaceful resort with a lagoon-style pool, a wading pool for children, a restaurant, a gym, and a day spa.
Maleny for Hiking Adventures
Photo Credit: Dale Lorna Jacobsen
Highlights: Maleny Forest Reserve
Maleny is a quaint hinterland dairy town located high up in the Blackall Range. It’s known for its scenic views and rugged rainforest environment that offers ample hiking opportunities. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk is a particularly popular route that winds for 36 miles through Maleny Forest Reserve, Kondalilla National Park, and Mapleton Falls National Park.
If long hikes aren’t your thing, join a bushwalking tour or give bird-spotting a try to appreciate the rich avian wildlife in this lush and leafy region. Within Maleny itself, you’ll find arts and crafts galleries and some charming restaurants and cafes. Many eateries use local, organic produce so this is the perfect place to dine if you want an authentic taste of QLD.
Kawana Waters for Romance and Relaxation
Highlights: Kawana Beach, Point Cartwright Lighthouse, Lake Kawana, Kawana Waters Artisans & Farmers Market, Kawana Waters Memorial
Kawana Waters is a modern suburb that lies between Caloundra and Maroochydore. It’s home to a variety of sporting and shopping facilities, including Kawana Shoppingworld. The beach at Kawana extends for 5.5 miles between Point Cartwright and Currimundi Lake, making it one of the longest stretches of sand on the Sunshine Coast. It’s a great spot for sunbathing, but if you’re looking for shade then you should head to La Balsa Park to enjoy a cool picnic beneath the cover of towering palm trees.
For impressive Coral Sea views, walk along the coastal path to Point Cartwright Lighthouse. Pick up an espresso from Twin Fins along the way to the cliff edge, where you’ll have the chance to spot whales and dolphins off the coast. For even more adventure, head to the nearby Mooloolah River National Park for hiking, or try kayaking, canoeing, or dragon boat racing on Lake Kawana. On Saturdays, locals flock to the Artisans and Farmers Market to pick up fresh produce.
There isn’t a huge range of accommodation in Kawana Waters, but if you’re looking for a romantic getaway you could check in to one of the beachfront hotels for gorgeous ocean views. Beachside Resort Kawana Waters is a popular 4-star hotel with a pool, hot tub, spa, sauna, and friendly staff providing a warm and welcoming environment for a couples vacation.
Plan Your Vacation to the Sunshine Coast
Now you’re familiar with the best neighborhoods on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, you can get started searching for the perfect vacation rental for your upcoming trip to this idyllic portion of Queensland.
