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The Sunshine Coast is located just north of Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and directly south of the Great Barrier Reef. As well as being perfectly positioned for day trips to explore this diverse part of the country, there are also plenty of sightseeing opportunities available without ever leaving the city limits.
If you’re considering a trip to this beautiful part of the world but aren’t sure what to add to your itinerary, here are our 15 must-see attractions on the Sunshine Coast.
1. Noosa National Park
Photo Credit: Alizada Studios
- Website: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/noosa
- Address: Palm Grove Cct, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
- Opening hours: 24/7
For a natural jewel on the Sunshine Coast, look no further than Noosa National Park. with more than 4,000 hectares of forests, beaches, rocky headlands, and dunes to explore, it’s easy to spend multiple days here.
If you’re short on time, the scenic coastal trail is a great place to start. This spectacular hike offers ocean views of Noosa Main Beach throughout, plus the chance to see dolphins, black cockatoos, and maybe even a koala or two. Depending on the time of year, you might also be able to do a spot of whale watching!
2. Australia Zoo
Photo Credit: ChameleonsEye
- Website: www.australiazoo.com.au
- Address: 1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah, QLD 4519
- Opening hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily
Australia Zoo is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Queensland. The zoo was opened by the late Steve Irwin’s parents, and he and his wife then grew the park into one of the best animal conservation and education centers in the world.
Expect plenty of Aussie animal encounters here, including crocodiles, kangaroos, koalas, lizards, and snakes. There are dozens of exotic species calling Australia Zoo home, too, including rhinos and Sumatran tigers. There’s plenty of fascinating information to read at each enclosure, plus talks and demonstrations, so you can become an expert on Australian wildlife in your own right!
3. Queensland Air Museum
Photo Credit: Wirestock Creators
- Website: www.qldair.museum
- Address: 7 Pathfinder Drive, Caloundra 4551 QLD
- Opening hours: 10 am – 4 pm daily
Caloundra is home to the largest aviation museum of its kind in the county and it makes a great day out for history lovers and plane spotters. Be sure to set aside a couple of hours to explore the collection of more than 80 historic military and civilian aircraft. The aircraft from the immediate post-war years are a highlight, and many of the displays are accompanied by audio stories recorded by people who flew, maintained, and restored them over the years.
The Air Museum has a busy calendar of events and programs each month, so be sure to check out what’s planned while you’re in town.
4. Noosa North Shore & Rainbow Beach
Photo Credit: Alizada Studios
- Website: www.visitsunshinecoast.com/place/rainbow-beach
- Address: Queensland 4581
- Opening hours: 24/7
Located across the Noosa River from Noosa Heads (also called Noosaville or just Noosa) is Noosa North Shore. As well as being the gateway to the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, this area’s 50 miles of white sand beaches and rolling dunes are popular in their own right for fishing, kayaking, camping, and 4WD.
Don’t miss Rainbow Beach while you’re in the area. Widely considered to be one of the best beaches on the continent, it’s named for its sand that has been dyed over the decades by erosion and is now a wide variety of tones and hues.
5. Hastings Street
- Website: www.visitnoosa.com.au
- Address: Noosa Heads QLD 4567
- Opening hours: 24/7
Hastings Street is Noosa’s main drag and is one of the best areas on the Sunshine Coast for restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and art galleries. Head here for al fresco dining, retail therapy, or simply to sit back with a drink and watch the world go by. Stick around as the sun goes down to see the street transform into a hub for laid-back nightlife.
6. Aussie World
Photo Credit: Istimages
- Website: www.aussieworld.com.au
- Address: 73 Frizzo Road, Palmview, Queensland 4553
- Opening hours: 10 am – 4 pm daily
Aussie World is the only theme park on the Sunshine Coast and is a fun-packed day out for thrillseekers of all ages. Choose from 30 rides and attractions including a hairraising log flume and an interactive, adrenaline-packed thrill ride.
There are also lots of family-friendly attractions including a charming carousel from the 1920s and a Ferris wheel from the 1960s. If you’re feeling extra brave, head into Mayhem Maze and be prepared to be scared!
7. Mooloolaba Beach
Photo Credit: Janelle Lugge
- Website: www.visitsunshinecoast.com/place/mooloolaba
- Address: 3/8 Maroochydore Rd, Maroochydore QLD 4558
- Opening hours: 24/7
Another beautiful beach not to be missed is Mooloolaba. While many other parts of the Sunshine Coast such as Cooloola are rugged and remote, this beach’s charm lies in its development. There’s so much to do here, including taking surf lessons or watching pro surfers ride the swells. It’s also possible to scuba dive here among large, colorful coral formations, or zip along the ocean’s surface on a jet ski.
There are plenty of shopping and dining options around Mooloolaba Beach, and SEA Life Sunshine Coast Aquarium and the wacky Aquaduck experience are also located here, so you can make a day of it. If you want to beach hop, Coolum Beach is another well-developed seaside town worth checking out.
8. Sunshine Coast Wineries
The Sunshine Coast is home to dozens of boutique wineries producing award-winning bottles, so no visit to this part of Australia is complete without sampling a glass or two. Here are some of the best wineries to visit to learn more about this booming industry.
Flame Hill Vineyard
- Website: https://flamehill.com.au/
- Address: 249 Western Avenue Montville, QLD 4560
- Opening hours: 10.30 am – 5.30 pm Wednesday to Sunday
You’ll find Flame Hill Vineyard less than 30 minutes from the Sunshine Coast, close to the famous village of Montville. Here, you can taste and buy wines while enjoying mountain and ocean views from the winery’s charming grounds.
Clouds Vineyard
- Website: https://cloudsretreats.com.au/
- Address: 787 Landsborough Maleny Rd, Bald Knob QLD 4552
- Opening hours: 10 am – 4 pm Friday to Monday or by appointment
Set among the vineyards is The Barrel, a popular venue shaped like a giant wine barrel. Here, visitors can sample a selection of South East Queensland wines. Most bottles are produced from the world-famous ‘Granite Belt’ and some have been prepared under the Cloud Vineyard label. Craft beers and ciders are also on offer, and a bistro menu is available to enjoy alongside your chosen drinks.
Tipsy Tours Sunshine Coast
- Website: https://www.tipsytours.com.au/sunshine-coast
- Address: 4/18 Edward St, Alexandra Headland QLD 4572
- Opening hours: Check the website for the tour schedule
If you can’t decide which winery to visit, let the team behind Tipsy Tours do all the hard work for you. Knowledgeable guides will drive you through the Sunshine Coast hinterland to discover the best wines, beers, and ciders being produced in this part of the world. There are several all-inclusive tour options available and they all last the full day and include a tasty lunch.
9. Maroochy River
Photo Credit: Geri Milne
- Website: https://heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/stories/environment/maroochy-river
- Address: 123 Parkyn Parade, Queensland, 4557
- Opening hours: 24/7
Maroochydore is famous for its golden beach and The Ginger Factory, but Maroochy River is also located here and is a gem that shouldn’t be missed. Explore the waterway by boat — either independently or on an organized sunset cruise — or stroll its banks. Anglers can look forward to catching flathead, bream, and whiting in the river, and if you fail to catch a fish supper there are plenty of great eateries to choose from instead.
10. Eumundi Markets
- Website: https://eumundimarkets.com.au
- Address: 80 Memorial Dr, Eumundi QLD 4562
- Opening hours: 8 am – 2 pm Wednesday & 7 am – 2 pm Saturday
Eumundi might be a small town but it has a huge reputation for its biweekly markets. Said to be the biggest and best craft markets in all of Australia, Eumundi Markets are a great place to pick up a souvenir or a gift for loved ones back home.
Expect to see clothing, furniture, jewelry, homeware, and much more. There’s plenty of food on offer too, so be sure to grab breakfast or lunch here, and live music and entertainment sets the atmosphere perfectly.
11. Noosa Everglades
Photo Credit: Jakub Maculewicz
- Website: www.visitnoosa.com.au/destinations/noosa-country/noosa-everglades
- Address: Lake Flat Road, Boreen Point QLD 4565
- Opening hours: 24/7
The Noosa Everglades is a rare ecosystem just a 30-minute drive from Noosa Heads. Known as the River of Mirrors because of the waterway’s glass-like surface, it’s one of the best places in Australia to explore by kayak, paddleboard, or boat.
Most visitors opt to take a tour to get a deeper understanding of the flora and fauna here, but it’s also possible to explore independently. If you’re a bird spotter be sure to pack your binoculars — more than 40% of Australia’s bird species can be found here!
12. Kondalilla National Park
- Website: https://parks.des.qld.gov.au/parks/kondalilla
- Address: Kondalilla Falls Rd, Flaxton QLD 4560
- Opening hours: 24/7
Kondalilla is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘rushing water’, which perfectly describes this dramatic national park. The highlight is the 90-meter waterfall that cascades into a swimmable pool below, but the park is also home to more than 100 species of birds and 70 species of reptiles. Hiking trails snake through the park and there are lengths and difficulty levels to suit all abilities.
13. Glass House Mountains
Photo Credit: RugliG
- Website: www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/glass-house-mountains/
- Address: QLD 4518
- Opening hours: 24/7
Glass House Mountains are an important feature in Aboriginal legend and it’s said that Mount Beerwah, the highest peak, gave birth to the smaller ones. This region is extremely popular with hikers and those seeking outdoor activities, and everything from abseiling and rock climbing to mountain biking and horseback riding is available here. If you’d like a unique perspective of the Glass House Mountains, it’s possible to see them by seaplane!
14. Mary Valley
- Address: Laura QLD 4892
- Opening hours: 24/7
Mary Valley is close to the city of Gympie and is a popular place to experience some real country hospitality. Visitors can relax on the river or explore rustic villages, and there are plenty of outdoor activities on offer.
Pro Tip: take a sunrise or sunset kayak tour for the best chance to see the famous Mary Valley platypus.
15. Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World
Photo Credit: David Anton Anderson
- Website: https://www.malenybotanicgardens.com.au/
- Address: 233 Maleny Stanley River Rd, Maleny QLD 4552
- Opening hours: 9 am – 4.30 pm daily
For a fun and unique day out, head to these lush gardens and get to know some of Australia’s bird species. Start your morning by strolling among 23 acres of well-kept gardens before exploring five walk-through aviaries to meet more than 600 native and exotic birds.
A World of Attractions Await You on the Sunshine Coast
Whether you like your vacations to be action-packed outdoor adventures, busy with cultural activities, or you’re looking to relax on some of the best beaches in the world, the Sunshine Coast has got you covered. Which attractions will you discover on your next trip to this Australian gem?
