Sunshine Coast has so much to offer than a single trip can take in; there are a variety of activities, including kayaking, beautiful cruises, skydiving, and marine life passes.
Other attractions include a romantic hinterland, breathtaking mountains, immaculate beaches, world-class events, and delectable local food.
This destination has a variety of exciting sea creatures to explore underwater; you can swim with whales to get up and personal with the most enchanting clear of the ocean. Enjoy the breathtaking golden beaches along the coast, learn some surfing skills, or explore the untamed Noosa Everglades. Here are 20 amazing things to do on the Sunshine Coast.
1. Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo is a Wildlife Sanctuary with a team of dedicated environmentalists operating around the clock to provide animal protection.
From saltwater crocodiles and koalas in Australia to tigers in Sumatra and cheetahs in Africa, their conservationist efforts assist in protecting many species. Australia Zoo is situated on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, one hour north of Brisbane.
The well-known Sunshine Coast organisation is a pioneer in animal study and protection. Australia Zoo’s overarching goal is to rescue both individuals and whole species. You contribute to the protection of animals when you visit the Australian Zoo. Every dollar you spend helps fund conservation initiatives all across the globe.
2. Mapleton Falls
While exploring the Sunshine Coast, don’t forget to check out the breathtaking natural features of Mapleton Falls.
This mixture of riparian rainforest and open eucalypt forest can be found at Mapleton Falls National Park, in the heart of the magnificent Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
Get a good place on the vantage point perched over the Mary River Valley and Obi Obi Gorge. Enjoy the never-ending vistas of the lush, green rainforest, piccabeen groves, and Mapleton Falls’ peak as it starts its 120-meter descent to the pool below.
Keep an eye out for Australian peregrine falcons resting nearby and swooping above.
3. Go On A Hinterland Adventure
The scenic Hinterland surrounds the well-known beaches of Queensland’s northern coast. It has abundant producers, the lush, rolling pastures and the fascinating natural wonders around it to provide distinct forms of entertainment.
Are you feeling bold? Don’t miss the chance to see the Glass House Mountains.
The volcanic plugs now recognised as local symbols were formed many years ago and were given their names by Lieutenant James Cook.
One of Queensland’s most stunning landscapes, the Blackall Range, is located just north of Brisbane, with breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean and the West’s sweeping mountains and valleys. The Blackall Range and the Maleny-Mapleton Plateau are traversed via the 58.8-kilometer Sunshine Coast Great Walk.
Explore the meandering Obi Obi Gorge, which water has sculpted over thousands of years, or the falling cascades of Kondalilla Falls.
As you travel through this stunning landscape over several days, you will be mesmerised by the constantly changing environment; you’ll find a beautiful setting with excellent water holes, a deep rainforest, various birds, and stunning vistas and landscapes.
To serve as a base while experiencing the local natural beauty, Montville Getaways offers a variety of lodging options.
4. Spend A Day At Sunshine Beach
The Tourism Index Sentiment has crowned the Sunshine Coast the “Most Loved Destination in the World,” with visitors worldwide flocking to this piece of Queensland paradise.
Along with being unique, the surroundings are as varied as the inhabitants’ lives and experiences.
In this location, you may go barefoot on the beach one moment and hike the historic peaks of the Glass House Mountains the next. Enjoy locally grown food and being submerged in the lush rainforest.
The Sunshine Coast is the only area in the world where three UNESCO Biosphere Reserves can be found next to one other. Take the scenery on an environmental trip and discover more about the location.
5. Visit Conondale National Parks
Some of Queensland’s finest famous and gorgeous woods are found in the rough Conondale Range. This region is worth a visit with its lush rainforests, towering eucalypt trees, waterfalls, boulder-strewn rivers, and breathtaking views.
The Conondale Range Great Walk will give you the best experience of Conondale National Park. On this trek, you can explore the ancient rainforests, flowing waterfalls, crystal clear waterways, towering open forests, and panoramic views. Visitors can take Short strolls or the 56-kilometer circuit walk.
6. Go Snorkeling
Australia is a distinctive snorkelling location, distinguished by the Great Barrier Reef and its brilliant coral and stunning marine life. It is often regarded as one of the world’s seven natural wonders.
Australia has some of the top snorkelling destinations in the world. The country is home to more than half of the world’s ray and reef shark species, as well as dazzling, immaculately clear blue waters, seemingly endless coral reefs, thousands of fish species, six species of marine turtles, tens of thousands of invertebrate species, and countless microorganisms.
The best part is that because many encounters are possible at very short depths, you may enjoy many aquatic delights without diving.
However, Australia’s Great Barrier Reef is not the only place to go snorkelling. Other top snorkelling destinations include Tasmania, Lord Howe Island, and the enormous kelp forests south of the mainland.
7. Visit Noosa National Park
Noosa National Park, first designated as a national park in 1939, continues to provide a vital haven for the local flora, animals, and terrain, particularly as coastal development picks up.
The South East Queensland coastline has some of the most pristine and spectacular beaches and shorelines.
The park has three significant locales; Noosa Heads, Lake Weyba, and Emu Mountain. Open woods, tropical forests, marshes, heathlands, and cliffs are all part of the region’s distinctive scenery.
The park has various animals, including koalas, parrots, red goshawks, and black cockatoos. Christmas bells and swamp orchids are among the wildflowers that emerge in the spring.
8. Get Close To Over 700 Exotic & Native Birds
Exotic birds in Australia have been divided into “high interest” and “low interest” categories based on the chance that the species would be utilised for illicit trade and the threat of pests and illnesses.
Bird species that have been moved to an area where they do not typically exist are known as introduced birds in Australia.
These do not include seasonal migrants to our coasts and interior waterways that has been coming here regularly but do not live there permanently.
They do, however, include Australian species that have been brought into Australia to areas where they hadn’t previously existed, such as Rainbow Lorikeets in Perth.
9. Climb Mount Coolum
Mount Coolum’s imposing dome dominates the Sunshine Coast lowlands’ skyline.
Follow the rocky 800-meter path to the mountain’s 208-meter top. Experience the uncommon montane leath, a plant ecosystem with several endangered and rare species.
Take a moment to catch your breath and enjoy the breathtaking panoramas from Point Cartwright and the Glass House Mountains in the south to the Blackhall Range in the west and Noosa Heads in the north.
The park stretches south and west from the top over low-lying areas covered in wallum, paperbark marshes, eucalypt woods, and remains of the rainforest.
The Sunshine Coast is home to around half of the world’s plant species, and Mount Coolum National Park is where you may find them.
10. Sea Life Sunshine Coast
Visits the SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, previously called Underwater World, an all-weather tourist attraction that has won several awards.
Numerous marine and freshwater creatures, including sharks, seals, penguins, stingrays, tropical fish, and more, may be seen at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, located directly at The Wharf in Mooloolaba.
Explore 11 entertaining and engaging animal zones spread over three floors, including the tidal touch pool, seahorse sanctuary, and jellyfish kingdom.
Check out the Jawsome Sharks in the 80m Ocean Tunnel. At SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, there are a variety of entertaining presentations and animal feeds, including the seal show, which is a crowd favourite.
11. First Bay Coolum
The Sunshine Coast’s stunning and peaceful First Bay Beach is south of Coolum Main Beach.
If you stay in Coolum for a few days, this beach is a must-visit. Fun activities include swimming, exploring rock pools, and visiting good surf places.
Discover the animals, stunning beaches, and hidden jewels waiting to be found as you explore the Sunshine Coast.
12. Relax On A Sunset Cruise
Enjoy a romantic night out with loved ones, friends, or other special individuals on this 360-degree waterfront dinner cruise experience.
A delicious three-course dinner on board, including an appetiser, a main course, and a dessert, will help you relax.
While eating, enjoy the best views of the harbour as the metropolis and harbour are painted in a spectrum of sunset colours.
You will get access to an open bar and live music as you enjoy a romantic evening with your significant other against the magnificent background of Sydney Harbour.
As you have supper on the boat, view famous landmarks, including the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Sydney Opera House, Fort Denison, Luna Park, and more.
Enjoy the breathtaking surroundings as the sun slowly transforms the warm sky into a dark one and the metropolitan skyline begins to come to life.
Don’t forget to take advantage of the roomy outside terrace and relax there while enjoying a cool Sydney breeze as the sun sets.
After dinner, conclude the evening by walking down the beach or drinking at one of the numerous pubs or nightclubs at Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, or Barangaroo.
13. Watch The Sunset At The Noosa Spit
Most Friday evenings in Noosa can be spent relaxing with a beverage while watching the sunset over the ocean.
Any prominent sunset location in the neighbourhood will likely have many folks enjoying picnics, swimming at dusk, or just relaxing in their automobiles. Every night, nature puts on a spectacular performance.
The Noosa Spit is also a great location to watch the sunset with the Noosa Hinterland mountains in the background.
There is a lot of grass to sit on, and if it’s a nice evening (which it probably will be in the summer! ), you can even go swimming at sunset.
14. Hike A Waterfall
A popular family activity on the Sunshine Coast is seeing waterfalls. Experience the breathtaking waterholes and waterfalls in Australia developed over millions of years.
Australia is a nation with ancient topography. Waterfalls and waterholes await being discovered beyond the rivers, boulders, and red dirt plains. The greatest waterfalls in Australia are the Ellenborough Falls in New South Wales and Wollomombi Falls in Queensland.
15. Bushwalking Treks & Trails
Due to its huge, open spaces, Australia is a popular location for hiking or bushwalking, as it is called locally.
More than 3,200 trails are spread out over the nation, and they travel through various biomes, including desert, marine, alpine, and tropical and subtropical rainforests, grasslands, estuaries, and temperate rainforests.
Australian trails are ideal for bushwalking and jogging. They vary from undulating, deceptively challenging coastal treks to steep and solitary highland experiences.
16. Take A Surfing Lesson
South Australia actively participates in a wide range of state- and community-based initiatives designed to raise awareness of surfing in South Australia and increase community participation in the sport.
The renowned Bondi Beach, only a short distance from the heart of Sydney, is the perfect place to learn the art of surfing from a certified instructor.
Get a fun and educational surfing lesson from your knowledgeable instructor who demonstrates the fundamentals, such as standing on the board, reading the surf, and catching waves.
Private lessons are available for all skill levels. With a small-group surfing lesson in the center of Australia’s surf culture, you can enhance your vacation with a fantastic workout and some waterside adventure.
17. Get Social At A Rooftop Bar
Rooftop bars have a certain allure. Whether it’s the sensation of floating above it all or taking in the sun’s rays and fresh air while experiencing some of the best views around. These seductive skyward spots are the best rooftop bars in Australia to sip your preferred beverage.
Some areas in Australia have a 12-month rooftop season, while others are best explored in the summer. Most of Australia’s top rooftop bars are found in the country’s larger cities, including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, and the Gold Coast.
While views of skyscrapers are cool, our preferred rooftop bars are near the water.
18. Pick Your Strawberries
The simple pleasure of picking strawberries has become a season-long tradition in Adelaide, attracting hundreds of visitors each year between April and November.
Strawberries that have just been plucked have a unique flavour; they are juicy, luscious, and full of sweetness.
Friends and loved ones can enjoy the fresh air while searching for strawberries.
19. Play Volleyball On The Beach
Sydney is a significant beach volleyball city with lovely beaches and ideal weather for outside practice. The city has emerged as Australia’s beach volleyball capital over the last several years. What is volleyball exactly? There are many ways to play beach volleyball, a growingly popular activity and a terrific way to meet new people and work out.
A sand court separated by a net is used to play beach volleyball between two teams of two players with significant variations, like playing on sand rather than hardwood, a different scoring system, and rules.
Wrapping Up
Discover Australia’s Sunshine Coast by visiting the vibrant and diverse tourist attractions. Drive through the Tanawah Tourist Drive for a picturesque tour before getting off on a track for bushwalking.
Visit one of the many beautiful beaches on the Sunshine Coast to soak up the sun and the waves while admiring the scenery.
Visitors may participate in 4WD excursions, fishing, boating, abseiling, diving, parasailing, golf, surfing, and many more activities.
The renowned Australia Zoo, Underwater World, an endless array of weekend markets, and a tonne more attractions are all located on the Sunshine Coast.
Last Updated on May 13, 2024 by Arnab
