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The Sunshine Coast packs 60 km of surf beaches, one major wildlife park, and a green hinterland into one region. Most visitors split time between the sand, Australia Zoo at Beerwah, and the mountain towns of Montville and Maleny. Entry prices below are in Australian dollars and were current in 2025; check operator sites before you go. See the Sunshine Coast hub for the full travel picture.
Things to Do on the Sunshine Coast: Beaches
Noosa Main Beach
Noosa Main Beach faces north, so the water is calm and shallow, which suits families and beginner surfers. Lifeguards patrol year round, and the beach fronts directly onto Hastings Street for food and shops. Parking is tight, so use the Noosa Heads free bus or arrive before 9 am. The boardwalk at the western end leads into Noosa National Park, where the coastal track passes Tea Tree Bay and the Fairy Pools. For the monthly temperature and rainfall numbers, see our Sunshine Coast weather by month guide.
Mooloolaba Beach
Mooloolaba Beach is a patrolled, east-facing strip with a long esplanade of cafes and the SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast aquarium at its southern end. The nearby Mooloolaba Spit has calmer, protected water for small children. The surf here is gentler than at Coolum or Maroochydore, which makes it the most popular family beach on the coast. For seasonal timing and prices, see the best time to visit the Sunshine Coast guide.
Coolum and Peregian Beaches
Coolum Beach is a wide, open beach with consistent waves for intermediate surfers, and Peregian Beach just south is a quieter, dog-friendly option with a small village. Both are patrolled in summer. Coolum has free parking at the northern car park, while Peregian charges a small meter fee near the village. For area comparisons, see the Sunshine Coast neighborhoods guide.
Things to Do on the Sunshine Coast: Wildlife and Attractions
Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo is on Steve Irwin Way in Beerwah, about 35 minutes inland from Maroochydore, and opens 9 am to 5 pm every day except Christmas Day. Adult admission is AU$72 and a child ticket is AU$42. The Wildlife Warriors show runs at set times daily and is included in entry. Allow a full day; the grounds cover 700 acres, so wear walking shoes and pack water. For logistics and costs, see the Sunshine Coast travel tips guide.
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast is at the south end of Mooloolaba, near The Wharf. It has an 80-metre ocean tunnel, a seal show, and a penguin exhibit. Tickets start around AU$44 for adults and AU$31 for children online, cheaper than walk-up. The adjacent Wharf Mooloolaba has waterfront seafood restaurants and jetty tour departures.
Eumundi Markets
The Eumundi Markets run every Wednesday and Saturday from about 7 am to 2 pm in the town of Eumundi, 20 minutes from Noosa. More than 600 stalls sell food, produce, art, and clothing. Wednesday is the quieter day; Saturday draws bigger crowds and more live music. Parking is free in the paddock across the road, with a gold-coin donation.
Things to Do on the Sunshine Coast: Hinterland and Nature
Glass House Mountains
The Glass House Mountains are a group of 11 volcanic plugs about 30 minutes south of Maroochydore, visible from the highway. Mount Ngungun is the easiest climb, a 2.8 km return walk that takes about 90 minutes, while Mount Tibrogargan is a steep, hands-on scramble for experienced hikers only. There is no entry fee, and the Lookout on Glass House Mountains Road is a drive-up viewpoint.
Noosa National Park
Noosa National Park is free to enter and starts at the end of Hastings Street. The Coastal Track runs 10.8 km return to Hell’s Gates with lookouts over the ocean, and the shorter 5.4 km return to Dolphin Point takes about 2 hours. Spot koalas in the trees near the path early in the morning. There is no parking inside the park, so walk from Noosa Heads or take the weekend shuttle.
Maleny and Montville
Maleny and Montville are the two main hinterland towns on the Blackall Range, roughly 40 minutes west of the coast. Montville has a short main street of galleries and fudge shops, while Maleny is known for the Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World, where entry is around AU$22 for adults. Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve nearby is a 55-hectare rainforest with a short walking track and a lookout over the Glass House Mountains.
Things to Do on the Sunshine Coast: Food and Markets
Beyond Eumundi, the Caloundra Street Fair runs every Sunday in Bulcock Street with local food and produce. The Maroochydore and Cotton Tree precinct has newer cafes along Ocean Street, and Noosa’s Hastings Street has the region’s highest concentration of restaurants, though it is the priciest strip. For brewery and distillery stops, the hinterland around Kenilworth and Maleny has several, including the Maleny Dairies and Brouhaha Brewery. For hotel picks near each food hub, see where to stay on the Sunshine Coast, and for a monthly event list see Sunshine Coast events and festivals.
