Sunshine Coast

Travel to the Sunshine Coast and explore its white beaches & volcanic peaks

Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is a popular local holiday destination fringed by several continuous stretches of white sand beaches to the east and flanked by agricultural plantations and forested volcanic peaks to the west.

The Sunshine Coast is technically a collection of diverse towns and villages rather than one single destination. City folk from Brisbane have flocked here for their holidays since the 1940s, attracted by the region’s brilliant beaches and natural beauty. As such, the Sunshine Coast is well set up for tourists, with plenty of shops, restaurants and terrific lodges and hotels. There are also many popular attractions such as the family-run Australia Zoo, SEALIFE Aquarium and the iconic Big Pineapple at Nambour.

For its relatively small size, the Sunshine Coast has a disproportionate number of national parks ranging from the popular coastal Noosa National Park, which boasts both native bushland and spectacular ocean views, to the heritage-listed Glass House Mountains National Park which is dotted with distinctive steep-sided peaks. Make the most of sunny conditions by spending your time here outdoors.

Activities

Swim, stand-up paddle board or learn to surf in the crystalline waters at Noosa Heads, Mooloolaba or Caloundra. Walk the stunning seaside track at Noosa National Park and look for koalas in the surrounding gum trees. Shop along fashionable Hastings Street or at the eclectic Eumundi Markets, then take a cooking masterclass at Spicers Tamarind Retreat. See native wildlife species and watch croc-feeding at Australia Zoo, then pose with the 16m-tall Big Pineapple at Nambour before touring The Ginger Factory at Buderim.

Highlights

Stunning beaches at Maroochydore, Mooloolaba and Noosa Heads
Charming coastal towns and inland villages including Caloundra and Eumundi
Excellent infrastructure, shops, cafes and restaurants
A wealth of diverse national parks
The impressive Glass House Mountains
Popular Australia Zoo
The iconic Big Pineapple
An array of outdoor activities from bushwalking to golf and swimming

Getting there

The Sunshine Coast is just over an hour north of Brisbane, linked by a well-maintained freeway that cuts through the Glass House Mountains, which mark the region’s southern boundary. The area surrounding Noosa Heads and Noosa North Shore forms the Sunshine Coast’s northern boundary.

Combine with

The Great Barrier Reef and Daintree Rainforest farther up north, Tropical North Queensland’s most spectacular attractions. Alternatively, head south to visit Sydney, Australia’s largest city.