10 ways to spend autumn on the Sunshine Coast

Noosa Eat + Drink | Waterfalls | Endurance events | Peak produce | Hikes | Beer gardens | Montville | Where to stay

As a cool coastal breeze dances through the region, the Sunshine Coast explodes with outdoor festivals, unmissable events, hinterland experiences, autumnal season produce (aka better-than-ever food) and plenty more.

Just add fewer crowds, shoulder season rates and less rain compared to summer, and you’ve got a foolproof recipe for memory-making moments.           

Autumn weather on the Sunshine Coast

Living up to its name, the Sunshine Coast dishes up blue skies all year round, but March, April and May bring on pleasant temperatures and low humidity compared to December, January and February. Expect a March average of 20-28°C to gradually reach 13-24°C in May.

The time to get outdoors and crunch rich autumn leaves on the Sunshine Coast is now.

Autumn on the Sunshine Coast is officially open for business, so let us guide your next adventure.

1. You’ll catch the annual Noosa Eat and Drink Festival

Been there, done Noosa Heads? Not like this. The beach town pulls out all the razzle-dazzle for the Noosa Eat and Drink Festival, returning in 29 May - 1 June 2025. Running for four days, this celebration of all things indulgent features more than 75 events across Noosa Heads and surrounding suburbs, with long lunches, restaurant events, beach soirees and endless entertainment in the Festival Village. 

2. Chasing waterfalls is at its most invigorating

The Sunshine Coast’s most spectacular cascades flow abundantly in autumn. For the ultimate spritzed selfie, don’t miss Kondalilla Falls in Kondalilla National Park. It stands 90 metres tall, so you’ll capture it any way you point and shoot while its swimming hole flows with subtropical tranquillity.

Elsewhere, the rock pools at Gardners Falls are safe for little ones, Buderim Falls is better known as Serenity Falls, revealing everything you need to know, and Wappa Falls is one of the region’s best-kept waterfall secrets.

3. Joining a race feels better than ever

Australia’s most enthusiastic sporty folk make the most of mild autumn conditions to dominate their preferred race - and you're invited to join the fun as a participant or spectator. 

Famous Mooloolaba Triathlon offers a challenge for all levels - kids included (29 - 30 March 2025), while Queensland's largest trail run and active lifestyle festival, Noosa Ultra-Trail, traverses some 100km of rolling hinterland tracks (22 March).

Don’t miss the Runaway Noosa Marathon in May. No matter your chosen distance, it’s an all-flat, all-road course along the stunning Noosa River. Sweating it out rarely looks this good.

4. Local produce hits peak delicious

Autumn on the Sunshine Coast evolves into a gourmand’s playground, with perfectly plump, flavour-crammed harvests of fruits and veggies. Experience the freshest at the most-loved Sunshine Coast markets where hearty brassicas like cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower, plus chubby strawberries, figs and avocados, prove irresistible.

Meanwhile, the Peregian Beach Market is a low-key gem with views and the Marcoola Farmers Market, next to Marcoola Beach, swells with autumnal delights.

5. The Queensland Sunshine Pantry is ripe for raiding

Now you know the food’s levelled up, dive into the Queensland Sunshine Pantry. An affectionate title given to the Sunshine Coast’s unique and wide-reaching culinary experiences, it offers a dream weekend for your tastebuds.

Take a self-drive tour of the highlights by following our three-day Queensland Sunshine Pantry guide to flavour-fed fun. Think organic farm stores, cooking workshops, action-packed foodie tours and more.

6. Hinterland hikes are more magical when the mercury drops

Sunshine Coast walking trails are always out-of-control beautiful, but autumn is especially lush as summer rains turn plant life 50 shades of green. Make the most of crisp(er) mornings and pleasant picnicking conditions with a visit to Conondale National Park. Its centuries-old eucalypt forest and three-kilometre Booloumba Falls Walk will take your breath away.

If time’s on your side, plan for the epic four-day Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk  You’ll journey 58 kilometres of pure subtropical serenity as scenic gorges, glistening rock pools and off-the-grid campsites speckle your travels.

And if you’re in the mood for dazzling views, go for Mount Coolum National Park. A steep 800-metre track will prop you up 208 metres high where uninterrupted glimpses of the Glass House Mountains will knock the wind right out of you all over again.     

7. Conditions are perfect for longer beer garden sessions

Take advantage of the Sunshine Coast’s dense concentration of superb craft beer gardens. Matso’s in Eumundi is a hot ticket, serving up creative alcoholic ginger beers and endless good vibes, Brouhaha Brewery in Baringa offers food truck revelry while their original location in Maleny has a sprawling back deck, and Blackflag Brewing in Mooloolaba caters to cool kids and in-the-know locals.    

8. It’s still warm in Noosa as summer crowds thin out

Navigating Hastings Street during summer is never a quiet exercise so why not seize the opportunity to explore Noosa during shoulder season?

Undoubtedly one of the best places to spend autumn on the Sunshine Coast, Noosa’s famed retail and dining strip, plus its laid-back beaches, are under cluttered when the scorching temps of silly season subside (and tourists are forced to return to work).

9. There’s a cosy hinterland town that’s ripe for exploring

Fascinating art galleries, charm-filled boutiques and character-plus dining — Montville in the Sunshine Coast hinterland was the region’s best-kept secret. Until now. With a diverse mix of memorable things to do spanning nature exploration, culinary indulgence and lazy village meandering, autumn is an ideal time to beat burgeoning winter crowds.        

10. Adventures beyond the beach are beckoning

Tick off your bucket list with the Sunshine Coast’s long list of adrenaline rushes. From skydiving in Noosa and kayaking the Mary Valley to Caloundra’s scenic chopper rides, there’s a beyond-the-beach pursuit for every thrill seeker.

Where to stay during autumn on the Sunshine Coast

If it’s sounding all too tempting, it’s time to book one of the region’s best accommodation picks.

Your heart’s set on Noosa? Makes sense and unsurprisingly, there’s a diverse range of top-notch accommodation picks for every budget and travelling style.

Otherwise, consider Seven Peaks Farm Stay in Beerwah for a taste of country life and magnificent views of the Glass House Mountains, The Crocodile Hunter Lodge for a unique stay best paired with a visit to Australia Zoo, and Misty View Cottages in Montville, the most romantic rainforest hideaway you can imagine.

Want to add more to your itinerary this autumn on the Sunshine Coast? Discover 30 of the best things to do across the region.