Your family-friendly guide to road-tripping Queensland’s Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast

If you’re dreaming of an idyllic family-friendly escape with warm sun-kissed sand, crystal clear waters and a damn good cafe serving great coffee nearby, there’s no better place to experience Queensland’s family-friendly beach culture than our south-east coasts. While the questions could be Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast - why not do both? We’ve got you started with some suggestions to help you curate your perfect road trip, so all you have to do is hire that motorhome, BYO van or book that cute little cabin with all the adorable bunk beds. Happy holidays.

Gold Coast - Australia’s favourite playground

Day 1

Settle into your new beachside digs at Tallebudgera Tourist Park, pop on your swimmers (or bathers, or togs, depending on where you come from) and take the 50 steps or less to the beach. With creek life sorted, order your favourite coffee or juice from Little Neptune or step a little further back to visit big sister Custard Canteen for piping hot Portuguese custard tarts and all sorts of delicious things for breakfast and lunch.

Day 2

You’ve saved some energy yesterday, so take your pick of the theme parks today. There are four worlds designed to delight with fast rides, epic slides, magnificent marine life encounters and a pack of superheroes who can’t wait to meet you. To find out what theme park suits your family best, take our quiz here.

Day 3

When you’re this close to the most crystalline water on the Gold Coast, why would you want to go anywhere at all? Hire a SUP from Currumbin Boatshed for a paddle through the Palm Beach canals, get on your bike (or hire one from Bike Hire Gold Coast) and hit over 36 km of coastal trails winding beside the sea, or just blow up that floatie and bask - you’re on holidays after all.

Day 4

By now you’ll be wanting to take a better look around, so head for the hills and sample the beauty of the Gold Coast Hinterland where waterfalls, wineries, ziplines, micro-breweries and delicious home-cooked fare awaits. You can find your guide to Mount Tamborine here.

Day 5

Rise before the sun and make your way to the top of Jellurgal (Burleigh Headland) where you’re in for a treat when those first rays of the light beam out across the horizon. Several walking trails criss-cross the hill, so head high for an incredible vantage point, or after picking up a coffee from Nook Espresso settle on the grassy knoll on the hills southern-side like a local. If you’re a surfer, sunrise is the perfect time to be out on the break.

Day 6

For a great family day out, pack your beach and surf gear and head to Coolangatta. The kids can watch the pros carving ups the break at Snapper Rocks and swim afterwards at Rainbow Bay or surf on the baby waves at Greenmount. With three surf clubs all within a short walk of the waves, Nipper Meals will keep the kids happy, while you might like to enjoy a frosty brew or two and an SSB with a view. Check out our guide to Southern Gold Coast here.

Day 7

No need to rush off, check out is not 'til 10 am, so have another swim, take a walk along the sea wall to breathe in the sounds and smell of the sea and wander back via a coffee stop at Custard Canteen, because one more of those little custard tarts won’t hurt one little bit.

For more family-friendly things to do on the Gold Coast - read here.

Sunshine Coasting for families

Sapphire seas, a sun-dappled stretch of coast and a backdrop of hinterland dotted with waterfalls, child-friendly wineries and walks the whole family will love. Sound like your kind of holiday? Hit the road en route to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

Day 1

Caloundra’s quintessential village vibe with caravan parks and apartment-style accommodations flanking the sea is a family magnet, so check yourselves in for three nights where you can smell the salty air and feel the sand singing between your toes. Take a dip at Kings Beach or try the tidal 25-metre salt-water lap pool with accessible kids swimming and wading pool. A kids water playground is close by too, and afterwards, feast on fish and chips at De Lish Fish, whose family packs are real crowdpleasers designed to feed the whole tribe.

Day 2

Australia Zoo has all the Aussie favourites plus plenty of friends from afar to meet at Beerwah, approximately 30 minutes drive from Caloundra. Take your pick from a range of wildlife shows, wander the park and enjoy animal-themed playgrounds and relax and refresh at the cafe in between bouts of getting to know some of Australia and the world’s extraordinary wildlife.

Day 3

Head for the hills with a tasting tour of Maleny and Montville. The kids can get hands-on milking the cows at Maleny Dairy, sample freshly made cheese at Maleny Cheese, splurge (a little) at Sweets on Maple while mum and dad treat themselves with brunch or lunch at Flame Hill Vineyard.  If you’re in a van, Maleny Showgrounds is an affordable, central place to stay or book yourselves into one of the many boutique accommodations that cater to families.

Day 4

Head to Mooloolaba Wharf for a smorgasbord of eating out options from street eats through to fine dining and a pretty sweet fudge shop the kids will love too. Combine a visit to Sea Life to teach the kids more about ocean conservation and marvel at the curious creatures and remarkable marine life that call our Queensland waters home.

Day 5

Start your day by travelling to Kenilworth where world-famous doughnuts await. Try the Golden Gaytime, Top Deck or Caramilk if you like them sweet, and order ahead to try the 1kg challenge, where your mission is to eat your way through a mega doughnut. Elastic waist pants mandatory! Onward to Imbil, where real-life rescue deer roam the grounds at Borumba Deer Park. Yabba Creek will keep the kids busy with four different rope swings, kayaking and swimming while a campfire cook-up under the stars will round out a pretty packed but perfect day.

Day 6

Back to the coast via Noosa North Shore, with the Noosa Everglades one of only two Everglade systems in the world, where you will check in to Everglades Eco Safari at Habitat Noosa. Spend a half-day exploring the unique biosphere of mirrored lakes and spot the abundant wildlife opting to either kayak or cruise with the kids depending on their ages. Lunch is provided on return at the onsite restaurant and micro-brewery and you can take your pick of powered campsites, waterfront campsites or glamping tents where you can kick back watching the native wildlife at play.

Day 7

Rise early and beat the crowds to Noosa National Park where you can meander beside the sea, take a dip with the kids at Tea Tree Bay and if you’re lucky, spot koalas in the treetops. Do the full 10km walk around to Sunshine Beach on the coastal track if you’re feeling energetic, and catch the bus back to Noosa afterwards or simply loop back after your swim and reward the kids with an ice-cream from Massimo’s in Hastings Street.

For more things to do in Noosa National Park read here.

Bonus Tip: return to Brisbane via Caboolture rather than the M1 for a drive through Queensland’s pineapple fields. You’ll enjoy stunning panoramic views of the Glasshouse Mountains, and more pineapples than you are likely to see in your life.