The essentials backpackers' guide to the Sunshine Coast

The lure of Noosa’s unique take on laid-back luxury is hard to resist, and unsurprisingly it’s the biggest Sunshine Coast hub for backpackers seeking sun, stunning beaches and a bustling local food and bar scene. For accommodation, try Noosa Heads YHA, Nomads Noosa, Flashpackers, Dolphins Beach House, Halse Lodge (set in a heritage-listed 1880s house just 100 metres from the beach), and Bounce Noosa for affordable shared accommodation in a mixture of lodges, bunk and resort-style rooms.

If you want to be in the heart of one of the Sunshine Coast’s most vibrant areas, Beach Hostel Mooloolaba is right in the thick of it. Just a short walk to the beach and the strip of cafes, restaurants and boutiques, the backpackers has great amenities and inclusions like free breakfast, weekly BBQs, reliable WiFi and free surfboard hire and stand-up paddle board lessons. Much-loved surf beaches Alexandra Headlands and Maroochydore Beach are also close by.

Further south, check out Caloundra Backpackers.

Want a truly unique Sunshine Coast experience? Skip a roof in favour of the stars and pitch a tent instead.

Tips for choosing the right hostel:

Keep these tips in mind when looking for backpacker friendly accommodation on the Sunshine Coast:

• Proximity is key. Find a spot that’s within walking distance of the beach and local amenities.
• Check your hostels complimentary inclusions. Many hostels offer a free breakfast, WIFI, courtesy buses, and hire of watersports equipment, like stand-up paddle boards.
• Do your research. Websites dedicated to reviewing accommodation like TripAdvisor and Hostelworld are great places to get a feel for honest feedback from like-minded travellers.

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Hit the beach

From popular beaches to quiet, near-secret coves, the Sunshine Coast has no shortage of incredible beaches to relax on - so visit a few then make your favourite your 'new local'. Hotspots include Kings Beach, Mooloolaba Beach and Noosa's Main Beach, but there's plenty of sand - and you'll probably be among locals at the likes of Coolum, Peregian, Moffat and Shelly beaches. 

When you’ve had your fill of sunbathing there’s nothing quite like taking to the water. Learn to surf at one the coast’s best surf schools, or grab a paddle and find your centre stand-up paddleboarding (or SUPing). The placid waters of Maroochy River in Cotton Tree and Noosa Sound are ideal for learning and many hostels, including Flashpackers Noosa, Beach Hostel Mooloolaba and Halse Lodge, offer free surfboards, boogie boards, and SUP boards to their guests.

Or you could explore sandy shores further afield and sign up for a 4WD tour of Noosa’s North Shore, Rainbow Beach and K'gari (Fraser Island).

Want more? Here’s our guide to the Sunshine Coast’s best secret beaches.

Explore national parks

The Sunshine Coast’s stunning national parks offer visitors a chance to reconnect with nature and catch a glimpse of the region’s diverse wildlife. This outdoor wonderland is home to waterfalls, rugged mountains, secret swimming holes, biologically-blessed Everglades and more than a few beach and bush walking trails (don’t forget to look up in Noosa National Park for the chance to spot dozing koalas).

Head into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland

The beach might be the Sunshine Coast's biggest drawcard but those who wander into the hinterland are truly rewarded, with wine country and tiny mountain towns nestled next to national parks, natural swimming holes and dairy farms. Kondalilla Falls is a popular spot to hike and swim, while Montville is home to galleries, cafes and cellar doors.

There are some lesser-known spots you should check out while you’re out this way, too.

Set sail - or strap on a snorkel

Those looking for unique experiences while backpacking the Sunshine Coast have a lot to choose from. Indigenous-owned Saltwater Eco Tours combines time on the water with a unique culture experience, with options to explore at sunset, indulge in bush foods and seafood, and more. 

Scuba dive year-round, kayak into the Noosa Everglades, or visit during humpback whale migration to swim with the whales.

Looking for more things to do while you're on the Sunshine Coast? Check out these budget-friendly activities and almost free things to do.

Eat & Drink

Budget-friendly places to eat on the Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast’s cafe scene has a well-earned reputation for delicious, fresh food served with a side of coastal charm. If you’re eating out on a budget, plenty of Sunshine Coast restaurants, cafes and pubs put on meal deals and happy hours for set days and hours of the week. And with plenty of budget friendly vegan and vegetarian options popping up, there’s no reason to skimp on health while you’re travelling.

On the hunt for vege-focused cafes? You’ll want to visit Noosa’s Jungle & Co – Australia’s first gut-health cafe; Elixiba in Maroochydore, a plant-based restaurant and boutique herbal bar; organic and vegetarian Greenhouse Cafe in Caloundra; and locally sourced Raw + Rice poke restaurant, with venues in Noosa, Mooloolaba and Caloundra.

For cheap eats with a side of local flavour, Your Mates Brewhouse in Warana has daily lunch and dinner specials; Umami Ramen is an authentic, no-frills ramen restaurant; Embassy XO in Sunshine Beach is more upmarket but bar snacks are still under $10; and famous Noosa establishment Miss Moneypenny’s offers a bottomless lunch on Sundays, and $2.50 oysters weekdays 3pm-5pm.

Markets and shopping

Off the sand, the Sunshine Coast is a major Queensland food bowl, the bounty of which is best explored at local farmers markets. Caloundra, Kawana, Peregian, Noosa and Maroochydore are all home to regular farmers markets – a great place to track down the freshest fruit and vegetables. Kawana Farmers Markets are held every Saturday morning, while Noosa Farmers Markets and Fishermans Road Markets in Maroochydore pop up every Sunday morning.

Though there's nothing quite like Eumundi Markets, the biggest and the best art and craft market in Australia which is held every Wednesday and Saturday. Browse locally made fashion, goods, jewellery and more, taste your way through the food stalls and pick fresh fruit and veggies to take home. 

Bars and pubs

The Sunshine Coast comes alive at night, with a thriving live music scene, pubs, cocktail bars, and boutique breweries.

Whether you’re looking to enjoy a cocktail in the sea breeze or kick back in a beer garden with the locals, there’s a Sunshine Coast bar for every type of traveller. Raise a glass in the festoon-lit courtyard of Paradise Arcade in Noosa Heads; enjoy the views from the waterfront beer garden at Rice Boi in Mooloolaba; find a spot in the astro-turfed beer garden of the much-loved Village Bicycle in Noosa Heads; and take in the waves with a cocktail in hand at Kings Beach Bar in Caloundra.

The Sunshine Coast is also home to a growing craft beer scene, with unique boutique breweries popping up from the coast to the country. 

Volunteering experiences

Looking to give back while on your Sunshine Coast escape? There are plenty of volunteering and paid opportunities available for travellers keen to do their bit in the region or find work.

Helpul tips:

• The Volunteering Sunshine Coast website is a great place to start. You’ll find short and longer-term opportunities from local not-for-profits and businesses.
• Want a real Sunshine Coast farm-life experience? Try your hand at WWOOFing (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms). There are many opportunities to work on local organic farms (minimum of 4-6 hours per day) in exchange for room and board. To apply, you’ll need to be a member of the Australians WWOOF network but you can join online or a WWOOF “host” can help you join, giving you access to the app and associated resources.
• On the hunt for paid work? Get your Working Holidayer pass to Queensland and check out Work in Paradise for the latest opportunities.