Sunshine Coast attractions & things to see

To chat face-to-face to a local about all the best things to see and do on the Sunshine Coast, step into a Visitor Information Centre. 

Packed with natural attractions and things to see, the Sunshine Coast offers day trippers and holidaymakers so much more than a welcoming paradise of swimming spots on hot summer days. It’s in this paradisiacal part of the Sunshine State where you can not only connect with nature but also experience true tranquillity as you paddle through one of the world’s only two everglades systems – the Noosa Everglades.  
 
Kayaking under the tree canopy, taking in the local flora and listening to the birds is the perfect refresher in this genetically blessed wilderness of crystal clear waters and ancient tea tree forests. Delve a little deeper into the landscape in this peaceful pocket of the Sunshine Coast and you'll experience an environment that’s remained unchanged for thousands of years, making it a crucial biosphere that’s surprisingly easy to access, despite its remoteness.   

For water babies of all ages and those keen for a surf, the beaches of the Sunshine Coast more than deliver. These sandy stretches have long been firm favourites among locals eager to cool off in natural surroundings, but with so many different beaches to choose from – each with its own unique appeal – it’s little wonder the opportunity to explore more of these coastal beauties keeps visitors returning time and time again. With such diversity along the coastline, there’s a beach that’s sure to prove pure nirvana for everyone on the Sunshine Coast, from the ultra family-friendly Bulcock Beach, Golden Beach and Mooloolaba Spit to the array of surf breaks of Coolum Beach, Noosa National Park and Cotton Tree that draw surfers from near and far. 
 
Bringing your four-legged mate? You’ll find plenty of picture-perfect dog-friendly beaches where you can enjoy the water and weather together, including Buddina, Coolum, Currimundi, Marcus, Moffat, Point Cartwright Reserve, Shelly, Sunshine Beach and Wurtulla, to hit up the next time you and puppy holiday on the Sunshine Coast. 

When you’re feeling the heat from the sun overhead, duck under lush rainforest canopies in the Sunshine Coast hinterland to feel the temperature drop and experience new ways to cool off without hitting the beach or swimming at all. However, with the array of waterfalls and freshwater swimming holes nestled throughout, swimming is definitely something to consider on a warm summer day. Maleny and Montville are top choices when swapping salt water for the fresh kind, with Gardners Falls and Kondalilla Falls two of the most popular Sunshine Coast waterfalls, but don’t miss the easily accessible Buderim ‘Serenity’ Falls, Wappa Falls near Yandina and Booloumba Falls in Conondale National Park, which is only accessible by high-clearance 4WD vehicle.

If you’ve got the time – and you should definitely find ways to make it – swap the bitumen for the beach and take to the Great Beach Drive that connects the Sunshine Coast mainland with the world’s largest sand island, K'gari (formerly Fraser Island). With its pristine stretches of golden sand as your road, take a journey through this World Heritage-listed wonderland with its natural parks, astonishing rainforests and diverse hiking trails and encounter a myriad of local wildlife – and humpback whales during the migration season – on a 380-km off-the-beaten-track adventure that takes you from Noosa up to to Hervey Bay on the Fraser Coast.

Sunshine Coast culinary experiences

Somewhat of a tourist attraction in itself, the Sunshine Coast’s ‘paddock to the sea’ food scene is quickly gaining ground with culinary experiences to feed both your belly and your soul. You can taste the region’s abundant flavours directly from the farm or trawler, fresh from the local markets, or straight to your plate at the state’s best top-tier restaurants. 

Whether it’s fine dining at a hatted restaurant or something more in the casual category, with an increasingly food-focused population the Sunshine Coast has become a foodie destination with something for everyone along its famed coastline. And with its laid-back lifestyle and seemingly endless sunny days, it’s little surprise that the Sunshine Coast is a craft beer lover’s paradise with a burgeoning reputation for independent brewing excellence. 

You’ll find an impressive array of local breweries right along the coast, from Noosa and Alexandra Headlands to Moffat Beach and Warana, not to mention inland at Eumundi, Glass House Mountains (Forest Glen) and the hinterland at Maleny.

How to visit the Sunshine Coast

Making your way to the myriad sights and attractions of the Sunshine Coast is easy, whether your starting point is in Queensland, interstate or even New Zealand, with direct flights now available from the Sunshine Coast (Maroochydore (MCY)) to major destinations in New Zealand. 

All major Australian airlines and many low-cost carriers, including Qantas, Virgin, Jetstar and Bonza, fly directly into the Sunshine Coast Airport which offers a variety of transport options to local destinations, such as public and shuttle bus services, car rentals, taxis and ridesharing options. If you’re heading from Brisbane, the journey from the Brisbane CBD or the Brisbane Airport International and Domestic Terminals is about 100 kilometres, with trains and buses running throughout the day from the city, suburbs and airport terminals to Sunshine Coast destinations.