Travel Guide of Sunshine Coast in Australia by Influencers and Travelers
Sunshine Coast is a peri-urban area and the third most populated area in the Australian state of Queensland. Located 100 km north of the centre of Brisbane in South East Queensland, on the Coral Sea coastline, its urban area spans approximately 60 km of coastline and hinterland from Pelican Waters to Tewantin.
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Pictures and Stories of Sunshine Coast from Influencers
8 pictures of Sunshine Coast from Kyle Head, Jack Tindall, Photoholgic and other travelers
- Parachutes and old men staring at ocean ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Oguzhan Begik | ©Unsplash
- Short wooden pier or deck ...click to read more
- Experienced by @Darren Viollet | ©Unsplash
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How to visit Sunshine Coast ?
The Sunshine Coast in Australia is a breathtaking destination, known for its stunning coastline, pristine beaches, and lush hinterland. Traveling to this region offers visitors a chance to explore charming coastal towns, indulge in delicious cuisine, and partake in various outdoor activities.
To get to the Sunshine Coast, the easiest way is to fly into the Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) at Maroochydore, which offers domestic flights from major Australian cities. Alternatively, you can fly into Brisbane Airport (BNE) and drive about 1.5 hours north to reach the coast. There are also train and bus services from Brisbane, making it easy to access the area.
Booking in advance is highly recommended for certain activities and experiences. The Australia Zoo, the famous wildlife park founded by the late Steve Irwin, is a must-visit attraction; pre-booking your tickets can save time and ensure entry. Additionally, if you plan on taking guided tours or participating in water-based activities such as whale watching, scuba diving, or sailing, it's best to secure your spots ahead of time.
Costs can vary depending on your preferences and activities. Accommodation ranges from budget-friendly hostels and motels to luxurious resorts. Dining options are also diverse, with casual eateries, cafes, and upscale restaurants available. Expect to pay around AUD 20-30 for a meal at a mid-range restaurant.
The best things to do on the Sunshine Coast include visiting Noosa National Park, where you can hike through rainforests, explore secluded beaches, and spot native wildlife. Mooloolaba Beach is another popular spot, offering a beautiful stretch of sand and clear waters for swimming and surfing. For a more cultural experience, visit the Eumundi Markets, the region's largest art and craft market, held every Wednesday and Saturday.
When it comes to dining, The Spirit House in Yandina is an award-winning restaurant serving contemporary Thai cuisine in a lush, tropical setting. For a more casual option, try Betty's Burgers & Concrete Co. at Noosa Heads, offering delicious burgers and ice cream. For seafood lovers, visit the Mooloolaba Fish Market, where you can enjoy fresh, locally caught seafood.
Suggested places to stay include the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort in Maroochydore, offering modern rooms and a range of amenities including a private lagoon. For a more budget-friendly option, consider the Noosa Flashpackers, a highly-rated hostel with private and dorm-style accommodation. For a unique experience, consider staying at the Spicers Tamarind Retreat, a luxury rainforest retreat in Maleny.
Off the beaten path: For an unusual and memorable experience, visit the charming hinterland town of Montville. This picturesque village is perched on the Blackall Range and offers stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Stroll through the main street, lined with boutique shops, art galleries, and cafes, and take in the European-inspired architecture. Don't miss the opportunity to visit Kondalilla National Park, just a short drive from Montville, featuring the impressive Kondalilla Falls and numerous walking trails through lush rainforest.
The Best Things to Do and Visit around Sunshine Coast
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1 - Sunshine Coast QLD
Sunshine Coast Stadium is a multi-sport venue located at Kawana Waters on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. The stadium is the main venue in a sporting precinct that also includes seven fields.
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2 - Sunshine Coast Queensland
Sunshine Coast is a peri-urban area and the third most populated area in the Australian state of Queensland. Located 100 km north of the centre of Brisbane in South East Queensland, on the Coral Sea coastline, its urban area spans approximately 60 km of coastline and hinterland from Pelican Waters to Tewantin.
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3 - Sightseeing Cruises in Noosa & Sunshine Coast
22 km away
Jump aboard this 1.5 hour relaxing seafood lunch cruise through the beautiful river and canals of Mooloolaba. Fresh seafood is included in the ticket price with a choice between fish, calamari, Mooloolaba prawns or an Aussie burger. There is a fully licensed bar and a optional menu with extra's and upgrades available on board. Table service is provided to your comfortable booth seating. Sit back, relax and enjoy the entertaining commentary and of course the magnificent scenery that Mooloolaba has to offer while you dine on the freshest seafood on the coast!
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4 - Mudjimba Beach
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5 - Mooloolaba
6 km away
Mooloolaba is a coastal suburb of Maroochydore in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. It is located 97 kilometres north of the state capital, Brisbane, and is part of the Maroochydore urban centre.
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6 - Kayaking Tours in Noosa & Sunshine Coast
22 km away
Your adventure begins with a river cruise from Habitat Noosa crossing beautiful Lake Cootharaba to the start of the Noosa Everglades. Then paddle your canoe through ancient landscapes, mirrored waterways & sub-tropical rainforest. Enjoy a delicious morning tea and go for a swim in the pristine waters before boarding the vessel for a cruise along the river of mirrors. Your tour ends with a roast lunch at Habitat Noosa with your tour group.
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7 - Mooloolaba Beach
7 km away
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8 - Coolum Beach QLD
14 km away
Coolum Beach is a beachside town and coastal suburb of the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia and is also the name of the beach around which the town is based. In the 2016 census, Coolum Beach had a population of 8,497 people.
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9 - Surfing Lessons in Noosa & Sunshine Coast
22 km away
Noosa Learn to Surf offers specifically structured lessons to suit the absolute beginner through to competition surfers. Our specific 1-2-3 teaching method is unique worldwide and guarantees you'll be standing in your first lesson. We offer daily tuition, small group classes. Group lessons run daily at 9am and 1.30pm for 2 hours duration. We operate 364 days per year excluding Xmas Day. Our surfing lessons can also be conducted in French if need be. All equipment included in the price. Whatever your needs, Noosa Learn to Surf can cater to all. Change your life. learn to surf! Please note: Minimum age: 7 years, must be able to swim 25 meters unassisted.
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10 - Caloundra QLD
18 km away
Caloundra is a coastal town and the southernmost town in the Sunshine Coast Region in South East Queensland, Australia.
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11 - Blackall Range
19 km away
The Blackall Range is a mountain range in South East Queensland, Australia. The first European explorer in the area was Ludwig Leichhardt. It was named after Samuel Blackall, the second Governor of Queensland. The Blackall Range dominates the hinterland area of the Sunshine Coast, west of Nambour. Maleny, Mapleton, Montville and Flaxton are the main settlements located on the range. The Stanley River rises from the southern slopes. Baroon Pocket Dam is a reservoir on Obi Obi Creek which drains the north west slopes of the range. Mary Cairncross Reserve marks the site of the first settler's house on the Blackall Range. Curramore Sanctuary, Mapleton Falls National Park and Kondalilla National Park are also located on the range. A number of lookouts on the range provide views towards the coast. One of these is located at Howells Knob, a mountain which rises 561 m above sea level. Timber resources in the area attracted timber-cutters in 1860s. The last logging on the range occurred in 1939.
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12 - Safaris in Noosa & Sunshine Coast
22 km away
Your safari begins with a cruise across stunning Lake Cootharaba where we enter the Australia's only Everglades. Cruise upstream through ancient landscapes, mirrored waterways know as "The River of Mirrors", witness sub-tropical rainforest millions of years old before stopping to enjoy a delicious morning tea at iconic Harry’s Hut. Here you can swim in the tea tree infused waters or explore the rich history of the region. After morning tea you reboard the vessel and continue to experience the magnificent wonders of the Everglades, recognised as one of the most spectacular waterways in Australia. The Noosa Everglades is home to over 44% of Australia's bird species, which is more than Kakadu National Park in an area only a fraction in size.. Upon returning to Habitat Noosa you will be served a delicious BBQ lunch, boasting views of the Lake and surrounding bushland of the EcoCamp.
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13 - Golden Beach
20 km away
Golden Beach is a coastal suburb of Caloundra in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. It is located within the Caloundra urban centre directly southwest of the Caloundra CBD. In the 2016 census, Golden Beach had a population of 5,575 people.
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14 - Flaxton
20 km away
Flaxton is a rural locality in the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Flaxton had a population of 931 people.
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15 - Seaplane Tours in Noosa & Sunshine Coast
22 km away
Enjoy the thrill of a water take-off and landing on the beautiful and tranquil Maroochy River in the only Wilga Warbird Seaplane in the southern hemisphere. It's 9cylinder radial engine, better-than-helicopter views, slow flight and stealthy vintage-spy-plane feel will give you a breath-taking perspective of the glorious Sunshine Coast, centred on Mudjimba Island. With every seat a window seat, you’ll have unparalleled views of the beaches and river below. You'll soar over Cottontree, and out to the open ocean around Mudjimba Island. Circle and return for northern coastline views and gentle touchdown on Maroochy River. This quintessential Sunshine Coast experience takes you on a 10-minute flight/30-minute adventure but leaves you smiling for days. This flight also includes a brag book and memory maker 20-page hardcover Photo Book that has pictures of you on your adventure. (Expect delivery 2-4 weeks after your flight)
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16 - Australia Zoo
23 km away
Australia Zoo is a 1,000-acre zoo located in the Australian state of Queensland on the Sunshine Coast near Beerwah/Glass House Mountains.
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17 - Marcus Beach
23 km away
Marcus Beach is a coastal suburb in the Shire of Noosa, Queensland, Australia.
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18 - Noosa Heads QLD
28 km away
Noosa Heads is a coastal town and suburb of the Shire of Noosa on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. It is located approximately 136 kilometres north of Brisbane, the state's capital.
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19 - Noosa National Park
29 km away
Noosa National Park is a national park in Queensland, Australia, 121 km north of Brisbane. It is situated near Noosa Heads between the Pacific Ocean and the Sunshine Coasts's northern area of urban development and extends southwards, past Lake Weyba to Coolum.
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20 - Glass House Mountains
30 km away
Glass House Mountains is a hinterland town and locality of the Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia, named after the famous Glass House Mountains of the area. Colloquially it is often known simply as "Glasshouse". At the 2016 census, Glass House Mountains had a population of 5,065.
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21 - Noosa
33 km away
Noosaville is a town and suburb in Noosa in the Shire of Noosa, Queensland, Australia. In the 2016 census, Noosaville had a population of 8,124 people.
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22 - Glass House Mountains National Park
36 km away
Glass House Mountains National Park is a heritage-listed national park at Glass House Mountains, Sunshine Coast Region, Queensland, Australia. It is also known as Beerburrum Forest Reserve 1.
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23 - Glass House Mountains Lookout
36 km away
D'Aguilar is a national park in Queensland, Australia. It contains the D'Aguilar Range and is located along the northwest of the Brisbane metropolitan area. The park is traversed by the winding scenic Mount Nebo Road and Mount Glorious Road.
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Learn More about Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast is a coastal region in South East Queensland in Australia. The Sunshine Coast region is a new local government area that has combined the city of Caloundra with the counties of Maroochy and Noosa, making it a region of 1200 square miles (3,126 square km). It is an area that welcomes many tourists. The Sunshine Coast is the place to be for an active vacation or a relaxing break at any time of year. Discover its vast beaches, thriving Noosa cuisine and many hidden treasures. The Sunshine Coast is home to picturesque villages and legendary surf spots. Enjoy the many fashion boutiques and trendy cafés along the beaches. Surfers and golfers will love the town of Coolum, while market lovers will find plenty of local products to discover in Eumundi where you can find the most beautiful artisanal markets of the region, which takes place every week. The Sunshine Coast offers an incredible calendar of great events from arts to sports to food. In March, don't miss the Noosa Festival of Surfing, where you can watch and attend surfing competitions. For sports enthusiasts, the Sunshine Coast Velothon in June is the biggest cycling event on the planet. In May, you can also check out the annual Noosa Food and Wine Festival, which regularly attracts Australian chefs. A whole host of events not to be missed. The place is suitable for all kinds of nautical activities, scuba diving, swimming, sailing, you can even observe whales. This region is ideal to discover Australian life, many activities are waiting for you, you will not have time to get bored during your stay. The Sunshine Coast is rich in diversity and shows all that Australia has to offer, from its heavenly beaches to its tropical forests and its mountains, there is plenty to do!
Frequently Asked Questions by Travelers planning a trip to Sunshine Coast
Where to Stay near Sunshine Coast
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Discover more travel spots to explore around Sunshine Coast
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