Noosa & the Sunshine Coast holidays

It wouldn’t be “Sunny Coast” without the beaches or waterside esplanades filled with cafés and boutiques – but there’s much more here than that. Follow in the footsteps of Steve Irwin at Australia Zoo, swim with whales, dive among shipwrecks, or soar over the whole coast on a scenic flight.

Hike the Point Cartwright Loop for spectacular views, and look out from the lighthouse where seals, dolphins and whales swim in the sea below.

Go surfing at Kings Beach or Coolum Beach, or find a romantic spot among the tree-lined hidden bays beside. Head inland to browse the galleries and gift shops of Montville and Maleny mountain villages. Climb Mount Coolum, find an adventure in the Glass House Mountains, or take a tasty family trip to the Ginger Factory.

Noosa is less than a two-hour drive north of Brisbane, and one of the most popular places for a holiday on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast. The local towns and villages pride themselves on having buildings no taller than the trees. Beaches are beautiful and range from sweet coves to long, sandy stretches. And if you want to get back to nature, you can take eco-cruises, sail and paddle-board, or even ride horses along the shore. Noosa has plenty of options. 

But Noosa Everglades is the highlight. It’s the only everglade system in the world where you can swim. Also known as the River of Mirrors, this place is great for kayaking too. Follow the easy walking trails through Noosa National Park to spot koalas and wild birds, and see dolphins from the beach. If you visit Noosa in early spring, you’ll be able to watch whales migrating along the coast. Or, if you’re a real foodie, book an autumn holiday to catch the Noosa Food & Wine Festival. 

Discover the ultimate wildlife adventure at Australia Zoo. Still owned by the Irwin family and made famous worldwide by the inimitable Steve Irwin, Australia Zoo is the perfect family day out on the Sunshine Coast.

In just 50 years, Australia Zoo has grown from Beerwah Reptile and Fauna Park, a family conservation project for taking care of injured animals, to one of the biggest attractions in Queensland. You can see a snappy show at The Crocoseum, step into the Tiger Temple, watch the world’s largest land mammals in Elephantasia, and enjoy panoramic views from the three-storey treehouse of Bindi's Island.

Let your little ones hand-feed kangaroos or giraffes, ride a camel, or pet a koala. Splash into the water at the Laughing Frog Water Park. And get behind the scenes at Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital.

Stay in the Sunshine Coast’s central suburb, where one of Queensland’s most beautiful beaches has a variety of coastal attractions for all the family.

Get onto the water for a pleasure cruise, go deep-sea fishing, or embark on a boat trip in search of whales, dolphins, and turtles. Dive in to explore the scuttled wreck of HMAS Brisbane, try a surfing lesson, or swim with humpback whales. Or take the kids to discover an underwater world at SEA Life Sunshine Coast Aquarium.

Visit The Wharf to find boutique stores and marine view restaurants of every cuisine. Dine and shop a little more at Mooloolaba Esplanade, or Sunshine Plaza in nearby Maroochydore, or take an amphibious tour on the charming Sunshine Coast Aquaduck. And, at the end of the day, you can stroll along the bustling boardwalk from Mooloolaba Beach and watch the sunset at Mooloolaba Spit.

It’s called the Sunshine Coast for a reason. With 300 sunny days a year and minimal temperature changes, there’s never a bad time to visit this corner of Australia. December to February are the busiest and warmest months, with temperatures averaging 26°C. June to August is the quieter winter period and has the most varied temperatures, which range from 7°C to 22°C. So, if you travel during this time, make sure you pack plenty layers – especially if you’re venturing inland.

Alternatively, March to May and September to November offer days averaging from 13°C to 25°C. Whale-watching season on the Sunshine Coast runs from June to November, and you can usually swim with these incredible creatures between July and October. Just bear in mind that the Australia school holidays can mean that the Sunshine Coast will be more crowded in late September and early October.