Sunshine Coast

Travel Guide
Noosaville showing general coastal views and boating

Sunshine Coast Travel Guide Video

Enjoy uncrowded golden beaches, rainforest walks and charming oceanfront villages in this area north of the Queensland Capital, Brisbane. It’s where Australia comes to relax.

The Sunshine Coast is a stunning area of South East Queensland that takes in superb clean beaches, cosmopolitan tourist precincts against a scenic mountain backdrop. The area runs from the family friendly Caloundra in the south to world renowned Noosa Heads in the north and inland to the verdant Blackall Ranges.

Drive about 1 hour north of the state capital, Brisbane to reach Caloundra, which has six beaches and a range of accommodation. Continue north to Mooloolaba, Coolum Beach and Noosa Beach which are also popular coastal destinations.

Stay in cosmopolitan Mooloolaba’s for chic cafe’s, restaurants and bars, as well as one of the Sunshine Coast’s best surf clubs. A short walk away is Underwater World SEA LIFE Mooloolaba, an award-winning aquarium. Just a mile or so north of Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland is a quieter destination known for its surfing beaches. Coolum is similarly relaxed and offers world-famous golf courses. Visit Noosa to dine in modern bistros and hike through rainforest in Noosa National Park.

The Sunshine Coast hinterland is a great daytrip from the coast or a romantic mountain destination itself. Mountain-top artistic villages like Maleny and Mapleton offer gourmet food, art and craft galleries, cool breezes and magnificent views. Visit the markets in Eumundi on Wednesdays and Saturdays to browse fresh produce and locally made goods, among the 600 stalls.

The Sunshine Coast has a subtropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. The famous aussie life savers patrol all the popular beaches throughout the year and the water is warm enough to swim even during winter. Try your hand at surfing or kayaking in one of the rivers and estuaries along the coast. You can walk and bike along the coastal paths or in the forests and mountains that surround many communities on the Sunshine Coast.

You can reach the Sunshine Coast in under 60 miles (90 kilometres) from Brisbane. Rent a car at the Brisbane Airport and drive. You can also fly to the Sunshine Coast Airport at Marcoola, south of Coolum from several destinations around Australia. The privately run Sunbus buses operate between towns and let you hop on and hop off anywhere along a route. If your are feeling energetic you can get around on foot or by bicycle, but you’ll also find plenty of free parking.

Where to stay in Sunshine Coast

Mooloolaba showing landscape views, views and a beach

Mooloolaba

A noteworthy feature of Mooloolaba is its stunning beaches. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out The Wharf Mooloolaba and Mooloolaba Esplanade.

Mooloolaba
Noosa Heads featuring tropical scenes and a beach

Noosa Heads

A noteworthy feature of Noosa Heads is its stunning beaches. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Hastings Street and Noosa National Park.

Noosa Heads
Kawana Beach showing a beach and landscape views

Caloundra

Caloundra is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Caloundra Events Center and Bulcock Beach, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Sunshine Coast.

Caloundra
Coolum Beach showing landscape views and a beach as well as a couple

Coolum Beach

The beaches and seaside views are top of the list for many visitors to Coolum Beach. A stop by Coolum Beach or Peregian Beach might round out your trip.

Coolum Beach
Noosaville featuring general coastal views and a coastal town

Noosaville

Noosaville is known for its stunning river views, and you can see some sights area like Shorehaven Bushland Reserve and Keyser Island Conservation Park.

Noosaville
Alexandra Headland which includes a coastal town, landscape views and general coastal views

Alexandra Headland

Travellers to Alexandra Headland praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Alex Beach and Mooloolaba Esplanade.

Alexandra Headland
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
42 First Avenue and Fairway Drive, Maroochydore, QLD
The price is €113 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
€113
per night
10 Apr - 11 Apr
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (325 reviews)
"Nice place great breakfast"

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast, an IHG Hotel
Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort Hotel
Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort Hotel
4 out of 5
270 Ocean Drive, Sunshine Coast, Twin Waters, QLD
The price is €139 per night from 10 Apr to 11 Apr
€139
per night
10 Apr - 11 Apr
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,004 reviews)
"I didn't like how there was limited signage as so many wings. Would suggest more or colour coding the wings. Limited car parking. Very clean, friendly staff and comfortable bed."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort Hotel
RACV Noosa Resort
RACV Noosa Resort
5 out of 5
94 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads, QLD
The price is €259 per night from 24 Apr to 25 Apr
€259
per night
24 Apr - 25 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,640 reviews)
"Great for families. Pool food ok but not amazing. Villa lovely and clean Spray and wipe and wiping cloths in the kitchen would have been really helpful. Bin corral was locked so we had to drop rubbish bags over the fence. Reception staff all absolutely lovely ❤️❤️"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

RACV Noosa Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Ramada Resort by Wyndham Golden Beach
Ramada Resort by Wyndham Golden Beach
4 out of 5
75 Esplanade, cnr Jellicoe Street and Esplanade, Golden Beach, QLD
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free parking, a children's pool, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,521 reviews)
"The Ramada Resort was perfect. Very clean room. Friendly staff. Will definitely stay again"

Reviewed on 19 Mar 2024

Ramada Resort by Wyndham Golden Beach
RACV Noosa Resort
RACV Noosa Resort
5 out of 5
94 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads, QLD
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,640 reviews)
"Great for families. Pool food ok but not amazing. Villa lovely and clean Spray and wipe and wiping cloths in the kitchen would have been really helpful. Bin corral was locked so we had to drop rubbish bags over the fence. Reception staff all absolutely lovely ❤️❤️"

Reviewed on 27 Mar 2024

RACV Noosa Resort
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
4.5 out of 5
Cnr Mooloolaba Esplanade & Venning St, Mooloolaba, QLD
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free parking, internet, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,453 reviews)
Excellent spot!!
"Friendly helpful staff. Very clean. Our one bedroom unit had plenty of space. Great quiet location, yet surrounded by dozens of food outlets, beach, shops, free parking. Kitchen well stocked with appliances, crockery etc. Half size fridge suited our needs. Air-conditioning great when needed. We had ..."

Reviewed on 25 Mar 2024

Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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