Sunshine Coast Day Trips

10 DAY TRIP IDEAS TO THE SUNSHINE COAST

1. Drive up to Sunshine Coast Hinterland and visit Maleny Bird World, followed by a stroll through the picturesque Maleny Botanic Gardens. Head into the main street of Maleny, pick a cafe to grab a bite to eat, and then cool off with a swim at Gardners Falls before heading home.

2. Start your day by taking the kids through the

dense sub-tropical rainforest at Mary Cairncross

Scenic Reserve. Spend some time at their discovery centre, enjoy a coffee at the Mountain View Cafe, or head to their lawn area to enjoy a picnic and play on their fort-style playground.

3. Visit Kondalilla Falls in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland for a morning bushwalk and a swim. Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy your spoils before heading home via the highway with a detour via Aussie World for some afternoon adventures.

4. Spend an entire day at Currumundi Lake and Surf Beach. Currumundi Lake offers calm waters–perfect for sand castles and inflatables–while the surf beach beckons those looking for waves. The surf beach is patrolled on weekends and school holidays. Pack a picnic and get there early so you can get a good car park

5. Plan a day out at Australia Zoo. Our recommendation in summer is to get there upon opening and make your way to the Safari Zone, so you can then work your way back through the zoo as the day heats up. Pack the kids’ swimmers so they can enjoy Laughing Frog Water Park. Before you leave, walk across the carpark and take a $2 tour of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital to see all the excellent work they do in helping our native wildlife.

6. Pack all the boards (surfboards/boogie boards/ skateboards) and head up the coast to Alexandra Headland. Enjoy the crisp surf as the day heats up, and then take a break for lunch at the surf club in the hottest part of the day. Let the kids enjoy a skate in the skatepark in the afternoon, followed by an ice cream, before heading home with happy hearts.

7. Brave an early morning and climb Mount Coolum to be at the summit as the sun rises. It is a popular walk (so expect company), but it is also somewhat comforting to see other people pushing themselves forward in the cool semi-darkness of a summer’s morning. After celebrating your summit victory, climb back down and park as close as possible to the main beach at Coolum. Cool off at their familyfriendly patrolled beach and then grab a coffee and bite to eat at one of the cafes along the foreshore. Walk off breakfast with a stroll up the hill, along the esplanade, and back down again, finishing with another swim.

8. Wildlife HQ at Woombye is one of the most underrated animal sanctuaries in South East Queensland. It is excellent for families with young children, because it’s not overly-expansive, and an eclectic range of animals makes for an abundance of exciting animal encounters. Take a token photo outside the Big Pineapple before you leave. Drive 12 minutes up the road and enjoy the Ginger Factory, where you can tour the gardens for free, or purchase some tickets to ride the Ginger Factory Train and check out the Gruffalo Trail. This combination of activities is a full-day itinerary that kids of all ages will enjoy.

9. Plan your day trip for a Wednesday or Sunday and head to the famous Eumundi Markets. What you will love about these markets is the sheer number and variety of stalls. There are many food offerings to work your way through, but you could also bring your own food and enjoy them in the leafy surroundings. Dick Caplick Park is next to the markets, so the kids can play before you head home.

10. Drive straight to Noosa National Park for a coastal walk and then a swim at nearby Noosa Heads. Pre-book and enjoy some time at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, followed by a swim and a walk at Point Cartwright. Finish the day with fish, chips, and ice cream before the drive home.