Your first day on the Sunshine Coast with kids
This is a first day on the Sunshine Coast around Mooloolaba and Maroochydore. It suits families with kids of mixed ages. Aquaduck and SEA LIFE are in Mooloolaba, about 6 to 7 km from the centre, and Point Cartwright Reserve in Buddina is 7.4 km out. Maroochy River Mouth (3 km) and Sunshine Cove Park (1.7 km) are closer in. Two stops are ticketed and three are free.
Start in Mooloolaba and finish in Maroochydore. You will need a car to move between the two areas. Bring hats, swimmers and a picnic for the park. The beach at Maroochy River Mouth has lifeguards only in some holiday periods, so read the swimming note below before you plan a swim.
Every stop is a listing on Funtivities, checked against the place's own website. Last reviewed 24 October 2026. Prices and hours can change, so check the listing before you go.
The day at a glance
- Morning: Aquaduck Sunshine Coast
- Late morning: SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
- Lunch: Point Cartwright Reserve
- Afternoon: Maroochy River Mouth
- Late afternoon: Sunshine Cove Park
Morning
Cruise on the Aquaduck
Aquaduck Sunshine Coast, Mooloolaba · Tours & Cruises · Ages 0-17 · From $0 · 4.9 stars (675 reviews)
A one-hour duck bus and river cruise from Mooloolaba where kids can drive the boat. It is a good first activity because it is short and gets everyone moving. Infants on a lap are free.
Tip: Child (2 to 16) is listed at $44 and a family ticket at $170. Check the listing for times.
Late morning
Visit SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, Mooloolaba · Zoos, Wildlife & Aquariums · Ages 0-17 · From $37
An indoor aquarium in Mooloolaba with an 80 m ocean tunnel, little blue penguins, touchpools and daily seal presentations. Being indoors makes it useful in the middle of the day.
Tip: General admission online is listed from $37. Check the listing for presentation times.
Lunch
Picnic at Point Cartwright Reserve
Point Cartwright Reserve, Buddina · Nature & Outdoors · Ages 0-17 · Free · 5.0 stars (16 reviews)
A free headland reserve at Buddina with a lighthouse, an ocean viewing platform and grassy picnic areas. There are toilets here. Bring lunch and let the kids run on the grass.
Tip: Open 24 hours, and free.
Afternoon
Play at Maroochy River Mouth
Maroochy River Mouth, Cotton Tree · Beaches & Rock Pools · Ages 0-17 · Free
The beach at the river mouth in Cotton Tree. Cotton Tree Park on the river bank nearby has two playgrounds, barbecues, picnic shelters, public toilets, a beach shower and parking.
Lifeguard patrol: 7:30am – 5:00pm, Queensland school holidays in September, Christmas and Easter.
Tip: Patrolled 7:30am to 5pm in the Queensland school holidays in September, at Christmas and at Easter. Maroochydore Beach next door is patrolled all year.
Late afternoon
Finish at Sunshine Cove Park
Sunshine Cove Park, Maroochydore · Playgrounds & Parks · Ages 0-17 · Free
A neighbourhood playground at Sunshine Cove in Maroochydore with a play fort, a climbing net, sand play and a basket swing. A free last stop while the kids burn off whatever energy is left.
Tip: Free to use.
Before you go
- Maroochy River Mouth is patrolled only in the September school holidays, at Christmas and at Easter. Swim at Maroochydore Beach next door, which is patrolled all year, and swim between the red and yellow flags.
- Aquaduck and SEA LIFE are ticketed. Point Cartwright Reserve, Maroochy River Mouth and Sunshine Cove Park are free.
- The Mooloolaba stops and the Maroochydore stops are a drive apart.
- Cotton Tree Park has parking, barbecues and a beach shower.
Questions parents ask
What should we do on our first day on the Sunshine Coast with kids?
Start in Mooloolaba with the Aquaduck river cruise and SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast. Have a picnic at Point Cartwright Reserve, then finish in Maroochydore at Cotton Tree Park and Sunshine Cove Park.
Is Maroochy River Mouth patrolled?
Council says it is patrolled during the Queensland school holidays in September, at Christmas and at Easter, from 7:30am to 5pm. Maroochydore Beach next door is patrolled all year, so swim there outside those times.
Is there anything free to do in Mooloolaba with kids?
Point Cartwright Reserve in Buddina is free, with a lighthouse, an ocean viewing platform and picnic areas. Sunshine Cove Park in Maroochydore is a free playground with a play fort and a climbing net.
More days in Sunshine Coast with kids
- A rainy day on the Sunshine Coast with kids - Indoor stops close together, so a wet day still works.
- A beach day on the Sunshine Coast with kids - Patrolled beaches, calm water and what is near the sand.
- A free day out on the Sunshine Coast with kids - A full day where every stop has free entry.
- The Sunshine Coast with toddlers and under-5s - Short distances, space to run and places built for under-5s.
- The Sunshine Coast with teenagers - Things teenagers choose for themselves, not just tolerate.
- Visiting Sunshine Coast with kids: all guides