A free day out on the Sunshine Coast with kids
This is a free day on the Sunshine Coast around Maroochydore. It starts at Point Cartwright Reserve in Buddina (7.4 km from the centre), then goes to Maroochydore Beach (3.6 km), Maroochy Lions Park (1.4 km) and The Big Pineapple in Woombye (10.2 km). Every stop is free to enter. The Big Pineapple charges extra for its train, zoo and climb.
Plan to drive between stops. Bring swimmers, hats and a picnic. Maroochydore Beach has council lifeguards all year, with volunteer patrols on weekends and public holidays in season. The Big Pineapple grounds are open 8:30am to 4pm daily, so keep them for the afternoon and skip the paid experiences if you want to keep it free.
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: Point Cartwright Reserve
- Late morning: Maroochydore Beach
- Lunch: Maroochy Lions Park
- Afternoon: The Big Pineapple
Morning
Start 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, grassy picnic areas and toilets. A calm place to begin the day.
Tip: Open 24 hours.
Late morning
Swim at Maroochydore Beach
Maroochydore Beach, Maroochydore · Beaches & Rock Pools · Ages 0-17 · Free
Council lifeguards patrol Maroochydore Beach all year. There are beach showers and public toilets near the surf club, and Pierce Park on Melrose Parade has picnic facilities, a playground and public toilets.
Lifeguard patrol: 7:00am – about 5:00pm, September school holidays to May long weekend (volunteers).
Tip: Volunteers add weekend and public holiday patrols, 7am to about 5pm, from the September school holidays to the May long weekend.
Lunch
Play at Maroochy Lions Park
Maroochy Lions Park, Maroochydore · Playgrounds & Parks · Ages 0-17 · Free
A riverside playground on Fishermans Road, Maroochydore, with a big multipurpose play fort, a track ride and a Story Seat. Good for a picnic lunch and a long play.
Tip: Free to use.
Afternoon
Wander The Big Pineapple grounds
The Big Pineapple, Woombye · Markets & Family Outings · Ages 0-17 · Free
A free-entry landmark at Woombye with a pineapple train, a Climb the Pine lookout, a zoo and a high ropes park on site. Entry to the grounds is free, but the experiences cost extra.
Tip: Open 8:30am to 4pm daily. Check the listing for the cost of the train, zoo and climb.
Before you go
- Point Cartwright Reserve is open 24 hours. The Big Pineapple grounds are open 8:30am to 4pm daily.
- Entry to the grounds at The Big Pineapple is free, but the train, zoo and climb cost extra.
- Maroochydore Beach has council lifeguards all year. Swim between the red and yellow flags.
- Plan to drive. The stops are up to 10 km apart.
Questions parents ask
What free things can we do on the Sunshine Coast with kids?
Point Cartwright Reserve, Maroochydore Beach, Maroochy Lions Park and the grounds of The Big Pineapple are all free to enter. Maroochy Lions Park has a play fort and a track ride.
Is Maroochydore Beach patrolled?
Yes. Council lifeguards patrol Maroochydore Beach all year, and surf club volunteers add weekend and public holiday patrols from 7am to about 5pm between the September school holidays and the May long weekend.
Is The Big Pineapple free?
Entry to the grounds at Woombye is free. The pineapple train, the Climb the Pine lookout, the zoo and the high ropes park cost extra. The grounds are open 8:30am to 4pm daily.
More days in Sunshine Coast with kids
- Your first day on the Sunshine Coast with kids - The places to start with when you have one day and want the best of the city.
- 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.
- 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