Which Glass House Mountains can a teenager climb?

Ngungun is the family summit, a graded track with a view at the top; the harder peaks have minimum ages or are closed. The walk listings show the grade and length.

Where can teens surf on the Sunshine Coast?

Noosa's points for gentle long waves, Coolum and Caloundra for beach breaks; the surf schools take teenagers in group lessons with a parent signing the form.

What is there for teens on a rainy day?

The aquarium, the maze park, mini golf, the cinemas and the indoor play centres. Rain here is usually a shower; the hinterland waterfalls are better after it.

What free things do Sunshine Coast teens like?

The beaches, the Noosa headland walk, Ngungun summit, the skate parks and the river mouths. The free picks on this page are the teen-rated ones.

Things to do with teenagers in Sunshine Coast

The Sunshine Coast is a surf-and-hinterland trip for a teenager, with the big paid days at the zoo and the aquarium if they want them. Surf lessons run at Noosa, Coolum and Caloundra and the beginner breaks are gentle, the aqua park at Coolum is the summer afternoon, and the river mouths have kayaks and paddle boards.

The hinterland has the real climbs: the Glass House Mountains have graded summit tracks a 15 year old will remember, and the waterfall walks at Kondalilla and Mapleton are proper hikes. Indoors there is mini golf, a maze park, an indoor play centre for the younger teen and the cinemas.

The free list is beaches, headland walks, skate parks and the hinterland. Each listing shows the minimum age and the price from.

Want it planned for you? See a full day in Sunshine Coast with teenagers →

Start here

Noosa Main Beach Noosa Heads
Noosa Main Beach at Noosa Heads is a north-facing beach that Noosa Council describes as a sheltered spot for swimming with gentle waves, compared with the more powerful…

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled · ★ 4.7 (5,296)
Mary Valley Rattler Gympie
The Mary Valley Rattler is a restored heritage steam train that runs from the historic Gympie Station on Tozer Street through the Mary Valley.

Ages 0–17 · From $37 · ★ 4.7 (1,852)
Aquaduck Sunshine Coast Mooloolaba
Aquaduck Sunshine Coast is a one-hour amphibious bus and boat tour of Mooloolaba, leaving from the Tourist Bus Stop at The Wharf car park in front of SEA LIFE Sunshine…

Ages 0–17 · From $44 · ★ 4.9 (675)
Blast Aqua Park Coolum Coolum Beach
Blast Aqua Park Coolum is a large inflatable obstacle course floating on a lake at 60 Junction Drive, about 5.3km from Coolum Beach Surf Club.

Ages 4–17 · From $32.50 · ★ 4.7 (801)
Opals Down Under (Scratch Patch Gem Fossicking) Glenview
Opals Down Under is an opal showroom beside the Bruce Highway at Glenview, near Aussie World, with a Scratch Patch gem fossicking area that kids and adults can use.

Ages 0–17 · From $12 · ★ 4.7 (537)
Maroochy River Mini Golf Bli Bli
Maroochy River Mini Golf is an 18-hole mini golf course at the Maroochy River Golf Complex, 374-514 David Low Way, Bli Bli.

Ages 3–17 · From $7 · ★ 4.7 (241)

What it costs

The best-known paid places, with the lowest price on their own page. Prices change; the listing has the current ones.

Place	Kind	Ages	From
Mary Valley Rattler Gympie	Tours & Cruises	0–17	From $37
Aquaduck Sunshine Coast Mooloolaba	Tours & Cruises	0–17	From $44
Blast Aqua Park Coolum Coolum Beach	Water Park	4–17	From $32.50
Opals Down Under (Scratch Patch Gem Fossicking) Glenview	Markets & Family Outings	0–17	From $12
Maroochy River Mini Golf Bli Bli	Mini Golf	3–17	From $7
Caloundra Surf School Currimundi	Surfing & Water Sports	6–18	From $50
Sunshine Coast Railway Modellers Society Nambour	Markets & Family Outings	0–18	From $3
Big Kart Track Landsborough	Go-Karting	12–17	From $5
TreeTop Challenge Sunshine Coast Woombye	Climbing & Ninja Warrior	4–17	From $40
Aussie World Palmview	Theme & Adventure Parks	0–17	From $53

What a 12 year old can do, and what needs 16

Age	Good picks	Note
12–13	Blast Aqua Park Coolum, Big Kart Track, TreeTop Challenge Sunshine Coast, Bli Bli Aqua Park, Noosa Main Beach
14–15	Blast Aqua Park Coolum, Big Kart Track, TreeTop Challenge Sunshine Coast, Bli Bli Aqua Park, Noosa Main Beach
16–17	Blast Aqua Park Coolum, Big Kart Track, TreeTop Challenge Sunshine Coast, Bli Bli Aqua Park, Noosa Main Beach

Adrenaline

Karts, trampolines, ropes courses, climbing walls and the big parks.

Blast Aqua Park Coolum Coolum Beach
Blast Aqua Park Coolum is a large inflatable obstacle course floating on a lake at 60 Junction Drive, about 5.3km from Coolum Beach Surf Club.

Ages 4–17 · From $32.50 · ★ 4.7 (801)
Big Kart Track Landsborough
Big Kart Track at Landsborough calls itself the largest commercial go-karting track in Australia, with a fleet of 50 SODI 270cc karts.

Ages 12–17 · From $5
TreeTop Challenge Sunshine Coast Woombye
TreeTop Challenge at The Big Pineapple is a high ropes adventure park spread over more than 10 acres of rainforest.

Ages 4–17 · From $40
Aussie World Palmview
Aussie World is a theme park at Palmview with up to 30 rides and experiences, from thrill rides such as the SX360, Redback spinning coaster and Dingo Racer to family…

Ages 0–17 · From $53
Bould Move Birtinya
Bould Move is an indoor bouldering and fitness centre at Birtinya, open 5am to 9pm.

Ages 5–17 · From $22
Bli Bli Aqua Park Bli Bli
Inflatable aqua park on the lake at the Bli Bli Watersports Complex: a floating playground of slides, runways and obstacles.

Ages 4–18 · From $15

Surf, paddle and swim

Surf lessons, kayaks, aqua parks and the patrolled beaches teens head for.

Noosa Main Beach Noosa Heads
Noosa Main Beach at Noosa Heads is a north-facing beach that Noosa Council describes as a sheltered spot for swimming with gentle waves, compared with the more powerful…

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled · ★ 4.7 (5,296)
Mary Valley Rattler Gympie
The Mary Valley Rattler is a restored heritage steam train that runs from the historic Gympie Station on Tozer Street through the Mary Valley.

Ages 0–17 · From $37 · ★ 4.7 (1,852)
Aquaduck Sunshine Coast Mooloolaba
Aquaduck Sunshine Coast is a one-hour amphibious bus and boat tour of Mooloolaba, leaving from the Tourist Bus Stop at The Wharf car park in front of SEA LIFE Sunshine…

Ages 0–17 · From $44 · ★ 4.9 (675)
Caloundra Surf School Currimundi
Caloundra Surf School runs learn-to-surf lessons on the Sunshine Coast for children and adults of all ages and abilities.

Ages 6–18 · From $50 · ★ 5.0 (55)
Marcoola Beach Marcoola
Marcoola Beach, between beach accesses 98 and 112, is a quieter open stretch of beach surrounded by parkland and patrolled seasonally.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled Summer
Sunreef Mooloolaba Mooloolaba
Sunreef at The Wharf Mooloolaba runs whale watching tours on its vessel Whale One, plus snorkelling with turtles, scuba diving and hire of kayaks, stand-up paddleboards…

Ages 0–17
Mooloolaba Beach Mooloolaba
Mooloolaba Beach is described by Sunshine Coast Council as a premier swimming beach, popular for body boarding and surfing, and it is patrolled year round; patrol times…

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled All year · All-abilities access
Kings Beach Ocean Pool Kings Beach
The Kings Beach Ocean Pool (also called the Sir Francis Nicklin Memorial Pool) sits on the rocks at the northern end of Kings Beach, Caloundra.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled Summer
Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club Nippers Noosa Heads
Noosa Heads Surf Life Saving Club has run Nippers since 1967.

Ages 5–13 · From $310
Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club Mooloolaba
Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club on the Esplanade runs Junior Activities (Nippers) for children aged 5 to 13, building confidence and teaching beach safety and surf…

Ages 5–13
Coolum Beach Coolum Beach
Coolum Beach is a family friendly patrolled beach with parks and a boardwalk.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled All year · All-abilities access
Kawana Aquatic Centre Bokarina
Kawana Aquatic Centre is owned by Sunshine Coast Council and run by City Venue Management.

Ages 0–17 · From $6.35
Noosa Aquatic Centre Sunshine Beach
Noosa Aquatic Centre at Sunshine Beach has a 10-lane 50 m pool, an 8-lane 25 m pool and heated leisure pools for toddlers, with wading and bubble pools, a shaded beach…

Ages 0–18 · From $6.50
Kawana Waters Surf Life Saving Club Buddina
Kawana Waters Surf Life Saving Club at Buddina runs Nippers for kids aged 5 to 13.

Ages 5–13 · From $15
Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club Sunshine Beach
Sunshine Beach Surf Life Saving Club on Duke Street has run its Junior Activities (Nippers) program since 1994, giving young lifesavers confidence, knowledge and skills…

Ages 6–13
Twin Waters Beach (Maroochy North Shore) Twin Waters
Council-funded lifeguards patrol Twin Waters Beach all year round from the tower at beach access 131.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled All year
Bulcock Beach Caloundra
Council-funded lifeguards patrol Bulcock Beach on weekends, school holidays and public holidays from September to May.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled September to May
Robbie Sherwell's XL Surfing Academy Alexandra Headland
Robbie Sherwell's XL Surfing Academy runs surf lessons at Alexandra Headland and Mooloolaba, with the meeting place confirmed when you book depending on conditions.

Ages 4–18 · From $110
Mudjimba Beach Mudjimba
Council-funded lifeguards patrol Mudjimba Beach all year, and Mudjimba Surf Life Saving Club volunteers add weekend and public holiday patrols from 7am to 5pm (6pm over…

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled September school holidays to early May (volunteers)
Mooloolaba Spit Beach Mooloolaba
Council-funded lifeguards patrol Mooloolaba Spit all year round, and Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club volunteers patrol the main beach on weekends and public holidays…

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled All year (council lifeguards)
Kings Beach Kings Beach
Council-funded lifeguards patrol Kings Beach all year, and Metropolitan Caloundra Surf Life Saving Club volunteers add weekend and public holiday patrols from 7am to…

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled All year (council lifeguards) · All-abilities access
Maroochydore Beach Maroochydore
Council-funded lifeguards patrol Maroochydore Beach all year, and Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club volunteers patrol on weekends and public holidays from 7am to about…

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled September school holidays to May long weekend (volunteers)
Maroochy River Mouth Cotton Tree
The beach at the Maroochy River mouth (beach accesses 140 to 143) has a newer holiday patrol service.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled Queensland school holidays in September, Christmas and Easter
Yaroomba Beach Yaroomba
Council-funded lifeguards patrol Yaroomba Beach near Birrahl Park during the school holidays between September and May only.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled School holidays between September and May only

Real climbs, lookouts and skate parks

The longer graded walks with a view at the top, plus skate parks and pump tracks.

Maroochy River Mini Golf Bli Bli
Maroochy River Mini Golf is an 18-hole mini golf course at the Maroochy River Golf Complex, 374-514 David Low Way, Bli Bli.

Ages 3–17 · From $7 · ★ 4.7 (241)
Baringa Town Square Skate Plaza Baringa
The skate plaza at Baringa Town Square has well spaced street obstacles for all rider types, ages and abilities, including ledges, rails, stair sets, hubbas and large…

Ages 0–17 · Free
Caloundra Skate Park Caloundra
Caloundra Skate Park is part of the Central Park Complex on Arthur Street.

Ages 0–17 · Free
Kawana Skate Park Bokarina
Kawana Skate Park on Sportsmans Parade is designed for a range of skill levels with a mix of street and transition elements of different heights and sizes.

Ages 0–17 · Free
Holey Moley Sunshine Coast Maroochydore
Holey Moley at the Big Top Shopping Centre in Maroochydore is a themed mini golf venue with bowling, arcade games, escape rooms, karaoke and a bar serving pizzas and…

Ages 0–17 · From $14
Glass House Mountains National Park Glass House Mountains
Glass House Mountains National Park protects the craggy volcanic peaks that rise over the hinterland near Beerwah and Glass House Mountains, formed about 26 to 27…

Ages 0–17 · Free

Rainy days and culture

Galleries, science museums, cinemas and shows that hold a teenager's attention.

Opals Down Under (Scratch Patch Gem Fossicking) Glenview
Opals Down Under is an opal showroom beside the Bruce Highway at Glenview, near Aussie World, with a Scratch Patch gem fossicking area that kids and adults can use.

Ages 0–17 · From $12 · ★ 4.7 (537)
Sunshine Coast Railway Modellers Society Nambour
The Sunshine Coast Railway Modellers Society runs a ride-on miniature railway in the Miniature Railway Park on Florence Street, Nambour.

Ages 0–18 · From $3 · ★ 4.8 (43)
The Majestic Theatre Pomona Pomona
The Majestic Theatre at 3 Factory Street, Pomona, bills itself as the world's longest running silent film theatre.

Ages 0–17 · From $15
Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct Glass House Mountains
Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct is a council-run, state heritage-listed property at Glass House Mountains, the only remaining Cobb and Co coach stop between Brisbane…

Ages 0–17 · Free
Eumundi Museum Eumundi
Eumundi Museum, part of the Discover Eumundi Heritage and Visitor Centre, has displays on early Eumundi settlers and industries and on more recent history, including…

Ages 0–17 · Free
Nambour and District Historical Museum Nambour
Nambour and District Historical Museum shows life in the Nambour district since the first settlers arrived, with a collection of more than 5000 objects.

Ages 0–17 · From $1
Caloundra Lighthouses Caloundra
The Caloundra Lighthouses mark the entrance to Moreton Bay and the North West Channel, the main shipping route into Brisbane.

Ages 0–17
Noosa Regional Gallery Tewantin
Noosa Regional Gallery is Noosa Council's riverside art gallery in Tewantin, open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm and weekends 10am to 3pm.

Ages 0–17 · Free
The Ginger Factory Yandina
The Ginger Factory in Yandina has free entry and is open 7 days, 9am to 5pm, except Christmas Day.

Ages 0–17 · Free
Buderim Pioneer Cottage Buderim
Buderim Pioneer Cottage is an original house built around 1882 and now run as a museum by the Buderim Historical Society, established in 1966.

Ages 0–17
Maleny Pioneer Village Maleny
Maleny Pioneer Village, run by the Maleny Cultural and Historical Society, has three pioneer cottages: Priscilla Cottage with local heritage collections, Lawley House…

Ages 0–17
The Original Eumundi Markets Eumundi
The Original Eumundi Markets are held every Wednesday and Saturday from 7.30am to 2pm all year, rain, hail or shine, along Memorial Drive in Eumundi.

Ages 0–17 · Free
The Big Pineapple Woombye
The Big Pineapple at Woombye has been a Sunshine Coast landmark since 1971.

Ages 0–17 · Free
Queensland Air Museum Caloundra
Queensland Air Museum is a volunteer-run aviation museum next to Caloundra Aerodrome with more than 80 historic military and civilian aircraft on two hectares, plus…

Ages 0–17 · From $12.50

Classes and programs for 13+

Art, drama, music, coding and youth programs that take teenagers.

First Pointe Dance Buderim
First Pointe is a recreational dance school for students from 2 years old, with no exams, competitions or expensive uniforms, and parents welcome to watch.

Ages 2–17 · From $17.50
Art School Co. Buderim
Art School Co. runs weekly art classes and workshops on the Sunshine Coast for ages 8 and up.

Ages 8–17 · From $66

Free things teenagers rate in Sunshine Coast

Noosa Main Beach Noosa Heads
Noosa Main Beach at Noosa Heads is a north-facing beach that Noosa Council describes as a sheltered spot for swimming with gentle waves, compared with the more powerful…

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled · ★ 4.7 (5,296)
Marcoola Beach Marcoola
Marcoola Beach, between beach accesses 98 and 112, is a quieter open stretch of beach surrounded by parkland and patrolled seasonally.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled Summer
Mooloolaba Beach Mooloolaba
Mooloolaba Beach is described by Sunshine Coast Council as a premier swimming beach, popular for body boarding and surfing, and it is patrolled year round; patrol times…

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled All year · All-abilities access
Kings Beach Ocean Pool Kings Beach
The Kings Beach Ocean Pool (also called the Sir Francis Nicklin Memorial Pool) sits on the rocks at the northern end of Kings Beach, Caloundra.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled Summer
Coolum Beach Coolum Beach
Coolum Beach is a family friendly patrolled beach with parks and a boardwalk.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled All year · All-abilities access
Twin Waters Beach (Maroochy North Shore) Twin Waters
Council-funded lifeguards patrol Twin Waters Beach all year round from the tower at beach access 131.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled All year
Bulcock Beach Caloundra
Council-funded lifeguards patrol Bulcock Beach on weekends, school holidays and public holidays from September to May.

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled September to May
Mudjimba Beach Mudjimba
Council-funded lifeguards patrol Mudjimba Beach all year, and Mudjimba Surf Life Saving Club volunteers add weekend and public holiday patrols from 7am to 5pm (6pm over…

Ages 0–17 · Free · Patrolled September school holidays to early May (volunteers)

More free things for teens in Sunshine Coast

Kids eat free deals that still cover teenagers

16 of the 18 kids-eat-free deals in Sunshine Coast have no age limit under 13: Caloundra RSL (Caloundra) on Wednesdays, no age limit stated; Caloundra RSL (Caloundra) on Tuesdays, no age limit stated; Caloundra RSL (Caloundra) on Thursdays, no age limit stated; Chancellors Tavern (Sippy Downs) on Tuesdays, no age limit stated. All kids eat free deals in Sunshine Coast.

Questions parents ask

Which Glass House Mountains can a teenager climb?: Ngungun is the family summit, a graded track with a view at the top; the harder peaks have minimum ages or are closed. The walk listings show the grade and length.
Where can teens surf on the Sunshine Coast?: Noosa's points for gentle long waves, Coolum and Caloundra for beach breaks; the surf schools take teenagers in group lessons with a parent signing the form.
What is there for teens on a rainy day?: The aquarium, the maze park, mini golf, the cinemas and the indoor play centres. Rain here is usually a shower; the hinterland waterfalls are better after it.
What free things do Sunshine Coast teens like?: The beaches, the Noosa headland walk, Ngungun summit, the skate parks and the river mouths. The free picks on this page are the teen-rated ones.