Visiting Sunshine Coast with kids

Sunshine Coast with kids at a glance

When to go: seasons and busy times in Sunshine Coast

The next school holidays run 12 Dec 2026 to 26 Jan 2027 (Queensland Department of Education); that is when the big-name places are busiest and accommodation costs most.

Worth the trip: what families rate highest 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…

  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.

  ★ 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…

  ★ 4.9 (675)

• Amaze World Tanawha

  Amaze World at 274 Tanawha Tourist Drive, Tanawha on the Sunshine Coast is a maze and puzzle park.

  ★ 4.4 (1,360)

• 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.

  ★ 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.

  ★ 4.7 (537)

• Sunshine Castle Bli Bli

  Sunshine Castle at Bli Bli is a castle-themed attraction that has operated for almost 50 years.

  ★ 3.8 (1,000)

• 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.

  ★ 4.7 (241)

The free days

Six free places parents rate highest. All free things to do 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…

  Patrolled · ★ 4.7 (5,296)

• Mapleton Falls National Park Mapleton

  Mapleton Falls National Park near Mapleton is where Pencil Creek plunges 120 m into the Obi Obi valley.

• Point Cartwright Reserve Buddina

  Point Cartwright Reserve is a 5-hectare Sunshine Coast Council reserve of open space and natural bushland on a rocky headland at Buddina, overlooking the mouth of the…

• Marcoola Beach Marcoola

  Marcoola Beach, between beach accesses 98 and 112, is a quieter open stretch of beach surrounded by parkland and patrolled seasonally.

  Patrolled Summer

• Noosa Botanic Gardens Lake Macdonald

  Noosa Botanic Gardens are eight hectares of native and exotic plants on the shore of Lake Macdonald, a short drive from Cooroy, run by Noosa Council.

• Mooloolaba Foreshore Park (Northern Parkland) Mooloolaba

  The Northern Parkland on the Mooloolaba foreshore has a large shaded playground with inclusive play elements: a multidimensional climbing net with hammocks, a large…

If it rains

• Kids World Adventure Playland Sippy Downs Sippy Downs

  Kids World Adventure Indoor Playland and cafe at 8 Fairfax Street, Sippy Downs, is an air-conditioned indoor playground with an under 5s area (0 to 4 years), an over 5s…

  ★ 4.1 (455)

• Maleny Library Maleny

  Maleny Library is a free council library in the middle of Maleny, off Maple Street.

  Story time

• Making Rainbows Sunshine Coast Buderim

  Making Rainbows Sunshine Coast runs music, movement and sensory classes for babies and toddlers, led by a qualified music teacher.

• Maroochy Beach Gymnastics Club Buderim

  Maroochy Beach Gymnastics Club is a not-for-profit club that has run gymnastics since 1975.

• Caloundra Library Caloundra

  Caloundra Library is a free council library at 1 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra.

  Story time

• Beerwah Library Beerwah

  Beerwah Library is a free council library at 25 Peachester Road, Beerwah.

  Story time

All rainy day activities in Sunshine Coast

Where families stay

Holiday parks and resorts listed on this site, with the pools, playgrounds and jumping pillows that matter to kids.

Kids eat free in Sunshine Coast: which night, where

12 pubs, clubs and restaurants in Sunshine Coast give kids a free meal on set nights, each checked on the venue's own page. The full list is on the kids eat free in Sunshine Coast page.

Questions parents ask

Where should a family stay on the Sunshine Coast?

Maroochydore or Cotton Tree for the calm river mouth, the playground and the central position; Caloundra for the quieter beaches and Bulcock Beach's calm water; Noosa for the most to walk to and the highest prices.

Is Australia Zoo worth a full day?

Yes for most families: the shows are timed through the day and the site is big. Arrive at opening and plan the crocodile show first.

Which beach for small kids?

Bulcock Beach at Caloundra, the Maroochy River mouth at Cotton Tree and Noosa's main beach inside the point are calm and patrolled; the beach day plan picks them.

What about the hinterland with kids?

A day of waterfalls, a short rainforest boardwalk, a lookout over the Glass House Mountains and a bakery lunch in Maleny or Montville. Go early and the tracks are quiet.