If you’re looking for things to do to keep the kids busy this summer, the Sunshine Coast has you covered.
Here we’ve got family fun in spades (and we don’t just mean at the beach!) with plenty of epic attractions, tours and events to explore.
From learning to surf to getting lost in a hedge-maze, turn your summer up a notch with this ultimate guide!
Activities on the water
1. Learn to surf
Coolum Learn to Surf School, Coolum Beach
Tick ‘learn to surf’ off your kids' bucket list this summer with a surf lesson. Take your pick of Coolum Surf School, XL Surfing Academy or Merrick’s Learn to Surf Noosa and hit the waves.
2. Watersports to cool down
Aqua Park at Bli Bli Watersports Complex
Take a wakeboarding class, tackle the inflatables at the Aqua Park and cast your line in the catch-and-release fishing facility at Bli Bli Watersports. You can also learn from some of the best in the sport at Oz Ski Resort, before letting the kids run wild at the Aqua Park Coolum: an inflatable obstacle course located on the same site.
3. Feel the need for speed
Oceanrider, suitable for kids aged 6+. Further down the coast, Adventure Rafting offer tours off Mooloolaba for kids aged 5+ that combine high-speed fun with wildlife exploration.
4. Hire a boat
Make memories by hiring a BBQ pontoon boat for the day. Bill’s Boat Hire is the perfect way to explore Caloundra’s Pumicestone Passage, while Swan Boat Hire will get you out on the Maroochy River in no time.
Outdoor adventure & free activities
5. Find all the BIG things on the Sunshine Coast
The Big Pineapple, Woombye, Sunshine Coast
It’s time to bring out the checklist and go on the hunt for the Sunshine Coast’s BIG things! Your list includes: the Big Pineapple, the Big Barrel in Maleny, the Big Pelican in Noosaville, the Big Chair at Maleny Botanic Gardens & Birdworld and the Big Macadamia Nut in Woombye (part of the Treetop Challenge near the Big Pineapple).
6. Visit Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Wander rainforest trails, learn about the wildlife at the Discovery Centre, refuel at the café and soak up sweeping Glass House Mountain views at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.
7. Go fishing at Golden Beach
If the sky is clear and the breeze is gentle, dust off the fishing rods and head over to Golden Beach in Caloundra to cast a line.
Kondalilla Falls at Kondalilla National Park, Montville, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland
The Sunshine Coast is home to some epic waterfalls, and summer is the perfect time to get exploring. Pack a picnic and check out our guide to 10 hidden waterfalls on the Sunshine Coast.
9. Explore Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens
Let your kids run wild at Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens. Here the Whipbird Village garden is full of cubbies and pods made from living shrubs, with a calendar of kid-friendly events worth checking out ahead of time.
10. Climb Mount Coolum
Kids climbing the walls? Climb Mount Coolum instead! Plan your hike for early morning or late afternoon and beat the midday summer heat.
11. Hit the trails in the Glass House Mountains
Picnics at Glass House Mountains Lookout, learning about First Nations history at the Glass House Visitor and Interpretive Centre, walking around the base of Mount Beerwah… there’s so much to see and do in the Glass House Mountains, you’ll easily fill a day (or two).
12. Have a beach day
Family at Mooloolaba Beach, Sunshine Coast
Planning a beach day? Say less. Grab your beach umbrella and make tracks to our sandy shores. Some family favourites are Mooloolaba, Noosa and Coolum, or for something different, head to Chambers Island in Maroochydore for gentle waters and a riverside playground.
13. Explore the Great Beach Drive
Great Beach Drive along Rainbow Beach, Gympie Region
Jump in your 4WD and swap the bitumen for the great sandy highway on the Great Beach Drive. This journey takes you from Noosa to Rainbow Beach, and if you’re keen for someone else to take the wheel, book a tour with Epic Ocean Adventures.
14. Get on your bike
The Sunshine Coast is home to some epic mountain bike trails. Ride the 5 major tracks, including Ferny Forest at Ewen Maddock Dam in Landsborough or the purpose-built Sugar Bag Road in Caloundra. Need a bike? Eco-tekk can sort you out.
15. Visit Booloumba Creek
Sunny Jeeps, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
Experience a taste of the tropics on a 4WD adventure to Booloumba Creek in Conondale National Park, perfect for picnics and camping. If you don’t have a 4WD, Sunny Jeeps can get you there (available for kids 7+ years old).
Kid-friendly Tours and Attractions
16. The Zog Trail at The Ginger Factory
Spice up your summer at The Ginger Factory. As well as their usual train and boat rides, rainforest walk and playgrounds, check out their special summer calendar for kid-friendly activities.
17. Be a zookeeper for a day
Family feeding kangaroos at Australia Zoo, Beerwah
If your kids are wildlife-lovers, check out the Zookeeper for a Day experience at Australia Zoo in Beerwah. While here, you can’t miss their Wildlife Warriors Show held each day in the Crocoseum.
18. Visit SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
Calling all ocean fans! These school holidays, head along to SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast in Mooloolaba to meet the creatures of the deep. Tip: This is a great rainy-day activity too.
19. Book a farm visit at Highland Hideaway Experiences
Gympie region’s country charm is in full force at Highland Hideaway Experiences, where you can meet their resident Highland cows, baby goats, sheep and piglets and enjoy morning tea cooked over the campfire.
20. Discover Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World
Birds at Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World, Maleny
If having majestic macaws and cockatoos land on your head sounds like your kind of fun, Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World is for you. Here the kids can walk-through giant bird aviaries, before petting the goats, sheep and chickens in the Farm Friends Petting Zoo.
21. Meet the animals at Wildlife HQ
Wildlife HQ, located next to the iconic Big Pineapple, is home to more than 200 native and exotic animals. Meet the meercats, marvel at Marli the sun bear and keep up with the quokkas.
22. Step into another world at Hologram Zoo
Imagine coming face to fin with creatures of the deep, walking through a jungle and meeting tigers up close... all without leaving the building. Hologram Zoo in Nambour is one virtual experience the kids won’t forget, and a perfect rainy-day activity too.
23. Get lost at Amaze World
Did you know the Sunshine Coast is home to a giant hedge maze? Find your way in (and out!) on a trip to Amaze World, which is also home to a playground, mini golf course, water play area and outdoor puzzles.
24. Head to Rush Adventureland
Conveniently located at the Sunshine Plaza Shopping Centre Precinct, kids will find plenty to keep them entertained at Rush Adventureland. We’re talking Hyper Bumper Cars, a Ninja Course, Climbing Walls, spacious Toddler Zone and more.
25. Get your thrills on at Aussie World
Fun at Aussie World, Sunshine Coast
Nothing screams summer like a theme park visit, and Aussie World will have you soaking up the good vibes in no time. With adrenalin-inducing rides like the SX 360 and plenty of gentle rides for little ones, it’s a real crowd pleaser.
26. Have a blast at Laserzone Sunshine Coast
Enter the multi-level themed playing arena at Laserzone Sunshine Coast in Warana for some heart-pounding Laser Tag action, before hitting up the arcade. A perfect rainy-day activity.
27. Need for speed at the Big Kart Track
Big Kart Track, Landsborough, Sunshine Coast
Reach speeds of up to 70km/h on a visit to The Big Kart Track – open until 10pm during the Christmas holidays. Located in Landsborough, race your kids (12+) to the finish line.
28. Take to the water with Aquaduck
What has four wheels, a giant bill and quacks like a duck? The Aquaduck! Departing from The Wharf Mooloolaba, the kids will love the journey from land to sea (and the chance to take the wheel)!
29. Get on track with the Mary Valley Rattler
For a journey back in time, jump on board the Mary Valley Rattler. Departing the Historic Gympie Station and journeying through the Mary Valley, the kids will love the drama of the puffing steam train.
30. Zip along a high ropes course
TreeTop Challenge, Woombye, Sunshine Coast
If you’re looking to take your summer holidays to new heights (literally), book the kids in to tackle the Treetop Challenge Juniors high ropes course – located next door to the Big Pineapple – or Next Level High Ropes Adventure Course at Sunshine Plaza.
31. Have a tee-riffic time at mini golf
Spend a morning on the green at Maroochy River Mini Golf, where sand traps, logs and water features add to the challenge, or test your putt putt skills at Holey Moley Maroochydore (a great option for a rainy day)!
32. Hop to it at The Big Boing
If you're looking for an activity that will have the kids jumping for joy (quite literally) these school holidays, book a session at Birtinya's The Big Boing where more than 50 interconnected trampolines create the ultimate indoor playground.
Eat and drink
33. Sunset fish and chips at Mooloolaba Beach
Family Picnic at Mooloolaba Beach (The Spit)
Nothing says summer holidays like dinner on the beach. Take your pick from the fish and chipperies located at The Spit Mooloolaba and grab a seat on the sand.
34. Fill your basket at Farmers Markets
Kids up at the crack of dawn? Grab your basket and head out to one of the many farmers markets on the Sunshine Coast. Yandina Country Markets, Kawana Farmers Markets and Eumundi Markets are staples on a Saturday, with Fisherman’s Road Market perfect for early Sunday mornings.
35. Lunch with a side of play
Family at Terella Brewing, North Arm, Sunshine Coast
From the jumping pillow and playground at The Doonan to the Farmyard at Terella Brewing, there’s plenty of family friendly restaurants on the Sunshine Coast to check out this summer.
Museums, Art and Galleries
36. Take off at the Queensland Air Museum
Queensland Air Museum (QAM), Caloundra West
A stone’s throw from the sparkling beaches of Caloundra is an aviation display of epic proportions. With larger-than-life airplanes on display, Queensland Air Museum will take your summer holidays to new heights.
37. Clay and play
Unleash your child’s inner creative with a kids' pottery class at Palmfolk in Maroochydore or The Pottery Studio. With step-by-step instructions, they will leave with their own masterpieces.
38. Inspire and create at Caloundra Regional Art Gallery
Draw, cut, paint and create in a Kids Art Attack class before finding inspiration on the Kids art trail at Caloundra Regional Art Gallery.
39. Step back in time at a museum
Ditch the screens as you turn back the clock to the 1800s at Bankfoot House in the Glass House Mountains, before getting crafty with hands on activities at Landsborough Museum. Further north, a visit to the Gympie Gold Mining and Historical Museum will share the story of the ‘town that saved Queensland’.