A 7-day family guide to winter on the Sunshine Coast

Where to stay

Whether you’re looking to base yourself in a single spot or travel around, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to picking a stay to suit the whole family. One of the best parts about the Sunshine Coast is how compact it is: the coastline is within easy driving distance of the rolling Hinterland hills, giving you loads to see and do while reducing time spent in the car. If the kids are keen to meet plenty of furry friends and get a taste of country life, Sunshine Coast farm stays are a great option, while our coastal caravan and holiday parks provide easy access to some incredible beach spots.

For camping fun: Cotton Tree Holiday Park, Coolum Beach Holiday Park, Dicky Beach Family Holiday Park, Habitat Noosa Everglades Eco Camp, Kenilworth Homestead

Close to the water: BIG4 Caloundra, Ingenia Holidays Rivershore, Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas, The Point Coolum Beach

For animal fans: Kookaburra Park, Sixty6 Acres, Seven Peaks Farm Stay, The Crocodile Hunter Lodge

Day One:

Highlights for the day: Mountain biking, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, fish and chips on the beach

Parklands Mountain Biking Trail, Nambour, Sunshine Coast

It’s time to strap on your helmet. The Sunshine Coast will be the home of mountain biking for the 2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games... so it’s worth taking the kids to see what all the hype is about. With drier, cooler days in winter, you’ll find ideal conditions for hitting the numerous trails that weave their way through our forests. New to mountain biking or not sure where to start? No problem. For a super rideable track that’s great for beginners, check out the 12.8km Ferny Forest Mountain Bike Loop at Ewan Maddock Dam. If you don’t own your own set of wheels, check out ecoTekk, who offer Electric Mountain Bikes to hire.

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, Maleny, Sunshine Coast Hinterland

When you’re ready for lunch, take a drive to the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, where you can have a bite at the onsite cafe (don’t forget to head up afterwards to check out the views of the Glass House Mountains), learn something new at the Rainforest Discovery Centre and even potentially spot pademelons grazing on the forest floor (there’s also a playground for the little ones to keep themselves busy). Stretch your muscles and take things slow for the rest of the afternoon, before wrapping up your day of adventures with a holiday classic: fish and chips on the beach at Mooloolaba.

Day Two:

Highlights for the day: Whale watching, seafood and sweet treats at The Wharf Mooloolaba

Whale Watching on the Sunshine Coast

When winter comes around on the Sunshine Coast, it means two things: that it’s still ideal beach weather and that the annual humpback whale migration is underway. While you can still catch glimpses of whales splashing out to sea from the shore, don’t miss a chance to make some special family memories and head out on a whale-watching adventure. Local operators like Sunreef, Adventure Rafting and Sunshine Coast Afloat all offer whale-watching experiences with their own unique twist, so make sure to browse through all the options available to see what will suit your family best.

Prawn Star, The Wharf Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast

Fuel up on your return with the smorgasbord of dining options located at The Wharf Mooloolaba. Hop aboard Prawn Star’s restored fishing trawler for a seafood spread, or head over to Rice Boi for some fried chicken and spring rolls. For something sweet, kids will love tucking into the crêpes at Flo’s Crêperie.

Day Three:

Highlights for the day: Mary Valley Rattler, Seary’s Creek, Carlo Sand Blow

Mary Valley Rattler, Gympie

We recommend setting aside a full day for your trip north, where stop-offs in Gympie and Rainbow Beach are both on the agenda. First up, a visit to the Historic Gympie Station: home to the Mary Valley Rattler. Whether you’re a fan of all things rail or just want to sit back on a scenic journey through the Mary Valley, you’ll want to book a spot on one of the train journeys here. Don’t forget to secure some souvenirs from the Gift Shop to mark your visit, and to grab a bite to eat at the onsite cafe.

Carlo_Sandblow_Rainbow_Beach

From here, you’ll be just under an hour’s drive away from Rainbow Beach, where spectacular coastal adventures await. Around here, photo opportunities for your next family snap include the golden waters of Seary’s Creek, the sweeping ‘moonscape’ of Carlo Sand Blow, and the colourful Rainbow Stairs close to the centre of town. Make sure you bring a sandboard to make the most of the fun at Carlo Sand Blow.

Day Four:

Highlights for the day: Eumundi Markets, Noosa National Park, Matso’s Sunshine Coast

After a big day exploring yesterday, slow the pace down today with a leisurely visit to the iconic Eumundi Markets, where mouthwatering street food, unique local wares, plenty of kid-friendly fun like face painting and live music sets the tone for a relaxed community atmosphere. Once you’ve had your market fill, take a drive over to Noosa Heads to soak up some winter sunshine, surf a wave or two, and spend a few hours by the beach. Later on, a quick drive back to Eumundi will land you at Matso’s Sunshine Coast where kids can play on the outdoor playground underneath the mango trees and take their pick from a special Kids Menu, while parents tuck into everything from beef cheek red curry to chicken parmi.

Day Five:

Highlights for the day: Australia Zoo

Family at Australia Zoo, Beerwah, Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Crikey! A visit to the Sunshine Coast isn’t complete without checking out the legendary Australia Zoo in Beerwah, which is home to more than 1,200 beautiful animals. We recommend picking up a map to make sure you don’t miss anything; after all, Australia Zoo features a wide range of impressive habitats and attractions including Africa, Cheetah Grasslands, Elephantasia and more.

One of the highlights of the day is the dazzling Wildlife Warriors Show in the Containers for Change Crocoseum, so grab a seat early to make sure you’re in the best spot to catch all the action (you never know who might be feeding the crocs that day...). Don’t forget to head over to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital for a sneak peek ($2), where you’ll get an insight into the important wildlife care happening here, and to book a stay at The Crocodile Hunter Lodge.

Day Six:

Highlights for the day: The Ginger Factory, Nutworks, The Doonan

Whether your family prefers to sleep in, catch sunrise at Mount Coolum or say an early hello to the animals at your farm stay, it’s up to you how you wake up today. Our only tip? Save some energy for your drive to Yandina, where breakfast at Gun Cotton Coffee and a visit to The Ginger Factory awaits. If you’re not a fan of ginger, never fear: this hub of family-friendly fun has something for everyone. We’re talking a fun boat ride (‘Overboard’), a colourful rainbow umbrella installation, a 'Playback Arcade', Zog Trail through the rainforest and more.

Once you’ve satisfied your sweet tooth with a scoop of gelato, head out and take the short (less than 200m) walk across the road to Nutworks for even more local treats. Finish up the day with pizzas at The Doonan, which features plenty of space to spread out, a playground and a jumping pillow.

Day Seven:

Highlights for the day: Aussie World, Big Kart Track

Family at Aussie World, Sunshine Coast

Did you know? The Sunshine Coast has an epic theme park... and its name is Aussie World. Conveniently located right near the Bruce Highway, expect some serious thrills on the likes of the Dingo Racer and The Wasp and watch the time slip away as you tick the huge line up of rides and experiences off your list.

Keep the adrenaline coming with a visit to the Big Kart Track just over a 10-minute drive away. Here, you can dial up the family competitiveness and zip along the 1.2km international standard race track. See who comes out triumphant!

Good to know: to experience a ride on the Big Kart Track, kids will need be aged 12+.

Family-friendly events to plan your winter escape around: Queensland Garden Show, The Curated Plate, Sunshine Coast Agricultural Show and Gympie Music Muster.