If you're looking for family fun, Mooloolaba and Maroochydore have it in spades, and we don't just mean at the beach!
Beyond our sandy shores, you'll find everything you need for an epic family getaway here, from fish and chips at the Spit Mooloolaba to some of the region's best family friendly attractions.
Read on for our guide for family friendly fun guaranteed to take your Sunshine Coast holiday to the next level.
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
Family at Sea Life, Mooloolaba
Kick-start your family getaway at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, located in the heart of Mooloolaba at the bustling Wharf precinct. Throughout the much-loved aquarium you can learn, explore and interact with a myriad of different marine life. Get hands on in their interactive tidal touch-pool, meet the little blue penguins, and marvel at the creatures of the deep - including sharks, rays and turtles - in their underwater ocean tunnel.
Family cruise
Coastal Cruises at sunset, Mooloolaba
Take to the water with a family cruise or jet boat ride. Departing from outside SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast is the iconic Aquaduck Sunshine Coast, that will take you on a journey from land to sea. The kids will love taking the helm, and will even leave with a souvenir Captain's Certificate. During the winter months, head out on the 'humpback highway' and on a whale watching tour, with Sunreef Mooloolaba and Blue Totuga Adventures offering tours. And no holiday is complete without a trip on Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba where you can kick back and watch the sunset with a plateful of local seafood.
Beach bliss
Family at Mooloolaba Beach
Mooloolaba Beach is patrolled 365 days a year for safe, family-fun all year round. Pack the cricket set, football and frisbee and settle in for a day of beach frivolity with the whole family. Beyond the sand, make the most of your central location with Mooloolaba a buzzing hub of speciality stores and eateries. Maroochydore Beach is perfect for those looking to catch a wave, and Cotton Tree Beach offers sheltered waters in the Maroochy River Mouth - perfect for the little ones. For something different, make tracks to Chambers Island on the Maroochy River where the kids can paddle in the water and play on the playground.
Family friendly feasting
Family at The Surf Club Mooloolaba
This area offers up three amazing Surf Clubs that are all family-friendly. Book in for a meal at The Surf Club Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland Surf Club or Maroochydore Surf Club, and enjoy the breath-taking ocean views and delicious fare. No family holiday is complete without fish and chips, and The Spit Mooloolaba is the place to go. Head down in the late afternoon for an early dinner on the beach, and soak up the Sunshine Coast atmosphere. Other top spots to check out include The Wharf Mooloolaba - where you can take your pic of waterside eateries - and Cotton Tree, home to some of the Coast's best cafes.
A selection of Surf Clubs
Food and Drink
Alexandra Headland Surf Lifesaving Club
The Alexandra headland Supporters Club offers world class food, the best cold beers and view that ca
Food and Drink
Dicky Beach Surf Club
Dicky Beach Surf Club are a family friendly Club with an array of entertainment options including a
Food and Drink
Kings Beach Surf Club
Kings Beach Surf Club, dedicated to beach safety, community, and exceptional dining. Nestled on C
Kings Beach
Food and Drink
The Surf Club Mooloolaba
The Surf Club Mooloolaba is the perfect beachfront location to enjoy a cold beer or bubbles and a de
Mooloolaba
Food and Drink
Coolum Surf Club
Coolum Surf Club offers daily lunch and dinner, featuring a menu perfect for leisurely meals and spe
Coolum Beach
Buderim Forest Park Walk
Serenity Falls, Buderim Forest Park, Buderim
Buderim Forest Park is a 45ha haven of tranquillity less than a kilometre from the north side of Buderim village and just 15 minutes from Maroochydore. With its towering trees, meandering tracks and stunning waterfall, this sub-tropical oasis is a paradise for nature lovers and photographers alike. Buderim Falls, also known as Serenity Falls, is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year and looks particularly spectacular after rainfall when the waters plunge down the rock face into the waterhole below.
Maroochy Botanic Garden
A great spot for a family picnic, the magnificent Maroochy Bushland Botanical Gardens is a huge 112 hectares, located west of Buderim off the Tanawha Tourist Drive. The kids will love getting back to nature here, with natural play spaces to explore including cubbies and pods crafted from living shrubs, a rope bridge and logs to balance on. Make sure to check their website before you go, with plenty of family friendly activities on offer throughout the year.
Amaze World
Amaze World
Amaze World is one of the most popular and established attractions on the Sunshine Coast. This Queensland tourism icon is set in lush tropical rainforest, only 10 minutes from Mooloolaba. The attraction includes a range of maze-themed activities like the timber scrabble maze, 18-hole unique flat mini golf course and a variety of smaller mazes including the rope maze, tyre maze, box of books maze and traffic lights maze. The garden cafe is a relaxing place to sit and enjoy your favourite coffee or a light lunch after you’re a-maze-ing adventures.
Accommodation around Mooloolalaba and Maroochydore
Accommodation
Mandolin Beachfront Resort
The iconic Mandolin Beachfront Resort, located in the heart of Alexandra Headland, so close to all t
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Coco Mooloolaba
Located in the heart of Mooloolaba, Coco Mooloolaba offers self-contained accommodation only a short
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Breeze Mooloolaba
Mooloolabas newest luxury resort features 57 One and Two Bedroom Self-contained Apartments with pool
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Seaview Resort Mooloolaba
Seaview Resort is ocean fronting apartments. Centrally located on the Sunshine Coast, the 12-store
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Alexandria Apartments
Alexandria Apartments offers serviced apartment accommodation for families and couples opposite beau
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Newport Mooloolaba
Mooloolaba offers a sunny, seaside charm and it has retained a laidback, casual and inviting atmosph
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Oceans Mooloolaba Beach
Oceans Mooloolaba offers two, three and four-bedroom apartments and penthouses all in similar stylin
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
BreakFree Alexandra Beach
For Sunshine Coast accommodation, thats perfect for the whole family, you simply cant go past BreakF
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Landmark Resort
Landmark Resort is located directly opposite Mooloolaba's beautiful beachfront with hinterland, pool
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Mirra Chana Beachfront Apartments Mooloolaba
Located in the quieter part of town and situated right on Mooloolaba Beach, Mirra Chana resort is th
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Meridian Alex Beach
The Meridian Alex Beach boasts a sensational location and stunning views. Located opposite the magni
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Osprey Apartments
Perched on a hill overlooking the ocean, Osprey Apartments Mooloolaba offers spacious, stylish apart
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Mantra Zanzibar
Located opposite the beach, Mantra Zanzibar offers a stylish East African inspired resort and stunni
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Oaks Sunshine Coast Seaforth Resort
Ideally located, Oaks Sunshine Coast Seaforth Resort is just a short stroll from a patrolled surf be
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Mantra Sirocco
Situated on the Esplanade in the heart of Mooloolaba, Mantra Sirocco is perfectly positioned to make
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
With One, Two and Three Bedroom Apartments, Mantra Mooloolaba Beach is bound to be the perfect accom
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Highwater Haven
Highwater Haven is the perfect beach getaway for your family and furry friend in Alexandra Headland.
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Lux Beachfront Apartment at Beach Life
This stylishly decorated self-contained apartment is centrally located between Mooloolaba and Maroo
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Soul Beach Bungalow
Coastal lux with a soulful vibe, Soul Beach Bungalow is a beautifully renovated bespoke unit specifi
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Allure Mooloolaba
Experience All u Are at Allure Mooloolaba only one street back from the world-famous beach, shops, r
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Soul Beach House
Kick-off, your shoes, slow down, relax and reconnect with family and friends, amidst a tropical back
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Grand Palais Beachside Resort
Overlooking the beautiful Alexandra Headland beach, Grand Palais Beachside Resort is your perfect ch
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Dockside Holiday Apartments
Dockside Holiday Apartments - a small family-friendly resort of one, two and three-bedroom self-cont
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Mooloolaba Beach Holiday Park
Mooloolaba Beach Holiday Park is the must-visit gem on the Sunshine Coast. Mooloolaba Beach Holiday
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Pacific Beach Mooloolaba
Pacific Beach Resort at Mooloolaba Beach offers superb beachfront holiday accommodation positioned o
Mooloolaba
Next Level - High Ropes Adventure Park
Did you know Sunshine Plaza is home to its own high ropes course? Next time you're in town, take your holiday to new heights at Next Level - High Ropes Adventure Park, where the kids can tackle more than 145 aerial challenges, including a 130 zipline over Cornmeal Creek! Suitable for children aged 6+, this is one experience they're not going to forget.
