Visit SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
Family at Sea Life. Credit: Tourism & Events Queensland
Your kids won’t stop talking about SEA LIFE once they’ve been here! Located in Mooloolaba, this place is a wildlife treasure trove. You’ll find an abundance of flippered and finned friends here – from seals, little blue penguins, sharks, rays and more. We recommend joining a ‘behind-the-scenes' tour or booking a seal encounter (ages 4+) for some extra aquatic fun. Better yet, everyone can enjoy an inclusive experience at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast – the aquarium is wheelchair accessible, and carers or essential companions of those with disabilities are provided with free admission. See here for more details.
Rollerdrome on Ice
Want to escape to a wintery wonderland this summer? Not a problem. Rug up warm and ‘roll’ on over to the Rollerdrome at Caloundra for a morning of ice-skating in their impressive, air-conditioned Skate Centre. Hire your skates onsite and glide across the ice Elsa-style. It’s hard to believe that our magnificent Kings Beach is less than 10-minutes down the road! If you’re planning on hitting the rink with the kids before Christmas, you’ll be in for an added treat – Santa will be dropping by each day with plenty of frosty photo opportunities on offer. Christmas and New Year Holiday ice-skating will be available from the 9th December 2023, through to the 21st of January 2024.
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve in Maleny in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland
If you’re looking for a day trip to keep the kids entertained, head up to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve in Maleny. Here, you’ll be surrounded by 55 hectares of cooling subtropical rainforest, with sweeping views of the Glass House Mountains beyond. We recommend downloading the Forest Detective Trail Guide ahead of your visit. This educational ‘bingo’ checklist encourages kids to search for a range of flora and fauna in the reserve – be it a giant earth-worm burrow, a catbird crying or rainforest food. There’s also plenty of interactive learning in the Rainforest Discovery Centre, plus barbecue facilities in the park beyond for a well-earned lunchtime sausage sizzle.
Stargazing
Whether you feel like heading over to the Mapleton Observatory, or simply marvelling at the galaxy from McCarthy’s Lookout in Maleny, stargazing is fabulous summertime fun on the Sunshine Coast. If you head along for one of the open nights at the Mapleton Observatory high up on the Blackall Range (keep a watch on their website for news on the latest open night), you’ll gain some inside knowledge into the constellations and see some stunning views (you might even be able to spot the Milky Way). Another option is making your way to McCarthy’s Lookout to witness the beautiful moonlight glow upon the Glass House Mountains. Who needs Christmas lights when we’ve got such magical stars shining above us every night?
Snorkelling Blue Tortuga Adventures
Snorkelling is made for a Sunshine Coast summer! Many people don’t know that we’re a haven of picturesque snorkel spots... with Mudjimba Island being a local favourite. Have your kids never snorkelled before, or would you prefer an expert to guide your family to the best underwater views? We suggest checking out the snorkel tours available from Blue Tortuga Adventures. Kids aged eight and over are welcome to come along and explore the pristine reef (plus maybe even see a turtle or two) surrounding Mudjimba Island.
Noosa Dolphin View Sea Kayak Tour
Kayaking with Dolphins with Epic Ocean Adventures off Double Island Point, Great Sandy National Park
We all know there’s no better place to be in the summertime than out on the water. It’s time to jump aboard the Dolphin View Sea Kayak Tour with Epic Ocean Adventures! Over the 6-hour tour, you’ll be driven along the Noosa North Shore and Teewah Beach, before setting out to paddle across the pristine waters of Honeymoon Bay and Double Island Point, filled with plenty of wildlife spotting opportunities. Your kids will need to be aged 6+ for this one, so keep this in mind.
Escape room
Have you ever participated in a high-tech bank heist? Been trapped in an asylum? At Red Lock Escape Rooms, you’ll be immersed in a thrilling setting that you must escape from before your time runs out. Located in Maroochydore at the Sunshine Plaza, this super-central spot boasts a diverse range of rooms to choose from, with plenty of mind-boggling puzzles along the way. Several of the rooms are also wheelchair accessible.
Accommodation with a fun side
Big4 Caloundra Holiday Park
Kid-friendly accommodation is the name of the game on the Sunshine Coast. Enjoy a staycation or vacation at some of our favourite family spots this summer! Whether you feel like splashing about in the enormous lagoon-style pool and enjoying a hot coffee while the kids play at BIG4 Caloundra Holiday Park, or sipping drinks as kangaroos graze outside your glamping tent at Habitat Noosa Eco Camp... there’s something for every preference.
Amaze World
Amaze World
Your kids will have an AMAZE-ing morning at Amaze World in Tanawha, where twisty puzzles steal the show. Challenge each other to complete the Bellingham Hedge Maze and Timber Maze, enjoy 18 holes of mini golf, and make the most of the nature playground. As the warmth of the day settles in, relax with an ice-cream from the kiosk (kids will also love the augmented reality adventure on offer). The only question that remains is: how long will it take you to reach the centre of both mazes?
Australia Zoo
Be sure to pop a visit to Australia Zoo in The Hinterland (Beerwah) on your list these summer school holidays. Splash about in the Laughing Frog Water Park, spot some iconic saltwater crocodiles, and tick plenty of wildlife off your bucket list!
