Looking for the perfect destination for your next family holiday? It's time to strap in and check out our enticing list of theme parks, local attractions, wildlife encounters, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences... all found right here in our backyard.
Cuddle up to the wildlife
Kids love nothing more than seeing their favourite animals in real life, and Australia Zoo at Beerwah certainly delivers! Take a picture of your little ones with the Zoo's roving animals, learn about wildlife conservation with free wildlife shows, and make all their dreams come true with an exciting range of animal encounters. The family fun continues at Wildlife HQ near Nambour, which offers close encounters with all kinds of native and exotic species... including tamarins, meerkats and marmosets. Located right near the Big Pineapple, Wildlife HQ is a must-do when visiting the area.
Get racing at the Big Kart Track
Big Kart Track
For something a little more ‘racy’, don a helmet and grip the steering wheel on Australia’s largest commercial go-kart track, Big Kart Track at Mooloolah. Come rain or shine, this exhilarating all-weather course will produce a serious adrenalin rush for you and the kiddies! And with special racing options for kids under 12 including double-seater karts, kids and their mums and dads can experience full-throttle thrills together.
Coast cruisin’
Sunset cruise with Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba
Pack your waterproof camera and capture A-Grade Instagram shots of pristine sand bars and crystal-clear waters on your cruise through one of the many stunning waterways on the Sunshine Coast. Check out the offerings from the crew at Mooloolaba Canal Cruise, Cruise Maroochy, Cavalier Cruises, Noosa Queen, and more.
Adrenaline action at Aussie World
From toddlers to teens, there's something for everyone at Aussie World
With a motto like “Fun’s Our Thing”, Aussie World promises to deliver an unforgettable, thrilling fun park experience for all the family. With rides like Speed Stars, The Plunge, Dingo Racer, and Redback, you know you’re bound to experience an adrenalin overload! And they haven’t forgotten the littlies either, with rides and shows aplenty. Once you’ve exhausted the tribe, enjoy a pub lunch at Sunshine Coast fave (and iconic Palmview landmark), The Banana Bender Pub, next door.
Have a whale of a time
Swim with whales
Between July and up till the 'tail' end of October, more than thirteen thousand humpback whales make their annual migration... with many stopping to enjoy the warm waters off Mooloolaba. This means winter and early spring are the ideal times for an unforgettable close encounter with these gentle giants. If you're keen to jump in the water, local operators like Blue Tortuga Adventures, Sunreef Mooloolaba, and Noosa Wave Boating Adventures offer an amazing Swim with the Whales experience.
Be A-Mazed!
Amaze World
Step into a world of wonder at Amaze World, where it's time to get competitive and tackle the sprawling mazes, solve riddles, crack puzzles, and escape reality in a way you’ve never imagined. Make sure to set aside plenty of time to explore all that Amaze World has to offer... we know you'll have a blast!
Strike out at Spinners Bowling and Bar
More than just a bowling alley, Spinners Bar & Bowl is a total entertainment experience! With seriously cool Facebook connectivity, individual bowler photos, video jukeboxes and big-screen TVs, you can keep the kids ‘spinning’ for hours! Oh, and did we mention that Spinners is fully licenced? It’s even decked out with plenty of arcade games to keep the young ones occupied long after the pins have been packed away.
Birds and botanical gardens
Looking for something a little more educational? Maleny Botanic Gardens and Bird World is guaranteed to capture the kids' attention. While you relax and enjoy the waterfalls, colourful plantings and spectacular views of the Glass House Mountains, the kids will go nuts in the incredible bird aviary which is a haven for hundreds of birds from around the world, including Australian cockatoos, lorikeets, parrots, macaws and finches. Enjoy a fascinating presentation on the colourful native and exotic birds, but beware... they are very likely to land on your shoulder!
Go ginger
The Ginger Factory
Get a real buzz at The Ginger Factory in Yandina, where everything from rides to delicious food awaits. Board a lifeboat and follow the Gingerbread Man on a voyage around the world, with hundreds of handmade puppets providing a unique kind of entertainment, or set out to explore the Zog Trail. Make sure to save room for a scoop of gelato at the end, and stock up on treats in the gift shop.
Take a dive at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
No trip to the Sunshine Coast is complete without visiting SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast: a multi-award-winning, all-weather visitor attraction situated at The Wharf Mooloolaba. Explore 11 fun and interactive animal zones across three levels, including Little Blue Penguins, Tidal Touch Pool, Seahorse Kingdom, Seal Island and the 80m Ocean Tunnel. With sea creatures of all shapes and sizes, from huge sharks to playful seals and adorable little blue penguins, there's plenty of fun for everyone to enjoy. You can also get hands-on thanks to opportunities like swimming with the resident seals setting out on a behind-the-scenes tour, diving with sharks, or handfeeding the cute little blue penguins. A Seal Presentation also takes place daily and is included in the price of admission.
Climb a mountain, swim in a waterfall
Hinterland hike
This is your sign to set out on the outdoor adventure you've been dreaming of. Instagram favourite Mt Ngungun is our pick for a family hike, set within the scenic heart of the Glass House Mountains. Other 'must-do's' include tackling the coastal track and enjoying a swim in the picturesque waters of Noosa National Park, hiking the 800m track to the summit of Mount Coolum, and soaking up the 360-degree views of the Sunshine Coast from the summit. Further inland, you'll find it hard to resist our National Parks with their lush subtropical rainforests, stunning waterfalls, and crystal-clear rock pools.
Feel the sand between your toes
Mooloolaba beach
No trip to the Sunshine Coast would be complete without a trip to the beach! Find idyllic calm shores at Bulcock Beach, Currimundi Lake, Cotton Tree, and the Noosa River. Surf beach lovers, boogie boarders and tanning tragics will fall in love with coast favourites Kings Beach, Mooloolaba Beach, Coolum Beach and Noosa Main Beach. Make sure you add these highly recommended stretches of sand, sea and sunshine to your family’s (sand) bucket list!
