Sunshine Coast’s secret spots (according to the locals)

When you visit the Sunshine Coast, it’s well worth making tracks to our treasure trove of delights tucked away across our friendly suburbs. These spots are beloved by locals for their unique beauty, good food, and cosy surroundings that make ‘staycations’ even better than vacations. Read on and take a tour with us!

Secluded swimming holes

Conondale National Park

Swap ocean blues for shades of turquoise at Booloumba Creek, which can be found nestled amongst lush forestry in Conondale National Park. With camping spots available to make the most of this local gem, you’ll be set for leisurely days of Insta-worthy swims and outdoor adventure. Keep the fun going and combine the best of waterfall action and hiking at Kondalilla National Park, a short drive from Montville main street.

With deep amber-coloured water, we'll forgive you for thinking Seary’s Creek is just a life-sized cup of Rooibos tea. Tucked away only ten minutes inland from the coloured sands of Rainbow Beach, this golden oasis comes loaded with tannins from the surrounding vegetation and plays host to a thriving underwater community of vibrant tiny fish. Paddle about in the refreshing shallows or kick your feet up on a floaty as you drift between an avenue of towering native flora.

The great outdoors

Wild Horse Mountain sunset. Credit: All About Adventure

Dog-friendly hikes sometimes feel hard to come by, but Mount Ninderry in Eumundi has got you covered. Get active alongside your furry friend (on a leash) and tackle the 1.7km one-way summit track which weaves its way up through scenic bushland. At the top, you’ll be greeted with sweeping views that extend across Yandina and Mount Coolum. This one is well worth the climb.

If you’re keen to see the Glass House Mountains from another angle, head over to Howell’s Knob Lookout in Reesville (near Maleny). Surrounded by treetops and pastures, this gorgeous place is perched atop a hill that offers up a unique vantage point on a clear day. Alternatively, tackle a short track to reach the Wild Horse Mountain Lookout, where you’ll be rewarded with an impressive 360-degree view of our iconic peaks.

Dine like a local

Green Zebra Restaurant & Bar

Hit the beach at Buddina and watch the golden dawn light illuminate the Pacific Ocean while keeping your hands warm with a latte and bagel from Twin Fins Espresso Bar. Brunch-lovers will find plenty to like at The Velo Project in Mooloolaba, where bowls of fresh seasonal fruit come surrounded by coconut yoghurt and granola, and an avocado smash is taken to the next level with toppings of red onion, roasted garlic, corn and herbs. Later in the day, head to the Green Zebra Restaurant & Bar on Kawana Island for a feast of fresh modern Mediterranean cuisine. Here, you’ll fill your table with plates of BBQ octopus, calamari fritti and honey king prawns, or tuck into their vibrant array of fresh salads, flavoursome mains, and classic souvlakis.

Maiori Pizzeria, Nambour

In Maroochydore, switch things up and embrace the contemporary flavours of Orléans Restaurant and Bar, where the best of New Orleans cuisine combines with French flavours. Here, you’ll be in for a feast of corn bread with red pepper jam, spiced Jambalaya, and confit duck leg with roasted Jerusalem artichoke and oyster mushrooms. For all things woodfired and brimming with classic Italian flavours, book a table at Maiori Pizzeria in Nambour to find your next foodie #sunshinemoment. End the night by saying cheers to Australia’s Craft Beer Capital (AKA the Sunshine Coast) at 10 Toes Brewing. Feel free to bring along your furry friend to the dog-friendly Sugar Road Taproom!

Vacay like we stay-cay

Mayan Farm

Locals on the Sunshine Coast love a getaway as much as our visitors, and lucky for us, we don’t need to look further than our own backyard to find some secluded hidden gems. If you’re keen to embrace some fairytale magic, Secrets on the Lake offers one-of-a-kind treehouse accommodation perched amongst lush subtropical rainforest in Montville, while Misty View Cottages will set you up for an unforgettable Hinterland escape. Further north, make sure to check out Mayan Luxe Villas in Kin Kin. Here, you’ll find cosy rooms decked out with antique furniture, a stunning plunge pool overlooking tranquil paddocks, and a pizza oven for whipping up a woodfired dinner. Plus, there’s also the option of in-house catering for a taste of our delicious local produce.

Witness wild wonders

Maleny Botanic Gardens and Birdworld

Imagine strolling through a wealth of colourful flora, hearing a bubbling waterfall in the background, being warmed by dappled sunlight and feeling invigorated by the promise of multiple native and exotic bird aviaries around the corner. Welcome to Maleny Botanic Gardens & Birdworld! Be inspired by the educational tours within the aviaries, where you’ll have close encounters with new feathered friends and soak up the views of the Glass House Mountains.