Sunshine Coast Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Sunshine Coast which includes a river or creek, a house and boating
Noosaville featuring boating and general coastal views
Sunshine Coast
Noosa National Park featuring landscape views and general coastal views
Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast Travel Guide Video

Enjoy pristine beaches, lush rainforest and exciting cities in this area north of Brisbane, famous for its surf breaks, fresh seafood and laid-back locals.

The Sunshine Coast is a beautiful area of South East Queensland that takes in incredible beaches, cosmopolitan cities and scenic mountain landscapes. The area runs from Caloundra in the south to Noosa Heads in the north and inland to the verdant Blackall Ranges.

Drive about 1 hour north of Brisbane to reach Caloundra, which has six pristine beaches and a range of accommodations. Mooloolaba, Coolum Beach and Noosa Beach are also popular coastal destinations.

Stay in cosmopolitan high-rise hotels along Mooloolaba’s busy Esplanade. A short walk from here is Underwater World SEA LIFE Mooloolaba, an award-winning marine park and wildlife sanctuary. Just north of Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland is a quieter destination known for its surfing beaches. Coolum is similarly relaxed and offers world-famous golf courses. Visit Noosa to dine in chic bistros and hike through rainforest in Noosa National Park.

The Sunshine Coast hinterland is a great daytrip from the coast or a romantic mountain getaway. Artistic communities such as Maleny and Mapleton offer organic food, art galleries and incredible views. Visit the markets in Eumundi on Wednesdays and Saturdays to browse fresh produce and arts and crafts, among more than 500 stalls.

The Sunshine Coast has a subtropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. Lifeguards patrol many beaches every day of the year and you’ll find visitors and locals swimming even during winter. Try your hand at watersports such as surfing, windsurfing and kayaking. You can hike and bike ride through the forests and mountains that surround many communities on the Sunshine Coast.

Caloundra is about 90 kilometres (56 miles) from Brisbane. Hire a car at the Brisbane Airport and drive. You can also fly in to the Sunshine Coast Airport at Marcoola, south of Coolum. The privately run Sunbus buses operate between towns and let you hop on and hop off anywhere along a route. You can get around towns on foot or by bicycle, but you’ll also find plenty of free parking.

The beautiful Sunshine Coast is an easy holiday destination for families and an exciting adventure for travellers.

Where to stay in Sunshine Coast

Mooloolaba showing landscape views, views and a beach

Mooloolaba

A noteworthy feature of Mooloolaba is its stunning beaches. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out The Wharf Mooloolaba and Mooloolaba Esplanade.

Mooloolaba
Noosa Heads featuring tropical scenes and a beach

Noosa Heads

A noteworthy feature of Noosa Heads is its stunning beaches. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Hastings Street and Noosa National Park.

Noosa Heads
Kawana Beach showing a beach and landscape views

Caloundra

Caloundra is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Caloundra Events Center and Bulcock Beach, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Sunshine Coast.

Caloundra
Maroochydore showing landscape views, a sandy beach and tropical scenes

Maroochydore

Maroochydore is known for its beaches, and you can plan a trip to Maroochydore Beach and Sunshine Plaza while you're in town.

Maroochydore
Coolum Beach showing landscape views and a beach as well as a couple

Coolum Beach

The beaches and seaside views are top of the list for many visitors to Coolum Beach. A stop by Aqua Fun Park or Coolum Beach might round out your trip.

Coolum Beach
Noosaville featuring general coastal views and a coastal town

Noosaville

Noosaville is known for its stunning river views, and you can see some sights area like Shorehaven Bushland Reserve and Keyser Island Conservation Park.

Noosaville
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast by IHG
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast by IHG
4 out of 5
42 First Avenue and Fairway Drive, Maroochydore, QLD
The price is NZ$203 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$203
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (725 reviews)
"Clean, fresh and new building made for an excellent experience. The buffet breakfast was also wonderful. I highly recommend this property."

Reviewed on 30 Jun. 2025

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast by IHG
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
4.5 out of 5
Cnr Mooloolaba Esplanade & Venning St, Mooloolaba, QLD
The price is NZ$307 per night from 29 July to 30 July
NZ$307
29 July - 30 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free parking, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,638 reviews)
Great value and location
"Amazing service and environment."

Reviewed on 1 Jul. 2025

Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Ramada By Wyndham Marcoola Beach
Ramada By Wyndham Marcoola Beach
4 out of 5
923 David Low Way, Marcoola, QLD
The price is NZ$204 per night from 20 July to 21 July
NZ$204
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
"We had moved and was exhausted. We booked in the last few nights and an extra night and it felt spaceous, a relief from the chaoticness of our moving mess, takeaway, sunset, a wine and relax. The staff were great. The book in simple. Lovely view and relaxing."

Reviewed on 1 Jul. 2025

Ramada By Wyndham Marcoola Beach
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
4.5 out of 5
Cnr Mooloolaba Esplanade & Venning St, Mooloolaba, QLD
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free parking, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,638 reviews)
Great value and location
"Amazing service and environment."

Reviewed on 1 Jul. 2025

Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Ivory Palms Resort
Ivory Palms Resort
4 out of 5
73 Hilton Terrace, Noosaville, QLD
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (776 reviews)
"Great place - two storey accommodation clean but in need of updating. Our friends were upgraded to 133 which was outstanding and 5 star. Nearer to Tewantin than Noosaville but both walkable. Would definitely visit again"

Reviewed on 22 Jun. 2025

Ivory Palms Resort
Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort
Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort
4.5 out of 5
2 Landsborough Parade, Golden Beach, QLD
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,608 reviews)
"The stag and services were really nice. Kids had soo much fun. The parking was the only exception. When we have to park in the overflow car park there were huge puddles that we had to go through which wasn’t ideal for small cars like mine."

Reviewed on 2 Jul. 2025

Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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