The top things to do on the Sunshine Coast

Location: Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba, QLD

Dive into an underwater world at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, one of Queensland’s most popular family attractions! Located in Mooloolaba, this award-winning aquarium offers an unforgettable journey through diverse marine habitats. Explore the Ocean Tunnel, where sharks, rays, and giant groupers glide overhead, and marvel at vibrant reef fish in stunning displays. Meet adorable little blue penguins, playful seals, and fascinating creatures like jellyfish and sea turtles. Kids will love the interactive touch pools and daily talks, while adults enjoy learning about marine conservation and the Great Barrier Reef ecosystem.
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast is perfect for families, couples, and anyone seeking a fun and educational day out. With special deals and discounted tickets, now is the best time to visit! Book online to secure your spot and experience one of the Sunshine Coast’s most iconic attractions. Discover why SEA LIFE is a must-do for ocean lovers and adventurers alike!

Discover endless fun at Aussie World, the Sunshine Coast’s favourite theme park packed with rides, attractions, and family entertainment! With over 30 rides and games, Aussie World offers something for everyone—from thrilling roller coasters and spinning rides to gentle attractions for younger kids. Enjoy classics like the Ferris Wheel, Dodgems, and Carousel, or test your courage on the Redback and SX360 for an adrenaline rush. Beyond rides, explore sideshow alley, fun games, and delicious food options throughout the park. Aussie World is perfect for birthdays, family days out, and group events, with affordable entry and seasonal specials. Located just off the Bruce Highway, it’s easy to access and guarantees a full day of excitement. Book your Aussie World tickets today and experience one of Queensland’s most loved theme parks!

Location: Various locations, Sunshine Coast, QLD

With a developing whale sightseeing industry and a number of factors working in its favour such as high whale numbers and reliable weather, the Sunshine Coast makes for an excellent whale watching spot during the annual migratory season.

As the Sunshine Coast recently continues to become more popular as a tourist destination, so too does the quantity of its whale watching tour options, with visitors now spoiled for choice of itineraries and operators with which to see these gentle ocean giants up close.

Companies such as Australian Whale Watching, Noosa Blue Fishing Charters, Sunreef Mooloolaba, and Whale One all offer their own variation on the whale watching formula, with departure point the main differentiating factor.

The Sunshine Coast’s whale watching tour and cruise options are typically divided up into two separate categories – those which depart from Mooloolaba, and those which head out from Noosa. .

The Sunshine Coast's whale watching scene has high whale numbers, reliable weather and gorgeous scenery. You can even jump in the water for an unforgettable swim with majestic Humpback Whales.

With a shorter peak season (typically only lasting from August to October) the Sunshine Coast offers a briefer window for seeing whales, however if you happen to be there during those three prime months it makes for one of the most viable spots in Queensland in which to do so.

One of the key points that differentiates the Sunshine Coast from other whale watching destinations is that you are more likely to encounter the sight of Killer Whales than many other locations; while the whales themselves are not that rare, getting a glimpse of them doesn’t tend to happen very often off Australia’s east coast. It's also one of the first places in Australia to offer a "swim with the whales" experience that allows you to get a fish's eye view of the whales behind a boat.

Couple this with the simple fact that the Sunshine Coast is a great destination to holiday for various other reasons, and if your holiday coincides with the three month whale watching window be sure to make a slot for this experience on your travel schedule. Expect to pay around $99 per adult for a standard Sunshine Coast whale watching experience, although sales do pop up regularly.

Experience the Sunshine Coast like never before with an exciting Aquaduck tour—a unique land and water adventure! Starting in the heart of Mooloolaba, this amphibious vehicle takes you on a scenic drive through the vibrant Esplanade before splashing into the calm waters of the Mooloolah River. Enjoy stunning views of the coastline, luxury yachts, and waterfront homes while learning fascinating local history and fun facts from your friendly guide. Kids can even take the wheel for a memorable captain’s certificate! Perfect for families, couples, and visitors of all ages, Aquaduck combines sightseeing with entertainment for an unforgettable experience. Book your Sunshine Coast Aquaduck tour today and discover why it’s one of the region’s most popular attractions!

Location: 50 Pioneer Rd, Yandina, QLD

One of the Sunshine Coast's longest-running family attractions, the Ginger Factory at Yandina is actually far more interesting and upbeat than its name suggests. Far more than just a conveyor belt that cranks out ginger-related goods, the Ginger Factory is a veritable theme park of sorts in its own right – it's a complex that features tours, relaxed rides, good food and some lovely gardens all wrapped up in a decidedly ginger-y package.

Obviously, this should all be prefaced with the disclaimer that if you don't like the taste of ginger, then you likely won't get the most out of your experience here, however there's enough non-taste-based entertainment so that even anti-ginger crusaders should find enough to keep them busy within the facility's increasingly-growing grounds.

The Ginger Factory sits along the Bruce Highway (the “main vein” road of the inner Sunshine Coast) and can be entered completely free of charge, with enough things to see and do within that can be enjoyed without paying a cent if you so choose. Kids will obviously get the most out of this – there's a decked-out playground that little ones will love, while simply exploring the expansive and exotic gardens is pleasantly enjoyable for all ages.

The gardens are kept in great condition and are immaculately kept, and feature a range of tropical plant life and spacious grassed areas ideal for relaxing in the sun. There's a great range of food and ice cream on offer (featuring a variety of unique flavours made from seasonal Sunshine Coast produce), as well as a range of smaller stores which offer various trinkets and souvenirs.

Far more than just a conveyor belt that cranks out ginger-related goods, the Ginger Factory is a veritable theme park of sorts in its own right with tours, relaxed rides, good food and some lovely gardens.

To get the most out of your time at the Ginger Factory however, you'll likely have to reach into your wallet at least a little – the main “stars” of the show here are its two rides and its excellent ginger tour. At the bare minimum, it's highly recommended to hop aboard “Moreton”, the 100-year-old cane train that takes guests on a leisurely tour around the perimeter of the facility to a relaxed look at the grounds and gardens; this can be purchased standalone or as part of a package.

Meanwhile the “Overboard” boat ride takes passengers on a miniature 'around the world' adventure as the vessel chases the gingerbread man that's sure to be a hit with younger kids. Likewise, the attraction's ginger factory tour is both interesting and detailed, providing a closer look at how ginger is made and packaged before culminating in some taste-testing, while the beekeeping and production show details the process behind that sweetest of syrups.

While each of these can be purchased individually, there's also the option to buy a combined pass that includes all of the above for a reduced price, and thus comes highly recommended if you're looking to spend a solid amount of time here.

An attraction that all ages can enjoy, the Ginger Factory is a highway-stop style family attraction done right – even minor elements such as its cafe are surprisingly good, and the chance to buy all kinds of ginger-related sweets, powders and other goods makes for a day out that's sure to at least be a break from the norm for most families.

Location: Mooloolaba

While the coastline is the most obvious star drawcard for visitors to the Sunshine Coast, be sure not to turn a blind eye to its inner rivers and canals that serve to provide an entirely new perspective that simply exploring the beach can't.

It's in this regard that hopping aboard a vessel for a journey into its inner reaches truly shines, and few offer a better dose of this than Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba who provide water-borne adventures through a blend of harbour, river and canal environments aimed to showcase the best of two of the Sunshine Coast's major highlights - its sunsets and fresh local seafood.

Based out of the suburb of Mooloolaba's central wharf, the trips head out along the river mouth and out along the waterways with views reaching all the way down to Noosa's headland. During the cruise, the vessel winds its way on a leisurely course and features comprehensive commentary on the local bodies of water including prominent residents, marine life and more that strikes an ideal balance between being entertaining and informative.

Few offer a better dose of relaxation than Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba who provide water-borne adventures through a blend of harbour, river and canal waterways aiming to showcase the highlights of the Sunshine Coast.

Along the way you'll travel along more man-made canals and get a firsthand look at some of the exclusive and gaudily ostentatious waterfront properties belonging to the rich and famous – some of the pricing figures paid for these pieces of real estate are truly staggering and some of the ritziest the Sunshine Coast has to offer.

Add to this the chance to see marine life (dolphins can occasionally be seen jumping in the bay at the mouth of the river) and get some great snapshots of the glowing sun on the water if taking their sunset cruise option, and its a variety of spectacles on offer that prevents the trip from getting boring.

The ability to grab yourself a wine or other drinks on board from the licensed bar while watching this spectacle pass by is a welcome one, and the entire atmosphere of the cruise is made warm due to the attitudes of the friendly, helpful and jovial staff. Given that it's also great value to money – lunch cruises are priced at $35 with your choice of mains while sunset cruises are a mere $25, with both options lasting 90 minutes – there are few better and more relaxing ways to do a bit of Sunshine Coast sightseeing without having to tire your legs than this.

Location: 186 Gympie Terrace, Noosaville, Queensland

Discover one of Australia’s most untouched natural wonders on the Noosa Everglades Afternoon Wilderness Cruise. Located within the UNESCO-listed Great Sandy National Park, the Everglades offer a serene escape into pristine waterways, lush wetlands, and ancient tea tree forests. Glide along the reflective waters of the “River of Mirrors” aboard a comfortable eco-certified vessel while spotting diverse wildlife including rare birds and native flora. Your expert guide shares fascinating insights into the region’s ecology and history, making this a truly immersive experience. Enjoy afternoon tea in a tranquil setting before returning as the sun casts golden hues across the landscape. Perfect for nature lovers, photographers, and those seeking a peaceful adventure, this cruise is one of the Sunshine Coast’s most unique attractions. Book your Noosa Everglades Wilderness Cruise today for an unforgettable journey into Australia’s hidden paradise!

Location: Sunshine Coast, Queensland

Take your Sunshine Coast adventure to new heights with an unforgettable tandem skydive experience! Feel the ultimate adrenaline rush as you leap from up to 15,000 feet, freefalling at over 200 km/h before gliding gently under canopy with breathtaking views of Noosa, Coolum Beach, and the sparkling Coral Sea. Perfect for thrill-seekers and first-timers, professional instructors ensure a safe and exhilarating jump every time. Capture the moment with optional photo and video packages to relive your skydive again and again. Whether you’re ticking off a bucket-list dream or celebrating a special occasion, skydiving on the Sunshine Coast is an experience you’ll never forget. Book your tandem skydive today and discover why this is one of Queensland’s most exciting outdoor adventures!

Location: 76 Nambour Connection Road, Woombye, Queensland

Experience the thrill of the Sunshine Coast Treetop Challenge, Queensland’s ultimate high ropes and zipline adventure! Located at the iconic Big Pineapple, this adrenaline-packed attraction features over 100 challenges and 12 epic ziplines set among lush rainforest. Test your limits on swinging bridges, balance beams, and flying foxes as you climb, leap, and soar through the treetops. With courses designed for beginners through to seasoned adventurers, it’s perfect for families, friends, and team-building groups. Safety is a top priority, with expert instructors and state-of-the-art equipment ensuring a secure experience. Surrounded by stunning natural scenery, the Treetop Challenge offers a unique way to explore the Sunshine Coast while pushing your boundaries. Book your adventure today and discover why this is one of the most exciting outdoor activities in Queensland!

Get lost in fun at Bellingham Maze, one of the Sunshine Coast’s most unique attractions! Perfect for families, couples, and groups, this outdoor adventure park features a massive living hedge maze that will challenge your sense of direction and provide endless laughs. Explore additional mazes including rope, timber, and tile mazes, plus enjoy brain-teasing puzzles and games throughout the park. Relax in the café with delicious snacks or bring a picnic to enjoy in the beautiful garden surrounds. Located just minutes from Sunshine Coast beaches, Bellingham Maze is an ideal day out for all ages. Whether you’re solving riddles, racing through mazes, or simply soaking up the tranquil setting, this experience combines fun and nature in one unforgettable visit. Book your Bellingham Maze tickets today and discover why it’s a must-do Sunshine Coast attraction!.