Family Picnic at Mooloolaba Beach (Mooloolaba Spit Beach)
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast is located in the heart of the Sunshine Coast and now has more creatures to see and activities to do than ever before. Throughout the much-loved aquarium you can learn, explore and interact with thousands of marine life, over 11 amazing and unique zones. With 14 fun talks and animal feeds, including the family favourite seal presentation, there's plenty for everyone to enjoy.
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast have also just introduced their new Finding Dory and Friends experience, with interactive magical moments straight from the box-office smash hit, Finding Dory. The aquarium is all about giving you the chance to get up close and personal with their much-loved creatures. Why not take a behind the scenes tour and find out all about Sea Life Sunshine Coast's Rescue, Rehabilitate and Release program. Say "Hi" to one of their cheeky resident seals at the seal presentation, shake a seal’s flipper in a seal encounter, make a splash in a seal swim or even become a trainer for the day. You can even book a family sleepover in the underwater tunnel!
Family cruise
Take to the water with a family cruise or jet boat ride. Sunshine Coast Afloat offers a thrilling experience on their boat, Hela-Va jet. The vessel is specifically designed for wild open ocean and will take you on an exhilarating journey surfing waves, tail spins and wave dives. You can also join Whale One for a Dolphin Marine Discovery Tour that includes a delicious buffet lunch and pelican feeding. Lunch is served upon boarding then you cruise into the open ocean in search of dolphins, turtles and other marine species. And no holiday is complete without a trip on Coastal Cruises Mooloolaba enjoying their stunning and relaxing sunset sail.
Beach bliss
Mooloolaba beach
Mooloolaba Beach is patrolled 365 days a year for safe, family-fun all year round. Pack the cricket set, football and frisbee and settle in for a day of beach frivolity with the whole family. Mooloolaba Beach is a world-class getaway location and lined with some of the best restaurants, bars and cafes in the Sunshine Coast. Take the short walk or cycle across to Alexandra Headland, taking in the beautiful coastline. Relax into the afternoon at one of the groovy coffee shops with a beach backdrop. There are plenty of barbecues, picnic tables and playgrounds, so you can grab a takeaway, set out your picnic rug and enjoy the relaxed beach vibes.
Family friendly feasting
This area offers up three amazing Surf Clubs that are all family-friendly. Book in for a meal at Mooloolaba Surf Club, Alexandra Headland Surf Club or Maroochydore Surf Club, and enjoy the breath-taking ocean views and delicious fare. Parents are spoilt for choice with club classics such fish 'n' chips and wagyu burgers - and there's also a range of options including prawn and pork belly salad, delicious steaks and a range of seafood red. Kids are well catered for with a menu offering fish, burgers, and steak - and complimentary ice-cream.
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to discover more of the region only a short drive away, check out these awesome activities just around the corner from your new home away from home.
Sunshine Castle Bli Bli
Sunshine Castle, Bli Bli
Go on an interactive and educational treasure hunt perfect for children and the young at heart. Get dressed up and receive a free treat from the King’s treasure chest! You can’t miss this commanding castle, complete with moat, turrets, towers and drawbridge; it's totally unique in Australia. Sunshine Castle is filled with medieval and historical displays, other cultural exhibitions and remnants of the original dolls and fairy tales that you’re able to explore at your own pace in a self-walk tour. Wander over the drawbridge into another time and feast with Kings in the Great Hall or squalor in shame in the dungeon. The Castle Keep is a 24m look-out tower that offers stunning views from the Coast to the Hinterland.
Buderim Forest Reserve Walk
Buderim Forest Waterfalls (Serenity Falls), Buderim
Buderim Forest Park is a 45ha haven of tranquillity less than a kilometre from the north side of Buderim village and just 15 minutes from Maroochydore. With its towering trees, meandering tracks and stunning waterfall, this sub-tropical oasis is a paradise for nature lovers and photographers alike. Buderim Falls, also known as Serenity Falls, is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year and looks particularly spectacular after rainfall when the waters plunge down the rock face into the waterhole below. The 600m walkway from Lindsay Road will take you on a picturesque forest ramble along the banks of Martins Creek’s cascading waters. This is the easiest part of the walk and is wheelchair friendly. From the end of the boardwalk you can continue upwards through the bush via a rugged trail to the waterfall. For direct access to the waterfall and the high arch bridge spanning the creek, start at Quorn Close – it’s an easy to moderate hike to the falls via a bush track. The Quorn close entry to the reserve is not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Maroochy Botanic Garden
Maroochy Botanical Gardens
A great spot for a family picnic, the magnificent Maroochy Botanical Gardens is a huge 112 hectares, located west of Buderim off the Tanawha Tourist Drive, on Palm Creek Road, Tanawha. Gaze at the gullies filled with ferns and palms and explore the lagoon, home to many kinds of wildlife. Enjoy your peaceful picnic then take a stroll along the natural bush walking tracks while checking out the art and sculpture installations along the way.
Amaze World
Amaze World, Tanawha
Amaze World is one of the most popular and established attractions on the Sunshine Coast. This Queensland tourism icon is set in lush tropical rainforest, located on the Tanawha Tourist Drive #25 only 10mins from Mooloolaba. The attraction includes a range of maze-themed activities like the timber scrabble maze, 18-hole unique flat mini golf course and a variety of smaller mazes including the rope maze, tyre maze, box of books maze and traffic lights maze. The garden cafe is a relaxing place to sit and enjoy your favourite coffee or a light lunch after you’re a-maze-ing adventures.
