Whether your kids are wild about animals, playgrounds, trains or treats, you’ll find family fun in spades on the Sunshine Coast… and we don’t just mean at the beach!
Here we’ve listed five fun-filled ideas for families with kids under 5 that prove the Sunshine Coast is made for making memories with your little loves.
1. See who’s who in the zoo (and under the sea!)
Meet the wildlife at Australia Zoo, Beerwah, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
As the home of the Crocodile Hunter himself Steve Irwin, it goes without saying the Sunshine Coast is THE place for little animal-lovers.
Your first stop? Australia Zoo, where the Irwin family continue Steve’s legacy to create the best wildlife conservation facility in the world. The kids will love the Wildlife Warriors Show held each day in the Crocoseum, as well as meeting the native and exotic animals. Our tip? Make sure to visit the walk-through kangaroo enclosure!
From there, head to SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast to spot sharks, rays and colourful reef fish, with the Tidal Touchpool and 80m Oceal Tunnel always a hit with little explorers.
The Big Pineapple is a must-visit on any Sunshine Coast family holiday, and next door Wildlife HQ Zoo is home to meerkats, monkeys and native animals to explore. On your way out, make sure to hop aboard the Pineapple Train for a ride the kids will love.
Feeding dolphins at Tin Can Bay
In the Hinterland, make tracks to Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World, where you can walk through larger-than-life aviaries where cockatoos and giant macaws might land on your shoulder, while over at Tin Can Bay, feeding wild dolphins is a bucket-list experience the kids will never forget.
2. Hedge mazes, theme parks and adventure playgrounds
If your little ones love to run, climb and explore, head to Amaze World.
Part living hedge maze, part mini adventure park, here the kids can do everything from mini golf to water play.
If thrills is what you’re after, Aussie World has plenty of rides for under-fives. Hop aboard the Bug Ride, Carousel and Spinning Teacups, and watch their faces light up.
Family at The Ginger Factory, Yandina, Sunshine Coast
At The Ginger Factory, set sail on the Overboard Boat Ride, take to the tracks on the Ginger Train, follow the Zog Trail and let off steam in the soft play area.
And for rainy-day adventures, Rush Adventureland in Maroochydore brings the fun indoors with slides, climbing towers and soft play zones designed for younger kids.
3. All aboard! Trains, boats and more
Mary Valley Rattler, Gympie
Got a transport-obsessed toddler? You’re in luck. The historic Mary Valley Rattler takes you on a journey through time in the pretty Mary Valley countryside, a guaranteed hit with kids and grandparents alike. For a splashier adventure, try the Aquaduck Sunshine Coast in Mooloolaba: a part-bus, part-boat tour that’s perfect for families.
Holiday memories are made in moments, and you can slow things down with a DIY river cruise from Bill’s Boat Hire Caloundra or Swan Boat Hire Maroochydore and let the kids spot pelicans and fish along the Maroochy River. If you’re in Mooloolaba, hop aboard the Mooloolaba Ferry, making sue to stop at the The Spit for hot chips and La Balsa for playground fun.
Visiting between June and October? Book a Sunshine Coast whale watching tour and watch your little one’s eyes light up as humpback whales breach offshore.
4. Family-friendly restaurants to play and dine
On the Sunshine Coast, eating out with kids doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your sanity (or good food).
Grab a table at The Doonan, where you can enjoy woodfired pizzas while the kids burn energy on the jumping pillow, playground and footy field. Matso’s Sunshine Coast Brewery and Distillery is another relaxed spot with big open lawns for the little ones.
Family at Terella Brewing, North Arm, Sunshine Coast
At Terella Brewing, the kids can meet farm animals between bites while you sample a local beer, or head to The Spit in Mooloolaba for an old-school favourite: fish and chips by the sea. Simply take your pick of the fisheries here and stock up on Mooloolaba prawns, fish, calamari and salty chips to enjoy as the sun sets.
5. Family stays that get you back to nature
Cotton Tree Holiday Park
When it’s time to slow down, swap screens for greenery with a stay in nature. Sixty6 Acres in Woombye offers farm-style fun with animals and open space to roam. Borumba Deer Park and Kookaburra Park are perfect for wildlife encounters, while BIG4 Caloundra, Ingenia Holidays Rivershore, Cotton Tree Holiday Park and Habitat Noosa Everglades Eco Camp offer family-friendly cabins, campsites and endless outdoor fun.
For a full list of family friendly stays on the Sunshine Coast, check out our guide.
From feeding ducks to roasting marshmallows, these are the kind of Sunshine Coast family holidays that kids remember forever.
