Get your pulses racing with the ultimate outdoor winter adventure

Think: Sunshine Coast Multisport Festival (21 May), Max Adventure Race (16 July) and the Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival (13 August), to name a few. 

Planning on checking out one of these epic events? Why not make a trip of it? There’s a plethora of spine-tingling activities that will get your pulse racing.

And because a holiday isn’t a holiday without food, bars and swanky spots to stay, we’ve
curated the ultimate hit list for you to check out. 

The best winter adventure activities

Take On The Treetop Challenge

Take your love of outdoor activities to new heights on the Sunshine Coast with the iconic Treetop Challenge. Located at The Big Pineapple, push yourself to the limit with over 100 thrilling high ropes games to conquer (some sitting at 30 metres high), then feel the wind in your hair as you glide through the rainforest canopy on 12 different ziplines (spanning up to 140 metres in length).  

Climb Sunshine Coast’s Stunning Mountains 

Stretch your legs and soak up the fresh air with a hike up the Sunshine Coast’s beautiful
mountain ranges. Mount Coolum - a volcanic peak around 26 million years old - will take about two hours to climb and for your efforts you’ll be rewarded with incredible views that stretch from Noosa National Park down to the high rises in Caloundra and over towards the
lush countryside beyond the Maroochy River. 

The Glass House Mountains National Park is home to 11 ancient volcanic peaks that all deserve to be explored but if you only have time for one, make it Mount Tibrogargan. A towering 364 metres tall, this one will take you around 1.5 hours to scale and is best
suited for experienced hikers. If you’re in the area but want something a little easier on the calves, try Mount Ngungun. the 2.8 kilometre hike will take around two hours return, but with so many jaw-dropping sights on your way to the 253 metre high summit, that timeframe could easily blow out. Pro tip: aim to reach the top around sunset for breathtaking views of backlit Mount Coonowrin and Mount Beerwah in the distance. 

Swim With Whales

When it comes to bucket list experiences on the Sunshine Coast there’s few that top swimming with whales. The crew at Sunreef Mooloolaba can help make it happen with their Swim With Whales experience that only runs in the winter months. Join an experienced guide as you swim - in a wetsuit of course - in the refreshing clear waters of Mooloolaba beach whilst the ocean’s largest creatures cruise past. Cue the goosebumps. 

Go On A Cycle Tour

Whether you’re a thrill-seeker who wants to fly through the mountain range or
prefer to cruise along the coastline, Bike On has a cycling tour for you. Check out their Saturday morning Wooroi Tour which will see you traversing intermediate flow trails in the Tewantin National Park. Or for something a bit more low-key, a cycle along their Lake Doonella Bushland Reserve self-guided tour is a must do. Other favourites that are great for any level of experience are the Caloundra Coastal Pathway and the Surf Beaches Trail which runs from Peregian Beach to Noosa Junction. 

Go Deep Sea Fishing

There’s something oh so thrilling about reeling in a giant catch - especially when it’s aboard a deep sea fishing charter. Sunshine Coast Afloat offers five, seven, nine and 12-hour fishing expeditions that will see you score the catch of your life with help from some fishing pros. Their 55-foot vessel is also perfect for whale watching - with picture-perfect, uninterrupted views your jaw will drop as these stunning creatures get up close and personal. 

Soothe Your Muscles

Massage At Spa Anise, Spicers Tamarind Retreat, Maleny, Sunshine Coast Hinterland

After all that adventuring, it’s probably about time you soothed those adventure-seeking muscles. Fortunately the Sunshine Coast is full of indulgent day spas that are all about dialling up the zen. The Spa Anise Day Spa at Tamarind Spicers Retreat in Maleny is set within the lush rainforest and offers a truly tranquil experience. There are couple’s massages, hydrotherapy treatments and incredible hot stone massages on the menu. For soothing reflexology and a cleansing facial, head down the road to Lillypilly’s Day Spa and for a
deep tissue massage, check out Coolum Thai Massage. 

Where to eat and drink this winter

Greenhouse Cafe

With so many action packed activities on the agenda, you’ll want to fuel your body with some of the freshest and healthiest produce on the Sunshine Coast - and Greenhouse Cafe in Caloundra is where it’s at. Made with organic, locally-sourced ingredients you can devour eats like avocado toast with beetroot pesto and cashew cheese, Acai bowls and towering satay tofu burgers. 

Elixiba

In Maroochydore, you’ll find gluten-free hotspot Elixiba who are serving up a range of drool-worthy vegan eats that even the biggest carnivores will fall in love with. Start with the loaded hemp chips and kimchi dumplings before tackling their fragrant Thai red curry and soft-shell tacos. If you’re heading there for lunch - make it a long one with the cold drip coffee martini and the Peachy Keen - a delicious cocktail made with gin and peach kombucha.

Raw + Rice

With three locations across the Sunshine Coast (Caloundra, Mooloolaba and Noosa) poke bowl lovers have found their nirvana at Raw + Rice. Made with locally grown ingredients - we’re talking hand-picked veggies and freshly-caught-that-morning fish - these bowls of goodness are the ideal post-exercise meal.

The Tamarind

Spicers Tamarind, Maleny

Take your tastebuds on a trip to Asia with a visit to The Tamarind in Maleny. Surrounded by the rainforest’s lush greenery and singing birds, the hatted restaurant is the perfect place to head for a dining experience you’ll remember for a long time. Award-winning head chef Dan Jarret is serving up delicious dishes like crispy twice cooked duck with hot and sour dressing, fresh lychee and peanut soy and Thai style mussel hot pot. Or just opt for the tasting menu
and settle in for a truly special culinary journey. 

Il Vento

Carb loading when tackling adventurous activities is a must and the best place
to do that is at Il Vento. Sitting pretty on the Mooloolaba Wharf, enjoy traditional Italian cuisine like perfect wood-fired pizzas and delicate handmade pasta while soaking up the seaside breeze.

The best places to stay this winter

Oceans Mooloolaba

A true sanctuary by the sea, Oceans Mooloolaba is the perfect retreat for you to escape to after a big day of exploring the Sunshine Coast. Watch the waves roll onto the beach from your balcony, soak in the tub in the coastal chic rooms kitted out with all the mod cons, and bliss out on the rooftop with a 25 metre pool - you won’t want to check out of this slice of
paradise. 

Rumba Beach Resort

Rumba Resort Pool

Facing beautiful Bulcock Beach, Rumba Resort is perfectly located in the heart of Caloundra’s buzzing strip of cafes and restaurants. But perhaps it’s biggest drawcard? It overlooks the iconic and dazzling Pumicestone Passage - the perfect spot for a kayak or SUP during your stay. Post water activities include relaxing in your suite complete with bluetooth speakers,
on-demand movies, two-person spa and fully equipped kitchen. 

First Light Mooloolaba

Perfect for bigger groups, if boutique coastal living is what you’re after you’ll find it at First Light Mooloolaba. A short stroll from Mooloolaba’s sparkling beaches and esplanade, it’s
the perfect spot to base yourself for your adventure-packed getaway. Lap it up at the resort’s heated pool, sweat it out at the gym and gather your crew for sunset drinks on your sprawling balcony.