Salty Skin
Sunshine Coast beaches are quite simply some of the best in the world, rimmed with wide stretches of clean white sand and excellent waves. The kids will love swimming and bodyboarding at patrolled Maroochydore Beach and little ones will love the quiet waters of Cotton Tree.
Cotton-Tree
Natural highlights
The Sunshine Coast is a haven of natural wonders and outdoor adventure and Maroochydore is no exception. Enjoy an SUP adventure on the Maroochy River or in Cotton Tree's calm waters, and reconnect with nature while exploring the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens. View the open ocean from above with Paradise Seaplanes or get eye-to-eye with marine life on a laid back cruise on the Maroochy River with Cruise Maroochy
Maroochy Botanic Gardens
Taste of the region
Maroochydore's Ocean Street is a local hot spot lined with restaurants, bars and live music, venues serving fare that celebrates the region's local fresh produce. If you're after something a little fancier, Ebb Waterfront Dining & Cellar offer a unique dining experience with views of the Pacific Ocean. This section of the coast also boasts a number of surf clubs including Maroochydore Surf Club where you can enjoy a reasonably-priced meal at Flags Bistro or enjoy all-day dining and live music on weekends at Alexandra Headland Surf Club.
Best Brews
If you're a fan of craft beer head up to Sunshine Brewery, a microbrewery who have a number of rotating taps all pouring their delicious beers made on site. You can meet the brewer and sample some top-notch brews. If you're not driving try the 7% 'Double Sunshine' brew with flavours of sweet passionfruit and grapefruit. Stout fans will enjoy a glass of 'Sunshine Jaffa' - an oatmeal stout with coffee aromas and bursts of chocolate orange. Bottoms up!
Shop 'til you drop
The largest shopping centre on the Sunshine Coast is Sunshine Plaza in Maroochydore. Flex your credit card at some of the centre's 220 specialty stores, which include leading fashion chains, bookshops, giftshops and a Myer department store. Built across Cornmeal Creek, the centre’s ‘riverwalk’ is lined with eateries serving up delicious nosh from breakfast ‘til late in the evening – the perfect place for late-night hangs after catching a movie at the centre’s Event Cinemas.
After dark
The Sunshine Coast is home to a wide variety of sporting, music and cultural events that showcase the region's diversity. With year-round markets, music festivals, and community events, there's definitely something for everyone. The Ocean Street World Festival (April) is renowned celebration of world music and delicious eats from food trucks and local restaurants. The Maroochydore Music and Visual Arts Festival (August) features headline acts from the arts and entertainment world and brings together music lovers from all over Australia. For something local and low-key, head to 'Nights on Ocean', a food market held on the 2nd Friday of each month. See our What's On page for the latest event information.
