Warm up and enjoy a taste of the best that this tranquil, rejuvenating region has to offer. With an average temperature of 22ºC during July and August, the Sunshine Coast is the perfect location to escape the cold this winter!
Beach bliss
A visit to the Sunshine Coast should start and end at the region's picture-perfect white sand beaches. Enjoy a leisurely stroll or bike ride along the shoreline, before getting your blood pumping out on the water by surfing the waves at Coolum Beach. For a more tranquil experience, paddle the natural wonderland of the Pumicestone Passage by hiring a stand-up paddle board from Golden Beach Hire or Bill’s Boat and Bike Hire. Make the most of your time by taking a relaxing kayak tour with Experientia, cruise the Maroochy River with Cruise Maroochy, or visit Noosa’s Main Beach and enjoy the gentle waves, perfect for families.
Stand Up Paddleboard on Pumicestone Passage
Hinterland haven
Discover the unique magic of the Sunshine Coast by taking a driving tour along the scenic Hinterland Drive, which weaves its way through the undulating green hills and eclectic villages that dot the Blackall Range of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Make sure you stop at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve to explore the 55 hectares of ancient sub-tropical rainforest and learn about the unique wildlife that makes their 'living museum' so unique at the new Discovery Centre before enjoying a coffee and bite to eat at the cafe that overlooks the iconic Glass House Mountains. A popular place for birdwatching and nature photographers, Kondalilla National Park provides visitors with postcard perfect waterfalls, rock pools and freshwater creeks along its 1.7km circuit track. For the ultimate waterfall experience, perch yourself on the viewing platform high above the Obi Obi Gorge and Mary River Valley and take in the endless views of the luxuriant green rainforest at the top of Mapleton Falls as it begins its 120 metre plunge into the pool below. And adrenalin junkies, wave your comfort zone goodbye and discover the thrill of abseiling down Mt Tinbeerwah in the Tewantin National Park.
Hinterland views
Wine and dine
The Sunshine Coast has plenty of food, wine and craft beer to ignite your tastebuds. While you're enjoying a drive through the Hinterland, stop in at Maleny to sample a boutique beer at Brouhaha Brewery, or try a plethora of tasty cheeses at Maleny Cheese, or a freshly brewed coffee at Maleny Food Co. At Flame Hill Vineyard, in nearby Montville, you can also enjoy a wine tasting as you drink in the panoramic coastal views. Why not indulge your senses at one the Sunshine Coast’s top gourmet spots to eat? Even better, book into one of the top cooking schools attached to the coast's stellar restaurants, such as The Spirit House Restaurant & Cooking School, Spicers Tamarind or Wasabi Restaurant & Bar in Noosa Heads, and learn some new culinary skills before being able to enjoy the spoils of your work.
Flame Hill Vineyard
Wild encounters
Animal lovers will delight at the wide range of animal encounters on offer on the Sunshine Coast. A visit to the region is the perfect opportunity to tick those much longed-for animal experiences off your bucket list! Cuddle a koala, feed a giraffe or get up close to a cheetah at Australia Zoo, which has more than 1200 animals and a wide range of animal encounters on offer. Wildlife HQ, located beside the iconic Big Pineapple in Woombye, also offers over 20 different animal experiences, including the chance to meet some cheeky primates and inquisitive meerkats. Meanwhile, at Sea Life Sunshine Coast you can swim with the seals or even the sharks for the brave at heart.
Swim with whales experience - Sunreef Mooloolana
This year, more than 33,000 humpback whales are expected to make the migration north from Antarctica. The Sunshine Coast benefits from a longer whale watching season as the whales make the 10,000km journey to migrate north from June through Sunshine Coast waters before coming back south and returning to Antarctica in early November.
So, what are some of the best ways to experience the aquatic acrobatics and majestic presence of the humpback whales? You can spot these graceful giants from several vantage points along the coast including:
- Point Perry or Point Arkwright,
- Point Cartwright,
- Moffat Headland,
- Noosa National Park
- Alexandra Headland
To head out on the water and get closer to these fantastic beasts, try a whale watching tour with Whale One or Sunshine Coast Afloat. Both tour companies operate regularly during the season from Mooloolaba. You can even swim with these beauties thanks to Sunreef Mooloolaba. This experience is a rare and very special one – something people have described as ‘life changing’.
Family fun
If you’re looking for thrills and excitement as a way to relax and unwind on your Sunshine Coast break, then you’ll find them in abundance at fun park favourites Aussie World and the Big Kart Track. If you’re looking for a great family experience with less loops and screams, visit the Ginger Factory where you can get a real buzz at the Superbee Live Show or ride Moreton, the 115 year old Ginger Train.
Ginger Factory, Yandina
Luxury living
The Sunshine Coast boasts a wide choice of accommodation options with everything from 4.5 star resorts perfectly located close to some of Australia’s best beaches, to luxury hinterland cottages where you can relax and listen to native Australian birds and enjoy fresh paddock-to-plate meals from award-winning restaurants. Check out our hot accommodation deals.
