Sunshine Coast

Travel Guide

Sunshine Coast featuring a river or creek, boating and a house
Noosaville which includes boating and general coastal views
Sunshine Coast
Noosa National Park featuring landscape views and general coastal views
Sunshine Coast

Sunshine Coast Travel Guide Video

Enjoy pristine beaches, lush rainforest and exciting cities in this area north of Brisbane, famous for its surf breaks, fresh seafood and laid-back locals.

The Sunshine Coast is a beautiful area of South East Queensland that takes in incredible beaches, cosmopolitan cities and scenic mountain landscapes. The area runs from Caloundra in the south to Noosa Heads in the north and inland to the verdant Blackall Ranges.

Drive about 1 hour north of Brisbane to reach Caloundra, which has six pristine beaches and a range of accommodations. Mooloolaba, Coolum Beach and Noosa Beach are also popular coastal destinations.

Stay in cosmopolitan high-rise hotels along Mooloolaba’s busy Esplanade. A short walk from here is Underwater World SEA LIFE Mooloolaba, an award-winning marine park and wildlife sanctuary. Just north of Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland is a quieter destination known for its surfing beaches. Coolum is similarly relaxed and offers world-famous golf courses. Visit Noosa to dine in chic bistros and hike through rainforest in Noosa National Park.

The Sunshine Coast hinterland is a great daytrip from the coast or a romantic mountain getaway. Artistic communities such as Maleny and Mapleton offer organic food, art galleries and incredible views. Visit the markets in Eumundi on Wednesdays and Saturdays to browse fresh produce and arts and crafts, among more than 500 stalls.

The Sunshine Coast has a subtropical climate with warm temperatures year-round. Lifeguards patrol many beaches every day of the year and you’ll find visitors and locals swimming even during winter. Try your hand at watersports such as surfing, windsurfing and kayaking. You can hike and bike ride through the forests and mountains that surround many communities on the Sunshine Coast.

Caloundra is about 90 kilometres (56 miles) from Brisbane. Hire a car at the Brisbane Airport and drive. You can also fly in to the Sunshine Coast Airport at Marcoola, south of Coolum. The privately run Sunbus buses operate between towns and let you hop on and hop off anywhere along a route. You can get around towns on foot or by bicycle, but you’ll also find plenty of free parking.

The beautiful Sunshine Coast is an easy holiday destination for families and an exciting adventure for travellers.

Where to stay in Sunshine Coast

Noosa Heads showing a sandy beach and tropical scenes

Noosa Heads

Travelers to Noosa Heads praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Hastings Street and Noosa National Park.

Noosa Heads
Mooloolaba showing a sandy beach, views and landscape views

Mooloolaba

Mooloolaba is beloved for its stunning beaches. Take some time to explore sights in the area like The Wharf Mooloolaba and Mooloolaba Esplanade.

Mooloolaba
Kawana Beach showing landscape views and a beach

Caloundra

Caloundra is known for its stunning beaches, and with sights like Caloundra Events Center and Bulcock Beach, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Sunshine Coast.

Caloundra
Maroochydore showing landscape views, a sandy beach and tropical scenes

Maroochydore

Travelers come to Maroochydore for its beaches, and you can see top attractions like Maroochydore Beach and Sunshine Plaza while you're in town.

Maroochydore
Coolum Beach featuring a beach and landscape views as well as a couple

Coolum Beach

The beaches and seaside views are top of the list for many visitors to Coolum Beach. A stop by Aqua Fun Park or Coolum Beach might round out your trip.

Coolum Beach
Noosaville showing a coastal town and general coastal views

Noosaville

Noosaville is known for its stunning river views, and you can see some sights in the area like Shorehaven Bushland Reserve and Lake Weyba.

Noosaville
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast by IHG

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast by IHG

4 out of 5
42 First Avenue and Fairway Drive, Maroochydore, QLD
The price is P5,366 per night from Aug 10 to Aug 11
P5,366
P5,903 total
Aug 10 - Aug 11
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (754 reviews)
"The room was modern and had a great bathroom, the area itself was very commercial and there was difficulty for parking, but a parking station closeby had parking by the hour up to a maximum of $15. I did find the aircon blowing on the bed made it difficult to sleep and pillows were strange. Free ..."

Reviewed on Jul 31, 2025

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast by IHG
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach

Mantra Mooloolaba Beach

4.5 out of 5
Cnr Mooloolaba Esplanade & Venning St, Mooloolaba, QLD
The price is P10,914 per night from Sep 3 to Sep 4
P10,914
P10,914 total
Sep 3 - Sep 4
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free parking, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,647 reviews)
"Great location, fantastic views"

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2025

Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort

Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort

4 out of 5
270 Ocean Drive, Sunshine Coast, Twin Waters, QLD
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is P6,918 per night from Aug 31 to Sep 1
P6,918
P7,610 total
Aug 31 - Sep 1
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,002 reviews)
"Check in was painfully slow. Only two staff for a Friday afternoon. Room was excellent. Same for the surroundings, breakfast and breakfast staff."

Reviewed on Aug 2, 2025

Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach

Mantra Mooloolaba Beach

4.5 out of 5
Cnr Mooloolaba Esplanade & Venning St, Mooloolaba, QLD
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free parking, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,647 reviews)
"Great location, fantastic views"

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2025

Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort

Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort

4.5 out of 5
2 Landsborough Parade, Golden Beach, QLD
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,625 reviews)
"We stayed many years ago and loved it back then, and have loved it this time also. Traveling backwards and forwards to the RBH, the water park and playground was a welcome return for our 2 children, not to mention the beautiful hot spa for ourselves. Thoroughly recommend."

Reviewed on Jul 29, 2025

Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort
Landmark Resort

Landmark Resort

4 out of 5
11 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba, QLD
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (2,019 reviews)
"Very satisfied, everything is very good."

Reviewed on Aug 1, 2025

Landmark Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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