Sunshine Coast uncovered
10 unexpected experiences you'll want to stay longer for
sponsored content with Visit Sunshine Coast
When you think of the Sunshine Coast, Australia Zoo and Noosa probably spring to mind, but this slice of paradise offers up so much more. From bushtucker on a boat to swimming with humpback whales and flying over ancient volcanic formations, there’s something for everyone here.
Here are 10 experiences that go beyond the brochure – all just a short, direct flight from Auckland.
1. Sail the sea with stories
Take a journey into culture, connection and conservation with a First Nations-led eco tour on Mooloolaba’s calm waters.
Saltwater Eco Tours is run by Simon Thornalley, who has ancestral roots of both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage.
His experiences offer visitors the chance to engage with local history, culture and locally-inspired cuisine aboard a century-old timber sailing boat.
Each of the tours make their way along Mooloolaba’s canals, and provide an opportunity to savour both the local culture and cuisine.
Hear stories that will connect you on a deeper level with the indigenous culture of the Kabi Kabi people, the Traditional Owners of the Sunshine Coast, and enjoy the freshest local seafood delicacies straight off the local trawlers – scallop ceviche, spanner crab and even a cheeky cocktail or two are on the menu.
2. Swim with the giants
Between July and October, humpback whales migrate north from the Antarctic to the warmer waters off the Sunshine Coast to give birth. So while in New Zealand it’s time to hibernate, in Queensland it’s whale-watching season! The Sunshine Coast’s location along the ‘humpback highway’ makes it the perfect place to spot these magnificent creatures.
Dotted along the coastline are numerous lookout spots like Point Perry, Moffat Headland and Alexandra Headland, where you can spot these magical animals from the shore.
However, the best way to see them is up close from the water. Mooloolaba is the whale-watching hub where you’ll find plenty of snorkelling and small group swimming tours departing daily that’ll get you up close to the humpbacks, although can always stay dry by watching them from the comfort of a boat with operators like Sunreef or Adventure Rafting.
3. Hang out at secret foodie spots with Queensland’s top tour guide
Joel McPherson, the owner of tour company Joel’s Journeys, has been named one of the top guides in the country. His foodie tours collectively support 35 local businesses, introducing visitors to many of the smaller and lesser-known makers and growers.
As part of a small group of foodie explorers, you’ll be taken beyond the farm gate and introduced to the Sunshine Coast’s best slow food producers, who’ll share stories and local knowledge with humour and heart. You’ll get to talk to them directly, learn more about their practices and watch them in action.
If you’re a foodie interested in savouring slow food, uncovering hidden local spots, and enjoying a day out eating and drinking your way through the Sunshine Coast hinterland, Joel’s Journeys is a must.
4. Farm-to-fork at Alsahwa Estate
Continuing the foodie theme, here’s another experience for lovers of quality cuisine. Alsahwa means “the awakening”, and this is exactly what you’ll experience when you visit the 30-acre sanctuary of pristine hinterland at Alsahwa Estate. Tucked away in the hills above the coast, this biodynamic farm and restaurant is an immersive experience that reconnects you with the land.
The restaurant is a true farm-to-fork dining experience, with the owners collaborating with local farmers, using restorative techniques and applying regenerative farming practices to deliver an experience that’s rooted in the landscape and its people.
Long lunches, calming garden walks and seasonal dining in a lush natural setting, where you can relax and be nourished in both your body and mind? We say ‘yes, chef!’
5. Take flight over ancient peaks
The Glass House Mountains are unique volcanic structures formed 20 million years ago, and are surrounded by a patchwork of national parks, plantations and farmland.
These plug-like shapes also formed part of Aboriginal ‘songlines’ – navigational landmarks once used for wayfinding purposes. As you glide above the Sunshine Coast hinterland and watch them rise abruptly out of the surrounding landscape, it’s easy to see why these volcanic formations are hard to miss.
Oceanview Helicopters is a family-owned local business that gives you a birds’ eye view of some of the Sunshine Coast’s most incredible landscapes, including the mesmerising Glass House Mountains. Along with the rainforest valleys and wild beaches you’ll pass over, they’re truly a sight to behold.
6. Get salty on the Great Beach Drive
Great Beach Drive is an iconic road trip along golden sands, with the waves of the Pacific Ocean crashing on one side and towering red cliffs in the distance on the other. This roadie is an absolute must-do for adventure-seekers wanting to experience the adrenaline of off-road beach cruising.
Join a Sunny Jeeps tour from Noosa and start your off-road adventure along 70km of coastline en route to Rainbow Beach and Double Island Point – home to Australia’s longest and safest wave.
Prefer to get in the water? The water’s warm all year round here, so even in the middle of winter you’ll have no problem diving in. Epic Ocean Adventures runs surf lessons, Stand Up Paddle Eco Tours and kayak tours that get you up close and personal with marine life, including dolphins, turtles and even whales.
7. Climb Mt Coolum at sunrise
The iconic shape of Mt Coolum is a landmark that can be admired from afar from various spots around the Sunshine Coast – which comes as no surprise, as it is the world’s second largest rock behind the world-famous Uluru.
The best way to experience Mt Coolum is up close in the early morning, though be prepared: climbing Mt Coolum for sunrise involves a steep 208m hike in the dark. But make the early start and persist uphill in the pre-sunrise gloom, and you’ll be rewarded at the top. Think of a magical dawn as the sun emerges above the Pacific Ocean, accompanied by panoramic views stretching from Noosa to Caloundra.
There’s no better way to start your day than coming up here to watch the first light, and if you’re really keen, you can come back at twilight for a just-as-spectacular sunset.
8. Glide through the Noosa Everglades
The serene waterways known as The Noosa Everglades are located in the Great Sandy National Park, and are one of only two Everglade systems in the world (and the only one you can swim in).
If you love getting outdoors, switching off, and fully immersing yourself in the sights and sounds of nature, you’ve come to the right place. Many of the best spots here are only reachable by boat or canoe, which combined with the limited phone reception makes for a peaceful experience where you can truly disconnect.
Here you’ll find tranquil waters and an abundance of local birdlife, which you can encounter up close, on a guided kayak tour with Kanu Kapers. Opt for a half or full-day tour, or camp overnight at Habitat Noosa Everglades Eco Camp.
9. Experience the vibrant Eumundi Markets
The Eumundi Markets in the heart of the Sunshine Coast hinterland are one of the most vibrant markets in Australia, and one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. Open every Wednesday and Saturday, they’re actually not a single market, but rather a collection of several different ones.
Soak up the live music and street performances as you wander the various market precincts with vendors touting arts and crafts, original artworks, jewellery and fashion from local designers, sculptures, skincare, homewares, furniture and much more.
We definitely recommend you don’t eat beforehand, as the variety of international street vendors has something for everyone. There’s everything from laksa to gozleme, bagels to ramen, freshly-ground coffee to wood-fired pizzas – from all corners of the globe.
And even if you don’t leave with anything, the people, bohemian style and atmosphere are well worth coming for.
10. Local beaches, off the radar
With over 100km of sun-soaked sandy beaches to choose from, it’s easy to opt for the popular favourites. But if you ditch the crowds and try some lesser-known spots instead, you’ll enjoy peace and quiet and get a more local experience.
Check out the views from Kings Beach saltwater pool in Caloundra, kick back at Marcoola while enjoying views of Mt Coolum and Mudjimba Island, hang out with the locals on Chambers Island, and get some seclusion at First Bay in Coolum, and don’t miss Mooloolaba - voted one of the top 10 beaches in the South Pacific.
The Sunshine Coast is more than a destination – it’s a different way of life. Now that it’s easier than ever to get there, with Jetstar flying direct from Auckland to the Sunshine Coast year-round three times a week, your next Sunshine Moment is just around the corner.
The only question is: what will you do first? Start planning your Sunshine Coast getaway here.
Built with Shorthand