Sunshine Coast Travel Costs & Things to Do

Stay

days

Pace

Relaxed

Safety

/ 5

Popularity

/ 10

OVERVIEW

Sunshine Coast is a long coastal region in Queensland, with beaches, residential centres and rural hinterland spread beneath low forested mountains. Tourism, agriculture and regional services all contribute to its character. The combination of surf beaches, forested hinterland and relaxed coastal towns across a broad region balancing resort life with national parks and coastal region gives the wider destination a distinct physical and cultural structure.

Beach time, food and scenic drives provide easy variety, while inland towns and walking trails offer quieter alternatives. Distances make one or two bases more practical. Experiencing surf beaches alongside forested hinterland and relaxed coastal towns across a broad region balancing resort life with national parks reveals more of the destination than focusing only on its best known visitor area.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Season

High

Low

Precipitation

THINGS TO DO

Hike around Mapleton Falls National Park

Choose a walk around Mapleton Falls National Park that matches your time, fitness and current conditions. Check the route and weather locally instead of assuming every trail is accessible year-round.

Hiking

2 hours to full day

Drive Sunshine Coast’s coastal roads

Build a manageable drive through Sunshine Coast’s coastal roads, allowing for stops and slower roads. In a destination as spread out as Sunshine Coast, choose a route that works from your base.

Road Trips

Half or full day

Taste local food around Maleny Village Bazaar

Use Maleny Village Bazaar as a starting point for tasting food connected to Sunshine Coast, choosing regional dishes or produce rather than a generic international meal. Opening days may shape the plan.

Food

2–4 hours

Surf in Sunshine Coast

Surf at Sunshine Coast’s best-known surf break only in conditions suited to your ability. Breaks, currents and access vary by season, and unfamiliar locations are best approached with local advice.

Surfing

2–4 hours

Relax at Gold Coast

Spend time at Gold Coast rather than treating every nearby beach as interchangeable. Swimming conditions, access and facilities can vary, so check locally before entering the water. Choose it only if it fits your base and route.

Beaches

2–5 hours

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PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Languages

English

Currency

Australian dollar · AUD

Payments

Cards accepted

Tipping