Slip into holiday mode with our guide to the best Sunshine Coast accommodation for every traveller style.
Dreamy sunsets, powder-white sand and laidback locals — the Sunshine Coast is one of my favourite corners of Queensland. While the region stretches from beach to idyllic bush, its easy-going, water-fronting locales are filled with light-flooded stays, so I often steer my holidays towards a solid Vitamin D fix without even venturing out. Spanning glittering resort life, action-packed holiday parks, self-contained stays and more, the best Sunshine Coast accommodation comes in all shapes and sizes. Here are my all-time favourites.
In short
If you only stay at one Sunshine Coast accommodation hot spot, make it Essence on Peregian Beach. It’s one of the region’s newer builds and entirely Instagram-friendly, plus you can choose between hotel rooms and luxurious self-contained homes.
Hotels
1. Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort
Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort exudes relaxed coastal elegance.
When I need a reliably relaxing break with plenty of action, I always come back to Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort. It’s right off retail haven Hastings St, so I never have to go far for countless splurging options. While the hotel chain’s signature French-inspired elegance has long attracted crowds, it’s going to feel even more plush come the end of 2025 when a refurbishment (and that includes remodelling its famed eatery Noosa Beach House Restaurant and Bar) is completed. As work continues through September 2025, the Sunshine Coast accommodation’s killer outdoor pool will also be affected, but the team are confident we’ll all be back to living our best cocktail life, slung across one of its famed four-post cabanas with food and drink service, from September 23. Check the website for up-to-date information. Facilities include the Aqua Day Spa, 24-hour room service, off-street parking and free wi-fi. Rates will be confirmed once works are completed, but you can expect to pay upwards of $500 per night if it’s anything like it used to be.
Address: 14-16 Hastings St, Noosa Heads
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2. Essence
Laze on the sun loungers by the pool. (Image: Essence)
Unveiled in 2023, Essence levelled up Peregian Beach’s overnight allure to new heights, providing five-star digs in one of the Sunshine Coast’s most untapped coastal escapes. Peregian is far less discovered than Noosa and Mooloolaba but beach goers are slowly catching on. I love the hotel rooms (there’s 22 in total), positioned over treetops to provide sweeping views of the Glass House Mountains, but the cream of the crop are its 20 holiday homes which span three-bedroom to five-bedroom configurations. Each completely gorgeous with gourmet kitchens (some with butler’s pantries), covered patios, barbecues, garage parking and breakfast bar dining (‘Wallum’ is a standout in the bunch), the builds encapsulate tranquil coastal living. Home prices start from $800 per night, while hotel rooms start from $350 per night for a studio.
Address: 1 Sunset Ln, Peregian Beach
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3. Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort
The Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort has its own man-made lagoon. (Image: Nathan McNeil/Tourism and Events Queensland)
Ditch crowds for the super-chilled Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort in Twin Waters. I drove about 30 minutes from Noosa to find it and instantly felt relaxed. A beautiful village with its own man-made lagoon surrounded by palms, it hooked my family and I right away, while our Overwater Bungalow felt like we’d boarded a houseboat. There are one and two-bedroom suites, plus two varieties of resort rooms to choose from, too. Sola Bar & Restaurant sits right on the lagoon so it’s a great spot for every meal but try and catch High Tea in the lounge area from 11am to 2pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, to get your fancy pants on. We never got bored at this Sunshine Coast accommodation as the facilities (including a beautiful resort pool with a toddler-friendly wading zone) are top-shelf. Feeding the fish, hiring out kayaks, catamarans and bikes, losing terribly at mini golf, hitting the gym, sending the kids to the games room – the options impressed. Prices start from about $250 per night.
Address: 270 Ocean Dr, Twin Waters
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Camping and caravan parks
4. Noosa River Holiday Park
Camp by the river at Noosa River Holiday Park.
Make it a cheap and cheerful escape at Noosa River Holiday Park, just a 10-minute drive from Hastings St in beautiful Noosaville. Opening its doors to caravans, tent camping, RVs and trailers, this Sunshine Coast accommodation oozes pure R&R in the prettiest of settings. Situated right on the river, I’d say it’s one of the best camping spots in the region. Facilities include flushable toilets, showers, a camp kitchen, barbecues, a laundry, a dump point and a kiosk, while Noosaville’s burgeoning industrial area, home to my favourite Noosa distillery Seabourne, is less than 10 minutes’ drive away. Prices start from about $55 per night for an unpowered site.
Address: 4 Russell St, Noosaville
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5. BIG4 Caloundra
Suites overlook the beach. (Image: BIG4 Caloundra)
Looking for a killer holiday park to let the kids run wild? BIG4 Caloundra is a winner, complete with child-friendly activities (waterslides, anyone?) and a beach right next door. A huge outdoor pool unleashes all the fun as two slides drop into heated waters and parents laze on deck chairs shaded by umbrellas. There’s also a restaurant and bar you can order from while snoozing on those chairs, so poolside cocktails are a tap-and-pay away. Even better, all styles of camping are welcome as monster caravans mix it with one-person swags and villas are also plenty tempting. Other facilities include a camp kitchen, bouncing pillow, coffee cart that serves snacks, pedal kart hire, a laundry and gas bottle purchase. Prices start from roughly $85 per night for a powered tent site.
Address: 44 Maloja Ave, Caloundra
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6. Habitat Noosa Everglades Eco Camp
One of my favourite pit-stops along a Pacific Coast Way road trip, the glamping at Habitat Noosa Everglades Eco Camp is family-friendly and flanked by resident grey kangaroos. It’s also worth highlighting that while Noosa is in the title, this Sunshine Coast accommodation is about a half-hour drive from Hastings St’s glitz. I step past joeys feeding from their mamas as I enter my Paperback tent, which is fitted with a private ensuite, king-size bed and bunkbed, tea and coffee, bar fridge, a fan, private deck and private fire pit. Elsewhere, there are also the Wilderness Safari tents that offer more space and bedding, however they’re slightly older. There are also powered and unpowered camp sites by the water. Speaking of which, staying here gives me instant access to touring the Noosa Everglades as two tour types depart its jetty daily. I’m wowed by the Everglades’ rare ecosystem, and its star attraction, the River of Mirrors filled with glass-like reflections due to its stillness, is utterly transfixing. Back on land, the CootharaBAR & Bistro nails breakfast, lunch and dinner while serving up homebrewed beer via its microbrewery. Prices start from $37 for unpowered camping sites.
Address: Elanda Point Rd, Elanda Point
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Holiday homes, apartments and Airbnbs
7. Makepeace Island
The master villa at Makepeace Island makes for a relaxing river retreat.
After a multimillion-dollar refurbishment, Sir Richard Branson’s magnificent heart-shaped Makepeace Island reopened in 2024 looking slicker than ever. Let’s be real — this is a very special occasion Sunshine Coast accommodation but, and hear me out, if you’ve got the coin and your group is capped at 22 guests, this is unparalleled holiday living. Once you’ve sailed in from the Noosa Marina in Tewantin (or, if you’re boating, in from wherever), you’ll drop and flop across three two-bedroom villas, the four-bedroom Bali House with four ensuites, and the private Boathouse with its own king bed and river-facing balcony. Explore facilities including a tennis court, 15-person heated spa, gym, unlimited access to paddleboards, tubes and kayaks, a library, basketball court, indoor and outdoor chess, and a media room. Even sweeter, a bunch of activities are included in the price, like cooking and cocktail-making classes, sunset river cruises, beach picnics and more. You ready for that price? Each night costs $19,950 for the first eight guests and add an extra $1,200 per person thereafter. Once you lift your jaw from the floor, rest assured that children under five stay for free. Eye-watering, yes, but with all those luxury inclusions (food and non-alcoholic drinks are entirely sorted), it’s worth doing the sums.
Address: Noosa River, Noosa
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8. Glen Eden Beach Resort
Escape the heat with a cool dip in the pool. (Image: Jesse Lindemann/Tourism and Events Queensland)
I love escaping to Glen Eden Beach Resort – a collection of two-level townhouses right in the thick of Peregian Beach – when the purse strings are tight. The one-, two- and three-bedroom configurations offer direct beach access, spacious living and dining areas and fully equipped kitchens, plus there’s a heated swimming pool and spa, barbecues, kids’ games room, free wi-fi and a sauna. The most deluxe pick of the lot is their three-bedroom Premium townhouse which features a timber-clad, Instagram-perfect open-plan kitchen and dining area. Prices start from roughly $250 per night.
Address: 388 David Low Way, Peregian Beach
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9. Meridian Alex Beach
Soak up the picture-perfect beach view from your balcony.
An untapped picture-perfect chill zone just up from Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland and its white-sand beach is headed for tourist territory, mark my words. Get a slice of the action before crowds converge with a stay at Meridian Alex Beach. Offering self-contained apartments, the Sunshine Coast accommodation places you seconds away from the jaw-dropping headland, and inside there’s fully equipped kitchens, private balconies with soaring views of the ocean, a heated swimming pool, covered barbecue facilities, a secure car park and roomy living spaces. Prices start from about $270 per night.
Address: 122 Alexandra Pde, Alexandra Headland
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10. Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas
It’s Peppers so you can expect sleek furnishings and state-of-the-art amenities, but what I love about this Sunshine Coast accommodation is its unique vantage point. Perched atop a hill overlooking Noosa’s frothy waves, it offers all the glamour while remaining within walking distance to Noosa’s buzz. It’s the kind of place you’ll want to share with mates particularly as the sun sets – comfortable, stylish and homely, particularly on the deck. Get busy among two pools (and a seasonal pool bar opens, so call ahead to get across dates), a sauna, a day spa, a games room, gym and steam room, while free wi-fi, off-street parking and an on-site restaurant mean everything’s sorted. Prices start from roughly $350 per night.
Address: 33A Viewland Dr, Noosa Heads
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Hinterland highlights
11. Spicers Tamarind Retreat
Spicers Tamarind Retreat offers a soothing pool to relax in the Hinterland. (Image: PixelFrame/Tourism and Events Queensland)
I can’t help sneaking this Sunshine Coast hinterland hotel into the mix because it’s worthy of a trek into the bush. Located in the enchanting town of Maleny, this place offers pure romance for couples and a cosy gourmet getaway for groups given the acclaimed Tamarind Cooking School located right on-site. Staging cooking classes based off adored cuisines including French, Thai and Italian, the fun-fuelled activity is reason enough to book a stay. The villas, however, are just as enticing, surrounded in perfectly manicured nature as the Spa Studio and Luxury Falls Villa even offer outdoor hot tubs to help you soak it all up in style. Additionally, there are in-room spa treatments to snap up (an unfortunate fire took out its day spa at the end of 2022) and an excellent in-house restaurant, The Tamarind (where your cooking classes are held), to indulge in. Prices start from roughly $579 per night.
Address: 88 Obi Ln S, Maleny
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12. Glass on Glasshouse
Cabins are nestled in greenery. (Image: PixelFrame/Tourism and Events Queensland)
Another hinterland gem? Alrighty then. Glass on Glasshouse is a cabin situated in the most peaceful pocket of nature. Floor-to-ceiling windows facing Mt Coonowrin (one of the Glass House Mountains’ most dramatic rock formations) welcome me to a quiet space with all the mod cons. I get wrinkly relaxed in the large spa bath by yet another window, but my favourite part of this Sunshine Coast accommodation is the daily cooked breakfast that’s delivered to your door. It’s the epitome of romance and my husband and I seriously struggle to leave, but, life. Prices start from $550 per night for two guests.
Address: 182 Glass House Woodford Rd, Glass House Mountains
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