Soaring sand dunes, verdant rainforest, intriguing volcanic plugs, rich birdlife and endless beaches beckon in every direction on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, where nature is never far away.
As the only place in Australia where three UNESCO biosphere reserves sit side by side, the Sunshine Coast – traditional land of the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara peoples – offers unrivalled coastal and hinterland landscapes.
The Biosphere Corridor, encompassing the Great Sandy, Sunshine Coast and Noosa Biospheres, is home to more than 100 kilometres of beaches, pockets of sub-tropical rainforest, pristine waterfalls and swimming holes.
Within 30 minutes, you can travel from sandy beaches to lush rainforest, watch wildlife (including migrating humpback whales from June to October) and explore mountain tracks.
The Sunshine Coast’s sub-tropical climate delivers year-round warm weather that’s perfect for swimming, snorkelling, diving, hiking and camping. Here are a few of our favourite activities in this unique region.
1. Admire the Glass House Mountains
The distinctive craggy peaks of the Glass House Mountains rise from a green and gold patchwork of pine plantations, bushland and cultivated fields in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Formed by volcanic activity millions of years ago, the mountains are spiritually significant to the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara peoples, with many ceremonial sites now protected.
They’re also listed as a landscape of national significance. For a panoramic view of the mountains, head to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve in the Blackall Range near Maleny.
2. Snorkel with turtles at Mudjimba Island
To snorkel or dive at a spot favoured by locals, take a 30-minute boat trip from Mooloolaba to the rocky islet of Mudjimba . With a shallow reef – it’s only three to five metres below the surface – this beautiful place is home to turtles, wobbegongs, rays, crayfish, nudibranchs and reef fish.
3. Climb Mt Coolum
Dominated by an ancient volcanic peak, Mount Coolum National Park is home to many rare and threatened species of plants (and if you’re visiting from May to August, you’ll see glorious golden banksias flowering in the heath). It also offers excellent birdwatching – look up for peregrine falcons soaring above. Take the short but steep hike to the summit of Mt Coolum for spectacular 360-degree views of the coast, looking out to Point Cartwright, the Glass House Mountains, the Blackall Range and Noosa Heads.
4. Marvel at Rainbow Beach and Carlo Sandblow
The towering, coloured sands that give Rainbow Beach its name are unlike anything you’ve seen before. Created over thousands of years, the yellows, browns and reds have been created by iron-rich minerals that have stained the sand.
The coastal town of Rainbow Beach is a great base for exploring the beauty of the Great Sandy National Park, in particular the spectacular moonscape of the Carlo Sandblow . Sculpted by the wind, this magnificent natural wonder also provides panoramic views of the coastline and islands. Walk to the top of the sandblow and look out to Double Island Point, K’gari and Inskip Peninsula.
Looking for a secluded beach that only the locals know about? Just south of Coolum Main Beach, beyond Point Perry, is the perfect place to chill out without the crowds. Families will love exploring the rock pools of First Bay Coolum , swimming, surfing, fishing or just relaxing. Take care, though, as it’s not patrolled.
5. Glide through the Noosa Everglades
Float through flowering lily pads on a 60-kilometre stretch of waterway fringed by ancient tea tree forests to explore one of Australia’s most diverse and pristine ecosystems. The Noosa Everglades is the perfect destination for nature lovers, photographers and bird-watchers, with its dark tannin-stained waters reflecting the beauty of its environment. One of only two everglade systems on Earth, the Noosa Everglades stretches across the Noosa and Great Sandy Biospheres. It can be explored by kayak, canoe or a guided boat tour.
6. Cool off under waterfalls in Montville
Kondalilla, an Aboriginal word meaning ‘rushing waters’, perfectly describes the spectacular 90-metre waterfall in Kondalilla National Park , near the hinterland village of Montville.
From the top of the falls, take the 4800-metre Kondalilla Falls Circuit to reward yourself with a cool dip in Skene Creek at the bottom (but be warned, there are around 300 steps to challenge you along the way).
The Sunshine Coast has many waterfalls to discover, some more hidden than others – check out Gardners, Baxter, Mapleton, and Serenity Falls.
7. Camp and hike in Conondale National Park
Lush forest, easy walking trails and a secluded swimming hole are just some of the attractions of Conondale National Park in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Head out on the five-kilometre (round trip) Booloumba Gold Mine Walk beside the deep blue Booloumba Creek, stopping at one of the picnic areas before continuing to Strangler Cairn, Artists Cascades or Booloumba Falls, all clearly signposted. Book a spot to camp in one of the two camping areas here (tents only).
8. Float along Seary’s Creek
Wander along the boardwalk leading to the clear waters of Seary’s Creek, coloured amber by tannin from the surrounding bushland, for a swim. Float down the creek, watch colourful rainbow fish, eels and freshwater catfish as they dart beneath the surface, and enjoy the shade of the paperbarks and ferns that line the banks. Birdwatchers will spot kookaburras and honeyeaters, as well as friarbirds feasting on golden banksias. From late winter to early summer, wildflowers are in bloom. Seary’s Creek boardwalk is in the Cooloola Recreation Area in the Great Sandy National Park, with the creek’s water filtered by the sands of the Cooloola sandmass.
