Keep the family grinning with the things to do in Noosa with kids

It’s renowned for sophisticated dining and chic shopping but exploring Noosa with kids is a family holiday dream come true.

Picturesque beaches, fresh coastal air and killer kids’ menus at the region’s best restaurants – there are plenty of reasons to bring little ones to Noosa for a much-needed escape. I’ve rounded up the best things to do in Noosa with kids to help you and the clan stay busy and keep meltdowns at bay.

In short

If you’ve only got time for one thing to do in Noosa with kids, make it a day out at Australia Zoo. Home to more than 1,200 animals, and less than an hour away from central Hastings Street, it offers non-stop kid-friendly wonderment.

1. Cut loose at Hinterland Adventure Playground

a giant slide in Hinterland Adventure Playground — Hinterland Adventure Playground has a gigantic slide for kids.

After journeying into the Sunshine Coast, I’m always keen to help my beyond-bored kids get their sillies out. Enter the Hinterland Adventure Playground , the ultimate present to gift children after a morning spent in the car or on a plane. Located in Cooroy, a 30-minute drive from bustling Hastings Street, this all-abilities slice of outdoor heaven was built on a former timber mill site and features a bunch of swings, a flying fox, a splash zone, a sand pit, a rock play area, tunnels, a sensory garden, a giant slide, a sensory garden and plenty of nets to climb and tumble down from. Toddlers will also love running away from you as they trot along small-scale nature trails. Best of all, there’s ample shade, plus barbecue areas to lure in too-cool teens, too. An always happy pit-stop to kick start your adventure in Noosa with kids.

2. Learn how to catch a wave

surfing in Noosa Heads — Hit the waves at one of the best Noosa beaches. (Image: Dave Wilcock/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Boasting 300-odd days of sunshine a year, Noosa is a magnet for beach hangs, especially at Main Beach, which is a hop, skip and jump from Hastings Street. So much more than just white sand and cerulean water, the hot spot offers ample water activity whenever I’m in Noosa with kids, including surfing on foam boards, much to the delight of my wannabe grommets. Book a lesson with Merrick’s Noosa Learn to Surf , the longest running surf school in Noosa, for expert guidance. Have teenagers keen to sharpen their skills? There’s also the Australian Surf Bus which was renowned for its national multi-day surf camps before launching on the Sunshine Coast in 2025 (you’ll need to check the website for dates as they run sporadically). Patrolled year-round, Noosa Main Beach is one of the best Noosa beaches, always safe for swimming with moderate waves and epic beginner conditions.

3. Ride a horse along the beach

an aerial view of people riding horses along Rainbow Beach — Hop on and enjoy the view.

We swapped the surfboard for a steed during a recent Noosa escape. Meandering along the stunning coastline on horseback with Equathon Horse Riding Adventures , our private tour swept in Teewah Beach on Noosa’s North Shore. Designed for groups and families with kids aged seven years and older, the tour even takes your four-legged beauty into the surf for a shallow dip if the conditions are favourable. An unforgettable thing to do in Noosa with kids.

4. Get messy with arts and craft at Noosa Regional Gallery

art displays inside the Noosa Regional Gallery — Be inspired to create your own art at Noosa Regional Gallery.

In town on the third Sunday of the month? Break up beach action with a visit to the Noosa Regional Gallery as ArtPlay Sunday attracts kid-heavy crowds. The free program runs from 11am to 1pm and stages activities inspired by current gallery exhibitions, so expect far more enthralling stuff than stock-standard colouring-in. Perfect for primary school-aged children, the initiative is set up just outside the gallery, weather permitting, so parents also score epic Noosa River views while chaperoning giddy kids.

5. Visit The Ginger Factory

an old couple holding ice cream cones alongside their dog at The Ginger Factory, Noosa — Grab a cone from The Ginger Factory. (Image: PixelFrame/Tourism and Events Queensland)

I’m not the biggest fan of ginger but I kept The Ginger Factory on my Noosa-with-kids to-do list because friends raved about it. They were right. Located just 30 minutes south-west of Noosa at Yandina, the very eclectic amusement park is set among subtropical gardens, and the attractions are amusingly random, entirely kid-centric and totally wonderful. We jumped aboard the 100-year-old sugar cane train ride that circles the property, but were far more impressed by Overboard, the indoor boat ride that travels like Disneyland’s ‘It’s a Small World’ to explore gingerbread man puppets travelling the globe. It’s plenty kitsch but my kids and I ooh-ed and ahh-ed at every turn. There’s also a small petting zoo, several play areas, a toy store, a nature trail inspired by the 2018 short film “Zog," ginger factory tours and, of course, shops selling Buderim Ginger products – think ginger beer, gingerbread, chocolate, honey and more. A gift that keeps on giving if you’re in Noosa with kids, especially if they’re little.

6. Explore Noosa by bike

bikers stopping by in Noosa to admire the view — Book your own two wheels from Bike On. (Image: Krista Epplstun/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Ditch the car and get around this scenic region on two wheels thanks to several easy cycle paths for families. The best ones include the flat 6.5-kilometre ride from Noosa Marina to Hastings Street, which passes the Pirate Playground along Noosa River, some of the region’s best cafes and coffee, and Main Beach; an 11.5-kilometre section of the Noosa Coastal Walk from Noosa Junction to Peregian Beach; the 2.5-kilometre loop around the Noosa River and a six-kilometre circuit from Weyba Creek to Noosa Farmers Market and Mangrove Boardwalk. Bike On offers hire with standard baby seats, shotgun child seats and child chariots starting from around $33.75 a day and older kids can book out their own mountain bike and BMX from about $18.75 a day.

7. Make furry new friends at Australia Zoo

rhinos at Australia Zoo, Noosa — Enjoy close encounters with exotic creatures. (Image: Jesse Lindemann/Tourism and Events Queensland)

It would be remiss not to mention Australia’s most famous zoo when it comes to visiting Noosa with kids, plus it’s one of the country’s best. Located less than an hour south of Noosa, Australia Zoo has been operating since the 1990s and is home to more than a thousand native and exotic animals. My family and I have visited several times in the past three years, and my kids love it more each time. During our most recent trip, where we stayed inside one of The Crocodile Hunter Lodge’s ultra-luxe Crocodile Cabins, we even caught Robert Irwin feeding saltwater snappers in the gigantic Crocoseum. Unreal. Elsewhere, I guarantee your little ones will love feeding the kangaroos and stickybeaking through enclosures with far more exotic creatures including lemurs, red pandas, elephants, zebras, meerkats, sea otters, giraffes and cheetahs. Kids from four years of age can also partake in the zoo’s Zookeeper for a Day program, which involves helping the team feed animals and clean enclosures.

8. Kayak through the Noosa Everglades

kayaking along the Noosa Everglades — Paddle down the enchanting Everglades. (Image: Mark Fitz/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Ready for more outdoor awe? Noosa’s Everglades is one of just two everglades in the world (the other is in America’s Florida) and boasts thousands of plant species and more than 40 per cent of Australia’s birdlife. I love how tranquil and soothing a kayak along its eerily still waters prove, while my kids love keeping their eyes peeled for critters of all sorts. Explore this natural wonder in Noosa with kids thanks to the award-winning Kanu Kapers , a tour company that runs self-guided and guided kayak tours throughout. The Young Family Guided Tour is perfect for kiddos up to 10 years old and includes all your gear and brunch. Prices start from $95 for kids and $155 for grown-ups.

9. Hike the Noosa National Park

a couple standing at the peak of Emu Mountain, Noosa National Park — Climb up to the peak of Emu Mountain to witness breathtaking views.

Home to Noosa Headland, soaring eucalypt forest, lush rainforest, quiet beaches and a walk that captures incredible views of the coast, Noosa National Park is a natural family family-friendly wonderland. There are several walking tracks, ranging from an easy one-kilometre trail through palm groves to an epic coastal climb that rewards you with panoramic views (you can do just part of this if your kids are itty bitty). My children love trying to spot vivid wildflowers, kookaburras, koalas and lace monitors, and if you’re there between June and November, humpback whales join the hit list. Meanwhile, dolphins and turtles are most often sighted at Dolphins Point and Hell’s Gates.

10. Paddle, fly and cycle Noosa River

stand-up paddling on Noosa River — Noosa River is a laid-back spot for stand-up paddling. (Image: Manuel Freudenmann/Tourism and Events Queensland)

I love Noosaville’s riverside sleepiness just as much as the all-day hum of Noosa Heads, and I’m not alone. Noosa River boasts all the aquatic sports. Noosa Stand Up Paddle offers SUP lessons and hire, while Fliteschool Noosa unleashes a more unique experience via an electric surfboard–snowboard hybrid that gives the sensation of flying over water. If it’s lazy exploration you’re craving, Noosa River is also home to an abundance of birdlife including pelicans, white-bellied sea eagles and the striking great egret.

11. Board a classic Noosa River ferry

the Noosa Ferry & Cruise Company — Cruise down the scenic waterway aboard the Noosa Ferry. (Image: Manuel Freudenmann/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Soak up chilled holiday vibes with a cruise down Noosa River aboard the local vintage ferry. Noosa Ferry & Cruise Co. offers rides aboard a 1960s vessel that connects Hastings Street and Noosa Marina, plus multiple scenic stops between. All-day passes for adults cost $28 while children cost $14, and this allows the clan to hop on and off as much as you like. The tour company also offers cruises aboard its HV Stillwater, a more contemporary hybrid-powered vessel famed for its sunset sail over the glistening waterways. In great news for parents? There’s a licensed bar and nibbles. Sold.

12. Ride the Noosa Wave

Noosa Wave Boating Adventures Swim with the Whales — Spot majestic humpbacks in the pristine waters off Noosa. (Image: Mark Fitz/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Little ones love wildlife and speed, so why not combine them the next time you’re visiting Noosa with kids? Spot the abundant marine life that call this Queensland corner home – think dolphins, turtles and manta rays – on a thrilling zero-gravity-feeling ocean ride with Noosa Wave Boating Adventures . Kids from five years old can join the team’s 1.5-hour Thrilling Dolphin Adventure tour, which glides over waves without any hard bumps. It’s the fastest (and safest) adventure boat you’ll find in the area. Expect tickets from $59 per child and $79 per adult.

13. Get silly in a giant inflatable fun park

Just over a half-hour drive south of Noosa, the Coolum Aqua Park is the region’s largest water park, sure to tire even the most energetic of kids aged six and over. The inflatable obstacle course comprises slides, trampolines, swings, wobble pads and more to slip and slide across. There are barbecue areas right nearby, so consider bringing lunch to enjoy under the park’s shaded structures. Prices start from $30 per person for a single session but you can go all day with a $70 pass if everyone’s super keen.

14. Noosa Aquatic Centre

Take a break from chasing your toddler away from Main Beach’s waves by visiting Noosa Aquatic Centre ’s kid-friendly pools. Choose from a heated toddler pool and heated bubble pool for even smaller bubs, plus giant inflatables for kids aged six and over during the school holidays. The long-serving attraction, situated away from the centre of tourist town in beautiful Sunshine Beach, is a local’s secret. There’s also a gym and cafe on site, and a creche if you’re desperate for a very virtuous holiday swim or sweat session.

Hungry? Discover the best restaurants in Noosa

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery — Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek — Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers — Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland — Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.

A parent’s survival guide to the best things to do in Noosa with kids