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

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

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