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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)
Kate Bettes is a freelance travel writer. Whether having a picnic in Vietnamese jungle with new friends, or partying in the back of a limousine in Hollywood, Kate’s experiences have left her with the sneaking suspicion that the best travel memories happen when you least expect. It’s this feeling - and how to get it - that she loves to write about.
Blending creativity with some of the most nutrient-dense produce on the planet, the best restaurants on the Sunshine Coast simply dazzle.
Pristine beaches and year-round sunshine are indisputable drawcards, but my favourite part of the Sunshine Coast is the food. Home to some of Australia’s best restaurants and cafes, the Queensland region is a subtropical playground of volcanic-enriched soil, so seasonal produce is big, juicy and always sourced locally. Whether I’m craving a breakfast of farm-fresh eggs and greens, crustaceans for lunch, or choice cuts with vibrant veg for dinner, restaurants on the Sunshine Coast nail it. Here, my favourites right now.
In short
It’s a tough call, but if you can only eat at one of the best restaurants on the Sunshine Coast, make it Spirit House. The lush tropical garden setting is entirely unique (and breathtaking) and don’t even get me started on their beautiful plating.
The Sunshine Coast knows how to start the day right. From Caloundra to Noosa, artisinal coffee roasters, deliciously dressed plating and serene settings awaken the senses to a brand-new day.
1. Fellowship Drive Cafe
Tuck into generously plated brunch meals at Fellowship Drive Cafe.
First, coffee. While the bean scene is strong in this corner of the world, I’m a sucker for Flying West Coffee Roasters’ blends after falling head over heels at its Eumundi Markets coffee cart some years ago. The team launched Fellowship Drive Cafe in 2024, where I now find my consistently smooth (a feat for any multi-barista operation), caffeine hit that’s always heated to perfection (no burnt tongue ever). There’s also affordable meals like the confit flat mushroom plate with cashew cheese, dukkha and pesto on charcoal sourdough, baked at nearby Ten Acres Sourdough in Ninderry. I also love a slice of the beetroot feta loaf which mixes in parmesan for maximised deliciousness.
Cuisine: Cafe
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Local
Location: 9 Fellowship Dr, Doonan
2. The Coolum Social
The Coolum Social highlights the region’s seasonal produce with its vibrant and hearty meals. (Image: Ariana Gillrie)
Flowing with Instagram-friendly vibes is The Coolum Social , a Sunshine Coast cafe dishing up hearty meals and great coffee using Sydney’s Gabriel Coffee. Focused on transforming the region’s seasonal produce into edible art, the team love playing with whatever’s delicious at the time. Expect classics like chilli eggs and bacon and egg rolls alongside more exotic creations like bao buns and poke bowls. Craving a juice? I love their bashed-up brews turning tropical fruits into frappes, milkshakes and smoothies, while their just-juice options invite create-your-own creativity.
Cuisine: Cafe
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Warm and friendly
Location: 26 Birtwill St, Coolum Beach
3. Tollys
Indulge into a heartwarming brekkie at Tollys. (Image: Snippet Marketing Media)
Fuel an adventure through the famous Eumundi Markets with brekkie at Tollys , located in the old Bella 101 site. Situated right across the road from the weekly hot ticket (which opens twice weekly, actually), this Sunshine Coast restaurant was built inside a beautiful historical building known as The Old Bakery. Find a seat on the deck overlooking the street as dishes span seasonal fritters, French toast with addictive berry coulis, avocado smash with a poached egg and other AM classics.
Cuisine: Cafe
Average price: $-$$
Atmosphere: Chilled out
Location: 101 Memorial Dr, Eumundi
4. Moffat Beach Brewing Co.
The beloved beachside brewery is also open for breakfast. (Image: Rix Rix Photography)
While it may seem unusual to have breakfast in a brewery, Moffat Beach Brewing Co. , just metres from the sand, is such a vibe. Gaze over the ocean (a bench seat by the street is my favourite spot) as breakfast classics, including a bacon and egg burger and avocado on toast, speedily roll out of the kitchen.
Cuisine: Cafe
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Breezy
Location: 12 Seaview Tce, Moffat Beach
Restaurants for lunch
Swap out caffeine for carafes as the best restaurants on the Sunshine Coast for lunch take advantage of brilliant coastal views, locally caught delicacies (including the region’s famed seafood) and laidback wine time.
5. Mapleton Public House
Mapleton Public House serves as a pub, bar and bistro in one. (Image: Stories by Ash)
Totally unassuming at first glance, Mapleton Public House oozes understated charm. I walk up a set of stairs from a carpark in the sleepy hinterland town to find, admittedly, more of that casual vibe before the scene switches gears via standout hospitable wait staff who bring warmth and joy to every interaction. My table on the wraparound deck overlooks the main road down low while breathtaking mountains paint a stunning scene out yonder. I’m blown away by the ‘Buffalo carrots’ fried in buttermilk and hot sauce, a collection of crunchy, chubby flavour hits that burst with spicy caramelised goodness. The slow-cooked short rib is similarly fabulous with garlic potato cream and house-made onion rings. It’s the dedication to detail in this place that shines, an all-round winner that technically serves as a pub (there’s a bar and bistro seating inside) but refines Sunshine Coast dining with every seating.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$-$$$
Atmosphere: Casual cool
Location: 2 Flaxton Dr, Mapleton
6. Bistro C
Nab a spot by the beach overlooking Laguna Bay. (Image: Bistro C)
I’m one face in a thick daily crowd waiting for a table at Bistro C , but I’m not deterred. Offering uninterrupted Noosa Main Beach views and intoxicating holiday atmosphere, it’s a Sunshine Coast restaurant that never grows tired. Breakfast after a morning dip is the norm, but I’m here at lunch during my latest trip and I’m ready to party. Overlooking Laguna Bay, I indulge in the crispy skin barramundi which melts in the mouth. Seared local scallops are equally soft and flavoursome, before the triple cream brie fondue I eyed off when I first opened the menu finally makes its way into my belly. Delicious. My children are sorted too thanks to a kids’ menu offering the likes of ‘I Want Macca’s’ (a chicken slider with chips), ‘I Love You Mum’ (spaghetti bolognaise) and ‘I Don’t Know’ (calamari and chips). The staff here are as fun-loving and entertaining as those kids titles, making for guaranteed good times.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Vibrant
Location: 49 Hastings St, Noosa Heads
7. BASK Restaurant
BASK Restaurant’s popularity called for a bigger space in Peregian Beach.
Peregian Beach’s favourite long lunch spot is BASK Restaurant , located in the beach town’s vibrant centre. The paddock-to-plate eatery moved into the village after a successful run in Eumundi where it originally opened its doors in 2021. Once word of Chef Jack Madden’s culinary flair caught on, demand grew and so the team found a larger space elsewhere. The result is flawless; a European-inspired feast that flows to al fresco tables from a warm, stylish fit-out. The food, spanning fresh sea catches and the finest seasonal meats, such as quail with roasted chestnuts and foraged mushrooms, is reliably excellent.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Refined
Location: Shop 3-4/218 David Low Way, Peregian Beach
8. Brouhaha Maleny
Grab a relaxed bite at Brouhaha Brewery. (Image: Mark Fitz/Tourism and Events Queensland)
Another great spot for a chilled-out meal is Brouhaha Brewery in Maleny. The beer is outstanding, renowned throughout the state, and the food menu is equally crafty. Think pork scratchings, sourced locally, with apple sauce, crumbed fish cakes, a Mooloolaba prawn ceviche and about half a dozen woodfired pizzas.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: 6/39 Coral St, Maleny
9. Rickys River Bar & Restaurant
Soak up bright and airy vibes at this refined fine diner. (Image: Manuel Freudenmann/Tourism and Events Queensland)
My favourite Sunshine Coast restaurant on the water, Rickys River Bar & Restaurant is such a special spot. Located on the Noosa River and featuring its own jetty plus sparkling water views from every angle, the refined fine diner is a special occasion affair – my heels don’t feel out of place at all. Request a table by the window (no guarantees) where the water shimmers and sea birds soar to the wetlands lying beyond. I did seafood for starters (the spanner crab spaghettini with garlic and chilli) before diving into a heavier main (the 200g eye fillet with generous sides) and relished every second of it. I also toasted the end of the afternoon with extended drinks in the bar area, a moody lounge where martinis roll past sunset.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Elegant
Location: 2 Quamby Place, Noosa Heads
10. Warrior Restaurant & Bar
Warrior Restaurant & Bar has perfected cocktails, such as The Bosco, Noosa Valley vodka infused with maple wood smoke. (Image: Supplied)
The Crocodile Hunter Lodge’s fine dining eatery is a sophisticated homage to native ingredients and locally sourced supplies. Engaging the Sunshine Coast’s finest farmers and suppliers to nail an inventive menu that’s super generously plated, Warrior Restaurant & Bar embraces its natural surroundings which flow with native flora and fauna. I notice more non-hotel guests at lunch and dinner than breakfast, which helps transform the in-house hotel restaurant into a dining destination on its own accord. Ask for a table by the window (they can be requested) to overlook the infinity swimming pool and resident kangaroos and emu, and I highly recommend the slow-braised beef rendang curry with cardamom rice as the meat is melt-in-your-mouth perfect and the sauce is thick and rich. I also really loved the warrigal greens and broccolini with toasted almonds and house-made lemon myrtle salt, too.
Cuisine: Modern Australian
Average price: $$$
Atmosphere: Tranquil
Location: 88 Irwin Rd, Beerwah
11. Mooloolaba Fish Market
Devour a seafood platter fresh from Mooloolaba Fish Market.
With the sun shining and waves crashing, lunch al fresco is always a good idea. I love the Mooloolaba Fish Market where parcels of fish and chips are collected before they’re devoured overlooking the beach town’s Spit. Crumbed, battered, grilled, it’s all good as local catches span whiting, barramundi, swordfish, snapper, yellowfin tuna, salmon and more. Meanwhile, Pluto Pups and Chicko Rolls deliver the nostalgia, while natural and Kilpatrick oysters dial up the decadence.
Cuisine: Takeaway seafood
Average price: $
Atmosphere: Casual
Location: 201 Parkyn Pde, Mooloolaba
Restaurants for dinner
As the sun sinks and the Sunshine Coast’s glorious coastal and hinterland views melt away, all lights shine upon the region’s slick hospitality, beautiful dining spaces and more of those seasonally led delights.
12. Spirit House
Spirit House is set within tranquil tropical gardens. (Image: Jesse Lindemann/Tourism and Events Queensland)
You can’t talk about the best places to eat on the Sunshine Coast without mentioning Spirit House . Set within tranquil tropical gardens, this iconic restaurant, bar and cooking school is really on another level. This is fresh and bold Asian-inspired cuisine unlike anything else in the region as a set menu soars you through far-flung corners of the continent, lighting up plates with Picasso-like artistry. Signature creations include whole fishes, like a Humpty Doo barramundi, prepared with beautifully blended sauces and seasonally charged flavours, as well as the mango-braised pork belly on the entrée menu. But honestly, it’s flat-out excellent every step of the way.
Cuisine: Asian
Average price: $$$$
Atmosphere: Fancy
Location: 20 Ninderry Rd, Yandina
13. Ethos at Alsahwa Estate
Tuck into plump oysters plucked straight from the ocean. (Image: Ethos at Alsahwa Estate)
Another new addition to the Sunshine Coast dining scene, Ethos at Alsahwa Estate opened its doors in June 2025. A light-flooded dining dream located within the growing agricultural tourism operation that spreads across 30 acres of lush hinterland, the Sunshine Coast restaurant focuses on farm-to-table plates with Mediterranean-inspired flair. Think fish carpaccio with smoked bone, mushroom cream and native lime and a chicken Maryland with pumpkin saffron cheesecake.
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Average price: $$$-$$$$
Atmosphere: Homely
Location: 20 Rifle Range Rd, Palmwoods
14. Playa Mexican
Playa Mexican brings authentic Mexican cuisine to Bokarina Beach.
Visiting the Sunshine Coast after September 2025? Drop into Playa Mexican , a highly anticipated eatery bringing authentic Mexican cuisine to Bokarina beach. House-made tortillas and the team’s signature dish, boneless BBQ chicken with pineapple butter, pickled pineapple and scallion oil, plus yummy margaritas shaken with mezcal, will no doubt attract the cool kids in droves.
Cuisine: Mexican
Location: Corner Bokarina Blvd and Longboard Pde, Bokarina
