Our 17-day camper van road trip in Australia is still one of our all-time favorite family vacations. We fell in love with the Sunshine Coast and are sharing a list of our top 7 things to do on and near the Sunshine Coast in Australia.
7 Unforgettable Things to Do on the Sunshine Coast
Table of Contents
- 1. Visit Noosa Heads
- 2. Spot Some Wildlife on the Sunshine Coast
- 3. Go Sand Boarding at Carlo Sand Blow
- 4. Feed Wild Dolphins at Tin Can Bay
- 5. Visit Fraser Island the World’s Largest Sand Island
- 6. Visit Mayborough (the Birth Place of Mary Poppins)
- 7. Visit Hervey Bay the Whale Watch Capital of the World
1. Visit Noosa Heads
Noosa Heads could easily be one of my new favorite spots. The charming coastal city has an urban chic vibe with an upscale character. It is clean, hip, and absolutely beautiful.
Noosa Heads is located a stone’s throw away from pristine beaches and nestled next to the beautiful Noosa National Park. I could easily see ourselves packing up and relocating here permanently!
Noosa Heads boasts one of Australia’s most elegant shopping strips. Hastings Street is pedestrian-friendly and filled with trendy cafes and designer boutiques.
However, the lush greenery is the main star of the show and has led Noosa Heads to be declared Queensland’s first UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
Dine alfresco, take a scenic stroll along the National Park’s coastal track then hit the Noosa Main Beach just in time to soak in a spectacular sunset.
2. Spot Some Wildlife on the Sunshine Coast
Best Place to see Koalas on the Sunshine Coast
I have been bound and determined to find wild koalas while in Australia. After a few failed attempts, Noosa Heads was our last hope!
Noosa National Park is located in the heart of Noosa along Laguna Bay headland road.
There is a beautiful coastal walking track that is home to koalas.
At the beginning of the track, you will find the Visitor Information Center and they have a sign posted outside with the location of koalas that have been spotted that day.
After that, it’s like a game of “Where’s Waldo” as you try to spot the koalas among the eucalyptus trees. My kids loved it! Especially when he almost peed on us.
To get there, drive to Hastings Street in Noosa and continue up Park Road around the headland until you come to the parking lot entrance. Parking is limited, so come early in the morning or later in the evening.
Best Places to See Kangaroos on the Sunshine Coast
The first time we saw kangaroos I couldn’t contain my excitement. It was a dream come true. We learned that the further you drive north, the more commonplace they become. But the novelty still never wore off.
Some of the best places to spot kangaroos along the Sunshine Coast are actually at golf courses. They are often found hopping around the Palmer Resort and Twin Waters Golf Clubs.
Twin Waters is located just north of Maroochydore and the Golf Club is located on Ocean Drive. Palmer Resort is located in Coolum.
The University of the Sunshine Coast in Sippy Downs actually has a resident kangaroo population as well.
You can also spot them lounging in the grass on the coastal side of the Sunshine Coast Motorway between Coolum and Maroochydore.
Best place to see Turtles on the Sunshine Coast
At Coolum Beach, you’ll find a raised wooden boardwalk that takes you through the native bush until you come to a sign posted with information about turtles and their life cycles.
Loggerhead turtles can regularly be spotted here at the viewpoint. Turtle hatching occurs from Mid January until late March/early April.
Turtles can also be spotted at Moffat Beach headland.
Best place to see Dolphins and Whales on the Sunshine Coast
Coolum Beach is also a great place to spot dolphins and whales, particularly at the Point Perry and Point Arkwright lookouts along the Coolum Beach Boardwalk.
Noosa Main Beach is also a popular place to spot dolphins. They’ll often swim alongside kayaks or canoes in the bay.
Dolphin Point along the Noosa National Walking Track provides another great lookout point for dolphins and whales. July through October is the best time to spot them.
Continue reading to discover how you can hand feed dolphins at Tin Can Bay!
3. Go Sand Boarding at Carlo Sand Blow
I have a thing for sand dunes, especially when they are found in the most unassuming places, like the middle of a forest.
The Carlo Sand Blow is named after one of Captain Cook’s crewmen and is located within the Cooloola Great Sandy National Park.
The Carlo Sand Blow Track will take you on a 0.5-mile hike through trees until opening up to these massive dunes overlooking the ocean.
It is a fun place for sandboarding so bring some boogie boards! The best hills for sandboarding are found to the left as you enter the dunes.
It’s amazing to see how the sand shifts and moves over time. This is the top of the forest trees that have since been covered by sand.
It is also a spectacular spot to watch the sunset, or just play in one of the world’s largest sandboxes.
4. Feed Wild Dolphins at Tin Can Bay
I was most excited about visiting Tin Can Bay because you can hand-feed wild Australian Humpback Dolphins at the Barnacles Dolphin Center.
It is home to a pod of 9 dolphins and every morning around 8:00 they swim into the bay looking for their morning breakfast.
You’ll get a chance to walk into the water in small groups and interact with them before taking turns feeding them fish.
The viewing time is between 7-8:00 AM and the cost is $5.00 just to watch (insert eye roll) and an additional $5.00 if you want to feed them.
My kids loved it! It was such a unique experience to be able to interact with dolphins in their natural habitat.
There is also a cafe there if you want to grab some pastries while you’re waiting for the dolphins to arrive.
It is also fascinating to see the Pelicans meandering around. They are massive, almost as tall as my three-year-old, and had no fear.
You don’t want to get close, but as long as they stayed an arm’s reach away they were fascinating to watch!
5. Visit Fraser Island the World’s Largest Sand Island
Fraser Island is the largest sand island in the world and is listed as a World Heritage Site. It is about 75 miles in length and 13 miles at the widest point.
The landscape is varied with long white sandy beaches, over 100 freshwater lakes, colored sand cliffs, wildflowers in the spring and summer months, rolling dunes, wetlands, and an ancient rainforest.
It just so happens to be the only place in the world where rainforests are found growing on sand dunes.
Driving on Fraser Island is strictly limited to 4-wheel driving. Seventy-Five Mile Beach is an actual highway and there are various sand tracks across the island to access lakes and rainforests.
Vehicle access permits are required for all vehicles entering the island.
You can purchase permits from River Head Barge landing, at Kingfisher Bay Resort reception, and at Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service offices.
To get to Fraser Island, you can book a tour or ferries depart from various locations. Inskip Peninsula is the closest access point, it is 10 minutes north of the vibrant coastal town of Rainbow Beach.
Rainbow Beach is a destination in and of itself so be sure to make time to explore there as well.
6. Visit Mayborough (the Birth Place of Mary Poppins)
Although not technically part of the Sunshine Coast, Mayborough is located on the banks of the Mary River along the Fraser Coast.
It is about an hour north of Rainbow Beach and if you’re heading north on a road trip then this charming town is worth a stop.
What drew us here is that it is the birthplace of Mary Poppins. More specifically, the birthplace of PL Travers, the author of Mary Poppins.
We had recently watched “Saving Mr. Banks” the fascinating story about the life of PL Travers, so it was pretty cool to see where it all began.
On the corner of Richmond and Kent Street, you’ll find a bronze statue of Mary Poppins outside the bank where her father worked.
On the floor above the bank is the apartment where her family lived when she was born.
I wish they had tours offered with more details of her life in Mayborough, but every summer in June and July they have a Mary Poppins Festival with storytelling, concerts, and art installations.
A fun whimsical detail to note are the pedestrian traffic lights on the corner. They have the silhouette of Mary Poppins holding her umbrella down when the light is red and up when the light is green.
Besides the link to Mary Poppins, the city itself is rich in history as a major port of entry for immigrants arriving in Queensland during the 1800s.
Take time to admire the beautiful historical architecture of the buildings, or visit one of the museums, parks, or historical landmarks.
If you happen to be there on a Thursday be sure to visit the Heritage Open Market from 8 am to 1:30 pm.
The last Sunday of each month is also reserved for Sunday in the Park. Bring a picnic and join the locals as the town gathers to enjoy the brass bands, miniature trains, and family activities.
7. Visit Hervey Bay the Whale Watch Capital of the World
Located about 20 minutes north of Mayborough, Hervey Bay is often referred to as the Whale Watch Capital of the World.
During the months of July through November, it is the destination for humpback migration.
For a memorable experience, get up close with these gentle giants during a whale watching tour. Or spot whales, turtles, or dolphins along the 9 miles of golden beaches.
The beaches are safe for swimming and water sports rentals are also available.
The Reefworld Aquarium is located right on the shores of Hervey Bay where you can hand feed marine life or even swim with sharks!
Every Friday at 4:00 pm the local craft and produce market is held at Urangan Marina.
If you’re visiting during the summer months, be sure to check out Wetside Water Park.
This water wonderland is free and features hundreds of spouts and jets, fountains interactive play equipment, water slides, and a special play area for kids under 5. “TotSide” has tipping buckets, music, and a giant water screen.
The site also includes viewing decks and boardwalks, educational displays, a pay-per-use Board Rider wave machine, a café, a fish n’ chip shop, and an Italian restaurant.
On Friday and Saturday nights from 7:30-8:00 pm, the park is lit up with a free Light Show Spectacular that combines music, water fountains, and colored lights.
The Sunshine Coast is such a beautiful area of Australia, there is so much to do! Hopefully, this guide will help as you plan memorable things to do on the Sunshine Coast!
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And if you’re planning an Australia Road Trip, be sure to also check out our guides for Gold Coast to Sunshine Coast and Sydney to Byron Bay!
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Really enjoy your blog. Beautiful scenery, beautiful places.
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a kind comment, I really appreciate that! Enjoy your weekend!
Hello, just wanted to mention, I loved this blog post.