This beautiful region of Australia has everything you could want in a holiday: pristine beaches, lush forests, and some seriously awesome attractions. So get ready to chuck on your sunnies and join us as we check out the top spots on the Sunny Coast.
7 Amazing Attractions on the Sunshine Coast
From hanging with the animals at Australia Zoo, to exploring the beautiful Noosa National Park, to stuffing your face with delicious treats at the Eumundi Markets, we’ve got it all. And if you’re a nature lover, you won’t want to miss the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve or the stunning views at the Big Pineapple. Oh, and did we mention the ginger beer at the Ginger Factory? You’re in for a treat! So let’s hit the road and discover some of the Sunshine Coast’s best attractions!
Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo is a world-renowned zoo founded by the late Steve Irwin, and it’s located in the beautiful Sunshine Coast region of Queensland, Australia. The zoo is home to a range of animals, from cuddly koalas to majestic tigers and crocodiles.
Australia Zoo is a must-visit for those vacationing on the Sunshine Coast. This incredible wildlife sanctuary was founded by the legendary Steve Irwin and has since become world-renowned. On your visit to Australia Zoo, you can meet some of its fascinating creatures face-to-face and learn more about wildlife conservation efforts in action. Plus, you can explore the iconic Crocoseum that was opened by Steve himself!
1638 Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah QLD 4519
https://www.australiazoo.com.au/
Noosa National Park
One of the coolest things to do at the park is to take the Coastal Walk. It’s this amazing trail that winds its way through the park, giving you incredible views of the coastline and the Pacific Ocean. The walk is about 5.4 km long and takes around 2-3 hours to complete. It’s totally worth it, though, because you’ll get to see some really incredible sights, like Hell’s Gates, which is this rocky outcrop that marks the northern entrance to the park, and the Boiling Pot, which is this natural rock formation that looks absolutely surreal during high tide.
If you’re into wildlife, you’ll definitely want to check out Dolphin Point. If you’re lucky enough then in the far you might see the dolphins or whales, but it’s really rare!
Palm Grove Cct, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
Eumundi Markets
Experience a vibrant cultural melting pot of sights and sounds at the Eumundi Markets. This market, set in a leafy heritage-listed site on the edge of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, is known for its array of handmade goods, fresh produce, gourmet foods and crafts from more than 600 local and regional stallholders. Shop for unique souvenirs or devour sweet treats like donuts, waffles and ice cream!
Sea Life Sunshine Coast
There are so many cool exhibits and attractions at Sea Life Sunshine Coast that showcase the incredible marine life of the area. One of the main attractions is the Ocean Tunnel, where you can walk through a tunnel with marine life swimming all around you. It’s such a unique and immersive experience that really makes you feel like you’re underwater with the creatures. There are so many different types of fish and even sharks that swim above you – it’s definitely a highlight of the aquarium.
Another attraction that’s really neat is the touch pool. Here, you can get up close and personal with different sea creatures like starfish and sea urchins. The knowledgeable staff is there to help you learn more about the animals and their habitats, making it a really interesting and educational experience.
One exhibit that we found particularly fascinating was the Seahorse Sanctuary. It was amazing to see so many different types of seahorses and learn about their unique characteristics and habitats. There were even some baby seahorses that were just too cute!
Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba QLD 4557
https://www.visitsealife.com/sunshine-coast/
Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve
One of the main attractions at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is the stunning rainforest walk. The walk takes you through a lush, subtropical rainforest filled with towering trees, vibrant green ferns, and trickling streams. There are several different walking tracks to choose from, ranging from easy to moderate difficulty, so there’s something for everyone.
In addition to the rainforest walk, there are several stunning photo spots throughout the reserve. The main lookout offers sweeping views of the Glass House Mountains, which make for a stunning backdrop. There are also several benches and picnic areas throughout the reserve where you can sit back and soak up the beautiful surroundings while enjoying a snack or picnic lunch.
148 Mountain View Rd, Maleny QLD 4552
The Ginger Factory
The Ginger Factory is one of the must visit places on the Sunshine Coast, especially if you’re a lover of all things ginger. There are so many exciting attractions and photo spots to explore here, so let me walk you through some of the highlights.
First up is the Ginger Train, which is a charming little train that takes you on a tour of the beautiful gardens and through the tropical rainforest. It’s a fantastic way to see the sights, and the kids absolutely love it! The train also takes you past the Ginger Factory’s famous giant inflatable gingerbread man, which makes for a great photo opportunity.
Another popular attraction is the Super Bee Live Bee Show, where you can learn all about the fascinating world of bees and their importance to our ecosystem. And, of course, you can’t leave without trying some of the delicious ginger treats that the Ginger Factory is famous for – like ginger beer, ginger ice cream, and gingerbread cookies!
50 Pioneer Rd, Yandina QLD 4561
https://www.gingerfactory.com.au/
Big Pineapple
The Big Pineapple is an icon of the Sunshine Coast, and it’s definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. There are so many fun attractions and photo spots to check out here, so let me give you the rundown.
You can’t miss the Big Pineapple itself – it’s a towering 16-meter-tall pineapple that’s become a symbol of the region. It’s the perfect spot for a photo, and you can even climb to the top for a stunning panoramic view of the surrounding countryside!
But there’s more to the Big Pineapple than just the pineapple itself. One of the main attractions here is the Wildlife HQ Zoo, which is home to a wide variety of animals from all over the world. You can get up close and personal with kangaroos, koalas, crocodiles, and many other fascinating creatures.
The TreeTop Challenge is definitely worth checking out too. It’s an exhilarating high ropes course. There are different courses to choose from, depending on your level of experience and confidence. The easiest course, called the Kids Course, is perfect for children and anyone who’s new to high ropes courses. It’s low to the ground and features a series of fun challenges like wobbly bridges, rope nets, and zip lines.
The other courses are progressively more challenging, with higher platforms, longer zip lines, and more difficult obstacles. The highest course, called the Extreme Course, is a real test of nerve and physical ability, with obstacles that are suspended over 25 meters in the air!
76 Nambour Connection Rd, Woombye QLD 4559
http://www.bigpineapple.com.au/
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