The Sunshine Coast is an absolute dream for families, it has that totally relaxed, salty-hair-and-barefoot vibe where you can go from an epic beach to a world-class theme park in twenty minutes. Pack extra changes of clothes (because someone will get wet) and add these 10 spots to your Sunny Coast hit list.

1. Beaches Galore (With Mandatory Ice Cream Stops)

You’re spoiled for choice here, but here is the quick breakdown of the best family-friendly stretches of sand:

Mooloolaba Beach: The holy grail for families. It’s super sheltered, the waves are gentle, and it’s patrolled. The Ice Cream Stop: Walk right off the sand to a huge range of cafes and treat stops on the esplanade.
Noosa Main Beach: Gorgeous, calm, and picture-perfect. Perfect for little ones to splash around. The Ice Cream Stop: Massimo’s Gelateria on Hastings Street is an absolute institution.
Coolum Beach: Great if the kids want to watch the surfers or check out the rock pools at the northern end. The Ice Cream Stop: Grab a scoop from Gelato Mio right across the road.

2. Australia Zoo (Home of the Crocodile Hunter)

You can’t come to the Sunny Coast and skip this. It is famous for the passionate conservation work of the Irwin family, and it is easily one of the best wildlife parks in the world.

Don't Miss: The midday Wildlife Warriors show in the Crocoseum. Watching a massive croc launch out of the water right in front of you is wild.
Mum Tip: The place is massive (around 700 acres!). Rent one of their little tag-along wagons at the entrance to pull the toddlers around when their legs inevitably pack up.

3. Aussie World & The Banana Bender Pub

If the kids are screaming for rides, skip the crazy Gold Coast traffic and head straight to Aussie World. It’s a brilliant, super-manageable theme park that hits the sweet spot for all ages, from gentle teacups for the littles to the Retro Rocket for the thrill-seekers.

Right next door is the Banana Bender Pub. You literally cannot miss it from the Bruce Highway - it’s that iconic, massive, bright green, quirky-looking Queenslander pub. It is so cool inside, totally kooky, and has a great family friendly atmosphere for a post-ride feed and a cheeky cold drink for you.

4. The Ginger Factory (Yandina)

Don't let the name fool you into thinking it's just a boring factory tour - this place is a kid paradise. Entry to the beautiful tropical grounds is completely free, and they have awesome free play spaces, a giant Bee Jumping Castle, and a cool augmented-reality Zog trail through the rainforest.

The Paid Stuff: It is 100% worth paying a few bucks to ride Moreton the Ginger Train (a cute historic steam train) and the Overboard boat ride, where the kids have to help find the escaping Gingerbread Man. Finish up with a scoop of gelato from Gingerlatis on-site!

5. The Doonan (Your New Favorite Lunch Spot)

This place is an absolute masterpiece. It’s a stunning indoor/outdoor garden restaurant in the Noosa Hinterland that completely solves the "where can we eat that isn't a greasy indoor playcentre" dilemma.

The courtyard is absolutely gorgeous and features a glam bar for parents, serving incredible wood-fired pizzas to keep everyone happy. Meanwhile, the kids can run completely wild on the massive lawns, bounce on the giant jumping pillow, and explore the silo playhouse and cubby structures. It is bliss.

6. SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast (Mooloolaba)

Perfect for a rainy afternoon or when the midday sun is just too brutal. Located right at The Wharf in Mooloolaba, this aquarium is fantastic.

The Highlights: The 80-metre ocean tunnel where sharks and massive rays swim right over your head is incredible. They also have an awesome Little Penguins exhibit and a tidal touch pool. Plus, there’s a multi-level indoor play zone inside to let them burn off any leftover energy.

7. Go on a Seaside Playground Hunt

Just like Brissie, the Sunny Coast has some seriously high-budget playgrounds. Fire up the ROAM app and find the best ones near you, and add this to your list:

Seaside Adventure Playground (Mooloolaba): Located right on the spit, this one has massive climbing towers, slides, and water-play features, all with views of the ocean.
Aura Dino Park (Nirimba): The dinosaur-obsessed dream. This hidden gem has a giant pterodactyl climbing structure, dino footprints, and fossil digs.
Fig Tree Park (Nirimba): A gorgeous spot right on the waterfront with beautiful shade from ancient trees and heaps of fun, modern equipment.

8. Eumundi Markets

Held every Wednesday and Saturday morning (so try Wednesday for less crowds!), these world-famous markets are set under historic shaded fig trees and are just gorgeous to explore. The kids are bound to find something they love, from locally handmade wooden toys and quirky clothes to sweet treats.

The street food options here are elite (hello, fresh donuts and international food stalls), and the cafes lining the street behind are lovely. Bonus: Right near the markets is Dick Caplick Park, an awesome playground built around a massive old tree with a great train structure for the kids to climb on.

9. The Big Pineapple

Time to tick off another Aussie icon! Head over to the historic Big Pineapple in Woombye to jump on their little train, explore a mini zoo or tackle the TreeTop Challenge. It’s an epic high-ropes and zipline course built right into the rainforest canopy. They have a dedicated Junior Course for kids aged 3 to 9, and a massive adventure course for the older ones (and brave parents!) featuring 120 challenges and epic ziplines. It’s the ultimate way to get them out into nature and completely exhaust them.

10. Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve (Maleny)

If you want to head up into the cooler hinterland air, this spot in Maleny is stunning. It’s a 55-hectare subtropical rainforest with an absolute goldmine of an educational center for kids. The Rainforest Discovery Centre has heaps of interactive touch-screens, microscopic displays, and eco-games. Afterwards, take the flat, easy boardwalk loop through the forest to spot pademelons (mini wallabies) hopping around, then finish with a picnic on the massive lawns looking out at the jaw-dropping views of the Glass House Mountains.

The Best Things to Do on the Sunshine Coast with Kids