Must-see sites on your trip to the Sunshine Coast in Australia

Australia has some of the world’s most pristine beaches and breathtaking landscapes, and the Sunshine Coast is no exception. So, if you’re planning a trip to Queensland, this hidden gem should definitely be on your list. Here’s all the “must-sees” while visiting the Sunshine Coast in Australia.

As we spoke to the locals, most of them preferred visiting the Sunshine Coast over the Gold Coast. There are less crowds and tourists and it has a very laid-back beach vibe everywhere you go. And it was true. We loved the restaurants, beaches, scenic drives and the hikes. Here’s some “must-see” attractions that you don’t want to miss along the Sunshine Coast.

Noosa Heads Beach

This stunning beach–although relatively small–is surrounded by a bay, a national park, shopping and restaurants. You could easily spend all day there. The waves are large enough for surfers but small enough for novice boogie boarders. We went during the middle of the week and still had a hard time finding parking. So plan on walking a bit to get to the beach.

After a relaxing day at the beach, they had convenient changing rooms and places to shower off. Then we headed over to the shopping area and picked from the many restaurants to eat at. Everything was delicious. Then we strolled along the bustling streets and window-shopped. It was awesome.

Noosa National Park and Fairy Pools

After you’ve relaxed at Noosa Heads beach, you can follow the Noosa Coastal Walk that takes you through a beautiful national park. There are tons of wild like and the ocean views are spectacular. Along the way, stop at the Fairy Pools. Filled with clear water and lots of fish, you can relax in these two rock pools on the edge of the national park.

Scenic drive through the Hinterlands

Of all the things to see along the Sunshine Coast, our local friend told us that we had to go on a scenic drive through the Hinterlands. And it did not disappoint! Just a short 30-minute drive inland from the Sunshine Coast, this road takes you through windy country roads, lush rainforests and cozy villages and eateries. Many of the villages such as Mapleton, Kenilworth and Witta close up shop late afternoon, so make sure you stop by during the day.

Kondalilla Falls

There are plenty of hikes and scenic walks to enjoy while driving through the Hinterlands. We stopped at Kondalilla Falls and it was breathtaking. Aside from the beautiful waterfall, you’ll encounter smaller waterfalls along the way and a gorgeous rock pool. The scenery looks like it came right out of a movie set. My husband jumped in the water and took a swim too. It was definitely a highlight.

Mooloolaba Beach and coastal pathway

A 30-minute drive south of the Noosa Heads Beach, you’ll find Mooloolaba Beach. You’ll find a lot of locals and families enjoying the white sands of this calm, sheltered beach with plenty of room for everyone. You can also enjoy the coastal pathway that extends then entire length of the beach. We really enjoyed visiting this beach and would definitely return there again.

Banana Bender Pub and Aussie World

This vibrant pub is not only a restaurant, it’s an entire experience with mini golf, live music and weekly activities. It gives you a colorful peak into the world of Australia. The decorations and atmosphere are so fun and inviting. We stumbled upon this place by accident while looking for somewhere to eat. We loved it! If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also stop by Aussie World, which is a popular Australian theme park with loads of rides and attractions and it’s right next door!

I hope this blog post gives you a good ideas of some fun things to see while visiting the Sunshine Coast in Australia. Although we were only there for one day, we were able to see all of these sites! However, if we were to visit again, we would definitely stay in the Sunshine Coast a lot longer.

More from My Silly Squirts: 10 free things to do on the Gold Coast in Australia