Top 5 Sunshine Coast Attractions for Families

As the name suggests, the Sunshine Coast is subtropical, warm and relaxed, making it a rich haven for adventure, sun and sand all year round. From spectacular beaches, to breathtaking hinterland it’s a great holiday destination for families looking for an unforgettable escape.

Sea Life Aquarium Sunshine Coast is the perfect place for discovery and fun learning for your little ones. Home to an abundance of sea life including turtles, sharks and penguins – it’s a great place to engage inquisitive minds.  It’s hit the top of our list due to the variety of exhibits and discovery options available, plus the dedication of the team to conserving marine life. 

Perhaps like us, you’d like to amplify your visit with additional experiences and sea life encounters. Dial up the cuteness and meet a colony of Little Blue Penguins (each cheeky creature has its own unique personality), help with feeding time and learn about their habits and daily routines. Or perhaps a face to face underwater encounter at Seal Island where you can shake flippers with a seal whilst learning all about their care from the dedicated team.

You can of course see all these creatures and more by exploring the amazing Ocean Tunnel and open exhibits. The kids will be especially captivated by the interactive Tidal Touchpool, where they can roll up their sleeves to gently touch an array of marine life, including sea stars and sea cucumbers. 

The Sunshine Coast evokes thoughts of rugged coastline and gorgeous beaches. Kings Beach is a top pick for families due to its easy location and abundance of activities, should you not be a fan of bathing and lazing.

This piece of Queensland paradise offers pockets of rockpools for exploration, oceanfront swimming pool and protected, patrolled swimming areas – making it a sure bet for family fun. There’s also a water fountain with time delayed surprise spurts of water that’s sure to put a smile on the faces of your little ones.

Once you’re done with the sand and play and you’re ready to eat, Mets on Kings is serving up great dishes against the dramatic backdrop of Kings Beach. There’s also a great range of reasonably priced kids meals that will refuel them for the next adventure.

The Sunshine Coast is a great destination for natural swimming holes, waterfalls and reserves. Whilst some are quite difficult to access, Wappa Falls is one of the more family friendly pockets of natural beauty. This deep watering hole is replenished by a gushing waterfall above – making it a pretty spectacular place for a cool and shady swim.

This well-loved spot is preferred by locals and can get busy on weekends, so consider visiting early in the day or mid-week if that’s possible. Parking is close to the swimming hole but there’s little else in terms of facilities so be mindful the closet amenities, shops and parks are accessible at Wappa Dam.

It’s important to be aware of the slippery rocks that border the falls, particularly if taking little ones, so take caution when taking the plunge.  Check out this article for more waterfalls and waterholes to explore along the Sunshine Coast.

Australia Zoo captures the essence and spirit of Australia and the many beloved species that call this country home. Founded and grown by the Irwin family, the zoo boasts 700 acres and continues its mission to rescue, rehabilitate and release native Australian animals. Not only home to Australian species like Kangaroos, Emus and Koalas, the Zoo is a fantastic place to see stunning cheetahs, elephants and tigers.

For a truly amazing Sunshine Coast experience with the family, don’t miss the daily shows happening across the Zoo, from afternoon Croc feeds to morning story time sessions, or make the trip even more memorable with Zookeeper discovery programs for the kids. However you choose to shape your experience at this magnificent Zoo, we’re sure your family will fall in love with the wild.

When travelling as a family it’s essential to balance kids entertainment whilst also ensuring parents get a chance to relax and enjoy their holiday too, on this the Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort definitely delivers! Kids can lose themselves in the myriad of entertainment options including mini golf, fish feeding and splashing about in kayaks.

During the school holidays there’s also a dedicated program of events, fun and games too, so it’s recommended to book early to avoid disappointment during these peak travel times. Whilst the kids are occupied, flop down at the saltwater lagoon for some serious vitamin sea.