Sunshine Coast With Kids: Family-Friendly Things to Do

The Sunshine Coast is built for family days out, with a generous mix of patrolled beaches, easy national park walks and open green spaces that suit kids of different ages. From the headland trails of Noosa Heads down to the parks around Caloundra and the hinterland around Montville, there's plenty of room to let kids run, swim and explore without venturing far. This guide focuses on family-friendly outdoor spots across the region, grouped by what they do well.

Why Sunshine Coast delivers

Most of the region's family appeal is outdoors and low-cost, with beaches, reserves and bushland gardens spread across Noosa Heads, Coolum Beach, Maroochydore, Kawana Waters, Caloundra and the Montville hinterland. That spread means you can pair a beach morning with an afternoon park or a shaded hinterland walk, depending on the weather and how much energy the kids have left. Bring sun protection and water, check conditions before you go, and confirm any opening times, entry details and swimming or facility info directly with each venue, as these can change.

Highlights

• Beach days: Noosa Heads Main Beach for a classic Sunshine Coast swim and Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve for open space by the water in Noosa Heads.
• Coastal parks at Coolum Beach: Tickle Park and Point Perry Foreshore Reserve sit close to the foreshore and suit a relaxed family outing.
• Easy nature walks and waterfalls: Kondalilla National Park, Gardners Falls and Mapleton Falls National Park in the Montville hinterland.
• Big-view bushwalks for older kids: Noosa National Park in Noosa Heads, Mount Coolum National Park, and the Glass House Mountains National Park near Caloundra.
• Gardens and wildlife: Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World in Montville and the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden in Maroochydore.
• Local park play and picnics: La Balsa Park at Kawana Waters and Eleanor Shipley Park in Caloundra.

Our top picks

Hand-picked from our highest-scoring listings:

• Noosa National Park — Noosa Heads
• Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve — Noosa Heads
• Kondalilla National Park — Montville
• Noosa Heads Main Beach — Noosa Heads
• Mount Coolum National Park — Coolum Beach
• Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World — Montville
• La Balsa Park — Kawana Waters
• Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden — Maroochydore
• Tickle Park — Coolum Beach
• Point Perry Foreshore Reserve — Coolum Beach

Explore more

Browse all family activities, kids activities, parks, beaches, family friendly restaurants in Sunshine Coast.

Frequently asked questions

Where can families go to the beach on the Sunshine Coast?

Noosa Heads Main Beach is a popular spot for a family beach day, and the nearby Noosa Spit Recreation Reserve in Noosa Heads offers open space by the water. Always check current beach and swimming conditions before heading in.

Are there good spots for nature walks and waterfalls with kids?

Yes. Around Montville you'll find Kondalilla National Park, Gardners Falls and Mapleton Falls National Park. For bigger views, families with older kids might consider Noosa National Park, Mount Coolum National Park, or the Glass House Mountains National Park near Caloundra. Check track conditions and difficulty before you set out.

Where can we see gardens or wildlife?

Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World in Montville and the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden in Maroochydore are both options for a garden outing. Confirm opening hours and any entry details directly with each venue before visiting.

Are there parks for picnics and play?

La Balsa Park at Kawana Waters, Eleanor Shipley Park in Caloundra, and Tickle Park and Point Perry Foreshore Reserve at Coolum Beach are local parks worth considering for a relaxed family outing. We recommend checking facilities on-site as we can't confirm specific amenities here.