Sunshine Holidays Guidebook
Hiking & Walks
Ten minutes away by car. Allow an hour to hike to the top. Great views.
29 locals recommend
Mt Ninderry walking track
3 Eucalyptus CresTen minutes away by car. Allow an hour to hike to the top. Great views.
Twelve minutes away - enjoy a good hike to the top and then reward yourself with a swim at Coolum Beach or a coffee in one of the Coolum cafes.
265 locals recommend
Mount Coolum
Twelve minutes away - enjoy a good hike to the top and then reward yourself with a swim at Coolum Beach or a coffee in one of the Coolum cafes.
This scenic waterfall along a creek & surrounded by forest is a popular swimming destination.
108 locals recommend
Gardners Falls
Obi Lane SouthThis scenic waterfall along a creek & surrounded by forest is a popular swimming destination.
Secluded park with walking trails, waterfall, and swimming spot
169 locals recommend
Buderim Forest Park
Quorn CloseSecluded park with walking trails, waterfall, and swimming spot
Gorgeous waterfalls within national park. There are so many waterfall,s hiking trails and walks near here, you will be spoilt for choice!
85 locals recommend
Kondalilla Falls
74 Kondalilla Falls RdGorgeous waterfalls within national park. There are so many waterfall,s hiking trails and walks near here, you will be spoilt for choice!
Neighbourhoods
Beautiful Coolum Beach is just 8 minutes away, with sandy, life-guarded beaches, great for surfing, swimming and sunbathing
194 locals recommend
Coolum Beach
Beautiful Coolum Beach is just 8 minutes away, with sandy, life-guarded beaches, great for surfing, swimming and sunbathing
Iconic Noosa is only 20-25 minutes away, with one of Australia's only south facing beaches, famous Hastings Street, Noosa River and Gympie Terrace, and the North Shore. Not to be missed!
271 locals recommend
Downtown Noosa Heads
Iconic Noosa is only 20-25 minutes away, with one of Australia's only south facing beaches, famous Hastings Street, Noosa River and Gympie Terrace, and the North Shore. Not to be missed!
Our friendly country town, ten minutes away, with the famous Saturday market full of organic fruit and veggies, locally made Italian, French, Japanese and Australian delicacies, amazing coffees, sugar-cane juice, smoothies, and so much more.
The historic town of Yandina in the hinterland of
the Sunshine Coast is a hidden gem, surrounded by natural bushland beauty filled with native plants, birds and animals.
You can bushwalk, horse ride, mountain bike ride,
canoe or kayak down the river, visit the many sacred sites here, enjoy a picnic or just stare at the stars.
You can also visit the famous Saturday Markets,
bargain hunt in our fabulous shops and explore
the local cafes, art galleries and town precinct.
The Sunshine Coast has been home to
indigenous First Nations people for over 60,000 years. This is the Kabi Kabi (pronounced Gubbi Gubbi) nation, and this area was home to the Undambi people.
In 1842, Governor Gipps proclaimed this area off limits to European timber cutters and squatters (squatters was the name for Europeans who took over farmland.). This was reversed in 1860 by the Queensland Government to open up the area for
European settlement. The region became famous
for timber, cattle and small crops, followed by sugarcane and
fruit growing.
The town of Yandina (originally called Native Dog
Flat and Maroochy) was first settled in 1868 and
gazetted (registered) in 1870.
Yandina's European history began as a logging town, then a farming district before becoming what it is today, a growing town
that takes pride in the indigenous sacred sites and more recent European historic buildings while forging an identity as a great place for families and visitors.
The town services the local population and many visitors, with an array of boutiques, cafes, craft and specialty shops.
https://yandina.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/WELCOME-_TO_YANDINA.pdf
26 locals recommend
Yandina
Our friendly country town, ten minutes away, with the famous Saturday market full of organic fruit and veggies, locally made Italian, French, Japanese and Australian delicacies, amazing coffees, sugar-cane juice, smoothies, and so much more.
The historic town of Yandina in the hinterland of
the Sunshine Coast is a hidden gem, surrounded by natural bushland beauty filled with native plants, birds and animals.
You can bushwalk, horse ride, mountain bike ride,
canoe or kayak down the river, visit the many sacred sites here, enjoy a picnic or just stare at the stars.
You can also visit the famous Saturday Markets,
bargain hunt in our fabulous shops and explore
the local cafes, art galleries and town precinct.
The Sunshine Coast has been home to
indigenous First Nations people for over 60,000 years. This is the Kabi Kabi (pronounced Gubbi Gubbi) nation, and this area was home to the Undambi people.
In 1842, Governor Gipps proclaimed this area off limits to European timber cutters and squatters (squatters was the name for Europeans who took over farmland.). This was reversed in 1860 by the Queensland Government to open up the area for
European settlement. The region became famous
for timber, cattle and small crops, followed by sugarcane and
fruit growing.
The town of Yandina (originally called Native Dog
Flat and Maroochy) was first settled in 1868 and
gazetted (registered) in 1870.
Yandina's European history began as a logging town, then a farming district before becoming what it is today, a growing town
that takes pride in the indigenous sacred sites and more recent European historic buildings while forging an identity as a great place for families and visitors.
The town services the local population and many visitors, with an array of boutiques, cafes, craft and specialty shops.
https://yandina.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/WELCOME-_TO_YANDINA.pdf
Anmal Experiences
Home of the Crocodile Hunter's family, one of the world's great zoos where animals have large open spaces and the management actively contribute to wildlife conservation.
867 locals recommend
Australia Zoo
Home of the Crocodile Hunter's family, one of the world's great zoos where animals have large open spaces and the management actively contribute to wildlife conservation.
Brilliant little zoo just a few minutes away, with Sun Bears, Koalas, and loads to explore. Highly recommended by other guests.
46 locals recommend
Wildlife HQ Zoo
76 Nambour Connection RdBrilliant little zoo just a few minutes away, with Sun Bears, Koalas, and loads to explore. Highly recommended by other guests.
Fun for families and groups
The world's largest aqua park is five minutes from Orchard Cottage! Huge inflatable playground plus banana boat and tube rides, learn to waterski or wakeboard, and cafe on site.
72 locals recommend
BLAST Aqua Park Coolum
60 Junction DrThe world's largest aqua park is five minutes from Orchard Cottage! Huge inflatable playground plus banana boat and tube rides, learn to waterski or wakeboard, and cafe on site.
The famous Ginger Factory is ten minutes away in Yandina - take a tour, shop for ginger goodies, eat at the cafe or let the kids loose in the colourful all-weather playground. Free admission. Tours and attractions at extra cost. Location: 50 Pioneer Road, Yandina.
233 locals recommend
The Ginger Factory
50 Pioneer RdThe famous Ginger Factory is ten minutes away in Yandina - take a tour, shop for ginger goodies, eat at the cafe or let the kids loose in the colourful all-weather playground. Free admission. Tours and attractions at extra cost. Location: 50 Pioneer Road, Yandina.
Brilliant indoor aquarium featuring 11 themed zones. See seals, seahorse, sharks and more with some great shows and rescue stories. Location: Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba.
327 locals recommend
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium
Parkyn ParadeBrilliant indoor aquarium featuring 11 themed zones. See seals, seahorse, sharks and more with some great shows and rescue stories. Location: Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba.
Travel back in time with a visit to a “medieval” museum / attraction, where you can learn about history and explore the castle complete with moat, turrets, towers and drawbridge. Location: 292 David Low Way, Bli Bli. Closed Mondays in termtime. https://sunshinecastle.com/
31 locals recommend
Sunshine Castle
292-296 David Low WayTravel back in time with a visit to a “medieval” museum / attraction, where you can learn about history and explore the castle complete with moat, turrets, towers and drawbridge. Location: 292 David Low Way, Bli Bli. Closed Mondays in termtime. https://sunshinecastle.com/
Take a surf lesson or three with Coolum Surf School https://www.coolumsurfschool.com.au
108 locals recommend
Coolum Surf Club
1775-1779 David Low WayTake a surf lesson or three with Coolum Surf School https://www.coolumsurfschool.com.au
Food scene
Fabulous farmers' market visits: Wednesdays at Eumundi, Saturdays at Yandina, Sundays at Noosa - free
700 locals recommend
Eumundi Markets
80 Memorial DrFabulous farmers' market visits: Wednesdays at Eumundi, Saturdays at Yandina, Sundays at Noosa - free
Fabulous farmers' market visits: Wednesdays at Eumundi, Saturdays at Yandina, Sundays at Noosa - free
224 locals recommend
Noosa Farmers Market
155 Weyba RdFabulous farmers' market visits: Wednesdays at Eumundi, Saturdays at Yandina, Sundays at Noosa - free
The Land and Sea Brewery Noosa is great little brewery, with restaurant, and tours, Tours are $55 per person and run by appointment Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 11:30am until 1pm. Each person receives a free craft beer tasting paddle and a fine spirits tasting paddle. https://www.landandseabrewery.com/brewery-tours Land & Sea Brewery, and Fortune Distillery, 19 Venture Drive, Noosaville, 4566 – about 22 minutes away. https://www.landandseabrewery.com/.
115 locals recommend
Land & Sea - Noosa Brewing Company
19 Venture DrThe Land and Sea Brewery Noosa is great little brewery, with restaurant, and tours, Tours are $55 per person and run by appointment Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from 11:30am until 1pm. Each person receives a free craft beer tasting paddle and a fine spirits tasting paddle. https://www.landandseabrewery.com/brewery-tours Land & Sea Brewery, and Fortune Distillery, 19 Venture Drive, Noosaville, 4566 – about 22 minutes away. https://www.landandseabrewery.com/.
Visit the unique 8 metre high wine barrel showroom and taste a large range of wines. Afterwards relax in the restaurant and enjoy a cheese platter or antipasto board with a glass of your favourite wine. Location: 787 Landsborough Maleny Road, Maleny
8 locals recommend
Maleny Mountain Wines
787 Landsborough Maleny RdVisit the unique 8 metre high wine barrel showroom and taste a large range of wines. Afterwards relax in the restaurant and enjoy a cheese platter or antipasto board with a glass of your favourite wine. Location: 787 Landsborough Maleny Road, Maleny
The world-famous Spirit House Restaurant and Cooking School with highly awarded restaurant is right here on our doorstep, ten minutes away in Yandina. (You’ll usually need to book for the restaurant and cooking school). The sunning Spirit House Restaurant offers cooking classes based on recipes from the Spirit House book ‘Essentially Thai.’ Learn how to whip up a delicious Thai meal. You can take a walk in the grounds for free – the bamboo was planted 25 years ago and you’ll see what it will be like here in Bamboo Park in the future, as our bamboo matures. Location: 20 Ninderry Road, Yandina
50 locals recommend
Spirit House Restaurant
20 Ninderry RdThe world-famous Spirit House Restaurant and Cooking School with highly awarded restaurant is right here on our doorstep, ten minutes away in Yandina. (You’ll usually need to book for the restaurant and cooking school). The sunning Spirit House Restaurant offers cooking classes based on recipes from the Spirit House book ‘Essentially Thai.’ Learn how to whip up a delicious Thai meal. You can take a walk in the grounds for free – the bamboo was planted 25 years ago and you’ll see what it will be like here in Bamboo Park in the future, as our bamboo matures. Location: 20 Ninderry Road, Yandina
Unwind with some lunch and a beer direct from where it was brewed. Unique selections such as Ginger Kegs and Hot Chilli Beer. Location: 13 Endeavour Drive, Kunda Park
Sunshine Coast Cider
4 Conara RdUnwind with some lunch and a beer direct from where it was brewed. Unique selections such as Ginger Kegs and Hot Chilli Beer. Location: 13 Endeavour Drive, Kunda Park
Terella Brewing and Vertical Farm – the vertical farm creates water as a by-product from the grow cells, and the brewery uses the water to produce great beer we love. In return, the brewery collects Co2 from the fermenters to re-introduce back into the Vertical Farms grow cells to produce fresh greens each week.Usually open Wednesdays-Sundays, 11am-5pm, with prebooked animal experiences weekend mornings, Terella Brewing, 196 Bunya Road, North Arm 4561 – about 10 minutes away. https://terellabrewing.com.au
47 locals recommend
Terella Brewing
196 Bunya RdTerella Brewing and Vertical Farm – the vertical farm creates water as a by-product from the grow cells, and the brewery uses the water to produce great beer we love. In return, the brewery collects Co2 from the fermenters to re-introduce back into the Vertical Farms grow cells to produce fresh greens each week.Usually open Wednesdays-Sundays, 11am-5pm, with prebooked animal experiences weekend mornings, Terella Brewing, 196 Bunya Road, North Arm 4561 – about 10 minutes away. https://terellabrewing.com.au
Le Bon Delice, Peregian Beach – the best French Patisserie outside Paris - http://www.lebondelice.com.au
37 locals recommend
Le Bon Delice
Heron StreetLe Bon Delice, Peregian Beach – the best French Patisserie outside Paris - http://www.lebondelice.com.au
Mooshkas Restaurant in Sunshine Beach – happy hour 3-5.30pm daily http://mooshka.com.au
79 locals recommend
Mooshka
46 Duke StMooshkas Restaurant in Sunshine Beach – happy hour 3-5.30pm daily http://mooshka.com.au
Sum Young Guys – Masterchef-contestant and friends run this acclaimed restaurant in Sunshine Beach, for modern Australasian and Pacific fusion http://www.sumyungguys.com.au
241 locals recommend
sum yung guys
205 Weyba RoadSum Young Guys – Masterchef-contestant and friends run this acclaimed restaurant in Sunshine Beach, for modern Australasian and Pacific fusion http://www.sumyungguys.com.au
Embassy XO in Sunshine Beach for amazing Yum Cha and modern Asian https://www.embassyxo.com.au
65 locals recommend
Embassy XO Restaurant and Bar
Bryan StreetEmbassy XO in Sunshine Beach for amazing Yum Cha and modern Asian https://www.embassyxo.com.au
Great local fruit and veg store, local family business for two generations
15 locals recommend
Erbacher’s
131-141 David Low WayGreat local fruit and veg store, local family business for two generations
Sails Restaurant Noosa http://www.sailsnoosa.com.au - always fabulous
100 locals recommend
Sails Restaurant Noosa
75 Hastings StSails Restaurant Noosa http://www.sailsnoosa.com.au - always fabulous
Lovely hinterland town in the hills with a great food scene and wineries
401 locals recommend
Montville
Lovely hinterland town in the hills with a great food scene and wineries
Pioneer Coffee Roastery
41 Pioneer RdFavourite coffee bar and roasters
Gun Cotton Coffee Roasters
13 Railway StreetGreat atmosphere, coffee, and food. Often live music.
Movies and shopping
Great movie theatre and a wide range of stores including major and individual retailers – and the BCC Cinema. Location: 154-164 Horton Parade, Maroochydore
436 locals recommend
Sunshine Plaza
164 Horton ParadeGreat movie theatre and a wide range of stores including major and individual retailers – and the BCC Cinema. Location: 154-164 Horton Parade, Maroochydore
Best local beaches
Visit Peregian Beach https://www.visitnoosa.com.au/peregian-beach - and definitely eat at Le Bon Delice – the best French patisserie outside of Paris!
Best local beaches include Coolum, Peregian, Castaways, Sunshine, Sunrise, and of course Noosa Main Beach and Little Cove. A different beach for every day of the week!
168 locals recommend
Peregian Beach
Visit Peregian Beach https://www.visitnoosa.com.au/peregian-beach - and definitely eat at Le Bon Delice – the best French patisserie outside of Paris!
Best local beaches include Coolum, Peregian, Castaways, Sunshine, Sunrise, and of course Noosa Main Beach and Little Cove. A different beach for every day of the week!
Favourite dog beach, with a river running right into the sea and endless sandy beach to explore. If you're coming with your dog, you'll want to head here as soon as possible because it's our favourite and nearest dog beach.
21 locals recommend
Stumers Creek Dog Offleash Area
Stumers Creek RoadFavourite dog beach, with a river running right into the sea and endless sandy beach to explore. If you're coming with your dog, you'll want to head here as soon as possible because it's our favourite and nearest dog beach.
Coolum Beach
Our favourite beach right on our doorstep
World famous Noosa Main Beach, one of Australia's only south-facing beaches
270 locals recommend
Noosa Heads Main Beach
World famous Noosa Main Beach, one of Australia's only south-facing beaches
Little Cove Beach
Great little beach
Fabulous Sunshine Beach has two beaches - one is lifeguard and in front of the brand new Surf Club, the other is North Sunshine and dog-friendly
119 locals recommend
Sunshine Beach
Fabulous Sunshine Beach has two beaches - one is lifeguard and in front of the brand new Surf Club, the other is North Sunshine and dog-friendly
Castaways Beach
Another of our beautiful local beaches
Marcus Beach
You can often have this beach to yourself!