Free things to do on the Sunshine Coast with Kids

Sometimes called the Sunny Coast, the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia is around an hour from Brisbane along the Bruce Highway. While the pristine beaches are the main drawcard here, it is not the only reason why people travel here and keep coming back. From the cool escapes of the hinterland, to the playgrounds and the coastal walks, we are highlighting all the free things to do on the Sunshine Coast with kids.

Free Beaches & Water Play

If you aren’t a local to Australia you may not know that all Australian beaches are completely free! This means you can visit anywhere along our beautiful coastlines and make the most of the weather we have in this amazing country.

Kings Beach, Caloundra

Kings Beach Caloundra is one of the most popular surf beaches on the Sunshine Coast due to the mix of surf beach, ocean pool and the kids waterplay area. Featuring the Sunshine Coast’s only ocean pool which is located right next to the surf beach, you will quickly understand why people want to visit here. Further back from the beach is the Kings Beach fountain area, featuring a zero depth water play area with fountains for the kids to run through (always appreciated in the height of Summer on the way back to the car). There is ample parking but despite this, the parks do fill up early and so if you are visiting on weekends or school holidays, it is best to get there early in the day or after lunch when naptimes begin.

Currimundi Lake

A firm favourite with many families, Currimundi Lake is a huge lake that meets the ocean. The lake side itself is calm and perfect for toddlers and nervous swimmers. Be mindful that sometimes due to tidal conditions, the section where the lake heads out to the ocean can be dangerous. The lake itself is big enough to generally avoid going near this section but if you have adventurous teenagers, you should just be mindful of conditions (which you will usually find on a sign on the foreshore). Currimundi Lake is a great spot to take inflatables and surf skis due to the expanse of flat water. Parking here is challenging, and you may find you need to park some distance away in surrounding streets (but its worth it!).

Cotton Tree Park & Maroochy River, Maroochydore

With its sandy river banks and calm waters, Cotton Tree Park is not only popular with day visitors but also home to a well known holiday park. There are plenty of BBQ’s, two playgrounds and accessible toilets to make the most of your visit (long or short).

Mooloolaba Beach

Mooloolaba Beach is a patrolled surf beach, offering a picturesque coastal walk, a playground and endless shops and cafes along the esplanade. Always a solid choice for a day at the beach, we love the recent addition of the ParkNGo at Mooloolaba Central which offers you 4 free hours parking. It is literally a minutes walk to the beach and makes it so much easier and less stress in finding a park and getting home again.

Sunshine Coast Coast Beaches at a glance

You really are spoilt for choice with it comes to beaches at the Sunshine Coast – below is a list of most of the beaches in order that they can be found from the bottom of the coastline to the top. There is the odd smaller beach area we haven’t mentioned in this list.

Golden Beach: Calm, sheltered waters facing Pumicestone Passage and ideal for very young children and fishing
Bulcock Beach: A gentle boardwalk beach with grassy parklands and a relaxed esplanade vibe.
Happy Valley: Tucked between Kings and Bulcock Beach this offers a grassy parkland, big playground and a coffee cart.
Kings Beach: The family hero of Caloundra offering a free saltwater ocean pool, seawater fountain splash park and a playground all in one spot
Shelly Beach: Best known for its crystal-clear rock pools and shell filled beach.
Moffat Beach: Features a beautiful point break and is best for watching surfers (as it is unpatrolled).
Dicky Beach: Relaxed family beach with a patrolled swimming area and easy parking
Currimundi Lake: Calm, shallow lake where the forest meets the sea. Lots of different swimming conditions to suit all ages.
Buddina / Point Cartwright: Rocky headland with great rock pool exploring and whale watching in season
Mooloolaba Beach: One of the Sunshine Coast’s safest patrolled beach with a busy esplanade and an adventure playground right on the foreshore
Alexandra Headlands (Alex Heads): Famous for its surf club, beachside parks and scenic headland walk. We love this spot for older kids and active families with lots of beach front accommodation on offer.
Cotton Tree / Maroochydore Beach: River beach on one side, surf beach on the other; two playgrounds, electric BBQs and the famous Sunday markets nearby
Mudjimba Beach: Quieter and less crowded than its neighbours but still patrolled, pretty and great for a relaxed family day
Marcoola: A quieter surf beach with good breaks for beginners and a forested beachfront boardwalk for an easy family stroll 
Coolum Beach:Patrolled swimming and a beachside boardwalk with the iconic Mount Coolum as a backdrop. Often have Summer markets.
Peregian: This is a peaceful coastal town with lots of boutique shops- has a small town feel
Sunshine Beach: Just another gorgeous sunshine coast beach to add to the others with easy access to Noosa National Park
Noosa Main Beach: Beautiful but busy, this is a popular family friendly beach close to the famous Hastings street.

Epic Free Parks & Playgrounds

Destination Parks (Worth the Drive)

Aura Treehouse Playground, Caloundra West

The Aura Treehouse Playground is designed with the wow factor in mind with a whimsical multistorey playground and a rope bridge connecting areas of play. With multiples tunnel slides and vertical climbing opportunities it is fantastic for older kids but there are also plenty of features for toddlers like the jumping pillow and swings. (Has toilets)

Grahame Stewart Park, Currimundi

If you want to bring your bikes, then Graeme Stewart Park is worth adding to your Sunshine Coast bucket list. It  boasts a mini traffic track, train play equipment, a partly shaded playground and BBQs. (Has toilets)

Pedal Park, Baringa

Another park for those with bikes and scooters, Pedal Park at Baringa is next level when it comes to teaching young riders the etiquette of riding. With a windy track, signed and marked throughout, this place offers a fun opportunity for them to learn about things like stop signs, keeping to their side of the track and learning how to navigate hills and turns. It also features a playground which sits adjacent to the riding track. (Has toilets)

Beachside Playgrounds

Pierce Park, Maroochydore

Located along the foreshore of Maroochydore, Pierce Park has twin racing slides, a life size snakes and ladder game (unique!) and swings. It is situated within a wider park with BBQs and is a fun place to end a day of swimming. (Has toilets)

Happy Valley Playground, Caloundra

This playground is a big one in terms of space and does require a bit of active supervision from parents. Surrounded by open grassy area, its great for a family picnic and parents will appreciate the coffee cart which is usually open in the carpark. Happy Valley Playground is located between Kings Beach and Bulcock Beach and shaded by huge pines. (Has toilets)

Adventure Playground, Mooloolaba Foreshore

Your kids will love the incredible adventure playground at Mooloolaba, offering a giant climbing net, sensory elements and stunning waterviews. This is often where families end up on overcast cooler days or at the end of a big day swimming (Has toilets)

Hinterland Playgrounds

Pioneer Park, Landsborough

Pioneer Park playground is a stop often made while heading into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland (its hard to drive past without stopping). A hidden gem, it is designed to cater for all abilities and is also fully fenced, it almost feels out of place for how good it is and how far from a city centre it is. (Has toilets)

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Playground

Hidden in the trees, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Playground is often visited as part of a larger visit to the onsite Discovery Centre and adjacent rainforest walks. It sits alongside an expansive grassy area, lending itself to a picnic. It does get cold up there so it is worth packing warm clothes and bug spray (also check the weather for rain as you are up in the mountains).

Free Outdoor Adventures & Nature

The Sunshine Coast Coastal Pathway

Did you know that the Sunshine Coast has over 73kms of coastal pathway to explore!? Ride or walk, its an easy way to get some steps in without feeling like you have walked far at all. Some of our favourite sections include Bulcock Beach to Kings Beach (its short but perfect for little legs), Mooloolaba Spit to Alex Headland (fish and chips at the spit end) and we love the coastal walk section at Mooloolaba (wherever you happen to start).

Hinterland Waterfalls

The Sunshine Coast boasts a couple of different waterfalls. There are ones easy to visit with little kids (Serenity Falls Buderim), ones that can offer challenging swim conditions (Gardner Falls Maleny) and ones that are better suited to older kids and require a bit of a walk to get to, (Kondalilla Falls). We recommend reading the reviews for each as seasonal changes and weather do impact these spaces.

Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens, Tanawha

This hidden gem is also free to visit with nature play opportunities for the kids and just a lovely expanse of wilderness to explore. Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Gardens often have free kids’ events so make sure you check their website before visiting.

Dularcha National Park, Landsborough

For active families this free hike will take you through an old railway tunnel, its a unique walk and something different from your usual walk through bushland.

Climb Mount Coolum

For older kids, climbing up Mount Coolum on sunrise is akin to a rite of passage. Its semi challenging but the reward is in the view that awaits at the end. They are also about to add toilets to this area (which is long overdue)

Mt Tinbeerwah Walk

Further away from the coast and situated in the Noosa Hinterland is another child friendly walk and this one does have a toilet. We  recommend this trail for kids who are at ages who can follow instructions. The Mt Tinbeerwah Walk is nice and short with an approx 1km distance from the carpark and back.

Rock Pool Exploring

All kids love to explore rock pools and find shells and we recommend Shelley Beach Caloundra and Point Cartwright. Shelley Beach always has a range of wonderful rockpools and a heap of shells on the foreshore and Point Cartwright is well known for its expansive rockpools best visited on low tide. Just note that neither area is patrolled and parents should be mindful of conditions and supervise their kids (to ensure they don’t harm to themselves or any sea life)

Free Arts, Culture & Learning

Sunshine Coast Libraries

Rainy days can be challenging when you are on a beach holiday, but just like in Brisbane, Sunshine Coast libraries are about more than just books. They offer free story times and school holiday programs across the library network (they may require pre-booking so check out their website before you visit)

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve Discovery Centre

Located up in the clouds, Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve is a must visit. Everything within the discovery centre is designed to be touched, opened or explored. There are little nooks and walk ways and its an engaging space for children to learn more about the nature that surrounds them. When you walk outside the discovery centre you will find rainforest walks which are the perfect distance for little legs and gives them a taste of tropical Queensland rainforests from the smells to the sounds of whipbirds. There is a cafe here as well as ample space for a picnic.

Ginger Factory Grounds

Its not widely known that it is free entry to the Ginger Factory Grounds at Yandina. This means entry to the gardens, playground and access to a life sized snakes and ladder game. It does cost money to enter the Ginger Factory itself and if you have this within your budget you will find a detailed review on our website if you use the search function.

Free events and seasonal highlights

Sunshine Coast Markets

Eumundi Markets (Wednesday and Sundays): This is a colourful hippie style market with lots of music, entertainment and food to keep the kids engaged.

Cotton Tree Markets: Happening on Sunday mornings this is a Sunshine Coast market featuring a range of local designer wares, produce and entertainment.

Caloundra Street Fair: Takes over the main street every Sunday, this is the largest street market on the Sunshine Coast!

Seasonal markets: Due to the seasonal vibe of the Sunshine Coast, there are many markets that pop up over the warmer months. Check out the Sunshine Coast Council website what’s on page to get the latest updates.

Whale watching

From June to November you can sit anywhere along the coastline and you will likely be blessed by seeing humpback whales on their great migration along what is affectionally known as the Humpback Highway! Some of the better spots include the top of Mount Coolum and Point Cartwright, but honestly, thanks to whales conservation, its not hard to spot a whale from anywhere along the Queensland coastline.

Other Sunshine Coast Resources

The Best Playgrounds On The Sunshine Coast

Things to do on the Sunshine Coast when it gets cold