The ultimate 7-day Sunshine Coast itinerary

Golden beaches, lush national parks and local gems you won’t find in a guidebook – this seven-day itinerary wraps up the very best of the Sunshine Coast. Yes, a week will fly by (and you’ll probably wish you had more time), but it’s the perfect start to your Best. Sunshine Coast Holiday. Ever!

Whether you're after laidback vibes or action-packed days, this is your go-to guide for making it magical.

Explore the Sunshine Coast Hinterland

How to get there: Fly directly to the Sunshine Coast Airport in Maroochydore or fly to Brisbane International Airport and pick up a hire car and drive to the Sunshine Coast.

Pick up a hire car or take a transfer to your accommodation to drop of your bags and get ready for your Sunshine Coast adventure!

From the minute you enter the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, surrounded by the peaks of the Glass House Mountains, you will instinctively slow down to take in the view.

On your way through the rolling hills of the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, stop in for a light takeaway snack at Maleny Food Co. The team at Maleny Food Co offer delectable cheese, dried fruit, crackers, and chilled drink picnic baskets, perfect to pick up and enjoy at a nearby waterfall.

Just a short drive from Maleny Food Co, Gardner’s Falls is an easy stroll from the carpark. With a wonderful bush setting complete with rock pools and rope swings for the more daring, this is the perfect place to set up a picnic, pop in for a quick dip and enjoy lush greenery.

After exploring the lush rainforest, head to Brouhaha to try their locally crafted beer. They are famous for their Strawberry Rhubarb Sour Beer which features delicious Sunshine Coast strawberries.

For a spot of shopping, stop in at Montville, a quaint Sunshine Coast Hinterland town where you will find chocolate shops, small boutiques, and beautiful views.

If you are feeling the need to stretch your legs, The Glass House Mountains’ peaks are calling you. Mount Ngungun is one of the most popular and easy hikes. It is a spectacular place to watch the sunset as it offers views all through the Hinterland. 

Suggested overnight: Narrows Escape, Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Experience the Coastal Lifestyle

Start your day with a coffee and brekkie from The Pocket Espresso Bar in Moffat Beach, Caloundra. We recommend the savoury muffins! Take the beautiful coastal walk from Moffat to Caloundra and Golden beach, where it is time to hit the water.

With stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, and jet skis to hire, you’ll be all set to explore Pumicestone Passage which is the body of water between Bribie Island and the Queensland mainland. You will want to keep your eyes peeled; the passage is teaming with wildlife.

For lunch, stop off at the newly opened Greedy Gringos’ for a taste of Californian style tacos and a margarita or two before driving to Australia Zoo. Spend the afternoon with some of Australia’s most iconic animals. Get up close to koalas, kangaroos, wombats, and many more native animals. Australia Zoo is also home to an array of African and South-East Asian animals.

Head back to Alexandra Headlands to catch a stunning Sunshine Coast sunset. As the sun sets in red and gold, enjoy watching local surfers lap up the last waves of the evening.

In the evening, discover Mooloolaba Wharf, which boasts a variety of dining options, bars, and pubs. Local's favourite, Rice Boi, features delicious Asian fusion meals and fresh cocktails. The Dock is also another restaurant loved by Sunshine Coast locals which has waterfront views and relaxing vibes.

Suggested overnight: Mantra, Mooloolaba Beach

Delve into Coolum Beach and Noosa

Start the day off with an early morning hike up Mount Coolum. It is a short 20-25 min walk to the peak, and is a great spot to spot whales in the distance towards Mudjimba Island. Featuring sweeping coastal views, this walk is a must-do.

Pop into the Coolum Surf Club for some breakfast or a takeaway coffee. This iconic surf club features some of the best ocean views on the Sunshine Coast.

Head north towards Noosa, to the beautiful Habitat Noosa property, where you can experience the Noosa Everglades, the only Everglades in Australia. Join an Everglades Eco Safaris tour which offers an unforgettable wilderness cruise into one of Australia’s most pristine regions. Swim in tea-tree infused waters, canoe through the mirrored waterways or simply relax in this unique natural environment.

In the evening, explore Noosa’s Hasting Street - home to fairy-lit walkways, boutique shops, restaurants, cafes, and bars. Make dinner reservations at Bistro C; where the menu is inspired by the amazing local produce of the Sunshine Coast and include favourites such as succulent steak, locally caught fish, oysters, and signature dishes such as the caramelised pork belly and a coconut chicken salad, as well as calamari that will melt in your mouth.

Suggested overnight: Culgoa Point Beach Resort or Noosa Blue

The Great Beach Drive – a road trip like no other

No trip to Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is complete without the thrill of a four-wheel drive adventure along the spectacular Great Beach Drive – and Great Beach Drive 4WD Tours are the go-to for this once-in-a-lifetime experience.

This isn’t just a drive – it’s an epic day out that blends jaw-dropping natural beauty with rich local history, all brought to life by passionate guides who truly know this coastline. You’ll travel more than 70 kilometres along iconic beaches from Noosa to Rainbow Beach, passing through pristine national parks and the UNESCO-recognised Great Sandy Biosphere.

Spot the famous coloured sands of Teewah, soak in sweeping views from the Double Island Point lighthouse, and keep your eyes peeled for playful dolphins, manta rays, turtles, soldier crabs, birdlife – and even migrating whales if you’re lucky (from June to October).

After a full day of adventure, wind down with dinner and a view at The Surf Club, Sunshine Beach. Perched above the sand, this spot serves up unbeatable ocean vistas from its Ocean Deck and Seaside Deck – plus a seafood menu that’s as fresh as the sea breeze. Whether you’re after a cosy booth or a breezy spot with panoramic views, it’s the perfect place to end your day. best the sea has to offer, their seafood dishes are not to be missed!

Suggested overnight: Culgoa Point Beach Resort or Noosa Blue

Relax and Rejuvenate

Ease into the slower pace of the Sunshine Coast with a day that feeds your soul and soothes your senses.

Start your morning with fresh air and coastal views on a walk through Noosa National Park. With 15 kilometres of scenic tracks, you’ll discover hidden coves, dramatic cliff tops and lookouts where dolphins play and waves roar at spots like Boiling Pot and Hell’s Gates. It’s one of Queensland’s most picturesque patches of nature – and it’s right on Noosa’s doorstep.

In the afternoon, settle into serenity at the award-winning Ikatan Spa. Set in lush Balinese-style gardens, Ikatan is all about unhurried luxury. Think blissful massages, holistic facials and soul-soothing body rituals using traditional Balinese techniques. Sip on herbal tea or enjoy a garden-side high tea as time gently slips away.

Then, as the sun sets, head to Spirit House in Yandina for a dinner to remember. Nestled in a tropical oasis, this award-winning restaurant offers Thai-inspired dishes that dance with flavour. Surrounded by tranquil ponds, bamboo and palms, it’s a sensory experience from the moment you arrive.

Suggested overnight: Culgoa Point Beach Resort or Noosa Blue

Discover Rainbow Beach

Today’s the day for wide open skies, salty air and one of the Sunshine Coast’s most dazzling secrets.

Start with a coffee and brekkie at Vault Espresso in Noosaville – a breezy spot where the menu changes with the seasons and heroes the best of the Sunshine Coast’s local produce. It’s the perfect launchpad for your road trip north.

Then hit the highway and head to Rainbow Beach, a sun-drenched coastal gem framed by the Great Sandy National Park, Fraser Island and the endless Pacific Ocean. Think coloured cliffs, shifting sands, and views that make you stop and stare.

Once you arrive, get ready for an unforgettable eco-adventure with Epic Ocean Adventures. Kayak or paddleboard your way around Double Island Point, a tropical marine sanctuary brimming with life. Spot bottlenose dolphins dancing in the waves, glide alongside turtles or, if it’s whale season (June to October), catch a glimpse of humpbacks cruising by.

As the day winds down, make your way to Carlo Sand Blow – a surreal sandscape that feels like walking on the moon. Perched high above the coast, it’s the perfect picnic spot. Bring along a chilled bottle and watch the sky blaze with colour as the sun dips behind the horizon. Trust us – this is a sunset you’ll never forget.

Suggested overnight: Rainbow Ocean Palms Resort or Plantation Resort 

Wrap up your epic adventure

Start your morning the Rainbow Beach way – with a stroll along the shore and a refreshing dip in the sea. Then wander over to Coffee Rocks, a local favourite for your final holiday brekkie by the beach.

As you make your way back to the Sunshine Coast, consider a last detour to Cotton Tree. Grab a takeaway bite and enjoy it with your toes in the sand – one more pinch-me moment before you go.

Then it’s time to head towards Sunshine Coast Airport in Maroochydore or Brisbane Airport for your journey home – relaxed, recharged, and already dreaming about your next escape.

Inspired to experience the relaxed charm and stunning coastlines of Noosa, Queensland? Connect with one of our Australia specialists today to start planning your perfect getaway!