Main Beach – Noosa

10 Free Things to do at Sunshine Coast – Australia

Australia’s gorgeous Sunshine Coast is situated about midway along Australia’s extensive eastern coast. It runs for 55 km from Noosa in the north to Caloundra in the south. The closest city is Brisbane, just a 1-2 hour drive south (depending on whether you’re traveling to/from Caloundra or Noosa).

The spectacular coast boasts over two dozen separately-named beaches, interrupted only by an occasional headland, rocky cliff or river estuary. That’s nearly 55 km of golden sand beaches!

trail at Noosa Spit Park

Just inland from the beaches, and sometimes right along the coast, are extensive native forests filled with Australia’s unique endemic trees, bushes, birds and graced with lovely walking trails. Further inland are several small lakes, low mountains, rivers and national parks.

A few small towns dot the coast and interior hills. Otherwise, it’s all nature.

I’ve written more extensively about the fabulous Sunshine Coast in this post.

In this article I focus specifically on all the great activities visitors can do for free in this stunning region.

After all, Australia is an expensive country to travel through, especially for budget travelers. Luckily, all the fantastic free activities help offset the high costs of accommodation, transportation and food.

Without further ado, here are 10 free things to do on the Sunshine Coast:

Sunshine Beach near Noosa

1. Enjoy unspoiled beaches

Most of the coast’s glorious beaches have been left in an untouched state, simply backed by low sand dunes and scrubby forests.

Beaches closest to towns tend to have more people, sometimes getting even crowded on weekends and holidays. But the windswept, au naturale beaches further from towns can be amazingly empty most days.

So take you pick and head out to enjoy some fun in the sun. Soak up the nice not rays, tan yourself to a deep golden brown, read a book, take a hike or a jog, watch people, wade or swim, chat with friends.

Note: If you plan to swim, be aware that waters off the coast of Australia can have dangerous currents, swells and/or dangerous sea creatures. Be sure to swim ONLY in designated areas with life guards and ‘swimming ok’ flags.

2. Befriend some dogs

Several dog-friendly beaches are scattered along Sunshine Coast. On those beaches, dogs are permitted to run without leashes.

On any given day you’ll find dozens of dogs of all species enjoying themselves out in nature, accompanied by humans, of course. They have a blast chasing balls and sticks, racing as fast as they can, jumping in the ocean, meeting other dogs and generally frolicking around.

A majority of them also enjoy meeting new people. Most of the owners are likewise thrilled to share their beloved dogs. Some are even happy to let strangers throw sticks or balls, play chase or otherwise pet and play with their furry friends.

So if you’re a dog fan, make some new doggie pals at Sunshine Coast’s dog beaches.

kite boarding at Caloundra – photo by Thinboyfatter on Flckr CC

3. Watch surfers or kite-boarders

Generally speaking, the ocean along Sunshine Coast is much more suited to rougher water sports like surfing, kite boarding and wind surfing than to swimming. More likely than not, you’ll find pounding surf, powerful water and dozens of surfers out catching waves.

While it costs money to buy or rent a surf board & wet suit and/or take lessons, it doesn’t cost a thing to watch other water athletes challenge the seas. Over a dozen beaches along the coast are popular with surfers, so pick the closest one and enjoy some sport watching.

On windy days kite boarders and wind surfers dash to the mouth of Noosa River, just north of Noosa Heads town, where strong winds whip across the channel. You’ll be able to watch advanced boarders racing at high speeds, making precision turns and leaping in the air, sometimes simultaneously doing turns or somersaults. It’s pretty spectacular.

great views along the Coastal Walk at Noosa National Park

4. Visit Noosa National Park

Occupying the hilly headlands separating Noosa and Sunshine Beach, Noosa National Park offers an informative visitor’s center and a variety of great hiking trails.

Walk through native Australian forests surrounded by unusual trees found only in Australia , like ghost gums and grass trees. Hike the park’s Coastal Trail for stunning views over rugged rocky shores, swelling surf and secluded beaches. Or chug uphill to the park’s highest point on Noosa Hill for more extensive views both northward and southward along Australia’s eastern coast.

5. Try a nude beach

Several low-key nude beaches grace the shores of Sunshine Beach. Probably most well-known is Alexandria Beach at Noosa Headlands. It’s actually situated within Noosa National Park and can be accessed by park trails from park headquarters at Noosa or by hiking up over the headland from Sunshine Beach.

If you’ve ever considered hanging out in nature totally in the buff, or have already discovered the joys of nudism, Sunshine Coast is a great place to indulge.

Mt Coolum

6. Hike up Mt Coolum

Mt Coolum amounts to a big rounded heap of rock jutting suddenly up from the flat coastal plain just inland from Coolum Beach. Situated towards the northern end of Sunshine Coast, about 20 km south of Noosa, Mt Coolum offers stunning 360° views along the coast and interior mountains.

A well-constructed trail starts at a parking lot at the base of the mountain and winds its way up through native forests and stone outcroppings. Be prepared for a steep but short climb up hundreds of stone steps. Depending on your fitness level, the hike takes 15-45 minutes to reach the summit.

En route you’ll see the rare & whacky grass trees and the Mt Coolum She-Oak, which grows only on the upper slopes of Mt Coolum, nowhere else in the world.

Your efforts will be well-rewarding at the top. Plan to stay a while to admire views in all directions.

brush turkeys wander all over the region

7. Watch native Australian birds

Australia has some peculiar & unique native birds, including Kookaburras, Cockatoos and Brush Turkeys, to name a few.

Along Sunshine Coast brush turkeys are especially prolific, wandering lazily about nearly everywhere: in forests, on trails, on beaches, in residential neighborhoods and even sometimes in the middle of towns.

The large black birds sport a huge, stiff fan-like black tail and a splash of bright red and yellow on their faces. They strut about scratching at the ground, foraging for food all over the place.

Male brush turkeys make massive nests the size of human beds (no exaggeration) by raking up nearby leaves, sticks and ground cover into a mammoth pile. After eggs are laid, the males tend the nest until the babies hatch, closely monitoring the interior temperature by sticking their heads inside the nest.

Another fantastic native bird prominent in the area is the Kookaburra, which makes crazy loud laughing sounds. Keep your ears peeled for their loud raucous voices.

In addition to unique Australian birds, you’ll also find many common water birds such as herons, egrets and seagulls as well as falcons and hawks.

several annual music festivals liven up Sunshine Coast

8. Attend festivals and events

Dozens of lively festivals and events take place throughout the year at various towns along Sunshine Coast. Noosa puts on its popular annual Jazz Festival in September. Woodford Folk Festival between Christmas & NYE. Caloundra Music Festival.

With all its surfing beaches, Sunshine Coast hosts annual Noosa surfing competitions. Two triathalons. Local festivals.

9. Go window shopping at Noosa’s upscale boutiques

Noosa is the most chic sea-side town at Sunshine Coast. Its single shopping street, Hastings Street, is jammed with outdoor cafes, ethnic restaurants and upscale boutiques selling clothes, home interiors, jewelry, gifts and other merchandise.

Although Noosa’s pricey merchandise might be too expensive for most budget travelers, browsing is certainly free. If you like beautiful stuff, go enjoy a pleasant morning or afternoon leisurely floating from boutique to boutique, soaking up the ambiance and checking out Noosa’s cafe scene.

fresh veggies at Noosa Market

10. Check out weekend markets

Throughout Sunshine Coast you’ll find colorful weekend markets offering locally-grown organic produce, food stalls, arts & handicrafts, second-hand clothing, brick-a-brac, designer clothes & jewelry and other goods. Some markets specialize in particular goods while others sell a whole range of stuff.

The region’s most famous market is Eumundi, which specializes in high-quality hand-made clothes & jewelry, imports and native Australian goods. It’s held Saturday and Wednesday mornings til midday.

Another famous market is Noosa Sunday market, focused on locally-grown organic produce and gourmet breads, meats, desserts, condiments and cooked meals. It starts at sunrise and starts to wind down by 11 am.

You can find more than a dozen other markets by visiting the information centers at Noosa, Maroochyadore, Coolum Beach, Mooloolaba, Caloundra and Tewantin.

For more details on all these activities plus Sunshine Coast beaches, parks, festivals and markets, check out Visit Sunshine Coast website.

You might also enjoy:

Photos of Noosa

Australia’s Stunning Sunshine Coast

Travel Tale: Incidents at Noosa

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