The Sunshine Coast stretches over 100 kilometres of Queensland coastline, from the calm family bays of Caloundra in the south to the rainforest-fringed headlands of Noosa in the north. Behind the beaches, a lush hinterland of ancient volcanic peaks, waterfall-laced national parks and charming mountain villages rises just 30 minutes inland. It's an extraordinarily diverse region — and the best way to experience it all is with a local who knows where to look.
Cooee Tours offers guided day trips across the full Sunshine Coast region: coastal walks through Noosa National Park, scenic hinterland drives to Montville, Maleny and the Glass House Mountains, market days at Eumundi and Noosa, wildlife encounters at Australia Zoo, craft brewery trails, and beach-hopping from Mooloolaba to Caloundra. Whether you're visiting from Brisbane for the day, based on the coast for a week, or combining the Sunshine Coast with a broader Queensland itinerary, there's a tour designed for you.
Sunshine Coast Day Tours
Curated experiences showcasing the best of the coast, hinterland, wildlife and local food culture.
Noosa Coastal Explorer
Walk the famous 5.4 km Noosa National Park Coastal Track past Hell's Gates and the Fairy Pools, spot koalas in the eucalyptus canopy, relax on Noosa Main Beach, and enjoy free time browsing Hastings Street's boutiques and cafés.
Hinterland & Waterfalls Adventure
Drive the scenic Blackall Range road to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve for Glass House Mountains views, explore the charming villages of Montville and Maleny, visit Kondalilla Falls or Gardners Falls swimming hole, and stop for artisan food and cheese tastings along the way.
Eumundi Markets & Noosa
Browse 300+ stalls at the original Eumundi Markets — handmade crafts, global street food, live music under century-old fig trees. Combine with free time in Noosa for beach, shopping and lunch on Hastings Street.
Australia Zoo & Wildlife Combo
Spend the day at the world-famous Australia Zoo — over 100 acres of wildlife habitat with koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, tigers, cheetahs and the iconic Crocoseum live show. A perfect family adventure.
Foodie & Brewery Trail
Taste your way across the Sunshine Coast food scene — Noosa Farmers Market, craft breweries (Brouhaha, Copperhead, Moffat Beach Brewing Co), artisan chocolate, hinterland cheese and paddock-to-plate dining. Transport included.
Sunshine Coast for Seniors
Leisurely day tours designed for comfort — Noosa Everglades cruise, hinterland villages, Ginger Factory, Australia Zoo and scenic lookouts. Gentle pace, comfortable transport and accessible stops.
Sunshine Coast at a Glance
100+ km of Coastline
From the calm bays of Caloundra and Bulcock Beach to the surf breaks of Coolum and the golden sand of Noosa Main Beach — beaches for every mood.
Hinterland Villages
Montville, Maleny, Mapleton and Flaxton — charming Blackall Range towns with art galleries, gourmet cafés, spectacular lookouts and cool mountain air.
Waterfalls & Walks
Kondalilla Falls (90 m drop with swimming hole), Gardners Falls, Mapleton Falls, Serenity Falls in Buderim and the 58.5 km Sunshine Coast Great Walk.
World-Class Wildlife
Australia Zoo (100+ acres), SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast aquarium, wild koalas in Noosa National Park, humpback whale watching (June–November).
Artisan Markets
Eumundi Markets (Wed & Sat, 300+ stalls), Noosa Farmers Market (Sunday, 200+ stalls), Caloundra Street Fair, Peregian Beach Markets.
Craft Beer Capital
24+ independent breweries and boutique distilleries — Brouhaha Maleny, Copperhead Cooroy, Moffat Beach Brewing Co, 10 Toes and many more.
Glass House Mountains
14 ancient volcanic peaks rising from the coastal plain — walking trails, summit climbs (Mount Ngungun, Mount Tibrogargan) and a scenic lookout.
Year-Round Sunshine
Subtropical climate with 300+ sunny days, warm winters (19–22°C), pleasant shoulder seasons (22–26°C) and warm ocean water almost all year.
Coastal Experiences — Noosa, Mooloolaba & Caloundra
From north-facing Main Beach to calm Caloundra bays, the coast delivers something for every traveller.
Noosa — Coastal Track, Main Beach & Hastings Street
Noosa National Park is the jewel of the Sunshine Coast. The famous Coastal Track hugs the cliff edge from the Main Beach car park past Boiling Pot and Tea Tree Bay to Hell's Gates and the natural Fairy Pools — a 5.4 km walk rewarded with dramatic ocean views, dolphin and turtle sightings, and koalas dozing in the eucalyptus canopy overhead.
Back at sea level, Noosa Main Beach is one of the gentlest in Australia — north-facing, patrolled, and lapped by warm, clear water. Hastings Street, running just metres from the sand, is lined with boutique shops, galleries and some of the region's best restaurants. Our Noosa & Coastal Tours guide covers the full experience.
Mooloolaba & Caloundra — Family Beaches & Coastal Walks
Mooloolaba Beach is consistently ranked among Australia's safest — a wide arc of golden sand with a buzzing esplanade of restaurants, juice bars and The Wharf precinct, home to SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast and waterfront dining. Between Mooloolaba and Caloundra, Alexandra Headland ("Alex") offers a quieter beach with a consistent surf break.
At the southern end, Caloundra is a local favourite with calm Bulcock Beach (perfect for young children), Kings Beach and its free saltwater ocean pool, the 25 km Caloundra Coastal Walk, plus surf breaks at Moffat Beach and Dicky Beach. It's also the gateway to the Glass House Mountains and just 25 minutes from Australia Zoo. See our accommodation guide for where to base yourself.
Hinterland — Waterfalls, Villages & the Glass House Mountains
Just 30 minutes from the coast, a different world of cool rainforest, volcanic peaks and artisan villages.
Blackall Range Villages — Montville, Maleny & Mapleton
The charming villages perched along the Blackall Range are a highlight of any Sunshine Coast visit. Montville offers boutique shops, galleries and cafés along a leafy main street, plus access to Kondalilla Falls and Flame Hill Vineyard. Maleny — known as "the heart of the hinterland" — has an artisan food scene (Maleny Food Co, Frank Food & Wine) and the spectacular Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, where a 1.7 km rainforest boardwalk leads to panoramic Glass House Mountains views.
Mapleton is the starting point for several waterfall walks and sits along the Sunshine Coast Great Walk — a 58.5 km trail designed for four days of hiking through subtropical rainforest and eucalyptus forest.
Waterfalls — Kondalilla, Gardners, Mapleton & Serenity Falls
Kondalilla Falls in Kondalilla National Park is the coast's most popular — a 90-metre cascade with a swimming hole at the top, reached via a 4.6 km loop track through dense rainforest (about 300 steps). Gardners Falls near Maleny is the easiest swimming spot to reach — just 300 metres from the car park to the Obi Obi Creek swimming hole (with a rope swing for the adventurous).
Mapleton Falls offers three lookout points overlooking the 120-metre drop, while Serenity Falls in Buderim Forest Park is the only coastal waterfall — a gentle 850-metre walk through lowland rainforest. For a more adventurous hike, Baxter Falls in Kondalilla National Park is a hidden gem reached via a 4 km return walk with a suspension bridge crossing through pristine rainforest.
Glass House Mountains — Ancient Volcanic Peaks
Rising dramatically from the coastal plain south of Caloundra, the Glass House Mountains are 14 ancient volcanic peaks formed over 25 million years ago — each with a distinctive silhouette visible from across the region. The Glass House Mountains Lookout in Beerburrum West State Forest provides sweeping 360-degree views.
Mount Ngungun (253 m) is the most popular summit walk — a 2.8 km return track with panoramic views from the top, particularly spectacular at sunrise and sunset. Mount Tibrogargan is a steeper scramble for experienced walkers. The mountains hold deep significance for the Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi) people and are part of a dramatic landscape best explored with a guide who can share the geological and cultural story.
Wildlife Encounters & Family Attractions
World-class wildlife experiences and family-friendly attractions across the coast.
Australia Zoo — The Irwin Family Legacy
Australia Zoo at Beerwah is one of the world's great wildlife parks — over 100 acres of immersive habitat housing more than 1,200 animals, including koalas, kangaroos, crocodiles, tigers, cheetahs, red pandas, Komodo dragons and an extensive reptile collection. The Crocoseum live show is the centrepiece — a wildlife spectacular featuring crocodile feeding, bird of prey demonstrations and conservation education.
Founded by Steve and Terri Irwin and now led by the Irwin family, the zoo is as much a conservation facility as a visitor attraction. It's one of the Sunshine Coast's most popular day trips and features in both our adventure activities and seniors tours guides.
SEA LIFE, Whale Watching & the Ginger Factory
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast at The Wharf, Mooloolaba, offers an underwater world of sharks, rays and tropical marine life — the walk-through shark tunnel and interactive rock pool exhibits make it a family favourite in any weather. During winter and spring (June to November), humpback whale watching tours depart from Mooloolaba and Noosa, offering close encounters with migrating whales.
The Ginger Factory in Yandina is one of the region's heritage attractions — the world's largest operating ginger factory, with free entry, a train ride through tropical gardens, tastings, a bee exhibit, and a shop stocked with ginger-flavoured everything. It's a favourite stop on hinterland tours and pairs well with a visit to nearby Spirit House restaurant.
Why Choose Cooee Tours?
Local Expert Guides
Our guides live on the Sunshine Coast. They know the hidden lookouts, the best time to spot koalas, which café does the best flat white, and the stories behind every landmark.
Comfortable Transport
Air-conditioned vehicles with panoramic windows. Door-to-door hotel pickup from Caloundra to Noosa, plus Brisbane CBD pickup on selected tours.
Small Groups
We keep group sizes small — typically 10–20 guests — so you get personal attention, flexible stops, and the chance to actually talk to your guide.
Handpicked Food Stops
Every tour includes curated food and drink recommendations — from hinterland cheese tastings to craft brewery paddles and the best local seafood spots.
Photo-Worthy Stops
Multiple dedicated stops at scenic lookouts, waterfalls and landmarks — we build in time so you never feel rushed with a camera.
Free Cancellation
Cancel free up to 24 hours before departure. Plans change, and we want booking with us to feel easy and risk-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's included on Cooee Tours Sunshine Coast day tours?
All tours include air-conditioned transport, an expert local guide, scheduled attraction stops and commentary throughout. Park entry fees are included where applicable. Meals are generally at your own expense unless a lunch or tasting is specified in the tour description, giving you freedom to choose where and what to eat.
Are tours suitable for children and families?
Yes. Most of our Sunshine Coast tours are family-friendly, with beach stops, easy rainforest walks, wildlife encounters at Australia Zoo, and market visits that appeal to all ages. We recommend our Noosa Coastal and Eumundi Markets tours as particularly good options for families with younger children.
How long are the tours and what time do they start?
Standard full-day tours run approximately 8 AM to 5 PM. Half-day options (typically 4–5 hours) are also available for selected experiences. We offer flexible departure times for private group bookings.
Do you offer hotel pickup on the Sunshine Coast?
Yes — we offer pickup from most Sunshine Coast accommodation locations between Caloundra and Noosa. Brisbane CBD pickup is available on selected tours for an additional transfer fee. Please provide your accommodation address when booking and we'll confirm the nearest pickup point.
When is the best time to visit the Sunshine Coast?
The Sunshine Coast enjoys a subtropical climate with pleasant weather year-round. Shoulder seasons (March–May and September–November) offer the best combination of warm weather, fewer crowds and lower rates. Peak season (December–January) is busiest. Winter (June–August) brings mild daytime temperatures of 19–22°C and clear skies — ideal for outdoor activities and whale watching.
How do I get to the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane?
About 100 km north of Brisbane — roughly 1 to 1.5 hours by car via the Bruce Highway (M1). Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) at Marcoola has direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Auckland. You can also take a train from Brisbane to Nambour or Landsborough and connect via local bus.
Book Your Sunshine Coast Adventure
Secure your spot on a 2026 guided tour — popular dates fill fast, especially during school holidays and whale season.
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