The Sunshine Coast region offers some of Australia's most spectacular day trip destinations, combining natural beauty, cultural experiences, and world-class attractions. Whether you're seeking the vibrant atmosphere of famous markets, the sophistication of boutique wineries, the tranquility of Queensland's hinterland rainforests, or the wonder of native wildlife in their natural habitat, our carefully curated Sunshine Coast day trips deliver unforgettable experiences that showcase the best of Southeast Queensland.
Cooee Tours has been Queensland's trusted coach tour operator since 1985, specializing in small-group experiences that reveal both iconic landmarks and hidden gems throughout the region. Our professional drivers and knowledgeable guides ensure every journey is comfortable, safe, and filled with fascinating insights about the destinations you visit. From the coastal beauty of Noosa to the garden splendor of Toowoomba, from pristine rainforest boardwalks to breathtaking mountain lookouts, we provide seamless access to the region's finest attractions with the convenience of door-to-door service.
Unlike standard bus tours, Cooee Tours focuses on creating memorable experiences rather than simply transporting passengers between locations. Our guides share local stories, point out wildlife and landmarks along the route, and provide insider tips about the best places to eat, shop, and explore. We maintain relationships with local businesses, wineries, conservation centers, and attractions, ensuring our guests receive warm welcomes and often exclusive access or special presentations not available to casual visitors.
Our commitment to small group sizes means you'll never feel lost in a crowd. With a maximum of 24 passengers on most tours, everyone enjoys premium window seating, easy communication with the guide, and the flexibility to accommodate special requests when possible. This intimate approach also allows us to visit boutique venues, pristine natural areas, and hidden gems that larger tour operators cannot access, giving you an authentic taste of regional Queensland life and its remarkable biodiversity.
Join thousands of satisfied travelers on our luxury coach tours to Queensland's most spectacular destinations
Discover Australia's most famous artisan markets featuring over 600 stalls showcasing handcrafted goods, local produce, fashion, and unique gifts. Every item follows the authentic "make it, bake it, grow it, sew it" philosophy that has made these markets legendary.
Operating Days: Wednesdays, Fridays & Saturdays
Duration: Full day with extended browsing time
Book Eumundi Markets TourPerfect family-friendly attraction featuring interactive factory tours, fascinating live bee shows, heritage train rides, and stunning subtropical gardens. Learn the complete ginger production story from paddock to plate with tastings throughout.
Highlights: Factory tours, Ginger Train, bee show, gardens
Best For: Families, food enthusiasts, groups
Explore Ginger FactorySavor the flavors of Queensland's emerging wine region with visits to boutique wineries, cellar door tastings, and gourmet lunch experiences. Discover award-winning wines produced in the beautiful hinterland setting with volcanic soil.
Includes: Multiple winery visits, tastings, lunch
Perfect For: Wine lovers, couples, special occasions
Book Wine TourExplore the dramatic volcanic peaks of the Glass House Mountains, visit local attractions including the famous Australia Zoo, and discover the rich Aboriginal heritage of this stunning landscape. Perfect for nature lovers and photographers seeking iconic Queensland scenery.
Highlights: Scenic lookouts, nature walks, local cafes
Duration: Half or full day options available
Explore MountainsJourney through the picturesque Blackall Range visiting charming mountain villages, artisan galleries, boutique shops, and scenic lookouts offering panoramic coastal views. Experience Queensland's creative hinterland community and discover unique local crafts.
Stops Include: Montville, Maleny, Mary Cairncross Park
Best For: Shopping, scenery, cafes, galleries
Book Hinterland TourImmerse yourself in 18 acres of spectacular themed gardens featuring rare plants, tranquil water features, and stunning valley views. Bird World showcases over 700 native and exotic birds in walk-through aviaries where you can hand-feed colorful parrots and lorikeets.
Highlights: Themed gardens, interactive bird aviaries, café
Duration: 3-4 hours including lunch option
Explore Botanic GardensWalk among ancient subtropical rainforest via elevated boardwalks and discover rare flora, native wildlife, and breathtaking Glass House Mountains views. This pristine 55-hectare reserve offers interpretive displays, guided walks, and exceptional birdwatching opportunities in protected old-growth forest.
Features: Rainforest boardwalks, visitor center, wildlife
Best For: Nature photography, birdwatching, education
Book Reserve TourAscend to breathtaking vantage points across the Blackall Range for panoramic views spanning from the Glass House Mountains to the sparkling Pacific Ocean. Perfect for sunset tours, photography workshops, and experiencing the hinterland's dramatic landscape with expert interpretation of the region's geology and ecology.
Includes: Multiple lookout stops, photo opportunities
Special: Sunset tours available with champagne
Book Lookout TourCombine all three eco experiences in one comprehensive day! Visit Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World, explore the pristine rainforest of Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, and capture stunning panoramas from Mountain View Lookout. This specially designed eco tour emphasizes conservation, native wildlife, and sustainable tourism while showcasing the very best of the Sunshine Coast hinterland's natural wonders.
Tour Includes: Expert naturalist guide, morning tea, gourmet lunch, all entry fees, small group (max 16), carbon-offset travel
Book Eco Discovery TourSwipe through some of Sunshine Coast's most iconic experiences.
The legendary Eumundi Markets have evolved since 1979 into one of Australia's most celebrated shopping and cultural experiences. Operating every Wednesday and Saturday mornings, these markets transform the historic town into a bustling celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and community. With over 600 individual stallholders spread across multiple market precincts, visitors can spend hours discovering handmade jewelry, original artwork, designer clothing, homewares, gourmet foods, and fresh local produce.
What sets Eumundi apart is its strict authenticity policy requiring all products to be handmade, home-grown, or home-baked by the stallholder. This ensures every purchase directly supports local artists, farmers, and craftspeople. Our Eumundi Markets day trips provide strategic early arrival times to beat the mid-morning crowds, allowing you to shop comfortably and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Your guide shares insider knowledge about must-visit stalls, the best food vendors, and the market's fascinating history, enhancing your shopping experience with local context and stories.
The highlight of Toowoomba's calendar is the annual Carnival of Flowers each September, when private gardens open their gates to reveal stunning spring displays. During this three-week festival, the city welcomes over 100,000 visitors who come to experience Australia's largest floral celebration. Our special Carnival tours include tickets to premier private gardens, guided walks through the festival grounds, and visits to the Grand Central Floral Parade and various horticultural displays. Beyond spring, Toowoomba offers year-round attractions including the Cobb & Co Museum, Picnic Point lookout with its panoramic views, and the charming villages of Highfields and Hampton nestled in the surrounding countryside.
The Sunshine Coast hinterland's volcanic soil, elevation, and microclimate have created ideal conditions for cool-climate wine production. Local vintners produce elegant Chardonnays, robust Shiraz, delicate Pinot Noir, and interesting alternative varieties that reflect the region's unique terroir. Our wine tours visit carefully selected boutique wineries where passionate winemakers personally conduct tastings and share their stories.
These intimate cellar door experiences go beyond simple wine tasting to include vineyard walks, discussions about viticulture techniques, and perfectly paired food experiences. Many wineries feature restaurants showcasing regional produce alongside their wines, creating memorable gastronomic adventures. The stunning hinterland scenery provides a beautiful backdrop, with many properties offering spectacular views across the ranges toward the coast. Our small group approach ensures you receive personalized attention from both your guide and winery hosts, making each visit feel like a private experience.
The Blackall Range villages of Montville, Maleny, and Mapleton offer a different perspective on Sunshine Coast life. These artistic communities attract creative residents who operate galleries, craft shops, and cafes with million-dollar views. Montville's Alpine-influenced architecture and specialty stores make it perfect for browsing unique homewares, clothing, and gifts. Maleny maintains a more bohemian atmosphere with organic cafes, holistic wellness centers, and the weekly community market.
Between these villages lie natural attractions including Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, where ancient rainforest can be explored via elevated boardwalks, and various lookouts offering panoramic views across the Glass House Mountains to the coast. The Glass House Mountains themselves provide
Experience the difference with Queensland's premier day tour operator
Modern, well-maintained coaches with professional drivers, air conditioning, comfortable seating, and large windows for optimal viewing
Knowledgeable guides sharing Queensland's history, culture, wildlife, and hidden gems with engaging commentary throughout your journey
Consistently rated as Queensland's premier day tour operator with thousands of five-star reviews from satisfied guests
Intimate group sizes ensuring personalized attention, easy communication, and memorable shared experiences with fellow travelers
Serving the Sunshine Coast since 1985 with deep local knowledge, established relationships, and refined itineraries
Thoughtfully designed tours maximizing time at destinations while avoiding crowds, peak traffic, and tourist traps
We offer pickup points throughout the Sunshine Coast to make joining our tours convenient regardless of where you're staying. Standard locations include Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Buddina, Alexandra Headland, Cotton Tree, and Noosa. For guests staying in private accommodation, we can often arrange nearby pickup spots. Exact pickup times vary by tour but are typically scheduled between 7:30 AM and 9:00 AM, with return times usually between 4:30 PM and 6:30 PM depending on the destination and season.
Comfortable walking shoes are essential as most tours involve moderate walking at destinations. Bring sun protection including a hat, sunscreen, and sunglasses, as Queensland's sun can be intense year-round. A light jacket is recommended for air-conditioned coach travel and cooler hinterland temperatures. Camera or smartphone for capturing memories, a refillable water bottle, and any necessary medications should be packed in a small day bag. For wine tours, we recommend bringing a small cooler bag if you plan to purchase bottles, though wineries often provide packaging and shipping options.
Our coaches can accommodate standard wheelchairs and walking aids, though we require advance notice to ensure appropriate arrangements. Guests with dietary requirements should inform us when booking so we can coordinate with restaurant venues. For mobility-challenged guests, we're happy to discuss which tours best suit individual capabilities, as some destinations involve hills, stairs, or uneven terrain. Our drivers and guides are experienced in assisting passengers with various needs and will work to ensure everyone enjoys a comfortable, safe experience.
Spring (September through November) offers ideal weather conditions for most Sunshine Coast destinations, with warm days, cool evenings, and minimal rainfall. This season includes the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers and spectacular wildflower displays throughout the region. Autumn (March through May) provides similarly pleasant conditions with harvest festivals and wine vintage celebrations. Winter (June through August) attracts interstate visitors escaping southern cold, making this our busiest season, particularly for Eumundi Markets tours. Summer (December through February) can be hot and humid with occasional afternoon storms, though morning starts help beat the heat, and many venues offer air-conditioned respites.
Book your Sunshine Coast day trip today and discover why thousands choose Cooee Tours for their Queensland experiences. Our friendly team is ready to help you select the perfect tour and answer any questions about destinations, pickup locations, or special requirements.
Most tour and event dates are fully confirmed at the time of listing. Any dates marked TBC (To Be Confirmed) are provisional and will be finalised once supplier or venue confirmations are received. We will always notify you promptly if any changes occur.
Yes. We specialise in private group tours for corporate events, schools, sporting groups, cruise shore excursions, and special occasions. Custom itineraries can be tailored to your schedule, interests, budget, and departure location.
Group sizes vary depending on the tour, but we aim to keep numbers comfortable and well-managed. Private tours can be arranged for small groups or larger coaches depending on your needs.
Yes. All Cooee Tours vehicles are modern, fully air-conditioned, and maintained to high safety and comfort standards. Many tours also feature reclining seats, seatbelts, and large windows for sightseeing.
Departure points vary by tour and city. Most tours depart from central CBD locations, major hotels, or designated pickup points. Full pickup details are provided on your booking confirmation.
Yes, last-minute and even same-day bookings may be available, subject to seat availability. We recommend booking as early as possible during peak seasons, weekends, and major events.
Cancellation policies vary depending on the tour, event, or supplier. Full details are displayed at checkout. In general, early cancellations may qualify for a refund, while late cancellations may incur fees.
Many of our tours are ideal for seniors, families, and first-time visitors. Activity levels are clearly indicated on each tour page. If you have mobility concerns, please contact us before booking so we can advise the best option.
Yes, most tours operate year-round. Some seasonal experiences or major events may only run at specific times of the year. Weather conditions or special events may occasionally affect scheduling.
You can contact our friendly local team via phone, email, or the enquiry form on our website. We’re happy to help with bookings, custom tours, accessibility questions, or travel advice.