A local's guide to the best of the Sunshine Coast in spring

GUIDE

A couple walking along a coastline esplanade

By Kristie Lau-Adams

Published 1 day ago

Spring on the Sunshine Coast is something special. Bright, breezy and bursting with things to see, eat and do. From whale watching to fresh food feasts and hinterland hikes, it’s the season where the whole region comes alive.

Heading our way? Discover our spring secrets.

1. The calendar is stacked with spring events

Aerial of Mooloolaba esplanade during IRONMAN race — IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast, Mooloolaba

From lycra to live music, spring is go-time on the Sunshine Coast. Big-name events fill the calendar and the outdoors is your stage.

IRONMAN 70.3 Sunshine Coast: Swim, cycle, run… then recover at the beach at Mooloolaba (14 September 2025)
Mitchell Creek Rock N Blues Festival: Over 100 live Aussie acts in the scenic Mary Valley (19 - 22 September 2025)
Sunshine Coast MultiSport Festival: Trail runs, mountain biking and more, beside the Glass House Mountains (25–26 October 2025)
Big Pineapple Music Festival: Celebrate 10 years Pineapple fever with an epic lineup (1 November 2025)

See more Sunshine Coast events here.

2. Foodies, take your pick

Man serves a portion of steak onto his plate while dining at a restaurant — BASK, Peregian Beach, Sunshine Coast

Start your day with coffee and beach views at The Booley in Maroochydore, or hit Outer Square in Peregian Beach for breakfast with market buzz. Lunch calls for a slow, sunny meal at BASK in Peregian Village, before swinging by Matso’s Brewery for a local drop.

Wrap it all up with dumplings at Chinadina in Noosaville and a cheeky nightcap at Mooloolaba’s Casita Wine Bar (Mediterranean vibes included).

Still hungry? Check out the best restaurants in Mooloolaba and Noosa.

3. NOOSA IS AT ITS NATURAL BEST

A couple kayaking through the Noosa Everglades — Noosa Everglades, Sunshine Coast

This is the season locals wait for. It’s when Noosa’s national parks are in full bloom, the beaches are blissful, and the bushwalks are crowd-free. Wander the clifftop trails of Noosa National Park, take a still-as-glass paddle into the Noosa Everglades, or kick back on the beaches without needing elbow room.

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4. R&R WITHOUT THE FUSS

Need a reset before summer kicks in? Essence Peregian Beach is your luxe base for laidback living, offering boutique hotel rooms and dreamy multi-bedroom homes just minutes from the sand. Bonus: Outer Square café is right on site, the poolside bar is chilled, and the vibe is pure Sunshine Coast serenity.

5. THIS IS ROAD TRIP HEAVEN

Friends on sunrise hike at Mount Coolum — Mount Coolum, Sunshine Coast

Wind down the windows and cruise the ultimate coastal drive from laidback Caloundra to Coolum’s cliff-framed beaches.

Pause for fish and chips at Mooloolaba, catch a seaside sunset in Kawana, and stop for a short climb up Mount Coolum for views that’ll knock your socks off (and your breath out). You don’t need a long itinerary when every stop is this good.

6. It’s a beautiful time to camp under the stars

This is camping weather at its finest: sunny days, cool nights and starry skies.

Set up riverside at Cotton Tree Holiday Park (Maroochy River + markets = family holiday gold), or head for the hills at Amamoor State Forest near Gympie for pet-friendly serenity, creek swims and crackling fires under ancient gums.

Check out more of the best Sunshine Coast camping spots.

7. CHASE VIEWS WORTH WRITING HOME ABOUT

Spring’s crystal-clear skies and golden light make it prime time for epic scenery, so make sure your phone has a full charge before you head out. Start with the coastal panorama from Moffat Headland Lookout in Caloundra (sans crowds), trek to Mount Tinbeerwah for a front-row seat to the Hinterland, or watch waves roll into the cliffs below Point Arkwright. No filter needed.

8. PADDLE THROUGH CULTURE WITH SALTWATER ECO TOURS

Brand new for spring, Saltwater Eco Tours has launched guided Indigenous canoe experiences unlike anything else in Queensland. Departing from The Wharf Mooloolaba twice weekly, these 90-minute tours glide along the Mooloolah River in beautifully painted, wheelchair-accessible double canoes. Led by First Nations guides, the experience is steeped in stories, songs and the serene rhythm of nature.

9. Spring school holiday activities, sorted.

Kids exploring the Bellingham Hedge Maze — Amaze World, Sunshine Coast

With new attractions and wide-open spaces, it’s never been easier to keep the whole crew happy.

Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World – now with ride-on buggies for little legs
Amaze World – work your way through hedge mazes and puzzles galore
Cotton Tree – for river swims, fish and chips, and playgrounds right near the markets
Big Pineapple – meet new friends at Wildlife HQ, zipline through the treetops and grab a family pic at the iconic landmark

10. WHALE SEASON GOES NEXT LEVEL

Humpback whales can usually be spotted around the Sunshine Coast until late October or November, but this year there's totally new ways to experience the migration.

Book in for Tallo Billa: Deep Listening at Dusk with Sunreef on 24 August or 21/28 September for an immersive cruise of live whale song mixed with didgeridoo and storytelling.
On 13 September, a special sunset event will see projections and soundscapes light up Mudjimba Island—an ocean stage like no other.
Join one of the three Whale Weeks through The Pressure Project for daily swim-with-whales sessions, breathwork, meditation, and ocean education.
Hop on a classic whale watching tour with operators like Sunreef, Epic Ocean Adventures and Noosa Thriller.