School Holiday Activities Sunshine Coast Summer 2023

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In the search for holiday fun with the family, it can be difficult for parents to think of great school holiday activities on the Sunshine Coast – we have you covered! With all the hard work that goes in during the school term, it can be so easy to loose track of time and miss out on fun kids school holiday activities. We have prepared this list for you, to save time searching for the best activities to do in the school holidays on the Sunny Coast!

The Sunshine Coast has got so much to offer, and the time is coming to make the most of it. Get out your backpacks, slap on your hats, and bring on the fun while you try out as many of these ‘must-do’ school holiday activities as you can!

No matter what age your kids are, or what type of school holiday fun you most enjoy, there is definitely some fun for you to have. Instead of staying in these holidays, get out and make the most of all the summer school holiday activities on the Sunny Coast!

We have compiled the complete guide to the best school holiday activities on the Sunshine Coast over the December & January school holidays to help make your life so much easier!

State schools finish on Thursday 28 March and return to class on Monday 15 April 2024.

Easter school holidays in Queensland are Friday 29 March to Sunday 14 April 2024.

Fun things to do for the Sunshine Coast school holidays

We have broken our list of Sunny Coast school holiday activities into sections to help you:

As with everything at the moment, please check with the venue directly (either by their website or social media pages) to ensure they are open during the times you wish to attend. You should also check their current policy around advanced bookings, entry requirements and timings.

10 fun free school holiday activities

Holiday fun doesn’t need to be expensive… in fact, it can be completely free! When you don’t have the time to worry about bookings, or organising dates and times, why not spend a day doing one of these free Sunshine Coast school holiday activities, where you won’t need to worry about a thing?!

Kondalilla National Park

Fancy a walk through the trees, embracing nature, and going for a dip in Kondalilla Falls? If this sounds like a great family day out then Kondalilla National Park is the perfect spot to spend your next day out!

Find out everything you need to know about Kondalilla National Park!

The Big Pelican

Walk alongside the Noosa River with your family these school holidays and spot the Big Pelican! In the shady parklands you’ll also find many real pelicans which the kids can feed, in-between playing on the playground, cycling on the bike tracks or using the outdoor gym equipment available. If you love seeing the Big Pelican, make sure to visit The Big Pineapple and The Big Shell in the Sunshine Coast!

Glass House Mountains

Sunshine Coast’s Glasshouse Mountains are a natural playground of horse trails, walking tracks, lookouts and abseiling spots. Enjoy the spectacular 360 degree views over the land; it’s perfect for the family!

Read more here

Picnic and whale spotting at Point Cartwright

Whale watching and turtle spotting at Point Cartwright is a must for you and the family these school holidays! Enjoy the view of ships entering and leaving the Port of Brisbane as you enjoy a picnic on one of the perfect grassy slopes with the kids. You can also fish from the Malloolah River here!

Find out all you need to know about Point Cartwright here!

Spend a day fishing

A two hour drive north of Brisbane, you will find Borumba Dam; often referred to as a fisherman’s paradise for its large stocks of Perch, Bass and Cod, it is a great place to spend a Sunny day! No matter where you fish, you’ll be able to enjoy great views of mountains, ocean, rivers and greenery!

For more information click here

Bike riding at Ewen Maddock Dam

Go for a bike ride at Ewen Maddock Dam where you can even hire canoes, kayaks, row boats and sailing vessels, and go bushwalking, mountain biking and horse riding! Fish off platforms on the boardwalk at Maddock Park, and make use of the free barbecues, picnic tables, shelters and playgrounds. There is also a designated swimming area! So don’t miss out on a spectacular day out to Ewen Maddock Dam!

Read more here

Eumundi Markets  

The Eumundi Markets are the biggest markets on the Sunshine Coast and one of the biggest in Queensland! Each Wednesday and Saturday of the year, thousands of people come to enjoy the incredible atmosphere as well as the multitude of art, clothing and produce; there’s even great music and street theatre as you walk around!

For more information, visit this link!

Beaches 

The Sunshine Coast is home to some of Australia’s most spectacular beaches! Take the family out for a day on the sand and a swim in the ocean. There are so many beaches to explore… some with big waves for the thrill seekers, whereas others are calm as can be. There’s a beach to suit everyone at Queensland’s Sunshine Coast; discover your families favourites these holidays!

Read more about the Sunshine Coasts best beaches here

Emu Mountain

Take a family friendly hike at Emu Mountain, where you and your family will stand atop the summit and admire panoramic coastline views from Noosa to Maroochydore! 

To find out more click here

10 fun cheap school holiday activities

Holidays can be great fun, and something the kids really love, without having to burn a hole in your wallet. Check out these cheap school holiday ideas to find some great, cost-effective activities to do in the Sunshine Coast this holidays!

Laserzone

Laserzone Sunshine Coast is fun for the whole family. Blast away in the multi-level Laser Tag arena, suspend reality in the Virtual Reality gaming booths and play in the exciting prize and video arcade.

Gather the tribe and come experience why Laserzone are the Laser Tag experts. Mum, dad and even the grandies will love it. If that’s not your cup of tea, grab a coffee and watch the action unfold on our live action cameras and scoreboard.

Your Mission Awaits!

Find out more including current offers here.

Aqua Park Coolum

Slide, swim and jump on the inflatable obstacle course that floats on the water at Coolum Beach. This family-oriented park offers activities suited to children as young as 4 years. In addition to fun water play, the park has picnic spots and plenty of parking.

Find out more about Coolum’s Aqua Park here

Sea Life

Sea Life Sunshine Coast is Queensland’s largest aquarium and oceanarium with one of the biggest and most diverse varieties of marine life in Australia! Take a journey with your family through the coast to the deep ocean, and get up close to more than ten thousand creatures!

Get your entry tickets now!

Tin Can Bay

Take the kids up to Tim Can Bay this school holidays! This peaceful bayside town is well known for its recreational fishing and boating, and you can feed dolphins at the bay for just $10 as well!

For more information visit their website

Bellingham Maze

Enter through the magical waterfall, explore the wishing well over the bridge, and wander through a tropical rainforest garden with your family these school holidays at Bellingham Maze! Make a day out of your visit by enjoying the other activities on offer, including the Timber Scrabble Maze, mini golf, mini mazes and picnic areas!

Buy your entry tickets now by clicking here

Kayak hire

Glide across the Noosa River or Mooloolaba’s canals by kayak! Pelican Boat Hire in Noosaville and Sunreef Hire in Malloolaba will kit you up with all you need to kayak the canals… the whole family will love it!

Pelican boat hire or Sunreef Hire

Ginger Factory

The Sunshine Coast’s awe-inspiring Ginger Factory will host the perfect day out for the whole family. With many fun rides (like the ginger train and overboard boat rides), workshops, tours, and a unique cafe surrounded by beautiful sub-tropical gardens, there’s so much to do here!

These holidays at the Ginger Factory you can check out these attractions:

  • The Potting Shed
  • Little Explorers
  • Become a… Gruffalo Spotter
  • Rainbrella Project

Get your tickets here now for the best prices!

Camping at Rainbow Beach

The family friendly holiday park at Rainbow Beach is a popular tourist destination just a short distance away from remarkable Beaches and National Parks! You can stay in one of the lovely holiday homes, or you may choose to bring your firewood and tents to pitch up camp for a few nights!

Visit here for more information

Aquaduck tour

The one hour Aquaduck tour includes an informative tour along Mooloolaba Beach, the Esplanade and Sunshine Strip, with a cruise through the canals and waterways. The kids will have a blast when they are offered the boat steering experience, and will be showing everyone the certificate they’ll get afterwards! Create some lasting memories these holiday on the Aquaduck tour!

To book your tour now, click here!

Holey Moley crazy golf

Holey Moley Crazy Golf is not your regular mini golf course! Offering 18 themed holes, and private karaoke rooms, it’s the best mini golf course on the Sunshine Coast! Unleash the fun these holidays with family and friends at Holey Moley Crazy Golf!

Visit the Holey Moley website here for prices.

Strawberry picking at Rolin Farms

Rolin Farms on the Sunshine Coast, about 12 minutes up the road from Caboolture (45 minutes north of Brisbane), is THE places to pick your own strawberries near Caboolture.

It is open every day from 8:30am to 4:30pm on weekdays and 8am-4:30pm during strawberry season (June through October). 

They cater for bus tours, playgroups, school visits, birthday parties and even weddings. During school holidays there are fun, inspiring and healthy strawberry themed activities organised for the kids. There is a strawberry farm Brisbane store that sells pre-picked strawberries, homemade strawberry ice-cream and chunky home style jam. There’s also a playground available for the kids and onsite car parking.

Find out more about Rollins here.

10 BIG days out in the Sunshine Coast these summer school holidays

With the two weeks available these school holidays, be sure to try out at least one of these big days out with your family! Unforgettable memories are worth a lot, so make sure your family creates some these December & January holidays with this awesome list!

Aussie World

A day at Aussie World means a day of fun for the entire family! Jam-packed with over 30 rides and attractions for all ages, Aussie world offers something for everyone.

Visit Aussie World’s website now to discover what’s there!

Moreton Island Dolphin Cruise

Escape to Moreton Island for the day and join this dolphin eco-cruise. In just 50 minutes, you’ll arrive at this island paradise where you and your family can watch for dolphins, sea turtles and dugongs! With this tour you will have an extraordinary day out, and most likely see some things you never have before!

Find out all you need to know by clicking here!

Skydiving

Experience the thrill of freefall from up to 4000ft, and soak up the unbeatable views of Coastal Queensland! By skydiving at the Sunshine Coast’s Caloundra, you will experience the best views, locations, and instructors. So dive into a fun and exciting adventure with an experience you’ll never forget!

Book your skydive here today!

Australia Zoo

Home of the crocodile hunter… Australia zoo! With this admissions ticket, you will get to see all of the incredible Australian wildlife in their environments, as well as watch them on show, broadcasting their animal charms. If you’ve never been before, make sure not to miss out on this must-do Aussie experience, and if you have been, then you know how much fun a day with the family on Steve Irwin Way can be!

What are you waiting for?! Click here and get your passes today!

Sunshine Coast Hinterland Tour

Admire the beauty of South East Queensland: it’s national parks, waterfalls and rainforests! Embrace the outdoors on this wonderful Sunshine Coast Hinterland tour where you will see some incredible and unforgettable sights!

Register for your tour now!

Sunshine Coast Treetop Challenge

Bring the family along to the highest adventure course in Australia, and go through the high ropes in the trees at your own pace. Staff are on hand to supervise your adventure at all times. The treetop adventure is unlike anything you’ve done before, so don’t miss this incredible opportunity!

Get your tickets now here!

Cruise’n’Canoe Noosa Everglades Ecosafari

Embrace the beauty of lake Cootharaba up close by paddling in a canoe alongside your family! This 6 hour adventure includes a cruise up the Noosa River, a canoe tour of the Everglades, morning tea, lunch and drinks. Describes as one of the most spectacular canoeing adventures in Australia, this is an eco-safari tour not to be missed!

To book your adventure today, click here!

Hot air balloon

Fly over the Sunshine Coast in a hot air balloon for some incredible sights from high above! There’s nothing like flying in a hot air balloon with your family, taking in the panoramic views. It’s sure to be an experience you’ll all remember forever.

To find out more, click here!

JetSki tour

Caloundra is a beautiful coastal town in the Sunshine Coast Region where locals and tourists love to visit… and what better way to discover and appreciate the area’s picturesque features than from the back of a JetSki?! Take this 90 minute, action packed, jet ski tour where you will be taken through 60km of mangrove lined channels, and might even spot some of the enchanting animals like dolphins, sea turtles and dugongs!

Book your tour today here!

5 things to do at home these school holidays

Skipping

Take out the jump rope and get in the garden with your family or friends for some skipping games or competitions. How long can you skip for!

Paint some canvases to redecorate your bedroom

Grab out all the paints, brushes and canvases and let your imagination take over. What artistic creations will you think of to hang high on your walls?!

Gardening

Jump into the garden, slip those gardening gloves on, and plant some seeds in the soil to watch them grow! (Make sure to keep them watered and in the sun so they stay healthy and grow tall!)

Set up an obstacle course

Find out your hula hoops, skipping ropes and everything else you can find to set up the best obstacle course for all the family to try.

Make a cubby house

Reorganise the couch cushions and blankets to create a secret den in the house! Get the whole family involved to build the ultimate play area.

Theatres with kids shows on on the Sunshine Coast these school holidays

Bats Theatre Company inc.

Catch the next new show on at Bats Theatre Company Inc. – one of the Coast’s biggest theatres – these school holidays! This Entertainment Centre is family friendly, and puts on concerts, musicals and other shows to be enjoyed by the kids and adults! Make sure you make your way down with the family for some great fun!

For more information visit here

Coolum Theatre

Enjoy the newest releases on the big stage with your family this April. This theatre is family friendly, with shows to be enjoyed by the kids and adults! Their events guide is updated regularly so keep an eye on what’s coming up!

Visit their website here

Queensland kids holiday ideas

If you’re looking for more things to do in Queensland, click here.

Soooo…. what do you think? Plenty of Sunshine Coast days out ideas here to keep you and the kids entertained for the whole school holidays? These Sunshine Coast holiday ideas are updated every term, so remember to bookmark this page.

Let us know if we missed your favourite or if you would like us to add your venue or event!

Even more QLD school holiday ideas:

If you are heading north these Queensland school holidays check out our related articles:

If you are heading south these Queensland school holidays, these holiday ideas might help:

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Janine Mergler

Janine Mergler is a veteran Queensland teacher, graduating from QUT with a BEd majoring in Social Sciences. After many years in the classroom, Janine moved on to academia. She has proudly trained new generations of school teachers in her role as a lecturer at Queensland University of Technology Faculty of Education. She has also worked in the Queensland Government as an education specialist, developing education resources and delivering community awareness programs to help families conserve water. Currently she is the owner and editor of Families Magazine, an expert Queensland publication specifically targeted at parents who value a quality education for children including things to do with them over the school holidays. Janine leads a team of professionals who write about family lifestyle, early childhood, schools and education information and family-friendly events.

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