Our local guidebook
Food scene
Great food and super close to our place! This little restaurant has great Asian food and is located just down in the IGA complex at the end of Suncoast Beach Drive. Check out the menu at www.baodown.com.au
15 locals recommend
Bao Down
2 Suncoast Beach DrGreat food and super close to our place! This little restaurant has great Asian food and is located just down in the IGA complex at the end of Suncoast Beach Drive. Check out the menu at www.baodown.com.au
Best coffee in Coolum! You can only get little sweet treats to eat but the coffee is amazing
18 locals recommend
Compound Secondhand Surf & Espresso
15 Heathfield RdBest coffee in Coolum! You can only get little sweet treats to eat but the coffee is amazing
Good coffee and breakfast just down the road in the IGA complex at Mount Coolum. If you are up early these guys are open from 5.30am for coffee (Campos) and they also do Mexican food cocktails, beers and live tunes on Friday nights
27 locals recommend
Daily Dose
2 Suncoast Beach DrGood coffee and breakfast just down the road in the IGA complex at Mount Coolum. If you are up early these guys are open from 5.30am for coffee (Campos) and they also do Mexican food cocktails, beers and live tunes on Friday nights
Best gelato and amazing Acai bowls - the best in Coolum for sure. They also do great fresh juices and smoothies
Yum Gelato Coolum (Ice Cream & Juice Bar)
1778 David Low WayBest gelato and amazing Acai bowls - the best in Coolum for sure. They also do great fresh juices and smoothies
Bulli
1 Lorraine AveCasual dining - really good pizzas.
Food markets on every Friday night. Great summer outing! Take a rug and picnic on the grass
41 locals recommend
Marcoola Twilight Market
Food markets on every Friday night. Great summer outing! Take a rug and picnic on the grass
Delicious sushi and very reasonable. All their plates are only $3.50. You can order off the menu or use the sushi train
80 locals recommend
Coolum Beach Hotel
David Low WayDelicious sushi and very reasonable. All their plates are only $3.50. You can order off the menu or use the sushi train
Amazing Asian food! Great for sharing. Casual vibe - you can't book here.
21 locals recommend
Giddy Geisha
Market LaneAmazing Asian food! Great for sharing. Casual vibe - you can't book here.
Delicious Asian food - owned by the same people as Giddy Geisha. This restaurant is on the wharf at Mooloolaba - sit outside by the water if you can. Great for sharing! No bookings, walk in only. There are quite a few different options at the Wharf
136 locals recommend
Rice Boi
Parkyn ParadeDelicious Asian food - owned by the same people as Giddy Geisha. This restaurant is on the wharf at Mooloolaba - sit outside by the water if you can. Great for sharing! No bookings, walk in only. There are quite a few different options at the Wharf
Locale
62 Hastings StFine dining. Beautiful Italian food and great service.
Light Years - Noosa
1 Sunshine Beach RdBeautiful Asian food, great services and amazing cocktails.
Good coffee and breakfast, these guys also open nights Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and often have live music.
26 locals recommend
Alley Cat Coffee
1790 David Low WayGood coffee and breakfast, these guys also open nights Wednesday, Friday and Saturday and often have live music.
Food trucks on the weekends and sometimes they do a petting zoo for the kids too. Check out their instagram to see what is on each weekend
47 locals recommend
Terella Brewing
196 Bunya RdFood trucks on the weekends and sometimes they do a petting zoo for the kids too. Check out their instagram to see what is on each weekend
Great local brewery in the industrial estate in Noosa. They also do food
115 locals recommend
Land & Sea - Noosa Brewing Company
19 Venture DrGreat local brewery in the industrial estate in Noosa. They also do food
Brouhaha Brewery
39 Coral StAnother popular local brewery. They have some pinball machines and an indoor playgroup for the kids
22 locals recommend
Your Mates Brewing Co.
41 Technology DrAnother popular local brewery. They have some pinball machines and an indoor playgroup for the kids
Every Friday and Saturday - street food, live music and carnival activities. Check it out online and see if there are any great gigs you want to get tickets to while you are visiting.
141 locals recommend
NightQuarter
8 The AvenueEvery Friday and Saturday - street food, live music and carnival activities. Check it out online and see if there are any great gigs you want to get tickets to while you are visiting.
Traditional Greek Restaurant in central Coolum. The owner Yiani is known for making all his guests feel welcome.
Yiani's Greek Restaurant
7-13 Beach RoadTraditional Greek Restaurant in central Coolum. The owner Yiani is known for making all his guests feel welcome.
Kids activities
Indoor skatepark in the Coolum Industrial Estate. You can book a 3-hour indoor session online. Google Chiggy's Indoor Skatepark
Chiggy's Skateboarding
28 Access CresIndoor skatepark in the Coolum Industrial Estate. You can book a 3-hour indoor session online. Google Chiggy's Indoor Skatepark
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium
Parkyn ParadeThis place has always been a favourite with our kids - especially the younger ones. Worth taking them on the train and boat ride. They also have an impressive tropical garden that is lovely to walk around
233 locals recommend
The Ginger Factory
50 Pioneer RdThis place has always been a favourite with our kids - especially the younger ones. Worth taking them on the train and boat ride. They also have an impressive tropical garden that is lovely to walk around
If you feel like an epic day out with the kids, Aussie World is a fun adventure. Lots of rides!
266 locals recommend
Aussie World
73 Downunder DriveIf you feel like an epic day out with the kids, Aussie World is a fun adventure. Lots of rides!
Australia Zoo
Amazing zoo! Must see if you have time
Cheaper and a bit more low-key than Australia Zoo. Good if you don't want to spend the entire day.
46 locals recommend
Wildlife HQ Zoo
76 Nambour Connection RdCheaper and a bit more low-key than Australia Zoo. Good if you don't want to spend the entire day.
Amazing high ropes course at Woombye. This is a beautiful outdoor high ropes course with a specific course for young kids (age 3-8) and then a higher course for older kids and adults
59 locals recommend
TreeTop Challenge Big Pineapple
76 Nambour Connection RdAmazing high ropes course at Woombye. This is a beautiful outdoor high ropes course with a specific course for young kids (age 3-8) and then a higher course for older kids and adults
Walks and hikes
If you start at Point Arkwright there is a beautiful coastal track to walk north through the bush to Third Bay and then you pop out on the footpath and can walk all the way to First Bay or even into Coolum. This is a great walk to do and plenty of wildlife to spot including whales in season and turtles.
29 locals recommend
Point Arkwright
If you start at Point Arkwright there is a beautiful coastal track to walk north through the bush to Third Bay and then you pop out on the footpath and can walk all the way to First Bay or even into Coolum. This is a great walk to do and plenty of wildlife to spot including whales in season and turtles.
It's right on our back door - out your bedroom windows is the back of Mount Coolum National Park and this beautiful rock (the second biggest monolith in Australia) is amazing to climb. It's achievable with the kiddos (if they like to hike) and offers spectacular views of the coast. The entrance to the mountain is on Jarnahill Drive
176 locals recommend
Mount Coolum National Park
It's right on our back door - out your bedroom windows is the back of Mount Coolum National Park and this beautiful rock (the second biggest monolith in Australia) is amazing to climb. It's achievable with the kiddos (if they like to hike) and offers spectacular views of the coast. The entrance to the mountain is on Jarnahill Drive
The Noosa National Park walk is probably the most spectacular in the region. For the eager walkers, you can go all the way from Noosa National Park to Sunshine Beach. (You can always catch a bus if you just want to walk one way). This walks goes all the way to Hells Gates and then over to Alexandria Bay (a nudist beach) and then around to Sunshine Beach. But it's a really achievable and absolutely spectacular just to walk out to Hells Gates. Keep an eye out for whales and turtles!
9 locals recommend
Coastal Walk
Coastal WalkThe Noosa National Park walk is probably the most spectacular in the region. For the eager walkers, you can go all the way from Noosa National Park to Sunshine Beach. (You can always catch a bus if you just want to walk one way). This walks goes all the way to Hells Gates and then over to Alexandria Bay (a nudist beach) and then around to Sunshine Beach. But it's a really achievable and absolutely spectacular just to walk out to Hells Gates. Keep an eye out for whales and turtles!
Any easy walk - this is more of a hill than a mountain but super rewarding views!
35 locals recommend
Mount Peregian
Any easy walk - this is more of a hill than a mountain but super rewarding views!
Buderim Forest Falls is an easy walk with a lovely waterfall. The lower entry is off Lindsay Road via Harry’s Lane, while the second entry point is via Quorn Close, which runs off Lindsay Road at the top of Buderim. We usually park at the Lindsay Road entrance. The walk starts along a boardwalk and then changes to a path along the creek
169 locals recommend
Buderim Forest Park
Quorn CloseBuderim Forest Falls is an easy walk with a lovely waterfall. The lower entry is off Lindsay Road via Harry’s Lane, while the second entry point is via Quorn Close, which runs off Lindsay Road at the top of Buderim. We usually park at the Lindsay Road entrance. The walk starts along a boardwalk and then changes to a path along the creek
Markets
Great local market with plenty of great food and local produce. Saturday mornings
105 locals recommend
Yandina Markets - Saturday
North StreetGreat local market with plenty of great food and local produce. Saturday mornings
Sunday market at Maroochydore, lots of locally grown produce and second hand clothing
45 locals recommend
Fishermans Road Sunday Market
Fishermans RoadSunday market at Maroochydore, lots of locally grown produce and second hand clothing
Noosa Farmers Market
155 Weyba RdKnown for good food! Sundays
Rainy day activities
A trip to the hinterland can be a nice thing to do an a rainy or overcast day. There are plenty of great walks if the weather does clear but there are also nice little cafes, shops and galleries to explore if the weather isn't great. Visit Montville and Maleny
401 locals recommend
Montville
A trip to the hinterland can be a nice thing to do an a rainy or overcast day. There are plenty of great walks if the weather does clear but there are also nice little cafes, shops and galleries to explore if the weather isn't great. Visit Montville and Maleny
If you really have to get out of the weather, Sunshine Plaza is our biggest shopping centre and has lots of dining options as well as a cinema and Timezone.
436 locals recommend
Sunshine Plaza
164 Horton ParadeIf you really have to get out of the weather, Sunshine Plaza is our biggest shopping centre and has lots of dining options as well as a cinema and Timezone.
Bould Move
24A Innovation PkwyBig indoor climbing centre
Book a cooking class at the Spirit House Restaurant at Yandina. Amazing restaurant and known for their amazing cooking school. Book in advance if possible
50 locals recommend
Spirit House Restaurant
20 Ninderry RdBook a cooking class at the Spirit House Restaurant at Yandina. Amazing restaurant and known for their amazing cooking school. Book in advance if possible
Take the kids for some putt putt or bowling at Holey Moley and added bonus for the parents, there is a bar and food available!
14 locals recommend
Holey Moley Golf Club Sunshine Coast
20 Ocean StTake the kids for some putt putt or bowling at Holey Moley and added bonus for the parents, there is a bar and food available!
Our favourite beaches - sshhhh secret locals tips ;-)
First Bay at Coolum is a stunning local bay, great to explore the rock pools on both sides of the bay, and often has great surf. Good protection from south-southeast and northeast winds.
27 locals recommend
First Bay Coolum
First Bay at Coolum is a stunning local bay, great to explore the rock pools on both sides of the bay, and often has great surf. Good protection from south-southeast and northeast winds.
Much quieter than First Bay, you can park in the top car park and walk down the steep stairs to his hidden gem. From here you can hop over the rocks to First Bay or just enjoy the solitude at Second Bay. Bit of a steep walk with little ones.
Second Bay Coolum
Much quieter than First Bay, you can park in the top car park and walk down the steep stairs to his hidden gem. From here you can hop over the rocks to First Bay or just enjoy the solitude at Second Bay. Bit of a steep walk with little ones.
From the carpark at Third Bay you walk through the bush and then down some steep stairs onto magical Third Bay. This is a stunning bay - bigger than second with beautiful rock pools to explore. Traditionally it was known as an unofficial nudist beach but since the new stairs were put in and it became more accessible it cleared out the nudist element a bit. We have never had any problems going there with the kids. From Third if you feel like exploring you can hop all the way around the rocks to First Bay. This is a great thing to do in the afternoon on low tide. Magical sunsets!
27 locals recommend
First Bay Coolum
From the carpark at Third Bay you walk through the bush and then down some steep stairs onto magical Third Bay. This is a stunning bay - bigger than second with beautiful rock pools to explore. Traditionally it was known as an unofficial nudist beach but since the new stairs were put in and it became more accessible it cleared out the nudist element a bit. We have never had any problems going there with the kids. From Third if you feel like exploring you can hop all the way around the rocks to First Bay. This is a great thing to do in the afternoon on low tide. Magical sunsets!
Specifically the rock pools at Yaroomba is a great spot, especially for kids. You can park at Point Arkwright (or anywhere on the road). The grassy park area on Andrew Street at Yaroomba is also our favourite spot for a sunset pizza.
24 locals recommend
Yaroomba Beach
1443 David Low WaySpecifically the rock pools at Yaroomba is a great spot, especially for kids. You can park at Point Arkwright (or anywhere on the road). The grassy park area on Andrew Street at Yaroomba is also our favourite spot for a sunset pizza.
Little Cove is one of Noosa's stunning beaches and well worth a visit. Parking in the national park is difficult especially in summer so go early if you can, and you will need to park in some of the residential streets and walk down to the beach. Beautiful little waves - it's magic! Do the walk through the national park while you're here.
Little Cove Beach
Little Cove is one of Noosa's stunning beaches and well worth a visit. Parking in the national park is difficult especially in summer so go early if you can, and you will need to park in some of the residential streets and walk down to the beach. Beautiful little waves - it's magic! Do the walk through the national park while you're here.