Sunshine Beach Travel Guide

Sunshine Coast
Sunshine Beach which includes general coastal views
Open-air bars and cafés meet golden sands at this laid-back beach just a short distance from the stunning Noosa National Park.

The gorgeous Sunshine Beach is renowned for its blue-green waters and perfect surfing spots. Enjoy Sunshine Beach’s cosmopolitan waterfront, with stylish boutiques, cafés and restaurants. Take a walk on the beach and explore the bush trails within the rocky northeast headland of Noosa National Park.

Stroll through the national park, one of Australia’s most visited parks. The wild coastline is an important refuge for native wildlife and contains wallum heaths, rainforest and kauri pine. It takes about 40 minutes to walk to Alexandria Bay and 1 hour to walk to Noosa’s Laguna Bay. Explore the scenic Noosa Heads along a selection of five trails, ranging from 0.6 to 3 miles (1 to 5 kilometres) each way and catering to all fitness levels.

Stretch out on the golden sands of Sunshine Beach and relax with a good book. The northern part of the beach is friendly to dogs watch locals bringing their pooches to enjoy the sunshine and salty air. Enjoy an uncrowded surfing session at the open coastline. If you’re a beginner, arrange a lesson with the experts at the local surf school.

Head to the local beach bar and find a spot on the deck for a delicious meal or cool drink. Stroll along the shady main street, enjoy a coffee or browse the clothing boutiques. If you are at Sunshine Beach on a Sunday, head to the Sunshine Beach Surf Club for Sunday Sessions. These afternoon live-music events are a hit with locals and visitors alike. Enjoy the music with a backdrop of uninterrupted ocean views.

Sunshine Beach is on the southern side of Noosa National Park, located between Noosa and Coolum. The beach is only a 5-minute drive from Noosa Heads. The laid-back atmosphere and picturesque sights of Sunshine Beach make it the perfect place to relax and enjoy nature.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Sunshine Beach

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast, an IHG Hotel
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
42 First Avenue and Fairway Drive, Maroochydore, QLD
The price is £94 per night from 26 May to 27 May
£94
per night
26 May - 27 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the breakfast and the ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (347 reviews)
"Great place clean well set out rooms plenty of space and although we were in a disabled room … we aren’t disabled….and a free breakfast…. Only negative the bed is very hard"

Reviewed on 20 Apr 2024

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast, an IHG Hotel
Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort Hotel
Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort Hotel
4 out of 5
270 Ocean Drive, Sunshine Coast, Twin Waters, QLD
The price is £119 per night from 21 May to 22 May
£119
per night
21 May - 22 May
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in their reviews. ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,000 reviews)
"All staff was very friendly & accommodating. Nothing was too much trouble."

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2024

Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort Hotel
Ramada By Wyndham Marcoola Beach
Ramada By Wyndham Marcoola Beach
4 out of 5
923 David Low Way, Marcoola, QLD
The price is £104 per night from 29 Apr to 30 Apr
£104
per night
29 Apr - 30 Apr
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a beach locale. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Great pool area, heated, restaurant and bar next to the pool that does poolside drinks. 50m walk down to the patrolled beach. Great peaceful location"

Reviewed on 19 Apr 2024

Ramada By Wyndham Marcoola Beach
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
4.5 out of 5
Cnr Mooloolaba Esplanade & Venning St, Mooloolaba, QLD
The price is £133 per night from 8 May to 9 May
£133
per night
8 May - 9 May
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free parking, Internet and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,469 reviews)
"Close to shops and restaurants."

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2024

Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
RACV Noosa Resort
RACV Noosa Resort
5 out of 5
94 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads, QLD
The price is £205 per night from 9 May to 10 May
£205
per night
9 May - 10 May
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,647 reviews)
"Great resort, really wish the beds were more comfortable. They used to be so plush but now are so hard and your body and back suffer"

Reviewed on 14 Apr 2024

RACV Noosa Resort
Landmark Resort
Landmark Resort
4 out of 5
11 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba, QLD
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,791 reviews)
"Perfectly situated on the end of the esplanade which is full of boutique stores and dining options. Opposite the surf club and main beach. Beautiful easy grade walks in every direction. Rooftop spa, swimming pool and spa salon on site. The only thing i didnt like was the parking as you can't access ..."

Reviewed on 18 Apr 2024

Landmark Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Sunshine Beach

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Sunrise Beach

Sunrise Beach is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Caribbean Bushland Reserve and Sunshine Beach.

Sunrise Beach
Noosa Heads featuring tropical scenes and a beach

Noosa Heads

A noteworthy feature of Noosa Heads is its stunning beaches. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Hastings Street and Noosa National Park.

Noosa Heads
Noosaville featuring general coastal views and a coastal town

Noosaville

Noosaville is known for its stunning river views, and you can see some sights area like Shorehaven Bushland Reserve and Keyser Island Conservation Park.

Noosaville
Tewantin showing general coastal views and a bay or harbour

Tewantin

Tewantin is noteworthy for its river views, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Noosa Marina and Tewantin Noosa Golf Club.

Tewantin
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Noosa North Shore

Travellers like the beaches in Noosa North Shore, and Noosa North Shore Nature Refuge is a top attraction you might want to visit.

Noosa North Shore
Peregian Beach which includes a sandy beach

Peregian Beach

Peregian Beach is popular for its beaches, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Peregian Beach or Lake Weyba.

Peregian Beach

Sunshine Beach Travel Guide

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