Wildlife encounters, mountain hikes, beach days and hinterland escapes are all part of exploring the Sunshine Coast. With so much variety across the region, setting aside a day for each destination gives you more time to enjoy the experiences that interest you most.
Spend a day seeing wildlife at Australia Zoo, explore the Glass House Mountains on foot or by car, relax by the water in Caloundra or Mooloolaba, or slow things down with a trip through Maleny and Montville.
If you're deciding where to go, here are six Sunshine Coast day trips to add to your itinerary.
1. Make It a Wildlife Day at Australia Zoo
Australia Zoo is a great day trip for travellers who want to get closer to wildlife while learning more about conservation.
Spend your visit seeing kangaroos, koalas and crocodiles, catch the famous Crocoseum show, and plan some time around the zoo's animal feeding sessions and wildlife encounters. With different experiences to enjoy throughout the day, there's plenty to keep wildlife lovers and families exploring.
Rather than trying to fit the zoo around several other stops, give yourself time to enjoy the different areas and experiences at your own pace.
Day trip tip: Arrive early and check the day's schedule so you can plan around the feeding sessions, wildlife encounters and shows you don't want to miss.
2. Spend a Day in the Glass House Mountains
If you'd rather spend the day outdoors, the Glass House Mountains offer hiking, scenic drives and viewpoints to build your day around.
For a more active outing, hike Mount Ngungun and take in panoramic views from above. If you'd prefer to explore at a slower pace, drive through the hinterland and stop at the Glass House Mountains Lookout for a picnic and time to enjoy the scenery.
You can shape the day around the experience that suits you, whether that's getting out on a walking trail, taking photographs or simply finding a spot to appreciate the surrounding landscape.
Day trip tip: Bring your camera if capturing the Glass House Mountains and surrounding scenery is part of your plans.
3. Slow Down by the Water in Caloundra
If swimming, coastal scenery and time by the water sound like your kind of day, head towards the beaches of Caloundra.
Spend some time enjoying the beaches and calm waters before taking a walk along the seaside boardwalk. You can keep the itinerary simple, with a swim, time on the sand and a walk by the coast rather than trying to pack too many activities into one day.
A day in Caloundra also gives you a different side of the Sunshine Coast after time spent exploring wildlife attractions or the hinterland.
Day trip tip: Leave some time for a walk along the seaside boardwalk rather than spending the entire visit on the sand.
4. Make It a Beach and Café Day in Mooloolaba
For another way to enjoy the Sunshine Coast, plan a day around Mooloolaba Beach.
Spend some time by the water, enjoy the surf-friendly waves or step away from the beach for a coffee at one of the oceanfront cafés. You can keep the day centred around the beach or simply take your time enjoying the coastal setting.
Mooloolaba is an easy addition to an itinerary that already includes mountain walks, wildlife encounters and hinterland sightseeing, giving you the chance to swap a busy day of exploring for some time by the sea.
Day trip tip: Stop at one of the oceanfront cafés for a coffee with a view.
5. Pick Up the Pace at Big Kart Track
For a Sunshine Coast day trip with more adrenaline, head to Big Kart Track and take on its 1.2-kilometre go-kart circuit.
It's a completely different way to spend the day after exploring beaches, mountains and wildlife attractions. Get behind the wheel, enjoy some friendly competition and make the track an action-packed stop on your Sunshine Coast itinerary.
It's a fun option when you want to add an activity-focused day to your holiday or simply mix up several days of sightseeing with something faster paced.
Day trip tip: Book ahead during peak holiday periods to help secure your preferred race time.
6. Take the Scenic Route Through Maleny and Montville
For a slower-paced Sunshine Coast day trip, head into the hinterland and spend the day exploring Maleny and Montville.
Browse boutique shops, sample local produce and enjoy the scenery as you make your way through the area. You can also visit Maleny Botanic Gardens and take in views over the Glass House Mountains.
Food lovers can add Maleny Cheese to the itinerary for its yoghurt and cheese tasting tours, adding a local food experience to your hinterland day out.
Combining Maleny and Montville gives you a day that can be enjoyed at a more relaxed pace, with local food, shopping and hinterland scenery all forming part of the experience.
Day trip tip: Allow enough time to explore both towns and include a yoghurt and cheese tasting tour at Maleny Cheese if it's on your itinerary.
Explore the Sunshine Coast from Landsborough Holiday Park
From wildlife encounters at Australia Zoo and walks through the Glass House Mountains to beach days in Caloundra and Mooloolaba, go-karting at Big Kart Track and hinterland escapes to Maleny and Montville, there are plenty of ways to experience the Sunshine Coast one day trip at a time.
With so much to explore across the region, Landsborough Holiday Park offers a convenient place to base your stay. Set out for a different destination each day, then return to the park to relax before planning your next Sunshine Coast adventure.
Explore our accommodation options and find the right place to stay for your Sunshine Coast getaway.