Sunshine Beach Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Sunshine Beach showing markets and street scenes as well as a large group of people
Sunshine Beach which includes general coastal views
Sunshine Beach
Sunshine Beach featuring rugged coastline, landscape views and a sandy beach
Sunshine Beach featuring general coastal views as well as an individual male

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 kilometers) 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

Activities


Our pick of the best Sunshine Beach Hotel Deals

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast by IHG
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast by IHG
4 out of 5
42 First Avenue and Fairway Drive, Maroochydore, QLD
The price is AU$179 per night from 29 July to 30 July
AU$179
29 July - 30 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (730 reviews)
Great quick stay hotel
"We always love our stay at the Holiday Inn Express! The location is super convenient to Sunshine Plaza and is a short walk to the Esplanade. Rooms are always so clean and comfortable, perfect for our family’s needs. The hotel was extremely busy over the school holiday time, so they could have done ..."

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast by IHG
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
4.5 out of 5
Cnr Mooloolaba Esplanade & Venning St, Mooloolaba, QLD
The price is AU$294 per night from 20 July to 21 July
AU$294
20 July - 21 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free parking, a fitness center, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,639 reviews)
Great value and location
"Amazing service and environment."

Reviewed on 1 Jul. 2025

Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Ramada By Wyndham Marcoola Beach
Ramada By Wyndham Marcoola Beach
4 out of 5
923 David Low Way, Marcoola, QLD
The price is AU$189 per night from 27 July to 28 July
AU$189
27 July - 28 July
includes taxes & fees
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 our ...
7.6/10 Good! (1,004 reviews)
"We had moved and was exhausted. We booked in the last few nights and an extra night and it felt spaceous, a relief from the chaoticness of our moving mess, takeaway, sunset, a wine and relax. The staff were great. The book in simple. Lovely view and relaxing."

Reviewed on 1 Jul. 2025

Ramada By Wyndham Marcoola Beach
Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort
Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort
4 out of 5
270 Ocean Drive, Sunshine Coast, Twin Waters, QLD
The price is AU$215 per night from 28 July to 29 July
AU$215
28 July - 29 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free parking, a beach locale, and room service. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in ...
7.4/10 Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Rooms need a refurb - we have stayed various times & have noticed a lot of deterioration"

Reviewed on 13 Jun. 2025

Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort
Ivory Palms Resort
Ivory Palms Resort
4 out of 5
73 Hilton Terrace, Noosaville, QLD
The price is AU$312 per night from 14 July to 15 July
AU$312
14 July - 15 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (776 reviews)
"Great place - two storey accommodation clean but in need of updating. Our friends were upgraded to 133 which was outstanding and 5 star. Nearer to Tewantin than Noosaville but both walkable. Would definitely visit again"

Reviewed on 22 Jun. 2025

Ivory Palms Resort
RACV Noosa Resort
RACV Noosa Resort
5 out of 5
94 Noosa Drive, Noosa Heads, QLD
The price is AU$347 per night from 21 July to 22 July
AU$347
21 July - 22 July
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,732 reviews)
"Fantastic destination for a family holiday. Perfect for our kids, ages 3 and 6. Really handy to have the shuttle bus down to Hastings st. Very attentive staff, excellent buffet breakfast"

Reviewed on 23 Jun. 2025

RACV Noosa 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

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 Yunaman Bushland Reserve.

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
Default Image

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 Doonan Wetlands Nature Refuge.

Peregian Beach
Coolum Beach showing landscape views and a beach as well as a couple

Coolum Beach

The beaches and seaside views are top of the list for many visitors to Coolum Beach. A stop by Aqua Fun Park or Coolum Beach might round out your trip.

Coolum Beach


Sunshine Beach Travel Guide

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