It’s a well known fact that Australia is not the most budget-friendly destination- especially when traveling to more popular places within Australia. The good news is, your trip to the Sunshine Coast in Queensland does not have to break the bank. Here are 10 free things todo in the Sunshine Coast!
You can’t visit the Sunshine Coast and not visit any of the gorgeous beaches! The soft, white sand and the crystal blue waters make for a perfect way to spend hours, without spending money!
Related»3 Great Beaches on the Sunshine Coast
With free admission, The Ginger Factory is a great place to visit if the weather decides not to cooperate with your trip. This is one of the world’s largest ginger factories, and it’s stationed within some beautiful gardens to explore. There are some great play structures for the kids and even a life-sized Chutes and Ladders game. If you’re in need of a snack, check out the Ginger Cafe.
Right across the road from The Ginger Factory sits Nutworks. Here, you will find all sorts of macadamia nut products, and will even have the opportunity to see how the nuts are processed. They have macadamia nuts of all flavors and forms. From chocolate macadamias, to barbecue macadamias, to honey roast, and hickory. You’ll also find macadamia oils, lotions, shower gels, and more. And never fear- there are plenty of free samples to try!
There is a lot to do in Noosa National Park. With several walking tracks of varying lengths and difficulty levels, you could easily spend the whole day here! There are also great picnicing areas and lots of opportunity for wildlife viewing. If you’re lucky, you may even get to catch a pod of humpback whales swimming up the coast!
Hiking Mount Coolum was fairly intense for me, but there were some nutjobs running up and down the mountain as their morning exercise. Summiting the mountain gives you incredible views over the Sunshine Coast, out over the Pacific Ocean. I highly recommend waking up early, bringing a flashlight and hiking up the mountain before sunrise. That view is crazy worth it!
There are several waterfalls around the Sunshine Coast that are free to visit and are great to add to your itinerary. Located in Kondalilla National Park, Kondalilla Falls are popular in the Sunshine Coast area. The walk down to the base of the falls is absolutely gorgeous, but the hike back up may be a bit much for some people. You can easily spend a whole afternoon within Kondalilla National Park. I suggest visiting during the rainy season, when the falls are at their fullest.
Gardner Falls is an area favorite. It is nestled in the bush, but requires only a short walk to access it. Along with the waterfall, there is a large swimming hole and ropes to help you swing into the water. There is also a great grassy area close by for picnics or sunbathing.
The hike to Buderim Forest Waterfall is easy and picturesque. There are plenty of places on the walk where you can stop, play in the stream, and hunt for small crawfish. You will pass a series of small waterfalls as you make your way to Buderim Forest Waterfall. The falls pour into a shallow wading pool you can enjoy, or you can continue your hike upwards for more views of the fall.
The Glasshouse Mountains are a series of eleven large hills that dot the inland area of the Sunshine Coast. They were named The Glasshouse Mountains by Captain James Cook, because he thought they resembled the glass furnaces back in England. Youcan climb each individual mountain, if that’s your thing, but there are also some great views of the mountain range in the nearby Beerwah State Forest.
If you’re looking for an easy afternoon activity, try heading over to the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens. This is a nice, quiet place to relax and spend time in nature. There are lots of low-key walks around the gardens you can take. Check out the sculpture garden to see some great artwork integrated with nature.
Know of any other free things to do in the Sunshine Coast? Share them in the comments below!
Looking for more freebies? Check out these 15 Free Things to do in Sydney!
Follow me on Facebook and Twitter to get updates on my adventures! Or check out my Instagram for pretty pictures!
281 Shares
