Taking the family to the Sunshine Coast? Check out our ULTIMATE guide to Noosa with kids!
Credit: @visitnoosa
Every family deserves a beautiful beach holiday, and one of the most popular family holiday destinations in Australia is Queensland’s Noosa on the amazing Sunshine Coast.
With pristine beaches, excellent food, and loads of activities, this has been a family holiday mecca for generations.
Check out this list of things to do with your kids in Noosa!
Accommodation Near Noosa Beach
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Before you read our brilliant list of things to do, check out these awesome Sunshine Coast Holiday Parks!
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Now back to our list!
Visit Noosa National Park
Credit:@planet_noosa
One look around and you won’t be able to resist the entire shire of Noosa, with its national parks, beaches, swimming pools, and family-friendly events all year round.
Not only will a trip to Noosa bring your family closer together, the all-year-round Queensland sunshine will instill confidence in your kids to try something new!
Credit:@visitnoosa
Noosa National Park is an oasis of nature that features spectacular coastal views from Laguna Lookout.
Follow the marked path through giant grey gum, pink bloodwood, ironbark, and tallowwood trees to reach the lookout, and be rewarded with views of Noosa Headland and nearby areas around Lake Weyba, Noosa River Mouth, Laguna Bay, Peregian, and Coolum.
Keep your eyes peeled for kookaburras, lace monitors, and koalas on the way!
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A true wildlife sanctuary, a variety of birdlife and species native to Queensland’s tropical climate have made a home in the eucalyptus forest, melaleuca wetlands, and colourful wallum heath that thrive inside Noosa National Park.
Take a walk, pack a picnic, and enjoy the escape to nature that Noosa National Park provides.
Note that Laguna Lookout is open 24 hours a day, but please check park alerts for the latest information.
Swim in Noosa’s Fairy Pools
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Also located within Noosa National Park, these ‘fairy’ pools do take some getting to, but it’s worth your while once your family is experiencing this magical location.
The fairy pools themselves are two low-lying natural tidal pools that sit between basalt rocks just west of the headland at the eastern side of Granite Bay. The smaller of the two pools is only separated from the ocean at low tide, so it is worth timing your visit accordingly.
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The easiest way to get there is via the beach car park at Little Cove and to walk around the coastal path via Tea Tree and Granite Bay. Watch out for some signage after Picnic Cove, and scramble down the rocks from the lookout point.
Bring your snorkel gear and be aware that there are no facilities in this area, so make all the necessary toilet stops before you depart!
Cruise the Noosa River Mouth
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Known as the centrepiece of the Noosa biosphere – as recognised by UNESCO – Noosa River snakes its way from the ocean at Noosa Heads to the everglades around Lake Cootharaba.
Shallow enough for kids to play in and deep enough for Mum and Dad to swim in, the best way to see this area is by boat and there are plenty of options to choose from.
Hire a BBQ pontoon with O Boat Hire and enjoy lunch at your leisure, or try the whisper-quiet electric boats from Eco Noosa. Pelican Boat Hire has wheelchair accessible pontoons with enclosed toilets and dogs are also welcome onboard!
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If a touch of luxury is more your thing, there are several options where you can kick back with glass in hand and be waited on during a fancy lunch or sunset dinner.
Check out Noosa River & Canal Cruises or Noosa Ferry Cruise Company.
Try Water Sports!
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If something a little more high-adrenaline suits you and your tribe, get your thrills via a number of jet boat, jet ski, SUP, or kayak hire companies on the Noosa River bank.
Noosa Oceanrider and Noosa Thriller are two jet boat hire companies worth checking out, or take the adventure up a level with Noosa Jet Ski Hire.
Eco Noosa hire out Nauticycle water bikes which are fun for the whole family, as well as a fleet of kayaks, SUPs, and paddle boats from their Noosa Heads location.
Fish your heart out!
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With 40km of waterways to explore, Noosa River is the ideal spot to introduce children to the art of fishing, whether it be from the shore or on a local fishing charter.
No matter what level of experience you have, Noosa River Fishing Safaris and Noosa Fishing & Crab Adventures will get you out on the water with local experts and without the hassle of packing all your own gear.
Swim all the beaches!
Credit:@visitnoosa
No trip to Noosa would be complete if you didn’t explore the coast, which means visiting all the best beaches!
All of them are family-friendly and most offer amenities to ensure a nice day out in the sun building sandcastles, jumping waves, and picking up shells.
Here’s a few to get you started…
Visit Noosa Main Beach
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Noosa Main Beach is a great all-rounder.
Protected by a headland, the calm waters of this beautiful stretch of sand are perfect for young swimmers and it has all the food and drink options you could ask for. Surf lessons are available and the popular Hastings Street shopping precinct is literally metres away.
Visit Perugian Beach
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Peregian Beach is popular with the locals and is another beach located within metres of a wide selection of trendy cafes and eclectic boutiques.
Monthly markets are also a feature and there are regular live musical performances at the Peregian Originals, which is a popular open-air community event.
Visit Sunrise Beach
Sunrise Beach is another must-visit located five minutes from the popular Hastings Street. If you’re intending on visiting Noosa National Park, this is the perfect way to end the day as it’s only five minutes down the road.
Surrounded by a canopy of green trees and generous palms, this is the perfect spot to while away an afternoon with loved ones.
Visit Castaways Beach
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Castaways Beach is something of a secret getaway for many as it’s the perfect place to BYO picnic away from the relative hustle of the nearby esplanade.
Surround yourself with stunning local flora and fauna and look out for koalas and kangaroos who might not be afraid to find out what you’ve got in your picnic basket!
Visit Little Cove Beach
Little Cove Beach is like your own private paradise island.
At just 100 metres long, this is another escape from the crowds where snorkelling, surfing, or swimming out to the rock pools is a great way to spend an afternoon or a whole day. Be aware that this beach is unpatrolled, but the water here is gentle enough for all ages to enjoy.
Whale Watching Cruises
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The whale watching season in Noosa is not to be missed.
The Sunshine Coast's warmer waters are home to a range of marine life and are a well known spot for whales from June to November each year.
Humpback whales are the most commonly sighted as they perform their annual migration from Antarctica to warmer waters to calve and play.
Beginning in late May and early June, the season continues until late October or early November when the whales return to the colder waters of Antarctica to feed.
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There are a number of highly trained experts and whale watching tours to choose from in Noosa. Noosa Whale Watching is a good start and is fully licensed and well repped. Expect to catch a glimpse of other sea life including dolphins, turtles, stingrays, and sharks!
Tree Top Challenge Zip Line Adventure
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If your family is up for an exciting adventure, Noosa is the place.
The TreeTop Challenge Sunshine Coast Adventure Park is a thrilling day out surrounded by nature. Tackle 100 different challenges on 12 different zip lines more than 25m above the ground!
Self-paced to accommodate everyone, start off on two easy courses before stepping it up a notch. Located close to the Big Pineapple, this is one of the most popular zip line adventure parks in Australia for a reason!
Hang Out in Noosaville
Full of restaurants, cafes, and interesting shops, Noosaville is a holiday spot in its own right.
With the Noosa River winding past, kick back and enjoy views of the water under a shady tree and explore any number of air conditioned shopping malls, markets, and kid-friendly eateries.
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One such eatery is Happy Pops.
Offering ‘happiness on a stick’ in ice-cream format, the emphasis here is on premium gelato pops that you can customise. After travelling the world and working in kitchens everywhere, husband and wife team Augusta and Ian brought their dream of owning a gelato pop store to life in Noosa.
Using only the best ingredients, they encourage their customers to create their own ‘Happy Pops’ in store. An ideal treat for Mums and Dads too!
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Only a short drive away, The Ginger Factory is another ideal afternoon for kids.
With fascinating tours of what is now one of the world’s largest suppliers of ginger, The Ginger Factory features its own tropical rainforest, kids play area, Ginger train, and a delicious Ginger Kitchen and Ice Creamery. There’s even a live Bee Show with tastings for everyone!
Climb Mount Cooroora
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Another adventure that’s worth the short drive inland is Mount Cooroora. Probably the most famous of the Sunshine Coast climbs, at 635 metres above sea level, this is a very doable family activity that will reward you with 360 degree vistas of the entire region.
From the Bruce Highway, follow the signs to Pomona. Once there, turn into School Street and then Mountain Street. About halfway up is a side trail with great views and a rest point. From here, continue up three more sets of stairs and follow the chains. About 30 metres from the summit, the chains stop and it’s a scramble to the top.
Mount Cooroora's proximity to Noosa and the low average gradient make this one of the best vacation ideas for families with kids.
Visit Noosa Farmer's Market
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Apart from being a great spot to pick up fresh fruit and veg, Noosa Farmers Market gives your kids exposure to a variety of different foods and cultures. It's also a great way for them to witness a farm-to-table food journey.
Held every Sunday and nestled among fragrant gums in Noosaville, Noosa Farmers Market is packed with organic and freshly made goods and locally sourced produce. Indulge your senses, unwind, and discover something new here every week!
Explore Noosa Botanical Gardens
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Noosa Botanical Gardens and Wildlife Sanctuary is located at the end of Noosa Main Beach and is home to more than 50 hectares of natural bushland and beautifully maintained gardens.
As a must-see attraction for families on holiday in Noosa, these sprawling gardens provide lots of opportunities to let kids run around and explore nature on their own.
Visitors here love how many shaded spots there are to relax in, with an open-air amphitheatre where you can watch the sunset over the shores of Lake MacDonald.
Plan your family beach holiday to Noosa today!
A family holiday to Noosa should be on every Australian's kid-friendly travel bucket list. Whether you like to camp, caravan, or cabin, start planning your next trip with us today!
