Free things to do on the Sunshine Coast

Everything on this list costs nothing to get in: beaches, coastal walks, waterfalls, lookouts and a handful of small museums the council keeps free. Parking rules vary, so check the signs. Times and conditions change, so check before you set off.

Caloundra

• Kings Beach and Kings Beach Park: a beach patrolled all year, with a water-play fountain, playgrounds and a flying fox on the foreshore. Parking is along Ormonde Terrace.
• The Caloundra lighthouses: two heritage towers, from 1896 and 1968, in a small park on Canberra Terrace with views to Moreton Island. The grounds are free; going inside on the volunteer open days costs a small fee for adults. Read our guide to the Caloundra lighthouses.
• The Coastal Pathway: a shared path that runs 73 km from Bells Creek to Coolum. In Caloundra, walk Kings Beach to Bulcock Beach (1.6 km, accessible) or Kings Beach to Moffat Beach (2.9 km) over the headlands.
• Shelly Beach rock pools: big rock pools at the foot of the headland at low tide, linked to the next headland by the Des Dwyer Walkway.
• Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue: the council's gallery, free except for some events and major exhibitions. Open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm and weekends 10am to 2pm.
• Caloundra RSL Military Display, 19 West Terrace: memorabilia from the First World War to recent conflicts. Free, Tuesday to Thursday 10am to 2pm.
• WALK Caloundra: a free self-guided heritage walk along Bulcock Street, from a council brochure you can download or pick up at libraries and visitor centres.

Mooloolaba and Buddina

• Mooloolaba Beach: the coast's best-known swimming beach, patrolled all year. The council's PARKnGO car park in Mooloolaba Central is free for up to four hours.
• The Spit: a calmer, family-friendly patrolled beach by the rock wall, with a signed heritage trail through the parkland.
• Point Cartwright Reserve, Buddina: the working lighthouse at the mouth of the Mooloolah River, a 230 m path from a free car park, with a viewing platform and grass for a picnic.

Coolum and Noosa

• Point Arkwright and Lows Lookout: two coastal lookouts. Lows Lookout looks north along Coolum Beach towards Noosa, with views all round on a clear day.
• Nan's Postcard Dare: our free family art trail along the Coolum boardwalk to Point Perry, coming soon. Get the launch email.
• Mount Coolum: a steep 1.6 km return climb, about two hours, to a 208 m summit over the coast. For fit walkers in fine weather only.
• Noosa National Park coastal walk: 10.8 km return from the main car park, past rocky bays to Hell's Gates. The first 300 m to Boiling Pot is sealed. Watch for whales from June to November. The beaches in the park are not patrolled.

Buderim and the hinterland

• Buderim Forest Park: creek tracks and waterfalls in a 45-hectare reserve, with a 500 m wheelchair-accessible boardwalk from the Harrys Park entrance.
• Kondalilla National Park, Montville: Skene Creek drops 90 m over Kondalilla Falls. The Picnic Creek circuit is 1.7 km; the Falls circuit is 4.7 km with more than 300 stairs. Never dive into the rock pools.
• Mapleton Falls National Park: Pencil Creek plunges 120 m, seen from a wheelchair-accessible lookout 50 m from the car park.
• Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, Maleny: rainforest walks with views of the Glass House Mountains, a picnic ground and a playground. The walks are open 7am to 6pm; the Rainforest Discovery Centre asks for a gold coin donation.
• McCarthys Lookout and Balmoral Ridge Lookout: roadside lookouts with picnic tables on the range near Maleny and Montville.
• Nambour Heritage Soundtrail: a 3.4 km return audio walk through Nambour's history, starting at Nambour Library, played on the Soundtrails app. The council lists no charge.
• Eumundi Museum: the town's history, including the markets. Free, Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 3pm, but closed for renovations until December 2026.
• Yandina Historic House, 3 Pioneer Road: an 1899 homestead with a small museum and gallery. Free, weekdays 9:30am to 2:30pm (the museum opens 10am to 1pm).

The Glass House Mountains

• Glass House Mountains Lookout: panoramic views and fire tower displays in the Beerburrum West State Forest, with an 800 m track. The barbecues are closed until 21 February 2027.
• Bankfoot House: the only remaining Cobb and Co coach stop between Brisbane and Gympie, with grounds for a picnic. Free, Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 3pm.

Free games from The Hunt Is On

Our story trails cost nothing to play, start to finish. Open any of them to get an email the day it goes live.

• Pip and the Pelican, Caloundra: win back a young artist's sketchbook at the town's public artworks.
• Wally's Tall Tales, Yandina: catch an old storyteller's fibs at nine stops.
• The Nambour Art Trail: spend a day as a muralist's apprentice.
• The Keeper's Log: a free 15-minute mystery for a rainy day at home.

Updated 18 October 2026. Check opening times and conditions before you go.