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 to do in the Sunshine Coast!
The Beaches
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
The Ginger Factory
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.
Nutworks
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!
Noosa National Park
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!
Mount Coolum
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!
Kondalilla Falls
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
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.
Buderim Forest Waterfall
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.
Glasshouse Mountains
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. You can 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.
Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens
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!
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40 Comments
These are all great suggestions. Who doesn’t love free activities? I’m visiting two countries in May, and I’ve been searching for free activities because I’m going to spend so much visiting the first country.
That’s how I like to travel too. The free-er the better 😉
Aw this bring back such nice memories of when I spent 6 months in Australia. I loved the Sunshine Coast.
Australia is just the best 🙂
The ginger experience is definitely something I’ll enjoy on my next trip! Thanks for it!
I love beaches and you have given great suggestions what to do at the coast. The free suggestions are obv the stuffs to look out for.
Totally agree!
So much beautiful outdoor hikes and national parks like Noosa National Park make it all great! I would love to hit the beaches there but just to sit by the water and catch a glimpse of the whales would be awesome
I love that you provided so many budget tips in an otherwise expensive place. I’ve never heard of a ginger factory before! I love ginger – ginger tea, using ginger in stir fry, etc. and would love to check out how it is made! The nut factory sounds really interesting too. And of course I would love to visit the beautiful beaches and waterfalls. I still have yet to make it to Australia but am dying to go.
Australia is high on our list of places we’d love to see! This is a long list of wonderful sights…we travel with the kids and I can only imagine how much fun a life sized game of Chutes and Ladders would be! We would all enjoy that one!
On another note…I have a list of travel blogs that use commentluv. Would you like to be added?
Never heard of Nutworks! How cool. I love Australia. The botanical gardens is definitely on my list! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Last time I was in Australia I was too young to remember anything! When I go back (and I will go back), I will definitely hit the Sunshine Coast and I’ll be sure to return to your great list of free things to do there!
Thanks for these great tips for free things to do on the Sunshine coast. We’re hoping to visit later this year. What is the best time of year to visit to get the best weather and smallest crowds?
Australia was the first country we visited over 10 years ago and now that one is much better informed, I really do want to go again. It deserves so much more time and deeper travel. These are great ideas to add.
My friend recently moved to Australia and seeing her snapchats makes me wanna go so bad! The beaches look absolutely amazing! Ive never heard of a Ginger Factory! That looks fun too!
Noosa National Park looks beautiful!! As do the rest of the outdoor activities; I’d love to visit Australia in the next couple years, but the long flight from the USA does not seem fun. Also, the chocolate macadamia nuts sound so good right now!
Free activities are the best! These tips will come in handy as Australia is pretty expensive. + I love the beach and hiking!
It is always nice when it is possible to find activities that do not cost a fortune when traveling. It is also these that are for free that usually makes the biggest impression. Who would not like a visit of a national park? And it is nice to see when nature is still for free. 🙂
Great list! I loved Australia when I was there a few years ago but you are right, it is definitely not a cheap destination! Hiking is always a good option and I would definitely want to check out Nutworks.
First thing that came to my mind when I read ginger factory, was redhead girls 😛 It could have been my favorite place on earth ahahah
In lack of those, I see there are still beautiful places to wander around and since I like waterfalls, I’d check them all for sure! And a cool ginger beer on the beach on the sunset, yeah!
Love the nature in this part of the world!!! Perfect way to relax – hiking and beach! I hope to visit one day.
Australia looks so damn beautiful! I should pack up and leave California right now. Noosa National Park looks like a place I’d definitely like to set foot on.
Whooaaa thank you for this list! I always love list of free things to do in places since I am a budget traveler. Will definitely bookmark this for future references!
Free things are the best things!
What a beautiful place – wildlife, beaches, nut factory, ginger factory…waterfalls….this place has it all. And that too, free! Will be recommending it to people who are heading there.
I can’t wait to visit Australia. I love free things to do haha so I’ll be sure to use this guide when I go!
Beaches have always been my go to places whenever I visit coastlines. Ginger factory seems pretty interesting and I would love going nuts over NUTS. Mount Coolum and Kondalilla Falls are absolutely scenic. Beautiful!
I did not know about the Sunshine coast when I visited Australia. So many fun things to do. Also it is the first time I am hearing about the Ginger factory. I loved Macademia nuts and I would never leave the factory if I had the opportunity.
We were just in Australia, and you’re right it was not cheap. It was beautiful and definitely worthwhile though, and free things are always welcome. We went to the Gold Coast instead of the Sunshine Coast, but your post makes me wonder if we chose the right one, it’s beautiful.
Great ideas! I hope to hit up Sunshine Coast one day. It’s on my wish list and looking at some of the photos, it has us wetting my lips.
I would love to visit Australia. It must be a really interesting country to see! I haven’t been there but I have it in my mind all the time. Noosa National Park looks magical 🙂
It’s amazing all the free things you can do in each travel destinations. Sometimes the free stuff isn’t that great but these ones on the sunshine coast are well worth it. Doing free stuff helps to balance out the cost of an expensive meal or accommodation.
Excellent, free attractions are always a plus on my list!
Oh this makes me want to head back to Australia so badly! A ginger factory?! I’m oddly obsessed with ginger and would absolutely love that. Of course beaches and waterfalls are amazing too. I haven’t been since I was 12 and now im 22 so a trip is much needed soon!
I live in Melbourne and yet, I’ve never travelled that far north i n Australia. The Sunshine Coast has soooo many beautiful places to visit. The beaches, the rainforests, the ginger factory (that I had not heard about before)! Thanks for sharing all these free things to do!
This is an awesome read! I often like to read up on free things to do in a place where I would be traveling. It is nice to go to nature trips and enjoy the scenery without paying for everything! I also wrote similar free things to do in my favorite cities in Europe and I think that will help my friends and future first-time travelers to the place.
I’d love to visit this paradise on earth one day. Very motivational post!
Oh my goodness I missed all of these when we visited the Sunshine coast! I’ll just have to go back now! 😉
Sounds like a good enough excuse! 😛
I do love the Sunshine Coast – but would you believe when we were there it rained for 5 days straight. lol