A Sunshine Coast road trip isn’t about racing from A to B. It’s about Sunday driving, windows down, Fleetwood Mac on, and letting the beaches, cafés and hinterland towns shape the journey.
From calm, coastal stretches to buzzing foodie hubs and rainforest escapes, the drive from Caloundra to Noosa delivers on every level.
With tips from Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel and a few personal favourites from My Weekly Preview journalist Abbey Cannan, here are 10 must-stop destinations to build into your next coastal escape.
GOLDEN BEGINNINGS
Start your journey at Golden Beach, where Pumicestone Passage sets the tone for a relaxed morning.
The calm, glassy water makes it ideal for paddle boarding, kayaking or casting a line, while the foreshore is perfect for an easy stroll.
Before hitting the road, it’s worth detouring to Café Sisily for pastries and cannoli that are well worth the stop – the kind of treat that feels like a reward for waking up early.
MOFFAT’S COASTAL CHARM
A short drive north brings you to Moffat Beach, where the coastline really starts to show off.
One of the best ways to experience it is on foot. Walk the headland from Moffat to Kings Beach and back, soaking in the ocean views.
“Refuel with brunch at a local favourite such as Pockets Espresso Bar or Ours by the Beach, then cool off with a swim before continuing on,” Abbey says.
BOKARINA’S FOODIE BUZZ
Bokarina Beach has quietly become one of the Coast’s most exciting dining pockets, with new cafes and restaurants popping up right by the sand.
Abbey says it’s hard to go wrong. She loves Stoa or Sundays Coffee for breakfast, recommends Bocca Italian or Playa Mexican for lunch or dinner, and notes Hatched as a great family-friendly option.
For dessert, Tutto Freddo’s self-serve frozen yoghurt and acai bar is a must.
KAWANA’S GAME-DAY ENERGY
The rest of the Kawana stretch offers plenty of ways to spend a few hours.
Abbey suggests grabbing an acai from Lil Canteen or bagels from Twin Fin, then setting up a picnic or enjoying a swim at La Balsa Park.
For sports fans, the Sunshine Coast Stadium adds another layer to the stop.
“I’ve been stuck there many weekends for the past couple of years as my partner was the captain of the Sunshine Coast Falcons. I can confirm – it’s a great atmosphere and you can have plenty of fun cheering on local teams,” Abbey says.
The stadium hosts major matches throughout the year, including the Broncos opening their campaign against the Sunshine Coast Falcons on Saturday, February 14, at 7pm.
To see what else is on throughout the year, visit sunshinecoaststadium.com.au.
INTO THE HINTERLAND
When the coast calls for a change of scenery, it’s time to head inland.
The Sunshine Coast hinterland is dotted with towns that will reward your exploration.
Browse boutiques in Montville and Maleny, enjoy farm-to-fork fare in Mapleton, wander through Conondale’s lush forests, or tick Australia Zoo off the list in Beerwah.
The Glass House Mountains provide a dramatic backdrop, while Kenilworth is ideal for filling a picnic basket with local produce and baked treats.
MOOLOOLABA INDULGENCE
Back on the coast, Mooloolaba is a great stop to do some shopping and refresh with a swim.
“After working up an appetite, enjoy a long lunch or indulgent dinner at Fish House Steak & Grill in Mooloolaba, one of the Coast’s standout new dining spots,” Matt says.
Pier 33 or The Dock are great spots for a drink with friends.
The marina views and lively Esplanade make it easy to linger longer than planned.
CHASING VIEWS ON FOOT
For those craving a little adventure, the next stop is all about getting active.
“For the adventure lovers, climb up Mount Coolum early in the morning or late afternoon for sweeping coastal views, or opt for the gentler rainforest stroll to Buderim Falls,” Matt says.
Both offer a different perspective on the region’s natural beauty.
MARKET MORNINGS
Timing your trip with a weekend unlocks one of the Coast’s great pleasures: markets.
Grab gifts, snacks or ingredients for later.
“If you’re travelling on a Saturday, a wander through the iconic Eumundi Markets is a must,” Matt says.
“Otherwise, stock up on fresh local produce at Yandina Markets.”
NOOSA FINALE
End the road trip in Noosa, where there’s no shortage of ways to spend a day – or several.
Walk through Noosa National Park all the way to Hell’s Gates for rugged coastal views, browse the shops along Hastings Street or Noosa Junction, and choose from endless dining options.
For something quick and reliable, Milk Bar Grocer is Abbey’s favourite for takeaways.
From sunrise swims to long lunches and hinterland detours, this Caloundra-to-Noosa road trip proves that the journey really is just as memorable as the destination.
VISIT SUNSHINE COAST’S MOST POPULAR SOCIAL POSTS OF 2025
The Sunshine Coast’s most loved social media content of 2025 has revealed a clear standout trend.
Video reigned supreme last year, with all of Visit Sunshine Coast’s top five Facebook and Instagram posts captured in motion for the first time ever.
From rare wildlife encounters to sweeping lookout views and immersive forest walks, the destination’s top posts across both platforms showcased the Sunshine Coast through engaging, emotive video storytelling.
Across Facebook, audiences were captivated by tranquil hinterland escapes and unexpected moments in nature, with popular videos featuring Secrets on the Lake, a platypus sighting, Buderim Forest Park, Conondale National Park and the panoramic views from Wild Horse Mountain Lookout.
Instagram followers were equally inspired, with Wild Horse Mountain Lookout taking out the No.1 spot, followed closely by the platypus in the hinterland, Howell’s Knob Lookout, Mount Coolum Boardwalk and Buderim Forest Park.
“Our most popular posts from 2025 show just how powerful video has become in inspiring travel,” Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel says.
“For the first time ever, every one of our top-performing posts was a video, and they all shared one thing in common: they made people feel like they were already here.”
Coastal and hinterland locations featured strongly, with audiences responding to the contrast of elevated lookouts, shaded rainforest trails and quiet moments in nature.
Wildlife also proved a standout, with the platypus video resonating strongly across both platforms.
“These videos weren’t about fast edits or flashy production,” Mr Stoeckel says.
“They captured authentic Sunshine Coast moments – a peaceful boardwalk stroll, mist rolling over the mountains, or the excitement of spotting a platypus in the wild. That authenticity is what really connected with people.”
User-generated and creator content also played important roles, with standout contributions from Ashley Dobson (@ashleydobson), Taylor Cooper (@taylorcoooper) and @travel_beauty_photography, highlighting the strength of collaboration in telling the Sunshine Coast story.
“The results reinforce how travellers and locals are now discovering and dreaming about destinations,” Mr Stoeckel says.
“Video allows us to bring the Sunshine Coast to life in a way that still images can’t, and seeing it dominate our top posts in 2025 sets an exciting direction for how we continue to inspire visitors in the future.”
