30 Sunshine Coast and Noosa holiday hacks to save cash

For those watching their wallets or visitors who want to “live like a local” here are 30 tips on free or cheap things to do on the Sunshine Coast. SEE THE LIST

Mt Coolum provides an incredible backdrop.

For those watching their wallets this holiday season, the Sunshine Coast Daily has compiled 30 holiday hacks.

From free or cheap carparking and public transport to ways to entertain the children on a dime, read tips to save you money on the Sunshine Coast and in Noosa.

80-photo flashback: Sunshine Coast beach holidays over the decades

Car parks and public transport

30.

The Noosa Council has a free bus service on certain routes that will operate from December 10 until January 22. Leave the car at home and travel around Noosa stress-free. More details about the routes are on the Noosa Council website.

The Noosa free loop bus proved a valuable addition to the free bus network.

29.

For those who still want to drive to Noosa, and do not mind a walk, other car parks include Doggy Beach and Noosa Junction.

A bush turkey guards his nest at Noosa Woods. Picture: Warren Lynam

28.

Parking fairies are often called upon during peak holiday periods at Cotton Tree Park, but for those who do not mind a short walk there are street car parks on the roads running parallel to the foreshore including Beach and Hinkler parades.

27.

If you can trade four wheels for two, there are many cycling tracks that link the beaches of the Sunshine Coast. A particularly beautiful bike ride is Mudjimba to Mt Coolum along coastal pathways, or Coolum Beach to Sunshine Beach, which is mostly pathways or quiet backstreets.

Matthew North, Mark Kelly and Jason North in Cotton Tree Park. Picture: Sam Turner

Walks and playgrounds

26.

For those who want to incorporate a national park walk with a visit to Hastings St, try parking at Sunshine Beach and walking into the Noosa National Park from there to Hastings St. It is about 7km that incorporates beach cliffs, beach and forest in the walk.

25.

Do you have an active loved one? Other free walks include Mt Ninderry, Mt Coolum, Mt Ngungun and, for a challenge, Mt Cooroora in Pomona where the King and Queen of the Mountain race takes place.

Mt Coolum provides an insta-worthy backdrop and is also a great walking track. Picture: Tourism Qld

24.

Playgrounds abound on the Sunshine Coast. Beachside playgrounds include the new Mooloolaba adventure playground on the Mooloolaba Esplanade, the Coolum Beach Tickle Park playground, the Felix Parry Park playground at Petrie Av, Marcoola, and a small playground at La Balsa Park at Point Cartwright.

23.

A lesser-known playground is at the Town of Seaside, on Merchants Parade. It is near the beach and with plenty of open space for picnics.

22.

Plenty of shade, open space and picnic tables are available at Moffat Beach along with a small playground.

21.

A playground with plenty of parking, shade, picnic areas and amenities is Muller Park at Bli Bli.

20.

Hinterland playgrounds include the Russell Family Park in Montville, which was opened in 2020. The distinctive cone structure provides a good climbing challenge for older children.

19.

Gardners Falls, near Maleny, remains a popular walking track and swimming spot in the hinterland. Always follow safety rules when swimming in any waterhole.

Ebba Hook from Sweden and Luis Crubellati from Italy cool down in Gardners Falls.

18.

A hidden gem is the Ocean Beach Walk in the Peregian section of Noosa National Park. On David Low Way just north of the Coolum Beach township, this walk starts as a boardwalk through swamp into dunal territory and then onto the beach.

Insta-worthy spots

17.

For an expansive ocean backdrop, Point Arkwright at Coolum Beach takes some beating. The point also provides a perfect locale for whale watching in the correct season.

16.

First Bay at Coolum Beach has it all – crescent-shaped beach, coloured rocks with waves breaking against them and stairs down to the golden sand for those who prefer to record their Tik Tok moments.

15.

Alexandra Headland is another location perfect to capture the expanse of the ocean and the occasional cruise ship or freighter.

14.

No need to go to Australia Zoo for a shot with an Aussie icon. The main street of Montville will do for a pose with a giant koala.

13.

If you go to all the trouble of catching a bus or finding a car park in Noosa, the last step is to document the moment (possibly of the car park, depending on how long it took to find one). Nothing says summer holiday better than Noosa Main Beach.

12.

Tea Tree Bay also features a perfect crescent beach juxtaposed with ocean-washed stones and gentle waves. It is an insta-mermaid or merman’s dream.

Tea Tree Bay in the Noosa Heads National Park. Picture: istock

11.

Gone to all the effort of walking to the top of Mt Coolum? Snap that photo at the top. There are ocean, river or country view options. In years gone by, one could also hear, and record, the roar of a certain infamous dinosaur that resided at the resort below.

10.

The Big Pineapple is a Sunshine Coast bucket list photograph. Find it on Nambour Connection Rd, Woombye.

The Big Pineapple, Queensland. Picture: Jennifer Ennion

Everything else

9.

Free movies are offered in Tickle Park, Coolum Beach, throughout the summer holidays. The next one scheduled is Trolls: World Tour, on January 1. Google “free movies Sunshine Coast” for more information.

8.

For a cheap dinner, the Marcoola Twilight Market is a great option a short drive north of the river from Mooloolaba. Food trucks set up in a marked area and people can bring their own picnic rugs to eat at the park nearby.

7.

Save some dosh on lunch. Pack your own and head off on a picnic adventure. Picturesque Sunshine Coast picnic places include the grass hilltop of Alexandra Headland, the little-known Lows Lookout at Coolum Beach and Gerrards Lookout at Maleny.

6.

Noosa picnic spots include Noosa Botanic Gardens, Lake Weyba and Noosa Woods.

The Noosa Botanic Garden shade canopy has won a design award for Noosa Council.

5.

If the ocean swells are a little too much for the little ones, a number of Sunshine Coast pools have water park-like facilities for a small entry fee. The Nambour Aquatic Centre recently received a $3.26m makeover and now has a zero-depth splash pad and two water slides.

4.

Remember that many Sunshine Coast and Noosa life saving clubs and bowls clubs have courtesy buses so patrons can leave their cars at home and enjoy a couple of drinks without worrying about the drive home.

3.

Things do sometimes go wrong on holidays. The Sunshine Coast University Hospital is a public hospital with an emergency department. The Noosa Hospital is also a private hospital and has an emergency department.

2.

Maroochy Day and Night Pharmacy, on Aerodrome Rd, is open 8am until 10pm 365 days of the year for pharmaceutical help.

1.

The beach! They are free, they are amazing and they are the reason 99 per cent of people live or holiday on the Sunshine Coast and Noosa. Please respect their beauty, the conditions, our lifesavers and lifeguards and always swim between the flags.