Abi Benaud, Zara Young launch Little Sunny Coast as ultimate toddler guide

Two Sunshine Coast mums have taken it upon themselves to create the ultimate guide to the region for busy parents making an outing with their toddlers.

Zara Young and Abi Benaud have launched their Little Sunny Coast page to help other mums find parks, activities, attractions and more in the region for outings with their toddlers. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Two mums and best friends have taken it upon themselves to create the ultimate guide for activities, playgrounds, attractions and more on the Sunshine Coast for toddlers to enjoy.

Abi Benaud, 34, and Zara Young, 24, started their social media page Little Sunny Coast as a free guide to help parents relieve their mental load by offering all resources in one place when it comes to family outings.

They cover free activities, playgroups, parks, beaches, shops, playgrounds, restaurants, cafes, paid attractions and more.

Their social pages have accumulated more than 850 followers within a week.

Ms Benaud said the pair personally check out each location and take note of various details including whether there are change tables and parking available or even nearby cafes.

Zara Young and Abi Benaud. Picture: Patrick Woods.

She named the venture a “pure passion project” to share with all parents which came about after they each struggled to find places to take their kids for outings.

They had found guides for school-aged kids but scarcely found resources aimed for children aged 0-4.

Ms Benaud currently works as a podcast producer and guest booker and Ms Young is an assistant in nursing.

It is the pair’s dream to turn their project into a business and leave their full-time jobs behind, to eventually expand to other age groups as their children grow.

Ms Benaud said her background in content and media creation and Ms Young’s experience with children makes for a perfect team.

Despite an age gap of 10 years, the pair met through a mutual friend and bonded when they fell pregnant unexpectedly at the same time.

Zara Young and Abi Benaud. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Ms Benaud said they had no one but each other on the Sunshine Coast at the time.

“Zara is probably the most mature person I’ve ever met,” Ms Benaud said.

“People often confuse us as sisters.”

The pair often adopt a “divide and conquer” strategy to cover more ground and work around their schedules to meet up once or twice a week.

Ms Benaud said the pair try each location and activity personally and connect with business owners to show their authenticity and genuinity.

They have had many families reach out with suggestions and the pair have loved discovering each one, Ms Benaud said.

They also do an “inspiring mumma shout out” to pay tribute to Sunshine Coast mums who have done something incredible.