Your best Sunshine Coast day trips are here

Like its name suggests, the Sunshine Coast is best known for its glittering turquoise seas and sandy white shorelines. But venture beyond the coast and you’ll soon discover a world of charming townships, sweet rural scenery, and stunning natural wonders all within easy reach. Here are our top picks for the best day trips not to be missed on your Sunny Coast adventure. 

Eumundi. A Cultural and Culinary Feast

Around 30 minutes’ drive from pristine Mooloolaba Beach lies the quaint and quirky town of Eumundi. With its cute cafes and unique galleries, Eumundi is a vibrant and character-packed stop all year round, though it truly comes alive on Wednesdays and Saturdays when the twice-weekly markets pop up just off the main street. 

Sprawling over several blocks and streets, the delightful assortment of stalls proffer everything from gourmet foods and locally-made artisan wares to massages, healing services and all manner of curious knick-knacks. The soothing sounds of musical acts reverberate through the tall gum trees, making this an adorable and soul enriching day trip you simply must take at least once. 

Montville. Mountain-top Retreat

Just 40 minutes’ drive up into the picturesque Blackall Mountain Range will reveal a barrage of sweet towns dotted along the ridgeline. While just about any of them make for a lovely stop and amble, the pick of the bunch is unquestionably Montville, an utterly adorable hilltop village packing in the crème of the hinterland’s art, craft, and dining scenes, as well as unmatched panoramas spanning all the way to the coast. 

Don’t miss culinary big guns The Long Apron (plus its sibling restaurant The Tamarind in nearby Maleny) and The Edge, Flame Hill Vineyard, curio-packed Montville Antiques, and divine Montville Art Gallery. 

Kondalilla Falls. Get Back to Nature

Just a smidge further inland from Montville lies spectacular Kondalilla Falls within Kondalilla National Park. Attracting locals and travellers from far and wide, the lush environs promise refreshing forest bathing, challenging hiking, and unrivalled nature moments 28 million years in the making! Need to quench that post-hike thirst? Why not stop by the Mapleton Tavern offering first-class refreshments and views just ten minutes along the ridgeline. 

These captivating attractions, and so many more, are ripe for the exploring for the lucky winner of Mater Prize Home lottery No. 311. From the sensational Minyama property, the entire Sunshine Coast region will be on their doorstep, and there’s no better way to discover it all than with the luxury Lexus SUV included in the $3.1M prize package. There’s also two Kalkhoff eBikes and $100,000 in gold bullion to keep those adventures coming. Buy your tickets TODAY for your chance to win and start living your best days!

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