Best free things to do on the Sunshine Coast this summer
Make magical holiday memories with Sunshine Coast Council – from workshops to events, and take-home activities to amazing days out – there is plenty to keep the kids busy this summer.
There’s something for everyone, from exploring the great outdoors at the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, to trying a new Adventure Sunshine Coast trail or stepping back in time at Bankfoot House.
With so much on offer, start planning now and remember, places are limited for some events, book early to avoid disappointment.
Visit Council’s website for all the details or keep reading to explore our guide.
Meet the Forest Fellowship
In the forest, no single species can survive on its own – it takes teamwork to make a healthy forest grow.
Discover how the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve team works together at the new exhibit: Forest Fellowship.
Find all the fun facts, make your own felt fellowship at the craft area or borrow a junior ranger kit (equipped with binoculars and nature journal) for your walk in the rainforest.
When: Open 7 days, 9.30am – 3.30pm. Closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Where: The Rainforest Discovery Centre at the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, 148 Mountain View Road, Maleny.
Details: Visit the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve website.
Discovery Guide
For a great day out, check out the Discovery Guide on Council’s Heritage website. Your comprehensive heritage guide to the Sunshine Coast region.
Plus, when you pay for your next entry to a Sunshine Coast museum, or give a donation, you will receive a Museum VIP card that will give you discount at other museums. Only available at participating museums.
The great botanic race
Keen to get your older children out of the house and on the move?
A new challenge has been set for the Great Botanic Race – an orienteering activity with a puzzle to solve.
Grab a friend, pick up a map at the front entrance and explore the botanic garden. Run, walk or race to find all the letters.
The Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden is open 7am – 6pm daily.
Where: The Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Road, Tanawha
Marvellous museums
It’s all going on at Bankfoot House and Landsborough Museum these holidays.
At Bankfoot House, enjoy Christmas crafts, peg dolls and paper crafts, butter churning, pioneer play and more.
Make your own Christmas decorations to either take home or add the tree at Landsborough Museum, search for the elf on the shelf or spot the difference in the then and now exhibition.
Entry is free, with bookings required for some activities.
When: Saturday, December 9, to Sunday, January 21, 10am – 3pm Wednesday to Sunday.
Where: Bankfoot House – 1998 Old Gympie Road, Glass House Mountains and Landsborough Museum – 4 Maleny Street, Landsborough.
Details: Visit heritage.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
Celebrate the new year
This New Year’s Eve, enjoy fireworks displays in Mooloolaba, Caloundra and Coolum
At Mooloolaba, there’s entertainment for the family in the gated event zone with security in place to ensure everyone has a great, safe, and fun evening.
Displays: Mooloolaba 8.30pm and midnight, Caloundra 9.30pm and Coolum 8.30pm.
Getting there: Visit www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au for information on parking and getting to the event.
Safety: New Year’s Eve Mooloolaba is a drug, glass and alcohol-free event.
Details: Visit events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
Adventure Sunshine Coast
Looking to get outdoors with the family these school holidays?
For more than 250 walking, running, paddling, cycling, mountain biking and horse riding trails on the Sunshine Coast, visit Council’s Adventure Sunshine Coast website and choose your next adventure.
Explore Sunshine Coast Libraries this summer
December program
• Cards of Kindness –
Create handmade
kindness cards to share
with others.
• Festive Fables – Step
through the pages and
into a world of wonder
during this special
Storytime session.
• Scavenger Hunt – Search
the library for hidden
treasures and check them
off as you find them.
• Upcycle the Coast – Using
mixed media, upcycle
heritage images from
across the Sunshine Coast.
• Games Day – Challenge
your nearest and dearest
to a good ole showdown!
January program
• Curious Creations – Use
your imagination to create a curious masterpiece with
assorted collage materials.
• The Book Nook – Bring
the magic of books alive
in your very own creation
of a miniature ‘book
world’ using assorted
materials.
• I Dream of Libraries –
Constructing libraries
out of cardboard, create
the library of your
dreams. Installations will
be featured across
libraries for the month of February.
• Build-a-Portrait – Bend
and twist coloured pipe
cleaners to create your
very own self-portrait
masterpiece.
• STEM – Put your problem-
solving skills to the test
with one of three STEM
activities: Chains of Glory,
Stack ‘em up and
Structures of the World.
• A Story of Summer – Join
us for a special
summertime story session.
• Stop Go Animation –
Unleash your inner film
maker and learn simple
animation through the
creation of a stop-go film.
• Cards of Kindness –
Spread kindness this
holiday season by
creating handmade cards
to be shared with others.
Visit Sunshine Coast Libraries website for details and to register.
Book your spot with this clever club
Sunshine Coast Council Libraries are again running their annual Summer Reading Club.
Children are invited to participate in our free interactive reading program. It’s super easy to join and there are plenty of great prizes up for grabs.
When: From December 1 until January 31.
Details: Visit the Sunshine Coast Council Libraries website.
Take-home Teen Program Packs
Create an imaginative portraiture with our ‘Build-a-Portrait’ pack. Using pipe cleaners and other unconventional materials from the comfort of the couch, this take-home pack has no rules, encouraging teens to use their own creativity.
When: Register now for your take-home teen program packs with pick ups available now.
Details: Visit the Sunshine Coast Council Libraries