Great Beach Drive 4WD Tour - Private Charter from Noosa to Rainbow Beach
8 hours
From AUD $1295
Tours in Sunshine Coast
See all 8 tours →
Background information about Sunshine Coast adapted from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Next 7 days at Sunshine Coast
Live forecast from Open-Meteo. Updated each time the page loads.
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Best time to visit Sunshine Coast
Based on 30 years of weather data. Sweet spot: Jul, Aug, Sep — mild temperatures, low rainfall and plenty of sun. Avoid Feb, Mar if you can — typically the wettest or hottest stretch of the year.
Jan
35°
20° low
162mm
Feb
34°
19° low
191mm
Mar
32°
18° low
171mm
Apr
30°
14° low
110mm
May
27°
11° low
93mm
Jun
25°
10° low
97mm
Jul
25°
9° low
46mm
Aug
27°
9° low
64mm
Sep
30°
13° low
47mm
Oct
31°
12° low
88mm
Nov
33°
15° low
84mm
Dec
34°
18° low
144mm
Daytime high (large) · overnight low (small) · monthly rainfall (blue bar). Climate normals: 1991–2020 from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis.
Beach & ocean conditions at Sunshine Coast
Typical wave height around 1.7 m over the next two weeks. a wetsuit makes winter swims much more pleasant.
Avg wave height
1.7 m
Sea-surface temperatures from Open-Meteo's ERA5 reanalysis. Wave forecast from the GFS Wave model — check official sources before swimming, paddling or boating.
What else is around Sunshine Coast
Points of interest within 25 km, pulled from OpenStreetMap. Distances are straight-line; check road access before heading out.
🔭 Lookouts & viewpoints (57)
- 11.2 km
- 12.0 km
- 12.1 km
- 12.2 km
- 12.2 km
- 12.3 km
🦁 Family — zoos, aquariums, theme parks (1)
Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL.
Drive times to and from Sunshine Coast
Real road distance and driving time to other destinations in the state. Click through for fuel estimates, suggested overnight stops, and tours along the way.
Photos from around Sunshine Coast
Frequently asked about Sunshine Coast
- Where is Sunshine Coast?
- Sunshine Coast is in South East Queensland, Queensland, Australia. The destination guide above maps the area; the drive-times panel further down lists distances to other Queensland destinations so you can pencil it into a longer itinerary.
- When is the best time to visit Sunshine Coast?
- Based on 30 years of climate data, the most comfortable months at Sunshine Coast are typically July, August, September — milder temperatures, lower rainfall, and longer sunshine hours. February tends to be the trickiest month weather-wise. School holiday weeks (Easter, late June–early July, late September, mid-December–late January) get busy and prices rise, so shoulder season is usually the sweet spot if you're flexible.
- What's the weather like in Sunshine Coast?
- Summer daytime highs average around 35°C and winter overnight lows can drop to about 9°C. Annual rainfall sits at roughly 1295 mm spread across the year. The climate panel above breaks every month down — daytime high, overnight low, monthly rain, sunny days — so you can match the trip to the weather you want.
- How do I get to Sunshine Coast?
- Most travellers arrive by road. From Noosa it's about 32 km — roughly 0h 31m of driving via the main highway, conditions permitting. The drive-times panel above lists travel time and distance to every other Queensland destination so you can sketch out a road-trip route. Check road conditions in winter if your route crosses high country, and plan for breaks every ~2 hours.
- What are the top things to see in Sunshine Coast?
- Well-known spots within day-trip range include Henley Park, Fishermans Road Market, Cenotaph, Cenotaph, Majestic Cinema and Event Centre. The "What else is around" panel above lists every named point of interest by category — lookouts, peaks, waterfalls, museums, beaches — pulled straight from OpenStreetMap. Click any name for the location, opening hours and directions.
- Where can I stay near Sunshine Coast?
- We list 8 caravan and holiday parks in and around Sunshine Coast above — powered sites, cabins, glamping, and big-rig-friendly options. Pet rules, dump points and shaded sites are noted on each park's page. For hotel-style stays, the Drive Times panel makes it easy to base yourself in a nearby town and day-trip in.
- How many days should I spend at Sunshine Coast?
- Most travellers spend 1–2 days at Sunshine Coast to cover the highlights without rushing. There are 8 bookable tours and experiences, 0 attractions and 5+ named viewpoints/landmarks listed for the area on this page — plenty to fill a weekend, more if you slow down and explore the outer reaches.
- Is Sunshine Coast good for families with kids?
- Yes — there are 20 family-friendly attractions, museums and family destinations within easy reach (zoos, aquariums, interactive museums, family-friendly theme parks). The caravan parks section above flags parks with playgrounds, kids' pools and family cabins.
- What day trips can I do from Sunshine Coast?
- Within ~2.5 hours' drive: Noosa, Brisbane, Rainbow Beach, Gold Coast. The drive-times panel above lists every nearby destination with road distance and travel time — pick one, drive across in the morning, and you're back for dinner.
- Is there public transport at Sunshine Coast?
- Coverage varies — major destinations have train and bus links from the closest capital, but smaller regional towns rely on infrequent coach services. The most reliable way to explore the wider area is a hire car or your own vehicle. If you're using public transport, plan around the timetables and check the night before you travel; rural routes are often once or twice a day.
- Is Sunshine Coast accessible for wheelchair users and reduced mobility?
- Major town centres, museums and built-up tourist precincts at Sunshine Coast are usually accessible; bush walks and lookouts vary widely. The OpenStreetMap data underneath the "What else is around" panel records wheelchair access on individual sites — click through to any place's page for the specific accessibility info. For tours, check the operator's website or call ahead; most reputable operators publish their access details.
- How much does a trip to Sunshine Coast cost?
- Budget travellers can do Sunshine Coast on roughly $120–180 per person per day (caravan park, cooking your own, free walks); mid-range $200–350 (hotel, paid attractions, eating out once a day); higher-end $400+ (boutique stays, tours, fine dining). Fuel is the big variable — Australia's regional driving distances add up. Tours and attractions in the listings above show prices in AUD where the operator publishes them.
- Will I have phone signal at Sunshine Coast?
- Most named destinations in Queensland have at least Telstra and Optus coverage in town. Coverage drops off quickly outside built-up areas — particularly in national parks, valleys and along long stretches of highway. If you're heading into remote areas, download offline maps before you leave, tell someone your itinerary, and consider a PLB (personal locator beacon) for serious bush walks.
