THE Sunshine Coast is fast becoming one of Australia's leading tourist destinations and is renowned for being a tourist hot spot. Apart from it's tropical forests and untouched beaches, the Sunshine Coast is also well known for its exciting array of fun things to do.

The hardworking crew here at Finda have compiled a list of things to do on the Sunshine Coast.

• Australia Zoo
• UnderWater World
• Ginger Factory
• Big Pineapple
• Big Kart Track
• Aussie World
• Shopping
• Beaches

So keep reading on to find out about all the things to do on the Sunshine Coast.

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Australia Zoo

Best known as the legacy left behind by the late Croc Hunter, Steve Irwin, Australia Zoo is undoubtedly Australia's biggest and best theme park. And it's right here on the Sunshine Coast, about 20 minutes drive from Mooloolaba and just under an hour from Brisbane.

The zoo has become famous for being home to a wide variety of both native and exotic animal life including insects, reptiles, koalas, Bengal Tigers, Tasmanian Devils, elephants and of course, crocodiles. You can also experience an amazing array of birds on display at the  5000-seat Animal Planet Crocoseum. It's a perfect day out for the whole family.

Admission
Family - 5 Ticket - 2 adult and 3 children:      $172.00
Family - 4 Ticket - 2 adult and 2 children:      $157.00
Adult Ticket:                                                 $53.00
Pensioner Ticket:                                         $42.00
Student Ticket:                                             $42.00
Child Ticket:                                                 $31.00
Children Under 3 are free.

Opening Times
Australia Zoo is open 9am - 4:30pm seven days a week
Closed Christmas Day.

Address
Australia Zoo is situated on Steve Irwin Way, Beerwah.

For more information please call Australia Zoo on (07) 5436 2000 or visit their website.

UnderWater World

UnderWater World is located in the heart of the Sunshine Coast's fastest growing suburb, Mooloolaba. The aquarium, Queensland's largest, is home to more than five thousand amazing and wonderful creatures of the deep including sharks, dolphins and of course those cute and often cheeky seals.

UWW also allows visitors to get up close and personal with our aquatic friends. You can surround yourself in the beauty of thousands of coral fish in the 2.5 million litre walk through oceanarium or roll up those sleeves and get interactive with manta-rays at the touch pools.

There's also a whole host of other things to do, including checking out the Shark Discovery Centre, watching playful otters in the Otter Encounter and chilling out in the Cold Water Exhibit.

Admission
Adult                                                        $28.50
Child (3-14yrs)                                          $18.00
Concession*                                             $21.00
Family (2 adults & 2 children)                     $84.00
Extra Child on Family Pass                        $16.00
Annual passes are also available.

Opening Times
Open every day from 9am to 5pm.
Last admission 4pm.
Closed Christmas Day.

Disabled Parking available.
Wheelchairs & Strollers also available on request

Address
UnderWater World
Parkyn Parade, Mooloolaba
Sunshine Coast, Queensland

For further enquiries please call UnderWater World on 07 5458 6222 or visit their website.


Ginger Factory

Ginger lovers are in for a real treat at the Ginger Factory. But it has something for everyone, including shops, tours and lots of activities for the kids, and the best part is it's all free.

You'll find the Ginger Factory in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, about twenty-five minutes from Mooloolaba.

The Ginger Shop is undoubtedly the hub for buying and tasting Queensland ginger products. The factory uses Buderim ginger, and uses it in a variety of gourmet foods, kitchenware and a huge range of cooking accessories. The shop even sells body lotions and perfumes.

Another big drawcard at the Ginger factory is the Gingertown tour, and who can go past the delights of the Bliss Ice Creamery.

Admission
Free
Ticket prices apply for tours and can be purchased on arrival.

Opening Times
Open 7 days from 9am to 5pm
Closed Christmas Day

Disabled Parking available.

Address
50 Pioneer Road, Yandina, Sunshine Coast Queensland, 4561.

For more information call The Ginger Factory  on 1800 067 686 or visit their website.


Big Pineapple

As the name sugggests, the Big Pineapple is not only big, but it's also big on things to do. Not only does the  Coast's oldest tourist attraction and working farm have a 16 metre high pineapple, but it's home to world famous parfaits and ice creams and it has two rides: the Nut Mobile and the train which both give visitors a scenic tour around the pineapple plantation with a quick history lesson about them on the way.

The Big Pineapple is also well known for it's animal life. Both rides visits the Wildlife Reserve where you can observe Australian native animals including koalas, kangaroos, wombat, emus and owls, just to mention a few. There's also an animal nursery where kids can touch and play with the baby animals.

Admission
Free

Opening Times
The Big Pineapple is open between 9am and 5pm everyday.
The first tour commences at 10am.

Address
The Big Pineapple is situated at Nambour Connection Road, Woombye, QLD 4559 or visit their website.


Big Kart Track

It's no surprise they call the Big kart Track 'big'; it has everything for the thrill enthusiast. At 1.2 kilometres in length it's the biggest commercial go-kart track in Australia. It's also home to the Bungy Bullet; a sling shot ride where you get flung 50 metres into the air in one second and experience 4Gs of gravity. But if that's more than you can handle, why not take a break in Pit Stop cafe, where there's a selection of snacks.

Admission
Free (rides cost extra)

• Big Kart Track

$28.00 for 15 minutes
$44.00 for 30 minutes
$66.00 for 60 minutes   

• Kids Track

$18.00 for 10 minutes on a junior go-kart
$22.00 for 10 minutes on a Double Seater

• Bungy Bullet

$25.00 per person per blast
$20.00 per person per blast with a group discount

Opening Times
Big Kart Track is open 7 days a week.
Sunday - Thursday: 9am - 5pm
Friday - Saturday:   9am - 10pm
Closed Christmas Day.

Address
Glass House Mountains Tourist Drive
PO Box 80 Landsborough Queensland 4550

For more information call the Big Kart Track on (07) 54941613 or visit their website.

Aussie World

If it's family fun you're after, Aussie World is the place for you.

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Located behind the historic and iconic Ettamogah Pub on the Bruce Highway, Aussie World is home to about 30 rides and games, and it's only minutes from some of the Coast's biggest tourist hot-spots like Mooloolaba and Caloundra.

You can captain your own luxury boat on Barry Mundy's Remote Boats,  the Booma Zooma will take you up into the sky and the 1927 carousel is fun for the family. There are also the old family favourites like Speedway Dodgems and Side Show Alley.

Admission
Fast & Fun Pass $25 per person: unlimited rides all day
Four Person Pass $80: unlimited rides all day
Relax Pass $10 per person: unlimited Ferris Wheel, Mini Golf and Funnybone Flicks theatre

Opening Times
Aussie World is open every day from 9am till 5pm.
Closed Christmas Day.

Ettamogah Pub is open every day from 9am till late.
Closed Christmas Day.

Address
Aussie World is located one kilometer north of the Caloundra exit on the Bruce Highway on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia.

For more information contact Aussie World on (07) 5494 5444 or visit their website.

Shopping

Shopping is must on the Sunshine Coast. It's host to a number of different retail hot-spots, each with their own boutique shops and gormet restaurants.

• Kawana Shopping World

Kawana Shopping World is located on the Nicklin Way between Caloundra and Mooloolaba and is the one of the biggest shopping centre on the Coast. It boasts major retailers such as Big W, Woolworths and Bilo, as well as hundreds of other clothing, music, and jewellery stores.

Kawana Shopping World is open from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday,  till 9pm Thursday and from 10.30am till 4pm Sunday.

• Moolooaba Esplanade

Mooloolaba Esplanade is considered the hub of tourist shopping on the Sunshine Coast. The newly renovated strip is lined with new multi-million dollar highrise resorts which house boutique fashion shops, art galleries and five star restaurants.

• Sunshine Plaza

The Sunshine Plaza is your one stop shop for all your shopping needs on the the Sunshine Coast. It's home to major department store Myer, as well as Target, K-mart, Coles, Woolworths, not to mention the Birch Carroll and Coyle 12 cinemas. There's also 220 specialty stores, as well as cafes and restaurants.

Sunshine Plaza is open from 9am till 5.30pm Monday to Saturday, till 9pm on Thursdays and from 10.30 till 4pm Sunday.

• Hasting St - Noosa

Hasting Street is one of the Sunshine Coast's biggest shopping drawcards, boasting an eclectic mix of boutique shops, trendy fashion stores, art galleries, jewelers and beauty outlets right across from one of the world's most beautiful beaches, and just a short stroll from the National Park.

The shopping strip is also well known for it's nightlife and food. The Street is home to several restaurants, cafes and clubs.


Beaches

If you're strapped for cash, then there's no need to worry. The Sunshine Coast is best known for it's beaches. So why not lap-up the sun, surf and sand by heading along to these popular patrolled beaches.

• Mooloolaba

Popular beach complete with a playground and barbecues

• Currimundi

Awarded Queensland’s cleanest beaches

• Kings Beach

Play facilities, water play area and sea water pool

• Bulcock Beach

Famous for fish and chips

• Golden Beach

Great for small children

• Noosa Main Beach

Close to Hasting Street restaurants, shops and resorts


For more information on things to do on the Sunshine Coast visit:

The Sunshine Coast Daily

Queensland Holidays

Sunshine Coast Tourism