Quiet residential beach on the Sunshine Coast perfect for relaxation
Table of Contents
To make this post about Sunshine Beach easier to read, I have written it into the sections below:
1. Introduction
2. Where is Sunshine Beach?
3. Best Time To Visit Sunshine Beach
4. What Facilities do they have at Sunshine Beach?
5. How to get to Sunshine Beach
6. Things to do at Sunshine Beach
7. Sunshine Beach Accommodation
8. Sunshine Beach Restaurants
9. Final Thought
10. FAQs
I hope this post resonates enough with you to visit this exceptional Sunshine Coast beach!
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you interact with them).
Read Time: 8 Minutes
Introduction
When it comes to Sunshine Coast beaches, few bring as great a sense of serenity to you as Sunshine Beach.
Tucked away beneath a soul-lifting canopy of pandanus palms and bosky trees, you won’t find the massive tourist crowds that Mooloolaba, Noosa or Coolum tend to experience. But what you will encounter is the beginning of a 15km stretch of open, white sand and surf breaks that makes the perfect destination to top up your tan and ease away your worries.
You’ll also find plenty of hip cafes, restaurants bars and takeaways, as well as several deluxe resorts and gorgeous beachfront accommodation. All of which combine to make this coastal suburb a terrific place to come for a romantic getaway or a low-key family holiday.
Allow me to elaborate on what makes it such a great place to go.
The Sunshine Coast is blessed with over 300 days of sunshine and pleasant temperatures throughout the year, which means Sunshine Beach is a destination you can enjoy at any time.
Where is Sunshine Beach?
Sunshine Beach is one of several fantastic coastal towns and suburbs on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. It is located about 146km north of the Brisbane CBD within the shire of Noosa.
More specifically it resides on the Noosa National Park Headland’s southern side, about 1.8km from Noosa Heads. While it will take you about five minutes to drive there, a more scenic way to reach it is to embark on a coastal walk around the headland, which takes about 2.5 hours but showcases incredible views of the coastline.
Accommodating a population of around 2480 people, the laidback beachfront village of Sunshine Beach is also just over 9 km from the suburb of Tewantin.
Sunshine Beach distance to other Sunshine Coast Beaches
Best Time To Visit Sunshine Beach
The Sunshine Coast is blessed with over 300 days of sunshine and pleasant temperatures throughout the year, which means Sunshine Beach is a destination you can enjoy at any time. It will naturally be busier in the summer months of December through to February, which is the best time to swim in the Coral Sea. But even then, because the beach stretches for so long it will never feel as crowded as Mooloolaba or Noosa could be.
During the weekdays, especially when school is on, the beach will be very quiet. So, I would highly recommend coming here at that time, though make sure you put on plenty of sunscreen and also sit under a cabana for extra sun protection as the beach is very exposed.
If you are an early riser, it is worth coming to Sunshine Beach to witness an amazing sunrise. The sight of the sky breaking out into the vivid hues of the dawn as a fiery sun ascends from the stoic Coral Sea will break you out into goosebumps.
What Facilities do they have at Sunshine Beach?
Facilities at Sunshine Beach include toilets, showers, shades and barbecue, Many of these are located at Ed Webb Park, which is also where you will find most of the main car parking spots. At present, parking is free without time restrictions, so you can enjoy a day at the beach without having to worry about getting a ticket.
The beach is patrolled by The Sunshine Beach Surf Club and there are plenty of shops and eateries in nearby Duke Street to provide you with any provisions you might need.
For visitors to Sunshine Beach, the main attraction, of course, is the beach itself. Spanning 15km, it comprises a clean stretch of wide sand that is perfect for beach walking, sunbathing or beachcombing.
How to get to Sunshine Beach
Sunshine Beach is an easy destination to get to if you have a car. Essentially, there are three main roads you can travel on to get there. These include the M1, Sunshine Motorway and Eumundi Noosa Road. The main entrance to Sunshine Beach is on Ben Lexcen Drive. So, if you punch that address into your sat nav you should have no problems getting there. Overall, the drive should take you about two hours to complete from the Brisbane CBD, while it is about ten minutes from Noosa Main Beach and about 20 minutes from Coolum.
If you don’t have access to a car you can hire one from the Sunshine Coast Airport in Marcoola. Several major car rental companies including Hertz, Enterprise and East Coast Car Rentals operate from there. Alternatively, if you are coming from Brisbane, you will be able to hire cars from several outlets around the city.
For those who don’t want to hire a vehicle, you can always catch an Uber. Alternatively, buses run to the area from nearby Tewantin, which you can also connect to from Nambour, Caloundra or Maroochydore.
Sunshine Beach distance to other Queensland destinations
Things to do at Sunshine Beach
For visitors to Sunshine Beach, the main attraction, of course, is the beach itself. Spanning 15km, it comprises a clean stretch of wide sand that is perfect for beach walking, sunbathing or beachcombing. As the beach is patrolled by the Sunshine Beach Surf Lifesaving club, this part of the Coral sea is a lovely spot to swim in. However, just be mindful to swim between the flags as the water can get a little choppy, leading to some challenging rips.
Surfing is possible here, though it is probably more suited to beginners, whilst kayaking, wakeboarding, paddleboarding and canoeing are all popular activities among the locals who live here.
At the northern end of the beach you’ll find the southern end of the headland at Noosa National Park. There is a steep set of stairs that start from the beach and will take you all the way to the top, whereupon you will be able to take in the glorious view of the entire 15km length of beach stretching out in front of you. Make sure you have your phone or camera at the ready as the scene is very Instagrammable!
Whilst you are up there, you might want to explore the picturesque coastal trail that will lead you through the Noosa National Park. Keep your eyes peeled for koalas and various bird species in the bushland and look out for dolphins and whales (the latter between June to October) in the shimmering waters that span to the horizon.
Just below the headland, you’ll notice there will be plenty of people taking their dogs for exercise. That is because the northern end of Sunshine Beach is one of the most popular off-leash areas on the whole of the Sunshine Coast.
Away from the beach, there is a children’s playground at the park and a nice range of shops in and around Duke Street you can browse at your leisure. For those wanting to shop somewhere a bit more upscale, the famous shopping district of Hastings Street in Noosa is only a five minute drive away.
Sunshine Beach Accommodation
You are probably wondering where to stay in Sunshine Beach? Well, you’ll be happy to discover there are some good resorts, holiday apartments and rental units and accommodation available in and around this stunning Queensland coastal suburb.
For those wanting an excellent view of the sapphire waters of the Coral Sea, La Mer Beachfront Apartments is a great choice. It is located on Belmore Terrace and overlooks the beach, providing balconies which offer a superb, front row seat of the sunrise. Rooms here are comfortable and stylishly appointed with a range of mod-cons designed to make your stay as inviting as possible.
Elsewhere, the Chez Noosa Resort Motel has a hot outdoor spa and a lovely swimming pool to complement its clean and homely rooms. They also offer convenient onsite parking and a very good WI-FI connection.
Should you prefer something at the lower end of the cost scale, Noosa Flashpackers and Dolphins Backpackers are budget options that make a great base for exploring the area.
However, if you can’t find accommodation at Sunshine Beach, consider finding somewhere in Coolum, Peregian Beach, Noosa Heads or Noosaville. There should be plenty of options in those suburbs.
Restaurants in or near Sunshine Beach
Sunshine Beach Restaurants
If you fancy something to eat during your time at Sunshine Beach you will be pleased to read that there are nice selection of trendy cafes, restaurants and eateries in the area.
One of my favourite places to eat is The Deck. As its name suggests, it has a lovely outside seating area in which to enjoy an all day breakfast or lunch. Their Smashed Avocado on Turkish toast with lemon, feta and dukkah spice is a real winner! (I always add salmon when I order it.)
Elsewhere, the Jam Cafe is a dog-friendly establishment that serves a mean BLT and eggs benedict, while Forty-Six and the Marble Bar Bistro are other excellent options for breakfast, brunch or lunch.
If you are looking for somewhere for dinner, it is hard to go past Cinque Terre, for delicious Italian food and the Embassy XO Restaurant and Bar for yum cha and modern Asian food.
The Sunshine Beach Surf Club is another fantastic venue. It has a wonderful dining deck where you can enjoy a beer and a good feed from a menu of classics, with a stunning view the looks straight out to the sparkling sapphire waters of the Coral Sea and the stunning east-facing sand. Beachfront dining at its best!
Final Thought
It is not an over-exaggeration to say that Sunshine Beach is one of the nicest beaches on the Sunshine Coast. Part of its charm is that it is less popular with tourists than other major beaches in the area. Though it is by no means quiet or remote.
Instead, Sunshine is a beach that captivates those who do go there with its incredible natural beauty and laid-back, coastal vibes. It doesn’t matter if you are after an active day of swimming, surfing and hiking or you fancy a more low-key period of relaxation over the course of a week, this superb Queensland beach is a real gem.
FAQs
Where is Sunshine Beach?
Sunshine Beach is located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, roughly 150 km north of Brisbane. It resides at the start of a beautiful 15 km stretch of beach that takes you all the way down to an before Coolum Beach.
Can you swim at Sunshine Beach?
The section of the Coral Sea can be quite rough, featuring rips and drags. However, as the area is patrolled by the Sunshine Beach Surf Lifesaving Club, if you stay between the flags you should be fine. Generally, the patrolled hours are between 7am and 5pm. Though in the summer, especially around Christmas, it is sometimes extended until around 6pm.
Where are the Sunshine Beach stairs?
The Sunshine Beach stairs are situated at the beach's northern end. It is a rising set of stairs that take you up to a clifftop which showcases superb views of the Coral Sea and the headland at Noosa National Park.
How long is the walk from Sunshine Beach to Noosa?
You can walk from Sunshine Beach to Noosa via the Noosa Heads Coastal Walk, a 5.4km path that generally takes about three hours to complete.
