With the holiday season fast approaching, you may be wondering how best to entertain the kids this summer. Living on the Sunshine Coast we are very blessed to be surrounded by lots of great places to visit and are spoilt for choice when it comes to having activities to do. However it can be easy to run a blank when it comes time to planning activities to do with the family, or even feel like you’ve been there – done that. Whether you are looking to take the camper trailer or caravan away for a few days or simply head out for a day trip, here are a few of our favourite activities to do with the family right here in South East Queensland.
Head South West of the Sunshine Coast to Mount Samson. Here you will find a private property that have setup a deer sanctuary. It is a family-run animal rescue service that opens their doors so you can experience some of the beauty and magic of these animals. We suggest you pack a picnic and make the day of it exploring the forest and getting close and cuddly with not only the deer, but also goats, cows, chickens, peacocks, lizards and other animals. There is also food deer food available for purchase so you can get a hands on experience feeding the animals.
These guys are open on weekends, but do check their website and socials for any special events or changes to operating hours.
For more information visit: https://www.lyelldeersanctuary.com.au/
If you are wanting to make it a camping trip, there are a few places in the area you could try such as:
While in this area why not explore:
Experience the magic and awe of butterflies. This is a butterfly sanctuary that relies on volunteers and donations whilst providing education and a unique experience to visitors.
It is recommended you wear bright colours to increase your chances of a close butterfly encounter- who knows, maybe one will even land on you.
For more information visit: https://www.bribieislandbutterflyhouse.org/
Why not stay down at Bribie for a few days or even a week.
Stay in one of the caravan parks, or book a vehicle and camping permit to camp in the National Park.
Things to do on Bribie:
Head north and before you get to Gympie, settled in the Woondum National Park you will find the stunning Mothar Mountain Rock Pools. Here you can swim and explore the numerous rock pools, take a hike and don’t forget to bring a picnic. Keep in mind that you may have to cross the creek in some areas and care should be taken, especially with little ones. Whilst here, why not also take a look at Boulder Mountain and the other trails throughout Woondum National Park.
For more information vsit: https://www.visitsunshinecoast.com/attraction/56b26653aeeeaaf773cf8e3e/mothar-mountain-rockpools
You can’t camp within the National Park itself but there are a number of campgrounds nearby that offer great camping experiences including:
Named aptly for the forest of Bunya pines that call this area home, The Bunya Mountains is an isolated section of the Great Dividing Range and is approx. 3 hours from The Sunshine Coast. The Bunya mountains features a variety of sub tropical rainforest, grasslands, mountain rises, waterfalls and let’s not forget about the wildlife. You will find there is over 40km of walking tracks throughout the National Park, don’t forget your map, sunscreen or snacks.
For more information, visit https://bunyamountains.com.au/
Why not make a round trip of it and stop in along the way at some if not all of the small towns and villages. We are sure you will find some great hidden gems, delicious produce and experience great community spirit.
The Noosa Everglades is full of wonder, as one of only two everglade systems in the world, you will be left in awe as you explore the pristine waterways as you get to see and experience an abundance of flora and fauna.
Exploring the Noosa Everglades is best done by kayak however, if kayaking is not your thing, you can still enjoy the Noosa Everglades. Alternatives include taking a boat ride or explore by foot via the network of walking trails that weave throughout the everglades.
Should you want to stay the night, take a look at the campsites around Lake Cootharaba. Be sure to be there for sunset and wake up early for the sunrise to ensure you experience the lake in all its magnificence.
For more information visit https://www.visitnoosa.com.au/destinations/noosa-country/noosa-everglades
There are so many mountains in our area. Whether you like the views or you are into climbing them all. The mountains all have varying difficulty levels, so make sure you check out the difficulty before you head off, especially with little ones.
Pack lots of water, a picnic or some snacks and see how many of these mountains can you tick off your list.
There are loads of mountains out there, so let us know any that we should add to the list and let us know which is your favourite!
We hope you have a safe and enjoyable break! We look forward to see what the new year brings.