The summer school holidays represent a great chance for families to get out and about. Here are some free activities, via Sunshine Coast Council, to keep the kids (and adults) entertained.
Spot a koala
Bring the family along to follow the Koala Discovery Trail to learn more about why this endangered species calls the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens home. This self-guided walk takes you on a journey through the gardens and if you are lucky, you might spot Lizzy the Koala along the trail. Start the trail near the lagoon causeway.
Where: Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha.
When: From early January, 7am to 6pm. See opening hours at botanic gardens.
More info: see Sunshine Coast Council – botanic gardens.
Read, read and then read again
Action, adventure and prizes are up for grabs as part of a brain-boosting Summer Reading Club. Children and teenagers are invited to register and read for the chance to win great prizes. Once registered, children will receive an exciting adventure map to begin challenges to complete three quests. They will be able to collect prizes along the way, and go into the draw to win a book voucher once all quests are completed.
Where: Various Sunshine Coast libraries.
When: Until Tuesday, January 31.
More info: See Sunshine Coast Libraries. Â
Hop along to a sporty story timeÂ
Come dressed as your favourite sports star and join Hot91’s Sam and Ash for a story time session, reading their children’s book Too short for Netty. The activity is suitable for children aged six and older.
Where: Sunshine Coast libraries.
When: Monday, December 12 and Tuesday, December 13.
More info: Sunshine Coast Libraries.
Experience a Christmas extravaganza
Come and experience The Festive Garden. This event is the perfect way to get in the festive mood. The garden will come alive with lighting displays, roving entertainment, Santa and his elves, story time, The Grinch Live Christmas Show as well as a performance by the Sunshine Statesmen Barbershop Chorus. You’ll also find a range of food trucks. Entry to The Festive Garden is via shuttle from the UniSC Transit Centre only – there is no direct access at the Botanic Garden. Bookings are essential. If the event is fully booked, check back often, as returned tickets will be added back to the site.
When: Friday, December 16 to Tuesday, December 20, from 5pm to 9pm.
Where: Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha.
More info: see Sunshine Coast Events.
Christmas fun at museums
Bankfoot House: Make your home merry and bright with homemade Christmas crafts that are inspired by days gone by. Young and old are invited to create Christmas peg dolls, Victorian Christmas cards and paper candles. Take them home or add them to the Christmas tree inside Bankfoot House. Tea and coffee provided. All materials supplied.
Landsborough Museum: Visit the brand new children’s space with Christmas activities, hands-on experiences and loads of fun. All materials supplied.
Plus, there’s a range of heritage Christmas displays at community museums across the coast including, Yandina and Nambour Museum and Buderim Pioneer Cottage.
Where: Bankfoot House, 1998 Old Gympie Rd, Glass House Mountains and Landsborough Museum, Shop/4 Maleny St, Landsborough.
When: Until Friday, December 23, Wednesdays to Sundays, from 10am to 3pm.
More info: see Sunshine Coast Council – Heritage.Â
Become a Pioneer for Day
Head to Bankfoot House in Glass House Mountains for free, hands-on workshops where kids will learn what life was like for our pioneers.
Make peg dolls: Before screen time was even a thing, Victorian kids made and played with peg dolls. During peg play workshops, kids will be given materials, instructions, a little inspiration and then they’ll do the rest. And at the end of the session, they’ll walk away with their creation.
Try washing: How do you wash clothes without a washing machine? Time to find out. Kids will get a taste of how hard people had to work just to wash their clothes. They’ll need to bring their elbow grease as they’ll be collecting the water, grating the soap, stirring the copper and pegging everything out on the old-fashioned washing line.
Churn your own butter: Learn how people made butter in the olden days. Kids will get to churn the butter before the best bit ….tasting it. Workshops are one hour but feel free to stay a little longer and play old fashioned wooden games on the stunning two-acre property. Caregivers are welcome to free tea and coffee. Spaces are limited and bookings are essential.
Where: Bankfoot House, 1998 Old Gympie Rd, Glass House Mountains.
When: Make Peg Dolls December Wednesday, December 14 and Sunday, December 18, Try Wash Day Wednesday, December 21 and Thursday, 22, Churn your own butter, Saturday, January 7 and Sunday, January 8.
More info: see Sunshine Coast Council – Heritage.Â
Have some fun-gi
Families will enjoy the new Fungi for Life exhibition at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve. Explore the larger-than-life fungi models, discover which fungus wins the stinky award, create your own fungi forest or borrow a junior ranger kit to observe fungi on the track.
Where: Rainforest Discovery Centre at the Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, 148 Mountain View Rd, Maleny.
When: Daily from 9.30am to 3.30pm (closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day).
More info: see Sunshine Coast Council Mary Cairncross.Â
Ring in 2023!
See 2022 out with a bang with firework displays at Mooloolaba at 8.30pm and midnight. You’ll find a family zone with Paw Patrol, big bubbles, interactive glow shows, food trucks and live music. Plus, a Beach Zone with a free bungy trampoline for Under 18’s, a youth stage with live DJ’s and the amazing red frogs. Plan your journey home — organise a lift legend, download or update your ride share apps, or visit TransLink.
Where: Mooloolaba Beach, Coolum Beach and Kings Beach.
When: Saturday, December 31. Fireworks displays are at 8.30pm, and midnight in Mooloolaba, 8.30pm fireworks at Coolum, 9.30pm fireworks and music at Kings Beach.
More info: see Sunshine Coast Events.
Go on an adventure
Tired of screens? Get out in the region and enjoy more than 200 different trails, rides and adventures across the region. There’s countless secret waterholes, bike trails and kayak adventures to choose from.
Where: Various locations
When: Daily
More info: see Adventure Sunshine Coast.
Track the climate
Sunshine Coast Council has partnered with ClimateWatch to create three trails in the region, to allow you to monitor the health of our local ecosystems while enjoying them. By downloading the ClimateWatch app and registering, you can start recording observations. There are designated trails you can follow or simply record sightings anywhere. The sites that host trails are Kawana Forest north of Meridan Plains, around Currimundi Lake and Maroochy Wetlands in Bli Bli. Sites range from 1km to 4km and can be started and finished at any point along the route.
Where: Kawana Forest, Currimundi, Maroochy Wetlands.
When: Daily.
More info: see ClimateWatch.
Make some up-cycled jewellery
Be inspired by Elizabeth Shaw’s exhibition ‘Radical Localism’ and then indulge in some creative jewellery making in our Maker’s Space. Explore and reuse up-cycled materials to create unique self-inspired jewellery or creations.
Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Ave, Caloundra.
When: Saturday, December 10 to Saturday, December 31, 10am to 4pm Tuesdays to Fridays and 10am to 2pm Saturday and Sunday.
More info: Sunshine Coast Council – Gallery
Visit the new City Hall
Be among the first people to explore the Sunshine Coast’s new City Hall at a special community opening event. There will be fun activities and displays, live music and refreshments available for purchase. There will also be free scheduled tours of the new building that was inspired by the natural landscape of our region. Registration is essential.
Where: Corner First Ave and South Sea Islander Way, Maroochydore QLD 4558.
When: Saturday, December 10, 10.30am to 1.30pm.
More info: Sunshine Coast Events.Â
Try orienteering
Older kids can head to the Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden to try the great botanic race. Grab a map at the entrance and explore the gardens on this self-guided orienteering challenge. Kids will need to find mapped points to solve the puzzle along the way. Great for ages 10 years and older.
Where: Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden, 51 Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha.
When: Daily, from 7am to 6pm.
More info: Grab a map at the entrance to the gardens.
Become a secret agent
Agents of Discovery is an educational mobile gaming platform that uses augmented reality to get youth active. Head to your app store to download the free game and try new missions at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve or Maroochy Regional Bushland Botanic Garden. Grab your water bottle and sunscreen and get ready to explore. Download the free Agents of Discovery app onto your smart device before you arrive.
Where: Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens, 51 Palm Creek Rd, Tanawha and Mary Cairncross Reserve, 148 Mountain View Rd, Maleny.
When: See Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve and Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens for opening hours.
More info: see Agents of Discovery.
Explore at gallery
‘Superpowered: on Tour’ will feature activities developed by QAGOMA’s Children’s Art Centre, in collaboration with four Australian artists – Kaylene Whiskey (Yankunytjatjara people), Tony Albert (Girramy/Yidinyji/Kuku peoples), Gordon Hookey (Waanyi people) and Vincent Namatijira (Western Aranda people). Activities will focus on strong empowering messages and humour, exploring ideas and characters can inspire all children. The Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art provides a program of touring exhibitions and related services to regional Queensland.
Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Ave, Caloundra.
When: Friday, January 6 to Sunday, January 29, see Caloundra Regional Gallery for opening hours.
More info: see Caloundra Regional GalleryÂ
Test your engineering skills
Grow your engineering skills and build great and grand structures using a range of resources including LEGO, NeoFormers and magnetic cubes. This activity is suitable for children aged six and older. Bookings are essential.
Where: Various Sunshine Coast Libraries locations.
When: January 3 to January 18, see Sunshine Coast Libraries for opening hours.
More info: see Sunshine Coast Libraries.
See a puppet show
Join Lucy Locket on her incredible journey as she discovers the importance of being yourself and that there’s only one of you in the whole universe. This activity is suitable for children aged six and older. Bookings are essential.
Where: Caloundra and Maroochydore Libraries.
When: January 10 and January 11, see Sunshine Coast Libraries for opening hours.
More info: see Sunshine Coast Libraries.
Go to a singalong
Join popular Sunshine Coast Pacific Islander entertainer Skillz FJ for an interactive singalong session. This activity is suitable for children aged seven and older. Bookings are essential.
Where: Various Sunshine Coast Libraries locations.
When: Tuesday, January 10 to Thursday, January 19, see Sunshine Coast Libraries for opening hours.
More info: see Sunshine Coast Libraries.Â
Head to the Youth Market
Venue 114’s first ever Mega Youth Market will provide Sunshine Coast youths with an exciting opportunity to connect young sellers and buyers to preloved and handmade goods. The dedicated event is for 10 to 17-year-olds to come together with their peers in a safe space to connect, engage and exchange. Stalls are available to book for $10 per stall plus booking fee. Hurry, there are limited stalls available, and they will sell out.
Where: Venue 114, 114 Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina.
When: Friday, January 13, 10am to 2pm.
More info: see Venue 114.Â
Rip Curl Grom Search
Watch some of Australia’s top young surfers carve up at a Rip Curl GromSearch event, which is part of a worldwide series of events designed for grommets. The GromSearch Series runs in more than 10 countries, with over 3,000 competitors worldwide. Some incredible surfers have come through the series including current WSL World Tour athletes Gabriel Medina, Stephanie Gilmore, Italo Ferreira, Carissa Moore, Jordy Smith, Owen Wright, Sally Fitzgibbons, Kolohe Andino, and Filipe Toledo.
Where: Coolum Beach.
When: Monday, December 12 to Thursday, December 15, 7.30am to 4pm.
More info: see Rip Curl Grom Search.
