The Prettiest Sunshine Coast Walks To Hit in 2025
Danielle Read
Contributor | Urban List
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Sunshine Coast's beauty is undeniably epic. Our glorious pocket of paradise is blessed with a tonne of stunning walking trails—dotted with towering waterfalls and pristine creeks, and populated by precious wildlife and cool rainforests.
Of course, no hike is complete without taking way too many photos, uploading them to socials and feeling somewhat superior to the weekend sleep-in-ers. You know, the person I am 99% of weekends.
For me, the prettiest hikes have to home seriously impressive views. Be it panoramic ocean sights, towering woodlands or lush valleys below.
Here's my carefully curated selection of 10 of the prettiest walks on and around the Sunshine Coast/Gubbi Gubbi Country to get snapping at.
Prettiest Sunshine Coast Walks At A Glance:
Coastal Walks
Noosa Heads To Sunshine Beach Trail
Noosa National Park. 60-62 Park Rd, Noosa Heads QLD 4567
The massive network of walks around Noosa National Park and over the headland are world-famous. Which is double-edged because I am obsessed with these rocky cliff faces and sweeping views. Then again, so are a lot of people so there's always company.
On the Noosa to Sunshine Beach Trail, there are dolphins galore if you make an early enough start. Plus, during whale-watching season, June through to November there's a heap of whales to spot. The Sunshine Coast has a front-row seat to the 'Humpback Highway', so there are impressive whale-watching views.
There are a few routes you can taake. One's
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Ocean Track
Havana Rd E, Coolum Beach QLD 4573
If you want to look at more than just glorious ocean views (although there’s plenty of them too) check out the cheeky little dune and heathland walks from the carpark in between Peregian Beach and Coolum Beach (you’ll spot it on the left, heading south from Coolum State High School).
If you’re quiet along the Ocean Track, you’ll spot heaps of birds, wildflowers, and have a moment to appreciate the delicate ecosystem of our coastline.
I always pack togs, a towel and picnic because it’s only a short walk to the beach, for a few lazy hours of sunbathing before heading back to reality with several hundred sun-drenched selfies.
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Coastal Pathway
Various, Sunshine Coast
For the big daddy of all stunning walks, check out this 73 kilometre long track that takes you from Bells Creek in the south all the way to Coolum, right up the entire Sunshine Coast. This isn’t a rural countryside hike either.
This is urban walking, along coastal paths, through dune areas, and most importantly, past cafes, public toilets, and even alongside some sneaky bus routes.
You can break it into sections, and explore a different part of our amazing coastline every weekend for months, and you'll be impressed at every turn.
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Great Noosa Trail
Various from Cooran, Kin Kin, Pomona and Black Mountain
I don't say this lightly, this is one of the prettiest walks I've ever been on. That includes Switzerland and Tasmania's Cradle Mountain. Honestly, it's such a beautiful experience to traverse so many different terrains, and I can see exactly why people flock here.
People travel from all over the world to take part in the annual three-day Great Noosa Trail Walk, and we’ve got it right in our backyard—some of us, literally.
You might've heard of it as the Noosa Biosphere Trails. This network of eight connected trails passes through private property as well as national parks, roads, and parklands through Noosa.
You have options, from the 5km Cudgerie Loop that starts at Cudgerie Common on Blueberry Drive, through to the Kin Kin to Lake MacDonald walk that's 25km one-way and starts at Kin Kin Arboretum.
It's the most breath-taking way to see the sea and the mountains in my opinion, and what an epic experience.
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Hinterland Walks
Kondalilla Falls
Kondalilla Falls Carpark, 74 Kondalilla Falls Rd, Flaxton QLD 4560
Image Credit: Kondalilla Falls | TEQ
Kondalilla, the Aboriginal term for “rushing water”, is just that. In fact, it’s 90 meters of rushing water plummeting into a gorgeous valley.
This stunning walking track leads from Kondalilla Falls down the escarpment into a lush rainforests valley, which is ripe with prime photo opportunities.
If you’re after a real adventure, ditch the easy 2.4km Picnic Creek Circuit, even the moderate 3.2km Rock Pools walk, and get lost on the 4.6km Kondalilla Falls Circuit.
This subtropical rainforest trail winds around chilled gorges and secluded rock pools with plenty of scenic lookouts along the way.
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Buderim Forest Park
Quorn Cl, Buderim QLD 4556
Image Credit: TEQ | Supplied
Not all the beautiful walks on the Coast are, well… on the coast. Chuck on your best activewear and head for Buderim Forest Park, which is located deep in the lush Sunshine Coast Hinterland.
There's s native subtropical forest filled with native creatures, rockpools, caves, and a tiny waterfall. Plenty of this 45-minute gorgeous walk is along boardwalks, though there's often mud after big rains so pack your hiking boots (and your bathers).
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Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk
Various, Sunshine Coast Hinterland
When they say great, they mean it. The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk is a whopping 60km, and worthy of filling your camera roll every way you look.
Yes, it'll take you many days for the full track - four to be exact. But there are also shorter haf-day and full-day tracks woven into the mix too. Thankfully there are easy spots to hop in and out of along the way.
I recommend starting small with some of the gorgeous day walks. The Baroon Point section is one of our favourite walks, with plenty of rest areas, and glimpses of Obi Obi Creek. When you reach Baroon Lookout, you can enjoy the view and head back.
Or if you’re up for something a bit tougher, keep going on to Flat Rock for a stunning, secluded swimming hole that usually doesn’t have too many visitors, especially outside peak tourist season.
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Glass House Mountains National Park
Various, Glasshouse Mountains
Image Credit: Glass House Mountains | TEQ
The Glass House Mountains are one of the most spectular natural landmarks synonymous with the Sunshine Coast.
The volcanic range, comprised of 11 peaks, is listed on the Queensland and National Heritage Register as a landscape of national significance.
There are a plethora of walking tracks that lead from open forests to lookouts with panoramic views of the mountains.
The Glass House Mountains area is spiritually significant to the Aboriginal Traditional Owners, the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Peoples, with many ceremonial sites still protected today.
My top pick for places to explore is the Yul-Yan-Man track. It includes rock scrambling, heaps of native flora and fauna and views from the ridge.
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Mt Tinbeerwah
Mount Tinbeerwah Lookout, Tinbeerwah, QLD 4563
Do you like the idea of bushwalking more than the actual practice of it? Do you start muttering to yourself “are we there yet?” before you’re even out of sight of the car park? Well, I have just the walk for you.
You can drive almost all the way to the top of Mount Tinbeerwah, which itself is just a very civilized five minute drive from top-notch coffee at Clandestino Roasters.
Best of all, the actual walk is just 1km, and a nice easy climb to a viewing platform. Though the first 130 metres is wheelchair and pram-friendly.
Because you’re just out of range of the suburban lights, head out close to midnight, and you’re guaranteed a breathtaking view of the starry night sky.
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Mooloolah River National Park
1 Nutley St, Caloundra Qld 4551
There are a couple of gentle, short walks through Mooloolah River National Park—and my first conundrum is whether to either wind along the river or explore the rainforest. Though, sometimes the weather decides for me which is honestly perfect.
The Jowarra Section is an absolute must-walk in my books. It's pretty, kid-friendly, home to heaps of picnic spots and is one of the few remaining coastal rainforest areas.
I've got it on good authority that platypus live in the river. A quiet cheese and wine picnic at dusk (for you, not the platypus) might even allow you to spot one of these shy critters.
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Looking for more? Check out:
- The Sunshine Coast's Best Waterfalls
- The Sunshine Coast's Best Snorkelling
- The Sunshine Coast's Best Camping Spots
Main mage credit: Lumea Photography
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