School Holiday Activities in Coolum on the Sunshine Coast
The Sunshine Coast is the best place to spend the school holidays. With endless beaches to explore, trails to walk and adventures to be had this is the place to unwind and enjoy your time as a family.
Check out our expertly curated list of the best things to see and do in Coolum these school holidays.
Surfing lessons with Coolum Surf School
With both beginner and intermediate lessons available every day of the week, learn to surf or hone your skills with Coolum’s local surf instructors. Everyone from ages 6 and up can join in on a lesson. Book your lesson online and meet your instructor at the surf school truck parked at Tickle Park right near next the beach.
Coolum is the Sunshine Coast’s best place for animal adventures! The creature trail has been designed for the whole family to get outside and explore the wonderful nature that Coolum offers. Discover turtles, whales, water dragons and search for elusive peregrine falcons. Immerse yourself in nature and learn incredible animal facts along the way.
To download the trail map visit the Creature Trail page.
BBQ with a view
With so many amazing picnic spots to choose from why not take the whole family for a BBQ. Check out Point Arkwright, Point Perry, Tickle Park, Norrie Job Memorial Park and Stumers Creek for the best BBQ locations that Coolum has to offer. Why not select the finest meats from our award-winning local, Budds Butchers.
Bring along a rug and enjoy a movie under the stars with your family and friends in Tickle Park, Coolum. Come along to enjoy this free family-friendly event with live music and face painting. There will be snacks and sweets available for an authentic movie experience.
For updated dates and movie selection visit the Coolum Business and Tourism event calendar.
Visit the largest aqua park on the Sunshine Coast in the Coolum industrial estate. It is suitable for all ages 6 and up. The park boasts a huge array of inflatable features including slides, blast bags, trampolines, swings, balance beams, wobble pads and chill-out zones.
On the same site as the Blast Aqua Park, there is OzSki Resort where you can also learn to water ski or wakeboard, ride a banana or tube boat or just hang out at the cafe. It is open for first-time skiers or those wanting to improve their skills. Group bookings are welcome for birthday parties.
Hike - Mount Coolum
The Mount Coolum hike should be on your hiking bucket list if it isn’t already! This 208-metre climb is not for the faint-hearted and should only be attempted by fit walkers.
Allow 1½ hours for the return walk. It will take 45 minutes to reach the summit and 30 minutes to get back down to the car park.
The first section of the hike is a nice shaded stroll through native bushland and forest. The path then becomes quite steep as it traverses the rock face, so pause for a while to catch your breath and snap a photo of the breathtaking coastal views. Now your thighs will be burning as you continue to take the rocky steps up towards the top of the mountain.
Play arcade games at Arcade Box
The only place on the entire Sunshine Coast where you will find a great selection of classic and retro video games to play. They have pinball machines, arcades, VR, curved air hockey, family-friendly shooter and racing. Located across the road from the Coolum skate park there is a game inside for everyone’s taste.
Don't forget they also host parties and private events with you can play to our heart’s desire for a 2-hour session.
Come visit the only indoor skate park on the Sunshine Coast and it’s located in Coolum Beach industrial park. Chiggy’s Skateboarding aims to provide the ultimate skateboarding experience in a fun, safe and friendly environment for all ages, abilities and styles. It is open for 4, 3-hour sessions daily.
For spectators, there is an upstairs lounge space with a viewing window overlooking the park. With free wifi, you can get some work down and make yourself at home in the kitchen with coffee, cold drinks and snacks.
Coolum Beach Skatepark - Right next to the beach
Coolum Beach Skate Park is located right on the beachfront, next to the patrolled beach and Tickle Park. It features a continuous bowl, junior ½ pipe, grind block, slide rail, vertical wall drops, manual pod and pump feature. The majority of the skate park is sheltered by shade sails which is great for those hot summer days.
Head 18 minutes inland to the quaint town of Yandina to visit the iconic Ginger Factory. Offering fun rides, fascinating tours, a kids play area, ice creamery, ginger train and live bee show. The Ginger Factory has free entry and is open seven days a week.
Explore 11 fun and interactive animal zones – across three levels, including the tidal touch pool, seahorse sanctuary, jellyfish kingdom and explore the 80m shark tunnel.
Situated right at The Wharf in Mooloolaba which is only 20 mins from Coolum, it is home to thousands of marine and freshwater animals. Including sharks, crocodiles, seals, turtles, stingrays, tropical fish and more.
With fun talks and animal feeding shows there is plenty for everyone to enjoy.
Hike - Emu Mountain
Emu Mountain is an easy 20 min walk to the summit and it is suitable for the whole family to complete.
To find the start of the trail, head to Coolum State High School, unfortunately, dogs and bikes are not permitted on this trail. This walk has stunning views of both the ocean and hinterland. It is the perfect hike for first-time explorers to conquer.
Dog walk at Stumers Creek off-leash dog beach
Known as one of the best dog beaches in all of Queensland, this dog paradise is located at the northern end of Coolum’s main beach.
Stretching from the northern end of Coolum Caravan Park (entrance 67) to 1km north of Stumers Creek (entrance 72). Always remember to pick up after your dog and there is even a dog washing station located at the Stumers Creek car park.
Welcome to Queensland's premier gel blaster testing facility. Experience an indoor battlefield complete with special effect lighting, smoke and forts. Ages 10 and over can compete in the arena. Contact Area 57 to arrange a private booking, it is perfect for a birthday party.
The Big Pineapple - Wildlife HQ and Tree Top Challenge
The TreeTop Challenge is the highest and most exciting high ropes course in SE QLD. There are 120 activities across the two-kilometre course, with a variety of challenges including a 120m zipline. The course will take roughly half a day to complete. Children can experience the TreeTop Challenge from ages 8 and up and there is a height requirement.
Wildlife HQ is home to over 200 species of animals from Australia and around the world including Queensland's only Sun Bear Maly. The Big Pineapple is the perfect way to spend a day out for the entire family!
