The best places to stay on the Sunshine Coast, for all budgets
From romantic hinterland hideaways to luxury oceanfront apartments and family friendly resorts with epic water parks, you’re sure to find an accommodation option that suits your needs on the Sunshine Coast.
Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort
Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort’s transformed pool area.Credit: Visit Sunshine Coast
Perfect for: Large families, groups of friends travelling together and business travellers.
Set around a lagoon that’s ideal for water sports like kayaking and sailing catamarans, this large four-star resort is located between Mudjimba Beach and the Maroochy River. Previously known as Novotel Twin Waters Resort, its main drawcard is the resort-style pool area, which underwent a major revamp in 2021, when a Pilates studio was also added. There’s a mix of accommodation, from studio rooms to three-bedroom overwater bungalows, and a Sicilian restaurant, Sola.
From $239 a night (for safari tents). 270 Ocean Drive, Twin Waters. Phone: (07) 5448 8000. See novotelsunshinecoast.com.au
Spicers Tamarind Retreat
Luxury hinterland retreat set amongst lush rainforest.
Perfect for: Foodies, couples and significant celebrations.
Gaze up at the stars as you soak in a Japanese-style cedar hot tub on the deck of your villa before dining at acclaimed Thai-inspired restaurant The Tamarind, rounding off the evening with a glass of wine by the communal fire pit. There are 22 villas with slow-combustion fireplaces spread across the property, near the hinterland town of Maleny, which also offers cooking and cocktail-making classes and beautiful rainforest walks.
From $799 a night. 88 Obi Lane South, Maleny. Phone: 1300 311 429. See spicersretreats.com
Ingenia Holidays Rivershore
For traditional campers and new-age glampers.
Perfect for: Fun-loving families and fishermen.
Watch canoes and tinnies gliding along Petrie Creek and fishermen on the jetty from the comfort of your four-poster bed inside a luxury safari tent at this well-cared-for holiday park. About a 15-minute drive inland from Maroochydore, its on-site restaurant, Driftwood, is conveniently located beside the pool – which has two waterslides – and playground. There are kid-friendly activities galore (such as hair braiding, scavenger hunts and movie nights), as well as riverside fire pits.
From $239 a night. 99 David Low Way, Diddillibah. Phone: (07) 5458 2200. See ingeniaholidays.com.au
Crocodile Hunter Lodge
Expect wildlife quite literally at your door at The Crocodile Hunter Lodge cabins.
Perfect for: Fans of the Irwin family and conservation-minded luxury lovers.
Don’t be surprised to see kangaroos at the door or kookaburras perched on the railing of your cabin at this luxury retreat, which was the dream of the late “Crocodile Hunter” Steve Irwin. Opened around the corner from the Irwins’ world-famous Australia Zoo in 2022, guests can peer over the side of the infinity-edge pool and see emus basking in the sun and koalas snoozing in the gum trees before watching chefs prepare dinner in the open kitchen at Warrior Restaurant and Bar.
From $849 a night. 88 Irwin Road, Beerwah. Phone: (07) 5436 2300. See thecrocodilehunterlodge.com.au
Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort
Resort living on Noosa’s main drag.
Perfect for: Couples and families who like being close to the action.
Located on Noosa’s main street, Hastings Street, this five-star hotel is as convenient as they come. Relax in one of the inviting cabanas dotted around the large pool, which boasts a swim-up bar, watch the sunset over the river from the aptly named Riviera Bar & Lounge, and witness the nightly candle-lighting ritual in the lobby before dining at its delectable restaurant, Noosa Beach House.
From $489 a night. 14-16 Hastings Street, Noosa Parade, Noosa Heads. Phone: (07) 5449 4888. See sofitelnoosapacificresort.com.au
Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort
Slides, buckets and fountains … oh my.
Perfect for: Families, families, families.
With a gigantic water park featuring slides, tipping buckets and fountains, you’re sure to be in the kids’ good books when you book a stay at this Caloundra resort. Accommodation ranges from one-bedroom apartments to three-bedroom villas, and there’s a light and bright on-site restaurant, Oak & Vine, overlooking a lotus pond. There’s also a large lagoon-style pool with a spa, jumping pillow, climbing equipment, putt-putt golf and a tennis court.
From $209 a night. 2 Landsborough Place, Caloundra. Phone: (07) 5491 0333. See oakshotels.com/en/oaks-oasis-resort
Habitat Noosa Everglades Eco Camp
Glamping tents on the doorstep of the country’s only Everglades.
Perfect for: Nature lovers and families with older kids or teens.
Named best new tourism business in the 2020 Australian Tourism Awards, this wilderness camp makes a great base for exploring the country’s only Everglades. Stay in a glamping tent or pitch your own on the 26-hectare property on the edge of Lake Cootharaba, about half an hour’s drive north of Noosa. There’s an on-site microbrewery, pub and gelato bar, plenty of fire pits and water sports such as canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.
From $150 a night (for safari tents). Elanda Point Road, Elanda Point. Phone: (07) 5485 3165. See habitatnoosa.com.au
Essence
Poolside at Essence at Peregian.
Perfect for: Girls’ getaways, trendsetting families and solo travellers.
Offering views over Noosa National Park on one side with all the convenience of Peregian Beach’s shops and lively eateries immediately on the other, this luxury development provides an excellent alternative to nearby Noosa. Opened in 2023, it has 32 hotel rooms and 20 architecturally designed beach homes ranging from three to five bedrooms, which are named after fauna found in the national park. There are two pools, including a family pool, and a gym.
From $350 a night. 215 David Low Way, Peregian Beach, Phone: (07) 5319 3777. See essenceperegianbeach.com.au
HOLA Eumundi
A suite at HOLA at Eumundi.
Perfect for: Creative types.
Across the road from the must-visit Eumundi Markets in the Noosa hinterland, HOLA (House of Local Art) showcases the work of local painters, sculptors and mixed-media artists throughout its 15 rooms and suites. The crystals, books and ceramics found in the boutique hotel’s rooms can all be bought in shops on the main street. It’s stumbling distance from the heritage-listed Imperial Hotel, which is home to a brewery and distillery.
From $260 a night. 1 Etheridge St, Eumundi. Phone: (07) 5442 8361. See holaeumundi.com.au
Sixty6 Acres
Lake views at five-star farm stay Sixty6 Acres.
Perfect for: Luxury-loving families.
Kids will love patting the miniature horses, miniature sheep and miniature Belted Galloway cows and picking strawberries, mangoes and avocados at this five-star farm stay, located between the coast and the hinterland. Opened in 2023 on a former sugar cane farm, it has six high-spec, custom-built two-bedroom villas with fireplaces, freestanding baths and full kitchens dotted around a lake ideal for paddling kayaks.
From $400 a night. Walden Road, Woombye. Phone: 0431 485 325. See sixty6acres.com
Holiday Inn Express and Suites Sunshine Coast
Rooftop pool views.
Perfect for: Budget-conscious travellers.
An affordable hotel with a rooftop pool? Yes, please! The first Holiday Inn Express in Australia when it opened in 2022, this eight-level hotel in Maroochydore has all the mod cons in its 181 rooms, including smart TVs, USB ports and blackout blinds. There’s also free Wi-Fi, a self-service laundry and a gym. A buffet breakfast is included, and it’s super close to popular eateries like Market Bistro and Giddy Geisha.
From $190 a night. 42 First Avenue, Fairway Drive, Maroochydore. Phone: (07) 5220 8000. See ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en
The Cove Noosa
Luxury apartments at The Cove Noosa.
Perfect for: Romantic getaways and families with refined taste.
Overlooking Little Cove Beach, between Main Beach and Noosa National Park, The Cove Noosa offers convenience and beauty in one big hit. There are 22 stylishly decorated self-contained apartments – many with ocean-facing balconies from which you can spot whales breaching over winter – set around the pool and spa. It’s just a short walk to Hastings Street to peruse its boutiques and dine at its acclaimed restaurants.
From $430 a night. Corner of Park Road and Little Cove Road, Noosa Heads. Phone: (07) 5447 4111. See thecovenoosa.com.au
The writer was a guest of Visit Sunshine Coast and Visit Noosa.
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