Practical Guide for Residents Ready to Explore and Enjoy This on the Sunshine Coast

Residents across the Sunshine Coast can begin mapping out their winter weekends with a new set of route suggestions that focus on short drives and low-cost entries at established sites.

July temperatures hovering around 18 degrees Celsius make outdoor movement more comfortable than the summer peaks, and council records show 12 percent more local participation in regional trails last winter compared with 2024.

Routes through Maroochydore and Noosa

Start at the corner of Aerodrome Road and Sixth Avenue in Maroochydore for a 15-minute loop that passes the new boardwalk extension opened in March. From there the path links to the Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s coastal pathway network, which added 2.4 kilometres of sealed surface this year. Continue north on the Bruce Highway for 25 minutes to reach Noosa National Park entrance at Noosa Heads, where the 2.7-kilometre coastal track offers shaded sections and whale sightings through September.

Another option begins at the Eumundi Markets on Saturdays at 8am, where stall fees remain capped at 45 dollars for local producers. The site sits two blocks from the main street and connects directly to the nearby Eumundi town hall for indoor craft displays when showers pass.

Market timings and entry costs

Market operators at the Maleny Showgrounds report average Saturday attendance of 3,800 people during July, with parking limited to 450 spaces after 9am. Entry stays free, though a 12-dollar shuttle runs from Landsborough station every 30 minutes on event days. The same grounds host the monthly plant fair on the third Sunday, with seedling prices listed from 4 dollars each.

Residents who register for the council’s free Active Trails app by 31 July receive a digital map that flags tide times at Mooloolaba Spit and current cafe opening hours along Memorial Avenue. The tool also lists bus timetables from the Maroochydore station that align with the 7.40am departure to Montville village.