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School holiday activities on the Sunshine Coast for September 2021

Fill up the kids' school holiday itineraries with botanical garden visits, whale watching and even some backyard fun.

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Tamara Medojevic

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Dylan Crismale
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Sit back and relax because we've got your school holiday plans sorted this upcoming break, ranging from top attractions to activities jam-packed with fun right at home as well as road trips that are a short drive from the Sunshine Coast.

Top outdoor activities for the school holidays on the Sunshine Coast

Explore everything nature has to offer

The school holidays are the perfect time to rediscover the best attractions and landscapes in the Sunshine Coast we all know and love.

Head out onto the water

If you've got some water babies on your hands, these activities are sure to fill the days with excitement.

Aquaduck Mooloolaba Land and Water Tour
Aquaduck Mooloolaba Land and Water Tour

RedBalloon

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Getaway with the family

Make the most of the kids being at home by heading away for a few nights. Think lush hinterland views, glamping under the stars in the everglades or relaxing by the spa in Noosa.

1 Night Hinterland Hideaway with Breakfast
1 Night Hinterland Hideaway with Breakfast

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Cruise and Canoe Along Noosa Everglades with Lunch
Cruise and Canoe Along Noosa Everglades with Lunch

RedBalloon

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Go whale watching

Meet the giants of the ocean these upcoming school holidays off the coast of Queensland. This time of year features the humpback whale migration, offering cruisers a front-row seat to the annual event.

Whale Watching Cruise in Sunshine Coast
Whale Watching Cruise in Sunshine Coast

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See the great outdoors

Cooler weather doesn't mean you and the kids have to stay indoors the entire school holidays. Enjoy everything the great outdoors has to offer from adrenaline-fuelled buggy tours to fishing off the coast.

Turtle Discovery Eco Tour at Great Sandy Marine Park
Turtle Discovery Eco Tour at Great Sandy Marine Park

RedBalloon

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Top at-home activities for the school holidays on the Sunshine Coast

Keep them learning

Just because school's out doesn't mean that the learning has to be. With KidCampus, your little ones can explore the world of coding, animation, AI and so much more.

Take an online STEM Birds course

STEM Bird's mission is to provide children with the opportunity to learn coding skills in fun and exciting ways. Great for kids and teens, these 5-day courses will see your child learn to design a mobile app or website.

Make your own DIY creation

If you've got some creative minds on your hands, then you can't go past some DIY creations these school holidays, ranging from learning to paint to making pieces you'll hold onto for a lifetime.

Make a Dried Flower Gift Bouquet at Home
Make a Dried Flower Gift Bouquet at Home

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Make Polymer Clay Earrings for Beginners
Make Polymer Clay Earrings for Beginners

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Learn to code

Lines of code are the building blocks upon which today's world functions. With tools like Scratch or the Code Camp app, your child will be able to learn how to read and write code, putting them on a path to building up an important skill.

Draw and paint

Swap their devices for a pencil or paintbrush. These online classes will help your child express themselves on the page or canvas.

Enjoy an online animal encounter

These school holidays, invite some interesting animals into your home or rather into your computer. These online animal encounters let you get up close to the real animal, learning all about them from the comfort of your own home.

Become a business leader

Give your child the fundamental skills they need to develop their confidence and learn the basics of how to build and run a business.

Explore code with Minecraft

Much like code itself, Minecraft is about building interesting projects. If you can think it, you can probably build it in Minecraft. With these courses, your kids will start their journey to being able to do the same with code.

Have some virtual fun

RedBalloon is bringing the fun to kitchens and backyards across the country these school holidays. If you want to utilise being at home during this upcoming break, these virtual classes bring together interactive learning as well as entertainment.

Read away the boredom

No matter what their favourite genre is, investing in a few books over the school holidays is always a great idea. From adventure comics to tales of history, they'll be transported to another world from their own home.

Play on the games console

For those rainy days when the weather means staying in, you can't go wrong with a games console. You can pick from child-friendly adventure or problem-solving games.

Have a movie marathon

Grab your favourite popcorn and settle in for a night of adventure, comedy, romance, sci-fi or horror with any one of the following streaming services. Gone are the days of driving to the local Blockbuster; now you have thousands of movies at your fingertips.

Play with board games, puzzles and cards

Have them spend those quieter days together with a couple of friends making a 3D puzzle or competing in a game of UNO – there's no going wrong with the classics.

Road trips you can take from the Sunshine Coast during the school holidays

Maleny

Distance from Sunshine Coast: Around 40 minutes via car or 1.5 hours by public transport.

Situated southwest of the sunny coastline, Maleny is perfect for getting out of the city without having to travel too far. We suggest checking out the pristine gardens, local markets and rainforests.

Motorbike Side Car Tour with Picnic Lunch
Motorbike Side Car Tour with Picnic Lunch

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Maleny Botanic Gardens Entry and Devonshire Tea
Maleny Botanic Gardens Entry and Devonshire Tea

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Maleny Botanic Gardens Bird Aviary Experience Ticket
Maleny Botanic Gardens Bird Aviary Experience Ticket

Viator

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Rainbow Beach

Distance from Sunshine Coast: 1.5 hours by car or 4.5 hours via bus.

Head north of the city and take the kids out for a day on the coast. We recommend taking a picnic down to the beach while the sun goes down. There are also plenty of small tours that you can partake in, including water sport, hiking, horseback riding and walking trails.

Noosa

Distance from Sunshine Coast: 35 minutes via car.

The Noosa Shire is made up of coastlines and a national park. So from hiking opportunities in the bush to a number of water sports, there's something for everyone in the family with a trip up north.

Glass House Mountains

Distance from the Sunshine Coast: 40 minutes by car or 1 hour via public transport.

The Glass House Mountains make for the perfect weekend getaway. Offering a range of family-friendly activities, spend the day taking a hinterland tour or see it all from the sky with a helicopter flight.

Full Day Sunshine Coast Hinterland Tour with Lunch
Full Day Sunshine Coast Hinterland Tour with Lunch

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Sunshine Coast Hinterland + Glass House Mountains Half Day Guided Tour
Sunshine Coast Hinterland + Glass House Mountains Half Day Guided Tour

Experience Oz

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School holiday events and programs on the Sunshine Coast

  • Village Flicks in Peregian Beach Park: 17, 24 September, 1 October. Head to Peregian Beach Park with the whole family to see hit films like Bolt, Finding Dory and The Karate Kid.
  • Paw Patrol at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium: 18 September - 04 October. Visit SEA LIFE aquarium these school holidays and receive your very own "Pup Pack" to begin the search to find all 6 members of the Paw Patrol.
  • Beauty and the Beast: 24-25 September 2021. See a live performance of the "tale as old as time" at the J Theatre in Noosa.
  • Little Lifesavers: 27 September - 1 October. Little Lifesavers is a great introduction to surf lifesaving suitable for children aged 5 to 11. The program covers water safety and teaches kids confidence in life-saving techniques.

Free school holiday activities on the Sunshine Coast

  • Go down to the beach for a stroll and picnic
  • Go for a bike ride at Ewen Maddock Dam
  • Enjoy a hike on one of the Kondalilla National Park walking trails
  • Sort out dinner with some fishing
  • Walk through a local marketplace
  • Visit the botanic gardens
  • Go whale spotting at Point Cartwright
  • Visit one of the "Big Things" on the Sunshine Coast including the Big Pelican, the Big Shell or the Big Pineapple

Need more ideas? Check out our 50 free activities to keep the kids busy these school holidays.

When are school holidays on the Sunshine Coast 2021-22?

TermDates
Term 1 school holidays2 April to 18 April 2021
Term 2 school holidays26 June to 11 July 2021
Term 3 school holidays18 September to 4 October 2021
Term 4 school holidays11 December to 23 January 2021/22

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Frequently asked questions

What should I keep in mind regarding COVID-19 when going out during the school holidays?

If you do choose to venture out for the upcoming holidays, be sure to maintain good hygiene practices and social distancing.

Are all attractions on the Sunshine Coast open?

Yes, you can now visit all the family favourites including Australia Zoo, SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium, The Big Pineapple, Aussie World and The Ginger Factory.

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