From snow to sunshine: your ultimate school holidays guide

Forget winter hibernation, these school holidays the Sunshine Coast is serving up a packed program of family fun, from snowy street parties and outdoor adventures to creative workshops, wildlife encounters and hands-on history experiences.  

Whether you’re chasing thrills, getting crafty, exploring the great outdoors or looking for free activities to keep the kids entertained, there’s something for every age and interest across the region. 

Many activities are free or low-cost, making it easier for families to enjoy a memorable holiday. 

Winter Wunderland 

An enchanting evening filled with street performances, interactive activities, face painting, a winter market, local cuisine, and the rare opportunity to experience snow in our beachside town. This amazing event is free for all, and there's something for everyone to enjoy, from the young to the young at heart. 

When:  Friday, 26 June, 4-8pm  

Where: Bulcock Street, Caloundra 

TurtleCare Hatchling Club 

Children will explore how turtles live, nest and survive on our coastline. A fun, hands-on holiday experience, run by TurtleCare volunteers, kids will learn about the threats turtles face and how we can all help protect them (no live turtles).   

When: Tuesday, 7 July 8:30-10am and 10:30am-12pm 

Where: Wyanda Park, Warana 

Bookings essential: 8.30am Eventbrite booking or 10:30am Eventbrite booking 

Tickets $10 per child. Parent/guardian must stay. Ages 5–10 only. 

Sunshine Coast Libraries 

Turn the school holidays into a library adventure with hands-on making, coding and creative fun across Sunshine Coast Libraries. From engineering and games to craft and great reads, there’s something for every age – and all sessions are free. Some activities require registration, while others are drop-in. 

Highlights include: 

• Auslan Storytime  (ages 3–7, Caloundra and Maroochydore): Celebrate the Australian Deaf Games with stories, signing and basic Auslan. Bookings required. 
• Toy Frankengarden  (ages 12+, Maroochydore and Nambour): Upcycle old toys into quirky plant holders. Bookings required. 

Drop-in activities: 
Animal-themed crafts and games including face-making, llama weaving and dreamcatchers, magnets and activity stations (ages 3+ to 7+). Available at participating libraries across the region. 

Self-guided fun: 

• Hoof It! Scavenger Hunt  (all ages) 
• Wild Reads Adventure Quest  (ages 5+) 

Available at all library locations. 

Free art activities in the Gallery 

Caloundra Regional Gallery is currently exhibiting contemporary artworks in a range of mediums. Carers can relax while youngsters enjoy free, self-guided art activities. The Art Trail is an engaging hunt for clues within the exhibitions. In the Art Room, families can get creative with hands-on arts and crafts. 

When: Tuesday to Friday, 10am–4pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10am–2pm. 

Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Ave, Caloundra 

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve 

Slow the pace and immerse the family in the sounds, textures and colours of the subtropical rainforest. Kids can borrow free explorer kits, follow clues, notice seasonal changes and uncover hidden wildlife behaviours while discovering the peaceful magic of Mary Cairncross.  
When: Discovery Centre open daily 9.30am–3.30pm 
Where: Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve 

Sport and recreation events 

Catch exciting live sport across the Sunshine Coast these school holidays, with events showcasing top local teams and emerging young talent. 

• Hostplus Cup – Falcons v Capras  (Saturday 4 July, Sunshine Coast Stadium): Cheer on ladder-leading Sunshine Coast Falcons in Round 16. Free entry; tickets also available. 

• Australian Schools and Junior Rugby Union Championships  (5–10 July, Sunshine Coast Stadium): Watch more than 50 teams compete for national titles in XVs and 7s. Free entry.  

• U14 Girls State Basketball Championships  (8–11 July, Clippers Stadium, Buderim): Queensland’s top junior teams in action at this statewide tournament.   

Adventure Sunshine Coast 

Use Council’s interactive map to quickly find free walking, riding and paddling adventures by filtering for location, distance and difficulty – perfect for an easy day out. 

Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden 

Swap screen time for green time these school holidays at the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden. Kids can explore the Whipbird Playscape, featuring nature-based elements like shrub cubbies, rope bridges and balance logs designed to inspire active, imaginative play.  

Open daily, 7am–5pm. Free entry. 

Families can also enjoy the garden’s walking trails, from easy paved paths to more adventurous bush tracks through native forest. It’s the perfect place to relax, explore and reconnect with nature. 

Maroochy Wetland Sanctuary 

Discover the wetlands, meet with artists from the Sunshine Coast Nature Sketchers and have a go at sketching your experience. Nature Sketchers Walkshop is designed for creative and curious children 8-14yrs. Spaces are limited and registration essential. 

When: Sunday, 28 June at 10:30–11:30am and Saturday, 4 July at 10:30–11:30am  

Environmental Visitor Centres 

The Environmental Visitor Centres at Maroochy Bushland Botanic Garden and the Maroochy Wetland Sanctuary will once again host the much-loved Bushland Holiday Program – a vibrant mix of fun, creative and adventurous activities and workshops, where nature becomes the classroom, the teacher and the inspiration. Children can dive into the fascinating world of herbs, step into the shoes of a scientist for a day, uncover nature’s hidden treasures and try their hand at botanical illustration. 

Bankfoot House Heritage Precinct 

Step back-in-time these school holidays with hands-on heritage fun at Bankfoot House. Kids can enjoy pony rides, a petting zoo and Pioneer Play activities, including butter making and farmyard experiences. Get creative with traditional crafts, making dolly pegs and whirly gigs inspired by early pioneer toys. 

• Pony rides and pioneer play  (3 July, 10am–1pm): Interactive animal and farm experiences.   Free. Bookings essential. 
• Heritage craft activities  (museum opening hours): Hands-on creative fun for all ages. Bookings required. 

Landsborough Museum 

Enjoy a range of fun, interactive activities at Landsborough Museums, from storytelling to active play and self-guided exploration. 

• Puppet Story Time  (9 July, 10–11am): Stories brought to life with hand puppets, plus close-up access to museum objects (ages 3–8). Free. Bookings essential. 
• Giant Castle Fun Day  (10 July, 10am–1pm): Bounce, play and explore, along with the  Around the Track: Grassroots to Glory  exhibition (ages 5–10). Free. Bookings essential. 

Families can also enjoy a free activity book linked to the exhibition, available during museum opening hours – no bookings required. 

Queensland Garden Show  

Find a range of fantastic activities, perfect for the youngest aspiring gardeners. It's a golden opportunity for your little ones to unleash their green thumbs, get their hands a bit dirty, and, most importantly, have a whole lot of fun in the garden! Plus, kids aged 15 and under get in for free! 

When:  Friday, 10 July–Sunday, 12 July, 8am-4pm 

Where: Nambour Showgrounds 

Even more Council offerings 

Why not pack a picnic and visit one (or many) of Council’s marvellous parks and gardens, make a splash at a Council aquatic centre, hone your skills at a Council skate and BMX park, or snap a selfie along Council’s scenic Coastal Pathway.