The best glamping pods near Coolum Beach guide
Where to go
Sunshine Coast Hinterlands
Rainforest-clad hills blanket the hinterlands, where you can hop between market towns like Eumundi and Montville, hike to waterfalls in Mapleton Falls National Park and Kondalilla National Park, or go hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding in the Glass House Mountains National Park.
Noosa Heads
Just a 20-minute drive north of Coolum Beach, Noosa Heads is the gateway to the sandy beaches and coastal walks of the Noosa National Park and the wild wetlands of the Noosa Everglades. Further north, follow the Great Beach Drive (4WDs only) all the way to Rainbow Beach, the Great Sandy National Park, and Fraser Island, the ultimate paradise for remote beach camping.
South Sunshine Coast
South of Coolum Beach, take your pick of laid-back beach towns such as Marcoola, Mooloolaba, and Caloundra. The Sunshine Coast stretches all the way to Brisbane, or you can head over to the Bribie Island National Park to camp at secluded bush campsites by the beach.
When to go
Sunny weather is the norm on the Sunshine Coast making Coolum Beach a four-season destination for surfers—in fact, it’s one of the few spots with a year-round patrolled beach. Come in the winter months (June through October) for the chance to spot whales along the coast, or join the crowds for a summer vacay by the beach.