The Sunshine Coast to Nambour – a Mini Road Trip with Major Fun

While many Sunshine Coast families flock to the beaches on the weekends, there is much more to explore on the Sunshine Coast than just sand and surf. For families looking for something a little different, consider heading inland for a mini road trip from the Sunshine Coast to Nambour.  

While there are many fun places to explore and things to do in Nambour itself, the drive to Nambour from the coast offers beautiful scenery, thrills for all ages, and even a castle! With so much to see and do, it’s time to pack up the car and start exploring. With a Toyota family vehicle, the possibilities are endless.  

What are the top things to do in Nambour with kids?

The heart of Nambour offers plenty of parkland and fun for the whole family. Gary Evans Park and The Gary Evans Walkway is a great place to stop and stretch your legs or stay for a picnic. The walkway itself only takes about 20 minutes to complete as it winds around the banks of Petrie Creek. With lush greenery, an outdoor gym, an off-leash dog park and lots of shaded picnic stops, Gary Evans Park is the perfect place to spend an afternoon and relax with the whole family. From the walkway, you may also get a glimpse of or hear whistles from the Sunshine Coast Model Railway Park. This park features mini steam, electric and petrol trains and the club even offers rides to the public one Sunday a month.  

Another one of Nambour’s hidden gems is Cilento Park and Cilento Bushland Conservation Reserve. This nature retreat has all the ingredients to make for a perfect Sunday afternoon out. There’s a playground for the kids, barbeque and toilet facilities, and plenty of grassy picnic areas. However, what makes this park extra special is the tropical rainforest walking loop that leads to a hidden waterfall and swimming hole. Of all the things to do in Nambour, cooling off by a secluded waterfall right in the middle of town definitely tops the list! 

Thrills, spills and adventure await on the drive from Sunshine Coast to Nambour 

If you’re looking for more thrill than chill on your weekend family outing, then be sure to include a stop in Woombye on your drive to Nambour. Make the Sunshine Coast’s very own Treetop Challenge your first stop and experience heart pumping ziplines and the highest high-ropes courses in Australia! Ranging from easy to extreme, and immersed in coastal rainforest, this is the perfect pit stop for families looking to get their adrenaline flowing. Located at the same site as the iconic Big Pineapple, getting a family photo in front of this Sunshine Coast landmark is a must-do! As a bonus, Wildlife HQ is also located at this same site so can easily be added onto the afternoon itinerary. Hosting more than 200 animals, Wildlife HQ is home to species from around the world, including Queensland's only Sun Bear, Maly. 

If heights and exotic creatures aren’t your thing, Woombye is also home to Thrill Hill Waterslides, the only in-ground waterslide on the Sunshine Coast. For an awesome family day out on a hot summer’s day, nothing beats cooling off with twists and turns for all ages. With onsite picnic facilities, parking, covered barbeque areas and a snack food kiosk, Thrill Hill is the perfect place to cool off on your drive to Nambour. 

Fancy a fairy-tale adventure? The drive to Nambour has that too!

For a truly unique family outing, a detour through Bli Bli to visit the Sunshine Castle is not to be missed. Immerse yourself in the land of fairy tales and let your imagination soar while you go back in time to the Norman era. Unlike anything else in the Southern Hemisphere, the castle is complete with a moat, turrets, towers and even a drawbridge! Self-guided tours are available so you can explore at your own pace, rain or shine. Visit the depths of the dungeon and work your way up to the 24-metre lookout tower to take in the incredible Sunshine Coast views. With very reasonable admission rates, this one-of-a-kind experience is an absolute must do!  

Wherever the road leads you, you can always count on Toyota

If you’re looking for a new family vehicle, Ken Mills Toyota has just what you need to take your family across town, across the country – or just for a leisurely drive to Nambour on a Sunday afternoon.