Ocean Vistas & Volcanic Peaks: A Guide to Sunshine Coast Lookouts

These Sunshine Coast lookouts are on Kabi Kabi and Jinibara Country. I acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of this area and their connection to Country, and pay my respects to their Elders past and present.

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After more than a decade on the Sunshine Coast, I am firmly convinced that while the hinterland doesn’t have the same scale as the Gold Coast, its volcanic peaks, sprawling coastline and undulating valleys offer plenty of lookouts for those willing to look.

This guide organises the Sunshine Coast’s best viewpoints by effort and access to help you plan your time. Of course, there are plenty more lookouts dotted across the coast but these are among the most impressive ones.

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SUNSHINE COAST LOOKOUTS WORTH A VISIT OR TWO

Some of these spots require a bit of a climb to the top, while for others all you have to do is get of your car and admire what’s laid out before you. I’ve organised them into three categories based on the effort involved and the terrain.

Winter tends to offer the best visibility as you get clear, sunny days and low humidity. Throughout the wet season (= summer), there’s far more moisture in the air so everything looks very hazy, if not downright uninspiring at times—unless you can catch some interesting storm clouds, of course.

Go early to get the best views and avoid the heat of the day.

THE COASTAL VIEWS: SUNRISE & OCEAN VISTAS

You can get ocean vistas from so many vantage points along the Sunshine Coast. These here require nothing more than to step out of your car and admire the views.

LAGUNA LOOKOUT | NOOSA

Most popular at sunset, Laguna Lookout (Noosa Lookout) is ideally situated to give you fabulous views over the Noosa River. It’s best at high tide as the river banks won’t look all bare and sandy.

On a clear day, you can see right into the Noosa hinterland.

Be aware that parking here is very limited. If the small carpark at the top is full, you’ll need to find a spot along Viewland Drive, which can get very tight.

POINT PERRY | COOLUM BEACH

Point Perry isn’t a high-elevation lookout but it’s so close to Coolum Beach, it’s worth the detour. On clear days, you can see all the way north to Noosa. There are picnic tables and BBQ shelters, though it can be quite windy here.

If you’re based in Coolum Beach, take the boardwalk along the beach—it leads straight to the lookout and makes for a lovely stroll. Alternatively, park at the Point and walk back into town for a coffee.

POINT CARTWRIGHT | BUDDINA/MOOLOOLABA

This is one of the more popular lookout spots on the Sunshine Coast because you can actually watch the sun set over the ocean (at certain times of the year) here. The way the coastline curves around the bay makes the park perfect for sunset picnics.

It’s also home to the lighthouse and some impressive tessellated pavement—time your visit for low tide to see the rock formations properly.

MOFFAT HEADLAND LOOKOUT | MOFFAT BEACH

Some lovely people have created viewing platforms at Ma and Pa Bendall Park (yep, truly, that is the name of the park) at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast. The platforms are perfectly positioned overlooking Moffat Beach—both the suburb and the actual beach— and it’s a popular spot, especially for sunset drinks.

You’ll catch a nice breeze here, and you should be able to see all the way to Mooloolaba along Kawana Beach. While you’re there, look south towards King’s Beach (Caloundra); you’ll not only overlook the coast but you can also catch a glimpse of the Glass House Mountains in the distance.

SUMMIT LOOKOUTS

If you’re keen on a bit more walking and want to combine your scenic views with a steepish walk, try these summit tracks.

MOUNT TINBEERWAH | TEWANTIN NATIONAL PARK

Mount Tinbeerwah is a fabulous spot with a lookout platform at the base of a fire tower, offering almost 360-degree views of the coast! It’s popular so don’t expect to have it all to yourself.

You can see as far as Teewah Beach in the north, along the Noosa River, Mount Coolum to the south, and westwards over all those volcanic outcrops such as Mount Cooroora.

I imagine it’s a spectacular spot for sunrise but even after a decade on the coast, I’ve never got up early enough to make it up here. That said, you should be able to watch the sun rise over the water and across Noosa National Park.

MOUNT NINDERRY | NINDERRY

This is a local treat!

The carpark is tiny and it’s mostly locals who come for exercise or to walk their dogs. You’ll get fabulous views of the coast from the viewing platform at the top, looking directly onto Mount Coolum and the Sunshine Coast Solar Farm.

If you scramble around to the other side, you can gaze into the hinterland and see the sun drop behind the Blackall Ranges.

MOUNT COOLUM | MOUNT COOLUM NATIONAL PARK

Without a doubt, the Mount Coolum summit track is the most popular Sunshine Coast lookout for active people! It’s exercise madness, especially in the mornings when people race up and down the many steps to the top. There’s not a lot of shade along the way so plan accordingly.

The view from the summit is pretty stunning as you get sprawling views up and down the coast from Noosa to Mooloolaba, and even into the hinterland. It is a steep-ish trail but do-able even for small children.

THE HINTERLAND OUTLOOKS

While the coastal lookouts are pretty impressive, there are plenty more viewpoints in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Here are just a few of the more spectacular ones.

JAMES MCKANE LOOKOUT | COORAN

Almost in Gympie, it’s a bit of a drive to James McKane Lookout (also known as Tablelands Lookout) near Cooran (4WD recommended). It offers sweeping views over Noosa hinterland, where you can see the volcanic peaks of Mount Cooroora and Mount Cooran rising sharply.

The park offers a lovely picnic area here, and you can pick up a few of the Noosa Trail Network tracks straight from the lookout.

POINT GLORIOUS | MAPLETON NATIONAL PARK

Point Glorious rises about 400m above the surrounding countryside deep in Mapleton National Park presenting you with expansive views over the farmland and mountain ranges to the north.

It is accessed via the unsealed Point Glorious Road—be aware that the final track leading up to the lookout tends to be a bit rough and strictly for 4WD vehicles only.

BAROON LOOKOUT | KONDALILLA NATIONAL PARK

For something different, head to Baroon Lookout along the Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk. It’s a short but hilly 4km return hike from the Baroon Pocket Dam trailhead, taking you through subtropical rainforest to the lookout. Here you can gaze down into the steep Obi Obi Gorge and spot Baroon Pocket Dam in the distance.

GERRARDS LOOKOUT | MONTVILLE

One of the more popular viewpoints on the Sunshine Coast is Gerrards Lookout along Maleny-Montville Road. If you’re heading to Montville or doing the Blackall Range scenic drive, you can’t miss it.

On clear winter days, the view stretches across the valley and farmland all the way to the coast. It’s a straightforward, five-minute-stop right off the main road.

MCCARTHY’S LOOKOUT | MALENY

For a slightly different perspective of the Glass House Mountains peaks, head along Mountain View Road near Maleny to McCarthy’s Lookout. It’s another quick roadside stop but it is nowhere near as busy as the viewpoint at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.

WILD HORSE MOUNTAIN LOOKOUT | GLASS HOUSE MOUNTAINS

If you can’t get enough of the Glass House Mountains but want to work for your views, head to Wild Horse Mountain Lookout just off the Bruce Highway. Expect a steep 700m hike up to the summit, accompanied by the steady drone of highway traffic but rewarded by almost 360-degree views from the platform.

If you’re planning to explore the rest of the peaks, you can find the full route in my Glass House Mountains scenic drive guide.

From Caloundra to Brisbane and the Glass House Mountains—on a crisp winter day, the entire landscape is laid out before you.

SO, WHICH VIEWS ARE BEST?

Well, that depends entirely on the time of year and what you prefer—sprawling coastline and beach views or expansive hinterland vistas.

Check out the below map for specific locations, and Mr. Google will gladly tell you how to get there. Your own set of wheels is mandatory, unless you’re big into walking or like spending hours traversing the countryside by public transport.

Although this is just a small selection of lookouts worth a drive, do let me know in the comments below if I’ve missed one of your all-time favourites.

If you’re looking for more ways to explore the Sunshine Coast without breaking the bank, these lookouts are just a small part of my full guide to free things to do on the Sunshine Coast.

Happy exploring,

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