13 Best Resorts on the Sunshine Coast

Author Karen Hastings lived on the Sunshine Coast for many years and loved visiting some of the region’s best resorts.

Beach, bush, or rainforest — when it comes to luxury resorts on the Sunshine Coast, you can take your pick between these inspirational settings. And some resorts offer the best of all worlds.

Craving the sun, sand, and sea for your next family holiday? Opt for a luxury beachfront resort steps from the sun-splashed shore, or pick a bush-fringed perch above the sea for stunning ocean views. You can even escape to a private island hideaway near Noosa North Shore.

If a nature-rich country escape is more your style, head to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland for a romantic getaway. Choose a rainforest resort or a cozy cabin, where you can hike to waterfalls, feast on farm-to-fork food, and bike around cute country towns.

Traveling with kids? Many Sunshine Coast resorts are family-friendly, with apartment-style accommodations and full kitchens — perfect for groups, multigenerational holidays, and extended stays. No matter where you choose to stay, though, all these resorts are within easy reach of the top things to do on the Sunshine Coast.

From the vintage holiday charm of Caloundra in the south to stylish Noosa in the north, plan the perfect vacation getaway with our list of the best resorts on the Sunshine Coast.

1. On the Beach Noosa Resort

Accommodation: On the Beach Noosa Resort

True to its name, this is one of the best Sunshine Coast resorts on the beach. And we mean on the beach — the silky sands of Noosa’s main beach are steps away from your luxury apartment. You won’t have to go far to soak up the sights of Noosa, either.

The chic shops and cafés of Hastings Street and other attractions are right outside your door. On the Beach is perfect for a romantic honeymoon or an upscale family holiday.

A sound night’s sleep is almost guaranteed. Just let the slosh of waves lull you into a deep slumber in your luxury apartment. Then awake to the glow of sunrise through your floor-to-ceiling windows.

Choose from stylish studios or luxuriate in space of the larger one- or two-bedroom apartments and penthouses. All are bright, crisp, and contemporary with neutral color palettes that let the blue-water beach views do the talking. Open-plan living areas, beach-view balconies, and well-equipped kitchens are in most. Jacuzzi tubs are perks in some.

If you don’t want to cook in your apartment, some of Noosa’s best restaurants are right outside your door.

Address: 49 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, Noosa, Queensland

2. Spicers Clovelly Estate, Montville

Accommodation: Spicers Clovelly Estate

Dreaming about a romantic getaway? Head to the rolling hills of the hinterland. Presiding over 22 picturesque acres in Montville, Spicers Clovelly Estate is one of the best Sunshine Coast resorts for couples seeking a country escape.

Set on a former pineapple plantation and orchard, this intimate hideaway features a variety of suites and a luxury three-bedroom cottage. When it comes to decor, think old-world charm with a contemporary French twist. Bathrooms feature deep spa tubs, heated floors, and marble finishes.

Celebrating an anniversary? Book a special dinner at the resort’s chef-hatted restaurant, The Long Apron. Its modern French cuisine uses the freshest local produce, and this dining hot spot is known for its delectable degustation menu.

The gardens complete the scene of bucolic bliss. Jacaranda and fig trees, magnolias, and fragrant gardenias grace the expansive grounds. In your spare time, you can plan a hike, relax by the pool, indulge at the day spa, or bike around the quaint village of Montville.

Address: 68 Balmoral Road, Montville, Queensland

3. Tingirana Noosa

Accommodation: Tingirana Noosa

If you’re seeking a luxurious and tranquil beach getaway, Tingirana is an excellent choice. Perched practically on the sand overlooking Noosa’s Laguna Bay and Main Beach, Tingirana is in a central Hastings Street location without sacrificing privacy or seclusion.

The resort’s airy apartments exude Hamptons-style luxury. Choose from one of Tingirana’s Hastings Street Studio rooms with a kitchenette, or a beachfront one- or two-bedroom apartment with a full kitchen, lounge, and dining area opening out onto a private balcony. All rooms offer modern comforts and are equipped with everything from TVs with surround sound systems to bathrobes and complimentary toiletries.

Spend your days at Tingirana lounging around a 20-meter infinity pool overlooking one of the best beaches on the Sunshine Coast. After a day soaking up the sun, sink into the comfortable bed and luxe linens of your beachfront suite.

Dining is equally delightful. Opt for the contemporary Australian flavors of Tinigrana’s Season Restaurant, or order meals served directly to your room. Attentive staff, concierge services, and on-site parking top off the convenience of this high-end apartment-style resort.

Address: 25 Hastings Street, Noosa Heads, Queensland

4. Oceans Mooloolaba

Accommodation: Oceans Mooloolaba

Expansive sea views steal the show at Oceans Mooloolaba. This luxury apartment-style resort is one of only a couple of 5-star resorts in Mooloolaba, and it sits smack bang in the middle of the buzzing Esplanade. Coffee shops, boutiques, live music venues, and the soft sands of Mooloolaba Beach are at your disposal.

Light floods into the 46 luxe apartments and penthouses. Configurations range from two to four bedrooms, with breezy balconies. Contemporary decor imparts a clean bright feel, with beachy white-and-blue color schemes. Sleek finishes of stone, glass, and marble set a sophisticated tone, and well-equipped kitchens top off the package.

Amenities are equally appealing. Stay fit in the state-of-the-art fitness center, swim laps in the ocean-view pool, or soak in the rooftop hot tub. Excellent cafés and restaurants and some of Mooloolaba’s top attractions are steps from your apartment.

Address: 101-105 Mooloolaba Esp, Mooloolaba, Queensland

5. Spicers Tamarind Retreat, Maleny

Accommodation: Spicers Tamarind Retreat

Need some cuddly couple time? Spicers Tamarind Retreat is ideal for a romantic rainforest getaway. Nestled near a waterfall, this 5-star resort in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland blends a back-to-nature feel with Asian-inspired luxury.

Cozy stand-alone villas snuggle amid lush foliage on this sprawling property. Choose from one-bedroom villas with cedar hot tubs on outdoor decks, or two-bedroom villas with outdoor day beds and rainforest views. Typical features include nature-themed art, wood-burning fireplaces, lounge areas, and plush king-sized beds.

Dining is a highlight. Be sure to book a table at the resort’s award-winning two-hatted restaurant, The Tamarind, which serves “Modern Asian with a Thai Heart.” Feeling inspired by the flavors? Sign up for cooking lessons.

Away from the rooms, you can indulge in a soothing treatment or a dip in the magnesium pool at the destination spa; relax by the lawn-ringed pool; enjoy a hinterland hike; or engage in a master class, like yoga, watercolor painting, or a barista lesson. You can also explore all the highlights of Maleny, only three kilometers away.

Along with its sister resort, Spicers Clovelly Estate, this is a popular location for weddings, and it’s among the best five-star resorts in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Address: 88 Obi Lane South, Maleny, Queensland

6. Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort

Accommodation: Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort

In a prime location on Noosa’s Hastings Street, Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort offers a splash of Parisian elegance. A curvaceous pool sits at the center of this sprawling resort, surrounded by blue-and-white striped umbrellas. Prefer the beach? You can stroll to the golden sands of Noosa’s main beach in minutes.

Accommodations echo the resort’s beach chic. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the spacious rooms with light and reveal village, pool, river, or ocean views. Natural textures and calm color tones prevail. Choose from a variety of rooms; suites; or two-bedroom apartments, which are perfect for families and groups.

When you’re not basking by the pool or on the beach, sign up for a soothing treatment at Aqua Therapy day spa, or feast on local flavors at the resort’s signature restaurant, Noosa Beach House. If you’re looking for things to do outside the resort, Noosa’s top attractions are a short stroll away.

Address: 14 – 16 Hastings Street, Noosa, Queensland

7. Makepeace Island

Accommodation: Makepeace Island

Craving a private island escape? Hide out on heart-shaped Makepeace Island. This 25-acre luxury eco-retreat is the Australian home of Sir Richard Branson, and now you, too, can holiday like a celebrity and leave the worries of the workaday world behind. A maximum of only 20 “castaways” can stay here at one time, ensuring serenity, exclusivity, and pampering personalized service.

Makepeace Island is also one of the few all-inclusive resorts on the Sunshine Coast — all meals, boat transfers, accommodation, and activities are covered.

Take off your watch here — you won’t need it. Life revolves around the gentle lap of the tides, the luminous sunrises, gourmet meals, and golden sunsets. You won’t find TVs in the rooms, just the soothing sounds of nature.

Modern tropical design with a Balinese twist welcomes guests in the common areas and rooms. Open walls, luxuriant tropical plants, textured accents, and soothing color schemes add to the sense of pure relaxation and natural beauty.

Guests can choose between different types of accommodation. Three oversized luxury villas come with volcanic boulder baths, with fountains and fishponds adorning their entrances. The Islandhouse comprises four bedrooms with hand-carved Balinese furniture and a private deck, and The Boathouse sits on the riverfront with dreamy views over the water.

Makepeace feels like your very own family compound. Relax in the media room, swim in the figure-eight-shaped pool, soak in the 15-seater spa, work out in the 24-hour gym, play tennis, or mingle in multiple lounges.

Dining reflects the resort’s eco-conscious sensibility. Organic produce, vegan options, and locally focused farm-to-table food feature on the island’s menus.

Access to the island is by private boat from Noosa Heads.

Address: Noosa North Shore, Noosa, Queensland

8. Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas

Accommodation: Peppers Noosa Resort and Villas

Nature surrounds you at Peppers Noosa Resort & Villas. Nestled on a hillside in Noosa National Park, this 5-star resort offers the best of both worlds: the bush and the beach. Noosa’s Main Beach is a short stroll away as are the shops and boutiques of Hastings Street. Best of all the resort offers sustainable features like solar power and rainwater irrigation.

Beautiful views over eucalyptus forests to Laguna Bay greet you in the resort’s minimalistic lobby, and the rooms echo the sleek, modern aesthetic. Choose from penthouses, apartments, or multi-level villas. All come with fully-equipped kitchens, laundry rooms, and dining areas. The villas add perks like a personal concierge, hampers with locally produced goodies, and complimentary town transfers.

In your free time, you can swim in the inviting free-form pool; tone at the gym; or dine at the appropriately named View Restaurant.

Address: 33A Viewland Drive, Noosa, Queensland

9. Rumba Beach Resort, Caloundra

Accommodation: Rumba Beach Resort

Rumba Beach Resort puts you right in the heart of Caloundra with beautiful views looking out over Bulcock Beach and the Pumicestone Passage. Cafés, shops, and restaurants are right outside your door.

Perfect for couples and families who like space to spread out, this boutique apartment-style resort offers one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments. The decor is bright and modern, with typical color schemes in gray, white, and blue. All have TVs and en suites with spa tubs. Full kitchens give you the freedom to prepare your own meals, or you can step out your door to nearby restaurants on the beachfront esplanade.

In your spare time, swim in the heated outdoor pool or mingle with other guests at the rooftop lounge. Feel like a stroll? The Caloundra Coastal Walk, one of the top things to do in Caloundra, is just across the street.

Address: Bulcock Beach Esplanade Reception on Leeding Terrace, Caloundra, Queensland

10. RACV Noosa Resort

Accommodation: RACV Noosa Resort

RACV Noosa Resort is one of the best Sunshine Coast resorts for families. Surrounded by bushland, yet only a five-minute drive to Hastings Street shops and restaurants, this 5-star resort makes a great base for a Sunshine Coast holiday. You’re also an easy 10-minute stroll to cafés at Noosa Junction.

Accommodation options suit all kinds of travelers. Choose from spacious one-bedroom suites or apartments, two- and three-bedroom apartments, or multi-level three-bedroom villas. All are bright and modern. The apartments come with full kitchens, and most have balconies looking out over the bushland. Luxury villas add private plunge pools or hot tubs and other perks.

Wondering how to entertain the kids? You’ll have plenty of options here. Two sprawling heated pools, a splash park, a playground, an action-packed kids’ club, a games room, and flood-lit tennis courts will keep them busy. Meanwhile, book a holistic treatment at the day spa, work out at the gym, or soak in the hot tub.

For dining options, you can fill up on wood-fired pizzas at the on-site restaurant or cook up a meal in your own kitchen.

Address: 94 Noosa Drive, Noosa, Queensland

11. The Falls Montville

Accommodation: The Falls Montville

Planning a romantic anniversary or honeymoon? The Falls Montville is the perfect spot for a couple’s getaway — especially if you’re a nature lover.

This intimate four-star resort lies 350 meters from spectacular Kondalilla Falls National Park, with waterfalls, wildlife, and rewarding hiking trails. The Falls is also only a two-minute drive from the impossibly cute country village of Montville in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

Perfect for couples, six secluded rainforest spa cottages lie tucked amid lush foliage. Fluffy robes, wood-burning fireplaces, double spa tubs, barbecue decks, and bidets are luxury features. Traveling with a group or family? Opt for the elegant four-bedroom, four-bathroom manor house. If you’re planning a wedding, it’s also perfect for bridal parties.

For dining, the resort offers gourmet breakfast goodies and dinner provisions – fresh croissants and free cappuccinos are popular perks. The helpful staff will also make reservations at nearby restaurants for you.

When you’re not cuddled in your cozy cottage, you can hike to the breathtaking Kondalilla Falls, bike to Montville, shop at Eumundi Markets (30 minutes away), or just soak up the soothing sounds of nature that surround you.

Address: 20 Kondalilla Falls Road, Montville, Queensland

12. Element on Coolum Beach

Accommodation: Element on Coolum Beach

Element offers a cozy home in the heart of Coolum Beach. Wander across the road to your choice of white-sand beaches and pandanus-fringed bays from this 4-star resort. Surf shops, cafés, and restaurants are also steps from your room.

Accommodation consists of spacious modern apartments. Configurations range from one to three bedrooms, and secure parking is included with your home away from home. Polished white finishes impart a bright, breezy feel. Typical features include open-plan living and dining areas, fully-equipped kitchens, laundry facilities, and balconies.

When you’re not relaxing in your comfy apartment, you can swim in the heated palm-lined pool; cook up a feast on the barbecues; or enjoy all the attractions of Coolum Beach, many of which are right outside your door.

Address: 1808 David Low Way, Coolum Beach, Queensland

13. Oaks Sunshine Coast Seaforth Resort, Alexandra Headland

Accommodation: Oaks Sunshine Coast Seaforth Resort

Set on a scenic headland, Oaks Sunshine Coast Seaforth Resort is another one of the Sunshine Coast’s top hotels. This family-friendly four-star resort sits a short hop across the main road to the sun-splashed stretch of beach.

Apartment-style accommodation here makes self-catering easy. Families and groups of couples can spread out in one-, two-, or three-bedroom apartments. Choose from garden or sea views, and expect full kitchens, laundry facilities, and private balconies. Want an ocean-view balcony and rooftop terrace? Splurge on a two-bedroom penthouse apartment.

For dining, you can stroll to nearby cafés and restaurants, or cook up a meal in your apartment. Barbecues are also on hand for cookouts.

The excellent amenities enhance your stay. Paddle in the lagoon-style pool, keep fit at the gym, and when you’re ready for some beach time, just hop across the road to the shore.

Address: 98-110 Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland, Queensland

Map of Resorts on the Sunshine Coast