The Sunshine Coast is well known for its stunning beaches and coastal vibe. However, our little corner of Queensland is also spoilt for mountains, many of them easy enough for the kids to climb too.
We grabbed our backpacks to find some of the best mountains to climb with kids on the Sunshine Coast.
Emu Mountain
Let’s start with the easiest mountain to climb on the Sunshine Coast – Emu Mountain. An easy 20-minute hike on a well-marked path, it’s not so much a climb as a gentle walk. Our three year old had no trouble running to the top. Despite the easy climb, the views from the top are impressive, along the coast north to Noosa and south to Coolum.
Emu Mountain is also a popular spot to watch for whales passing by during their migration season – from June to September.
Mount Tinbeerwah
Just a 15-minute drive from Noosa Heads, Mount Tinbeerwah is another easy climb for the bambinos. The 1km round trip offers good views from the top and the first part of the track is paved, so it’s pram friendly too.
Mount Ninderry
A longer trail of about 3kms round trip, it’s still doable with the little ones if you have a couple of breaks along the way. A lot of the trail is shaded, and there’s no challenging parts. There are two lookouts at the top – one north, one facing south, both are spectacular.
Mount Coolum
Though it’s only a 2km round trip, the top part is a trickier climb, with steep rocks to scramble at the top, so you might need to carry the little ones at the very end.
It’s a very popular climb, so can get a bit busy with power climbers and joggers, so try it on quieter times.
Also, there are steep cliff edges at the top, so make sure the kids are aware of the dangers and always supervised.
Mount Ngungun
With uninterrupted 360 degree views from the top, the 2.8km climb up Mount Ngungun is well worth it. It can be done by kids, though not the littler ones (we’d recommend over 7 years). Again, there are steep cliff edges at the top, so supervise kids and warn them of the dangers.
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