Tourism, sport and leisure
A world-class destination
The Sunshine Coast is one of Australia’s top tourism markets.
The region’s natural assets combined with designated tourism investment areas and national-standard sporting facilities mean excellent opportunities for tourism, sport and leisure businesses.
The tourism industry is represented and promoted by Visit Sunshine Coast (VSC), a membership based destination marketing organisation.
#3 most loved destination in the world
2023 Tourism Sentiment Index
Major events and event tourism
- The Sunshine Coast has long been a proven destination for event promoters, participants, their families and friends.
- All kinds of major events can be accommodated along the beaches, roads, pathways, stadiums and venues.
- As the world opens up, the Sunshine Coast Airport will be adding new domestic and international routes.
- Sunshine Coast Council invests strategically and financially in major events that attract tourists during the low seasons and generate media and brand exposure.
- Sponsorship of major events is open all year round.
Sports tourism
Brisbane 2032 Olympic & Paralympic Games
With a strong reputation for hosting major sporting events, the Sunshine Coast has been chosen as a Co-Host City to some amazing events as part of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Sports will include Marathon, Cycling (road and mountain biking), Football, Kiteboarding and Basketball.
Proposed venues include the Sunshine Coast Stadium, set to undergo a $148 million expansion, along with a purpose built $142 million Sunshine Coast Indoor Sports Centre and a $14 million mountain bike centre. A satellite Sunshine Coast Olympic Village will be located in the heart of the new Maroochydore City Centre.
Mooloolaba Tri
The Mooloolaba Triathlon Festival is one of the region’s signature major events. The festival course is famous for its ocean swim, along with an electric buzz in the atmosphere as thousands of triathletes descend on the popular beach town.
Demand for new hotels
An additional 1155 internationally branded and operated rooms are needed to accommodate just 5% of the total number of rooms required by the Olympic Community (49,920 rooms).
Good to know
The Barns Lane Farm agri-tourism project at Coolum Beach will open in late 2023, featuring a massive Produce Hall, restaurant, function venue, distillery, brewery, performance stage and boutique hotel.
The $8 million Crocodile Hunter Lodge at Australia Zoo opened in June 2022.
Late 2021, Surf Parks Australia gained approval to build a world-class wave pool at Glass House Mountains, including a wellness centre, paddock to plate food and beverage, learn to surf classes and surf coaching.
An $8 million upgrade to the Convention Centre at Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort has expanded capacity to 1400 delegates.
A $9 million redevelopment of the UniSC Stadium has expanded its capacity to 3000.
An unrivalled training environment
Training facilities for 59 different sports – 39 with national or international standard training facilities.
An Australian Institute of Sport accredited facility at USC that is the training base for many visiting elite international athletes.
A $27 million sports hub offering high performance sports, training and allied health services to athletes and the community.
High performance gym facilities including state-of-the art testing labs.
Beautiful beaches and natural surrounds offer respite from the rigours of training and the pressures of approaching competition.
A diverse range of health professionals with extensive experience working with elite, professional athletes and coaches.
Latest stories
Sunshine Coast selected for new boutique hotel
