Spring into school holiday fun
Schools out and adventure awaits on the Sunshine Coast, with our spring school holiday guide offering an exciting variety of experiences for youngsters.
Make these holidays one to remember and get out and about with one or many free or low-cost things to do.
With so much on offer, be sure to start planning now and remember, places are limited for some events, book early to avoid disappointment.
Caloundra's spring school holiday guide
Guided walks
These school holidays become a citizen scientist and contribute to understanding how climate change is affecting our environment.
Register via Eventbrite to secure your spot at one or more locations.
Where and when:
- Kawana Forest, 8.30–10am, Monday 16 September ( Register via Eventbrite ).
- Currimundi Lake, 8.30–10.30am, Thursday 19 September ( Register via Eventbrite ).
Details: Visit Council’s website.
Clay fun and funky pet portraits
Slink out of bed and into this two-hour workshop where you will learn to create a quirky, colourful dog sculpture using your hands, a ball of clay and your wild imagination.
Award winning artist, Kalyanii Holden, will guide you through some very simple hand building techniques to make a furry friend of your own to take home.
If you're a Sunshine Coaster, the sculptures will be fired offsite to make your pet pooch last forever (as long as you look after it!) and if you're a visitor to the gallery, you will make yours from air-dried clay to take away with you on the day.
All materials supplied, please wear clothes suitable for working with clay.
Bring along a picture of your pet pooch if you have one and want to immortalise it, and if you don't have a pet pooch, use your imagination to make one up.
10am session suitable for ages 11-13 years. 1pm session suitable for ages 14 plus. Cost is $25 per person, limited places, bookings required.
When: Tuesday 17 September, 10am - 12pm and 1-3pm.
Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra.
Details: Visit Council’s Gallery website.
Under the Sea school holidays fun!
Dive into a world of fun at Caloundra Shopping Centre's Under the Sea Putt-Putt Adventure!
Join the crew at Caloundra Shopping Centre from 23rd- 29th September, 10am to 2pm daily, for a splash-tastic time. Kids, grab your putters and get ready to explore our ocean-themed mini golf course. Navigate through coral reefs, dodge playful dolphins, and aim for that hole-in-one! Find all the fun located outside Kmart!
Whether you’re a putting pro or just starting out, there’s something for everyone. And the best part? It’s FREE! So, bring your friends and family for a fin-tastic day of fun.
See you there, little golfers! Let’s make some waves and score some birdies!
When: 23rd- 29th September, 10am to 2pm daily
Where: Caloundra Shopping Centre, 47 Bowman Rd, Caloundra.
Details: https://www.caloundrashoppingcentre.com.au/whats-on/under-sea-school-holidays-fun
Junior Youth Master Class: Character Special Effects Make-up
Ignite your passion for makeup artistry!
Delve into the realm of character and special effects makeup in this exciting and immersive masterclass for beginners. This hands-on workshop will provide young aspiring artists the knowledge and confidence to bring their creative visions to life.
When: Tuesday 17 September, 9.30am
Where: The Events Centre, 20 Minchinton Street, Caloundra
Details: https://theeventscentre.com.au/event/junior-youth-master-class/
Welcome sporting heroes home
Dress the whole family in green and gold and come along to give our returning Olympic and Paralympic athletes a welcome home to remember.
Sunshine Coast Council and Noosa Council are proudly hosting the region’s official athletes welcome home celebration, don’t miss this special event. Age Suitability: 12 – 15 years
When: Tuesday 17 September, 10.30am – 1pm.
Where: Foundation Square Park, next to the Sunshine Coast Council City Hall, 54 First Avenue, Maroochydore.
Shorebird Festival
The whole family is invited to welcome migratory shorebirds back to the Sunshine Coast these school holidays.
Celebrate their arrival with two free family-friendly events that will be jam-packed with fun activities for everyone.
Learn about the amazing journey migratory shorebirds take to return to their summer home and the threats to survival they face.
Secure your free tickets to the shorebird festival at events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au by searching “shorebirds”.
When: Saturday 21 September, 8am – 12pm (Golden Beach)
Where: Fraser Park, Golden Beach
Details: Visit eventbrite.
Printmaking with the sun
Create fun and funky pictures for your wall with 2024 Sunshine Coast National Art Prize finalist, Kalyanii Holden.
Capture the energy of the sun and print images of found objects and nature onto paper.
Watch images form before your eyes creating fun and funky pictures for your wall.
10am session suitable for ages 11-13 years. 1pm session suitable for ages 14 plus. Cost is $25 per person, limited places, bookings required.
When: Tuesday 24 September, 10am - 12pm and 1-3pm.
Where: Caloundra Regional Gallery, 22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra.
Details: Visit Council’s Gallery website.
Sunshine Coast Libraries
Prepare for a splendiferous Roald Dahl themed adventure at Sunshine Coast Libraries these school holidays.
Explore the library and take on a challenge of Dahl-tastic proportions, search the library for hidden images in a scavenger hunt, or get hands on making your own bookish badges using literary quotes and images or make your own wondercrump design. Compete against friends and family in a board game extravaganza.
Get all the details via the Library website https://library.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/whats-on/holiday-activities
Bibliophile badges
Make your own badge using literary quotes, images or create your own wondercrump design. For ages six plus, no registration required.
- Caloundra Library, Monday 16 September, 10-11.30am
Biffsquiggling Scavenger Hunt
Search the library for all the hidden images. Can you find them all? For all ages, no registration required.
When: From September 14 – September 28 during open hours.
Where: Caloundra Library.
The plexicated, phiz-whizzing, inky-booky library challenge
Calling all human beans! Can you complete the plexicated, razztwizzler, inky-booky library challenge during your visit to the library? Find the games card in your local library and complete all the challenges. For all ages, no registration required.
When: From September 14 – September 28 during open hours.
Where: Caloundra Library.
Splendiferous activity station
Think you know Roald Dahl? Visit your local branch on an activity day for quizzes, word finds and colour ins. For all ages, no registration required.
Where and when:
- Caloundra - Tuesday 17 September
(Available during open hours on these days).
Games day
Challenge your family and friends to a games day extravaganza! Choose from a wide range of board games at your local library. Who will be the champion? For all ages, no registration required.
When: From 14 September – 28 September during open hours.
Where: Caloundra Library.
Kids holiday pack
Get hands on and explore the wonders of art and creativity by building a DrawBot.
For ages six - 12 plus years. Register for a pack via the libraries website. Collect from your branch from Saturday 14 September.
Kids holiday pack contains:
- DrawBot.
- All necessary parts and tools.
You will need to supply two AA batteries for the kit to work.
Adventure Sunshine Coast
Looking to get outdoors with the family these school holidays?
For more than 250 walking, running, paddling, cycling, mountain biking and horse riding trails on the Sunshine Coast, visit Council’s Adventure Sunshine Coast website and choose your next adventure.
Need even more school holiday inspo?
Why not pack a picnic and visit one (or many!) of Council’s marvellous parks and gardens, make a splash at a Council aquatic centre, hone your skills at a Council skate and bmx park, or snap a selfie along Council’s scenic Coastal Pathway.
Planning a trip to the beach?
Wherever you’re heading, make your visit memorable for the right reasons with the BeachSafe app.
You’ll find the latest information about every Australian beach on the go, learn how to spot a rip, find beach patrol times and locations as well as beach conditions and hazards.
Add it to your homescreen and remember to always swim between the red and yellow flags.
National Art Prize exhibition and activities
Visit Caloundra Regional Gallery to enjoy the Sunshine Coast National Art Prize exhibition.
Vote for your favourite artwork for a chance to win, try your hand at the self-guided printmaking activity in the Artroom or grab a clipboard and follow the kids’ art trail.
Free entry and activities, open Tuesday to Sunday from 10am.
Cheap travel
Rethink the way you travel for the school holidays! Could you drive there for 50 cents? Reach your favourite destinations with Translink’s 50 cent public transport fares across Queensland.
Visit Translink’s website to find out more and to plan your route. Top tip, you’ll need a go-card, which you can get from bus and train stations.
When: From August 5 for six months.
Where: Sunshine Coast bus stops and train stations.
Details: Visit Translink’s website.