There are plenty of healthy activities on the Sunshine Coast to keep you fit during your stay and they’re not all just for the fitness fanatics!
Healthy activities like walking, cycling, swimming, paddling on the river or partaking in a Yoga class are all great for overall wellbeing and fitness. Here’s some ideas for healthy activities on the Sunshine Coast:
Walk, Jog or Cycle the Coastal Pathway
The coastal pathway stretches 4.4km from Cotton Tree Park to The Esplanade in Mooloolaba and then keeps going along the entire coastal strip of the Sunshine Coast. It’s the perfect pathway to walk, jog or cycle.
The pathway starts in the park fringing the Maroochy River and then follows the coastline around giving walkers or joggers gorgeous views of the beaches along the way. You pass the iconic Maroochydore and Alexandra Headlands Surf Clubs and then ascend the gentle slope up towards Alexandra Headland which gives you breathtaking views of Mooloolaba Beach to the south and Alexandra Headlands beaches to the north.
Paddle a Standup Paddleboard on the Maroochy River
Cruise the flat water of the Maroochy River or surf the waves on a Standup Paddle Board.
Standup paddle boarding is very easy to do and can be enjoyed by anyone of any age and any fitness level. As well as being good for your fitness, paddle boarding is heaps of fun!
Standup paddle board or kayak hire at Cotton Tree include a FREE introductory lesson on the beach. Every weekend you will find Ocean Addicts on the water’s edge at Cotton Tree beside the Cotton Tree Swimming Pool. Weekday hire boards are available from their store located in the heart of Maroochydore only a short walk from the river or delivery to Cotton Tree River can also be arranged.
Prices range from $25 for one hour up to $90 for a full day hire.
For more information and bookings visit Ocean Addicts Maroochydore
Climb Mount Coolum
If you enjoy a challenging walk with spectacular views, then the Mt Coolum summit walk is a must do whilst you are visiting the Sunshine Coast. Mount Coolum is the world’s second largest rock behind none other than world famous Uluru.
Geographically Mt Coolum is an isolated volcanic dome, 208 metres in height and roughly circular in outline. The 1.6km return walk to the summit involves a lot of steep rocky stairs and is categorized as a class 4 walk, suitable for fit walkers only.
It goes without saying that the view from the summit is truly magnificent; a 360 degree overview of the Sunshine Coast, Point Cartwright and the Glass House Mountains to the south, the Blackall Range to the west, and Noosa Heads to the north.
Swim a Few Laps at Cotton Tree Aquatic Centre Pool
Situated on the Maroochy River next to the caravan park at Cotton Tree are the heated pools at Cotton Tree Aquatic Centre. It is the perfect place for swimming a few laps of the 50m pool.
Alongside the 50m heated outdoor pool, there are 25m and 12.5m indoor swimming pools which are heated to a balmy 29 and 32 degrees respectively.
You can also partake in one of the Aqua Aerobic or Zumba classes which are programmed every day of the week at different times. Afterwards you can grab a coffee at the Aqua Cafe.
For a full program of activities visit Swimfit Cotton Tree
Take a Hinterland Hike
From Maroochydore drive out towards Nambour and Mapleton for 32 kms to access the Mapleton National Park. From here day visitors can access either a short half-day walk or a full-day walk within the Great Walk route. Otherwise there is a 58 km four day walk with bush campsites along the trail.
There are four access points to the walk:
1. Baroon Pocket—from Montville follow the signs towards Barron Pocket Dam via Western Avenue and Narrows Road. Turn right into the GW entrance carpark just before the Baroon Pocket Dam picnic area.
2. Kondalilla National Park – access is via the Montville–Mapleton Road, turn west into Kondalilla Falls Road.
3. Mapleton Falls National Park – from Mapleton township turn west onto Obi Obi road and turn right into Mapleton Falls Road.
4. Mapleton National Park (Delicia Road entrance)—from Mapleton township take the Obi Obi Road and turn into right into Delicia Road. From here the GW entrance is approximately 2km on the right side of the road.
The Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk is a clearly marked track with a generally firm and stable surface. Some sections include very steep grades and creek crossings.
You can download a walking trail map from National Parks HERE
Join in a Yoga Class
Yoga is great for overall fitness, stretching out tired muscles and flexibility. Being Yoga Maroochydore offers beautiful flowing Vinyasa Yoga classes with over 18 yoga classes in Maroochydore each week with different levels including gentle, advanced, pregnancy and kids yoga.
They also offer a fully certified annual Yoga Teacher Training course to take your practice to the next level. Ever popular are their annual Yoga & Meditation Retreats and Meditation and Mindfulness Courses which run regularly from the Maroochydore studio.
Being Yoga Studio Classes in Maroochydore are located at Suite 6, 13 Norval Court (1st Floor – The Corporate Centre), Maroochydore.
To dowload a class timetable visit Being Yoga Maroochydore
