Queensland’s spring holidays run Saturday 19 September to Monday 5 October. That’s two full weeks to fill, and by day three you’ve usually run out of ideas. The beach was Monday, the playground was Tuesday, and now the kids are asking what’s happening tomorrow.
The good news: Mooloolaba does most of the work for you. Park once and everything’s within walking distance, so you can go from the beach in the morning to lunch with a view, to an afternoon on the water without ever getting back in the car.
Here’s what’s on these September School Holidays 2026 in Mooloolaba:
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast
SEA LIFE always goes all out for school holidays; Junior Marine Biologist for a Day lets the kids head behind the scenes with a real marine expert. The Penguin Encounter is for ages five and up, and you actually get to hand-feed the Little Blue Penguins. Spots fill fast on that one, so book early. There are Behind the Scenes tours and the Undersea Explorer VR experience running as well.
Even without the extras you’ll happily lose a morning here. Sharks and rays cruise right over your head in the 80 metre Ocean Tunnel, Seahorse Kingdom has more than a hundred seahorses, and the tidal touch pool means the kids can get their hands in the water and touch a sea star. There are fourteen talks and animal feeds every day, and the seal presentation is the one everyone loves.
Best part is it’s all indoors, so it’s your rainy day plan sorted too. Just make sure you pre-book!
Earn Dock Dollars to Spend at The Dock
The Dock sits right on the river at the Wharf, with a kids menu, colouring-in and activity sheets, a photobooth, live sport on the big screens, and cold drinks on tap for the adults.
The Dock has teamed up with SEA LIFE again this year, meaning you can visit the aquarium and walk away with Dock Dollars to spend on lunch over the water. Two things you were doing anyway, except now one helps pay for the other.
Multicultural Moon Festival
The Multicultural Moon Festival is on Sunday 27 September at the Foreshore Adventure Playground, and it’s free. There’ll be multicultural stage performances running through the evening, an art exhibition, market stalls and plenty of food. There’s also a horse and mini pony meet-and-greet, which the little ones will be talking about for weeks. It wraps up with fireworks over the foreshore.
Lands right in the middle of the holidays and costs nothing to turn up to; a solid way to wrap up a perfect holiday weekend.
Get Out On The Water
Coastal Cruises is celebrating 25 years on the Mooloolah River this year. Their calm-water cruises run under ninety minutes, which is short enough to hold attention and gentle enough for kids from about three. Keep an eye out for turtles along the way.
The Aquaduck is the one little kids lose their minds over. It’s an amphibious bus, so you start with a tour around Mooloolaba on the road, then it drives straight into the Mooloolah River and keeps going. It takes about an hour, departing from the Wharf.
Whale season still runs to around the end of October, so these holidays are your last window for the year. Adventure Rafting and Sunreef both run fun trips out of the Wharf.
Mooloolaba Sunset Market
The Mooloolaba Sunset Market is on Saturday 19 September and Saturday 3 October at Beach Terrace.
Food trucks and artisan stalls take over Beach Terrace with sunset ocean views right behind them. Browse the stalls for early Christmas presents and grab dinner from whichever truck smells the best. Find a spot on the grass or beach before the sun goes down; the kids will be sorted for food and you get a night where no one has to cook.
It runs the first and third Saturday of every month, so both weekends of the holidays are covered.
Learn to Surf
Mooloolaba Beach is patrolled, north facing and calm, so it’s about as forgiving as it gets for a first surf.
XL Surf Academy and Maroochy Surf School both teach in Mooloolaba. Beginner groups, private sessions, teen and grom classes. Both take kids from around five on soft boards.
The Free Stuff
The Foreshore Adventure Playground is right on the Esplanade and is an absolute must for tiring the kids out with fun.
The Spit is the pick for younger kids, as the water’s calmer than the main beach. There’s plenty of room for sandcastles, and the playgrounds are there too when they’ve had enough of the water. Grab fish and chips while you’re down there from the local fresh fisheries, and make a beautiful spring afternoon of it.
Where to Sneak a Sweet Treat
For the treat stops, there’s Fudgees at the Wharf, plus I Luv Candi, Yogurt & Gelato World, LUMA Gelato, Valentino’s and Fozzie’s Mini Pancakes along the Esplanade.
Two weeks is a long stretch when you’re trying to keep everyone happy. Mooloolaba makes it easier by having it all in one place.
Meet me in Mooloolaba.