Sun 4 Oct
Cotton Tree Markets
Stroll the Cotton Tree Markets, offering something for everyone. Your local markets for the best designers, pop-up stores and free live music every Sunday morn…
What's on in Sunshine Coast — October 2026
Events, markets, live music and things worth making time for.
Sunshine Coast
October 2026
Cotton Tree Markets headlines Sunshine Coast this October. We've pulled together 18 things worth your time — dated events, the beaches and walks locals rate, and where to eat. Spring warms to 24–26°C with long dry spells — prime beach and outdoor-event season before the summer humidity.
Updated 3 Oct 2026
Top events this month
Sun 4 Oct
Burn The Floor
A hit on Broadway and loved in the West End! Starring the world's finest international champion dancers, Burn The Floor showcases a melting pot of dance styles…
Sun 4 Oct
Maleny, Sunshine Coast Milky Way Masterclass
Do you want to learn night photography to capture the beautiful Milky Way? Join multi-award-winning photographer David Magro for a night under the stars! Begin…
Mon 5 Oct
2026 Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championships
THE ROAD TO LA28 STARTS ON THE SUNSHINE COAST. The region's leading men's and women's lacrosse teams will compete in the 2026 Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Champ…
Wed 7 Oct
What’s in the Woods? | SUMMER
9am (0-1 year olds) 10am (2-3 year olds) 11am (1-2 year olds) The sun's come out and it's time to play! Join our woodland friends for a perfect summer's day. S…
Wed 7 Oct
Guy Sebastian - 100 X Around Australia Tour - Sunshine Coast
The tour will see Guy perform some of the biggest songs from across his career, including viral fan favourite Who's That Girl, Like it Like That, Standing With…
Fri 9 Oct
Sacred Space: A Journey Within
An Evening of Connection, Transformation & Alignment. From the organisers of the nationally recognised Conscious Life Festival. Step away from the noise of eve…
Fri 9 Oct
Ceramic Painting Class in Gympie
Looking for something funto do in Gympie? This is it. Gain hands-on skills as you paint your ceramic bowl and explore creative designs. A super fun class! The…
Fri 9 Oct
Turkish Lamp Workshop in Gympie
Looking for something fun to do in Gympie? This is it. Gain hands-on skills as you assemble geometric patterns and lay tesserae. A super fun class! The instruc…
Fri 9 Oct
Turkish Lamp Workshop in Gympie
Looking for something fun to do in Gympie? This is it. Gain hands-on skills as you assemble geometric patterns and lay tesserae. A super fun class! The instruc…
Fri 9 Oct
Rangebow 2026
A diverse and creative not-for-profit festival at multiple sites across the Sunshine Coast and Hinterland. The festival program features film, theatre, arts, t…
Fri 9 Oct
Lawrence Mooney - Full Moon Party - Caloundra
Moonman's back-and he's bringing the whole gang! From The Front Bar to the Fringe, get ready for a comedy supernova featuring Dr Tyler Wall (AFL Mind Set Coach…
Browse October by date
| Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | |||
What's on this weekend
Sun 4 Oct
Cotton Tree Markets
Stroll the Cotton Tree Markets, offering something for everyone. Your local markets for the best designers, pop-up stores and free live music every Sunday morn…
Sun 4 Oct
Burn The Floor
A hit on Broadway and loved in the West End! Starring the world's finest international champion dancers, Burn The Floor showcases a melting pot of dance styles…
Sun 4 Oct
Maleny, Sunshine Coast Milky Way Masterclass
Do you want to learn night photography to capture the beautiful Milky Way? Join multi-award-winning photographer David Magro for a night under the stars! Begin…
Make October fit your dates.
- G'day! I know Sunshine Coast pretty well — tell me when you're here and who you're with, or pick one of these 🐾
Markets, food and live music
Cotton Tree Markets
Stroll the Cotton Tree Markets, offering something for everyone. Your local markets for the best...
Burn The Floor
Maleny, Sunshine Coast Milky Way Masterclass
2026 Asia-Pacific Sixes Lacrosse Championships
🗓️ Spring school holidays (QLD) — Spring school holidays (QLD) run 2026-09-19 to 2026-10-05 — expect busier beaches, booked-out activities, and family crowds.
Things to do in Sunshine Coast this October
Beaches
Sand, surf and swim spots — all free.
Maroochydore
Wide patrolled beach on the Sunshine Coast strip with developed foreshore, backed by... FreeFamily
Alexandra Headland beach
Sheltered sandy beach backed by the headland, patrolled and developed, with coastal... FreeFamily
Mooloolaba
Sheltered beachfront village with headland views, patrolled swimming beach backed by... FreeFamily
Point Cartwright Beach
Headland-backed beach with dramatic coastal views; popular day-trip spot on the Suns... Free
Walks & Nature
Free hinterland and coastal trails.
Mount Coolum Track
Mount Coolum's a proper little gem—just over half a kilometre to the summit, but don... Free0.52 km
Rainforest Loop
The Rainforest Loop is a lovely little 1.4-kilometre circuit that'll have you wander... Free1.4 km
Great Walk
The Great Walk through Mapleton National Park is a ripper of a stroll that'll have y... FreeClass 2 — Easy6.48 km
Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk
This one's a ripper through Mapleton National Park—8.46 kilometres of mixed track th... FreeClass 2 — Easy8.46 km
Coming another month?
See what's on before you lock in your dates.
What's on nearby
Planning your October visit
Event details can change, so check before you go. Add anything you like to your plan and it stays in one place.
Humpback whales migrate past the Gold Coast from June to early November, with the best sightings September–October. Whale-watching boats run daily from Main Beach.
Noosa National Park sits on the headland beside Noosa Heads, with a coastal walking track past rocky headlands, bays and lookouts that begins near Hastings Street.
Is Sunshine Coast worth visiting in October?
Yes. October is one of the better months for Sunshine Coast — it's whale season, and there's plenty on including Cotton Tree Markets, Burn The Floor, Maleny, Sunshine Coast Milky Way Masterclass.
How many days do you need in Sunshine Coast?
Two to three days covers the beaches, a hinterland walk and the month's main events. Stretch to four or five with kids or a slower pace — the planner below builds it around your dates.
Is Sunshine Coast busy in October?
Busier than usual — October overlaps school holidays, so book stays and popular activities ahead.
What's on in Sunshine Coast in October?
Highlights include Cotton Tree Markets, Burn The Floor, Maleny, Sunshine Coast Milky Way Masterclass — the dated calendar above has the full list with times.
Explore more
Found something worth doing?
Add it to your plan, or ask Sunny to build the rest of the day around it.