15 Things To Do On The Sunshine Coast If You’re Flying Solo
Solo time; you either love it or hate it. But in this world of burnout and constant busy-ness, it’s sometimes necessary for keeping a level head.
It can be hard to change gears, especially when we’re affected by decision paralysis, so we’re here to help you get more out of your alone time.
Here are 15 things to do on the Sunshine Coast the next time you’re flying solo.
Go To The Beach
This one’s a no brainer. If you’re wanting to kill some time on the Sunshine Coast, hit the beach. Before you say it, we know, the only downside to going to the beach alone is applying sunscreen, right? Wrong. You see, our friends at Bakslap (made right here on the Sunshine Coast) have made a nifty sunscreen application device, so you can reach even those impossible-to-reach places. So pack a picnic-for-one, grab that book or magazine you’ve been wanting to read for ages and let the day melt away.
Learn Something New
If your Insta feed is full of ceramics, macramé and watercolour, and you’ve always wanted to get creative in your spare time, now is the perfect time to book into a workshop. You’ll not only walk away with something uniquely you to show off in your home, you may even meet others who are on their very own solo adventure. Syndicate Creative offers a whole host of workshops including jewellery-making, floristry and ceramics (with wine!)
Indulge In A Spa Day
Peace and quiet is in abundance at the spa, which is why it’s one of our favourite things to do on the Sunshine Coast when we’re riding solo. Switch off and relax with a blissful body massage at Spa Anise at Spicers Tamarind Retreat in Maleny; heal your body, mind and soul at Ikatan Balinese Day Spa in Noosa, or turn to natural salt therapy at Salt Caves in Mooloolaba. It takes ‘me time’ to a whole new level.
Be A Tourist In Your Own Town
We’re lucky to live in a holiday destination, so treat yourself to a little staycation and check into a beachside apartment or a hinterland B&B. If you’re craving that ‘home away from home’ vibe, there are also some epic Airbnbs. Embracing the staycation is a great way to see parts of the Sunshine Coast you may not usually get the time to explore.
Go Hiking
From coastal walks to mountain treks, there are a bunch of stunning hikes on the Sunshine Coast to suit all fitness levels, abilities and scenic preferences. Some of the most popular trails include Mount Coolum, Mount Ngungun, Kondalilla National Park, Great Noosa Trail Walk, Mount Tibrogargan, Mapleton Falls National Park, Sunshine Coast Hinterland Great Walk, Conondale National Park and Buderim Forest Park. And, because these locations attract tourists and locals alike, if you’re worried about hitting the track on your own, you’ll be in good company. There’s nothing like a long walk to clear your mind and recharge.
See A Movie Alone
If you’re new to hanging out with yourself, going to see a movie is an easy intro. And the best part is you can laugh as loud as you want at the funny parts and have a good ugly cry at the sad storylines, and no one will judge. Plus, you don’t need to share your popcorn with anyone—whoop!
Eat Out
If you’ve never experienced the joy of eating on your lonesome, you are missing out. Been wanting to try somewhere new? Or craving your usual at your local? The choice is yours! Even better, you won’t have those hungry eyes staring at you from across the table, coaxing you into sharing your pancake stack. If you're stuck with where to start, check out the 15 best restaurants on the Sunshine Coast or our favourite Mooloolaba restaurants right now.
Take A Cooking Class
Always wanted to learn how to bake perfect loaves of bread, make pasta from scratch or simply hold a knife properly? There are classes to suit all tastes, so the only question is, what are you craving? Thai is on the menu at Spirit House in Yandina; French, Italian and South East Asian at The Tamarind Cooking School in Maleny; The Cooking School Noosa serves up some incredible classes in Japanese, Mexican, Vietnamese, Modern South East Asian and French; or let Patersons Cooking School in Parrearra show you how to whip up Asian fusion, Moroccan, Greek and Italian.
Go On A Shopping Spree
Yes, shopping with your gal pals is super fun, but when you get the chance to have a look around in your own time, you can take as long as you damn well please. The local marketsalways have an epic vibe and are one of the best things to do on the Sunshine Coast when the weekend rocks around, or give your humble home a refresh with a visit to the best homewares stores on the Sunshine Coast.
Discover The Local Art Scene
We have some crazy talented artists calling the Sunshine Coast home, whose works are hung proudly in galleries from Caloundra to Noosa and into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The largest local collections can be found at the Caloundra Regional Gallery and Noosa Regional Gallery to name a couple.
Go For A Drive
Spring is made for winding down the windows, cranking the tunes and going for a drive to…nowhere! When you take the time to let the road guide you, that’s when you discover some real roadside gems. An eclectic antique store, a grungy espresso bar or a cool farm gate bringing with local produce, could be just around the corner.
Browse A Bookstore
There’s nothing worse than wanting to spend a morning browsing a bookshop, when you have someone waiting for you. It just sucks the fun right out of it. So, go it alone and explore every nook and cranny of your fave bookstore on the Sunshine Coast, order a coffee or two, and make a morning of it. We’ve lost many hours within the shelves of Berkelouw in Eumundi, Rosetta Books in Maleny and The River Read in Noosaville, and count it as one of the most relaxing things to do on the Sunshine Coast.
Try A New Workout
Your friends are not fans of aerial yoga or HIIT? No worries. Find a trial pass to a Sunshine Coast fitness class you’ve been dying to try, that way you have no obligations and can stop making excuses. Going solo also means you don’t have the distractions of your mates chatting to you mid-workout, so you can work your butt off until you’re red-faced and sweaty and feeling fit AF. You got this!
Adopt A Four-Legged Friend
If you’re not one to enjoy alone time, why not find a companion who will never want to leave your side? Pay a visit to the Sunshine Coast Animal Refuge and spend some time with the cats and dogs who are looking for a fur-ever home. Not ready to make the leap? Check out the Sunshine Coast’s cat café in Chevallum.
Do Absolutely Nothing
Sometimes alone time is best spent curled up on the couch bingeing your favourite show, or finally getting around to watching that addictive Netflix series. There’s no shame in staying in your PJs all day, heating up some leftovers and wasting the day away. In fact, we’re kind of jealous.
Written for Urban List Sunshine Coast.