Getting married on the Sunshine Coast
Updated by the Wedlii planning team
The Sunshine Coast gives you two weddings in one region. There's the beach strip from Caloundra to Coolum, and the green hinterland towns of Maleny and Montville just up the range.
Couples love that it feels relaxed but is easy to reach. Guests can fly into Sunshine Coast Airport or drive up from Brisbane, and there are holiday stays all along the coast.
The catch is the weather and the timing. Summer is hot and wet, and beach spots are shared with the public. Pick your season well and have a backup plan, and it's a lovely place to say I do.
What is the best time of year to get married on the Sunshine Coast?
September to November is the best time to get married on the Sunshine Coast. Spring days average 24–27°C, with only 5 to 7 rain days a month. September is the driest month, averaging about 51 mm of rain. Bureau of Meteorology
Summer (December to February) is hot, with tops of 28–29°C, and February is the wettest month, averaging about 215 mm. Autumn (March to May) stays warm, but March has the most rain days of the year. Winter (June to August) is mild at 21–22°C, and August is as dry as September for rain days. Bureau of Meteorology
These figures come from the Bureau of Meteorology's Sunshine Coast Airport station. Bureau of Meteorology
Planning a beach ceremony? Council notes that late afternoon winds can pick up along the coastal strip, and tides change how much beach you have. Council recommends checking local tide times. Sunshine Coast Council
| Season | Months | Average top temp | Average rain days per month | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | Sep–Nov | 24–27°C | 5–7 | Warm and driest, book early |
| Summer | Dec–Feb | 28–29°C | 10–11 | Hot and wet, February is wettest |
| Autumn | Mar–May | 24–28°C | 10–12 | Warm, March is the rainiest |
| Winter | Jun–Aug | 21–22°C | 5–8 | Mild days, August is dry |
Even in the drier spring months, line up an undercover backup in case a shower rolls through.
Where can you get married on the Sunshine Coast?
Sunshine Coast couples usually choose between the beaches and parks along the coast, the gardens, or the hinterland around Maleny and Montville.
- Beaches and foreshore parks. Council lists Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headland, Cotton Tree, Coolum, and Caloundra from Happy Valley to Kings Beach among its popular wedding spots. They're public and need council approval (see permits below). Sunshine Coast Council
- Gardens. Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens has open lawns and sculptural features, and it's on council's list of popular wedding locations. Sunshine Coast Council
- The hinterland. Maleny, Montville and Mapleton are known for private estates, rainforest retreats and big views back to the coast. A favourite for long-table dinners and garden ceremonies.
- Restaurants, resorts and riverside venues. A simple choice if you'd like the ceremony, dinner and dancing at one address, with no permit to arrange.
Council approval doesn't give you exclusive use of a beach or park, and vehicles can't drive into park or beach areas. For a private reception, you'll want a venue. Sunshine Coast Council
Do you need a permit to get married on the beach on the Sunshine Coast?
Yes. You need approval from Sunshine Coast Council to hold a wedding on a beach or in a council park. National parks are managed separately by Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Sunshine Coast CouncilQueensland Parks and Wildlife
| Who manages it | Places | How to book |
|---|---|---|
| Sunshine Coast Council | Council beaches, parks and reserves | Send in the wedding/formal ceremony application form. You should get an approval letter within 10 working days, and your booking is only confirmed once you have it |
| Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service | National parks, conservation parks, State forests and recreation areas | If you think you need a permit, or aren't sure, fill in the notification form. Allow up to 15 business days for a reply |
- Council beaches: your ceremony must be outside the flagged bathing area set up on the day. Sunshine Coast Council
- Council bookings: a booking fee applies, and it isn't refunded if you cancel. Tentative bookings aren't accepted. Sunshine Coast Council
- It's never exclusive. Council approval doesn't guarantee exclusive use of the area or its facilities, so expect walkers and beachgoers nearby. Sunshine Coast Council
- Plan access and parking. Vehicles aren't allowed into park or beach areas and must use designated car parks, so plan how your guests and gear will get to the spot. Sunshine Coast Council
- National parks: a permit is needed if your group, including a wedding group, has more than 40 people in day use areas or on walking tracks. If you're unsure, notify Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and they'll tell you by email. Queensland Parks and Wildlife
Council and QPWS conditions are reviewed from time to time, so check the current version with them before you commit to a date.
How far ahead should you book a Sunshine Coast wedding?
Our planners recommend booking your venue and date 12 to 18 months ahead for a spring Sunshine Coast wedding, especially if you have your heart set on a Saturday.
- 12–18 months out: venue and date, then your photographer and celebrant. If you love a particular hinterland venue in Maleny or Montville, our planners suggest enquiring early.
- 9–12 months out: guest accommodation. Reserve rooms or apartments in Mooloolaba or Maroochydore, especially if your date falls near school holidays.
- 6–9 months out: flowers, hair and makeup, your musicians, and a bus or shuttle if guests are heading up the range to the hinterland.
- 3–6 months out: your beach or park booking. Council doesn't take tentative bookings and approval letters usually take up to 10 working days, so apply once your date is firm. Sunshine Coast Council
- 1–3 months out: confirm guest numbers and your run sheet, check tide times for a beach ceremony, and settle your rain backup.
Flexible on dates? Our planners suggest a weekday or a winter wedding, when days are still mild.
Sunshine Coast wedding questions
Do you need a permit to get married at Mooloolaba Beach?
Yes. You need Sunshine Coast Council approval for a ceremony on any council beach or park, including Mooloolaba. On the beach, the ceremony must be held outside the flagged swimming area. Sunshine Coast Council
Can you have a private beach wedding on the Sunshine Coast?
Not fully. Council approval doesn't guarantee exclusive use of the area, so beachgoers may wander past. If privacy matters, our planners suggest a private venue. Sunshine Coast Council
Do you need a permit to get married in a Queensland national park?
You need an organised event permit if your wedding group has more than 40 people in a day use area or on a walking track. If you're not sure, notify Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and allow up to 15 business days for a reply. Queensland Parks and Wildlife
What happens if we cancel our Sunshine Coast beach booking?
Sunshine Coast Council doesn't refund the booking fee if you cancel. It also doesn't accept tentative bookings, so only apply once your date is set. Sunshine Coast Council
Where do Sunshine Coast wedding guests stay?
For a beach wedding, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Caloundra and Coolum all make easy bases. For a hinterland wedding, look at B&Bs and cottages around Maleny and Montville.
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