10 Fun Things To Do With Kids In Cooroy, Queensland PLUS Kid-Friendly Restaurants and Shops in Cooroy
Located in Noosa, near the Sunshine Coast, the small city of Cooroy is quickly growing as it becomes a popular place for families to live.
My family lived in Cooroy for 6 weeks before moving to Brisbane, but we go back to visit often.
My question was always, what is there to do with kids in Cooroy?
Sure, there is plenty to do nearby in Noosa and on the Sunshine Coast, but what about things do with kids IN Cooroy?
Keep reading for our list of the best things to do in Cooroy with kids, as well as the most kid-friendly restaurants and shops in Cooroy.
Free Things To Do With Kids in Cooroy
#1 Play at the Playground
Cooroy has 2 playgrounds located near the library including the brand new Hinterland Adventure Playground.
The Hinterland Adventure Playground is a nature-based playground for all abilities. Complete with climbing structures, a water play area, native gardens, and open space, this playground is perfect for kids of all ages.
There is seating, picnic shelters, BBQ, and toilets nearby.
On the other side of the street is a fenced-in more traditional playground in Apex Park. This playground has swings, a slide, and plenty of places to climb.
There are a couple of benches inside the fenced-in area as well as picnic shelters nearby.
Other playgrounds in Cooroy include one at Cooroy State School which can be used after school hours and one down a quiet road, Blue Wren Park.
Blue Wren Park has picnic shelters, lots of space for playing, and a play space for kids to climb as well as a basketball course. There are no toilets nearby.
Noosa Botanic Gardens has a small fenced-in playground right outside, next to their parking lot on Lake MacDonald.
#2 APEX Skate Park
A small skate park with concrete ramps across the street from the Cooroy Library.
Often, kids can be seen skateboarding or riding scooters at the skate park.
#3 Cooroy BMX Track
The Cooroy BMX track is a dirt track for practicing dirtbike riding. This track is located next to the playground, near IGA.
Even beginner bikers have fun going over the hills at the BMX track.
#4 Head to the Library
On hot and rainy days, the Children’s area of the library is the perfect place to spend an hour.
Storytime is available at Cooroy Library, and bookings are essential.
The Cooroy Library has workshops for children of all ages. Most require bookings. Kids can earn to sew, build with legos, create holiday decorations, and so much more for free at the library.
There is an outside area at the Cooroy Library which is the perfect place to sit down and have a snack and watch the giant lizards.
#5 Noosa Botanic Gardens
Located in Cooroy, the Noosa Botanic Gardens is open from dawn until dusk daily and is always free to get in.
Located on Lake MacDonald, the Botanic Garden has lake views from many of its walking trails.
There is an amphitheater along the lake where shows take place, and where my kids like to perform.
Specifically for kids, there is a dinosaur dig where kids can find replica dinosaur bones in a giant sandpit.
There is a small fenced-in playground outside of the gardens along the lake.
Plenty of picnic tables are set up around the Noosa Botanic Gardens, and there are lots of grassy areas where you can set up a picnic blanket.
More Things To Do With Kids in Cooroy
#6 Play a Round of Badmitten
For a $10 membership and $2 to play, kids can join the Junior Badminton Club at the Cooroy Badminton Club.
There are social sessions as well as times where kids can be coached in badminton.
Rackets and shuttles are provided.
#7 Take an Art Class at The Butter Factory
The Cooroy Butter Factory Arts Centre is an old factory that has been turned into an art studio, and they also have workshops for kids.
Check their social media for special events.
#8 Go Fishing at Lake MacDonald
If you have a fishing license and equipment, you can head to the fishing pier at Lake MacDonald and try to catch cod, bass, or yellowbelly fish from the freshwater lake.
#9 Kayak or Canoe on Lake MacDonald
There is a boat ramp on Lake MacDonald right next to the Noosa Botanic Gardens.
If you have your own boat, canoe, or kayak, this is a great spot to launch it.
For those who do not have their own equipment, see if a tour is available with Noosa Hinterland Adventures.
#10 Canoe on Lake MacDonald with Noosa Hinterland Adventures
Join a 3-hour canoe tour on Lake MacDonald. Everything is included, including snacks and drinks.
Kids 5+ can join in on the canoe ride in Lake MacDonald. Family prices are available.
Family-friendly Restaurants in Cooroy
Cooroy is generally a casual town and all of its cafes and restaurants welcome children. Included here are restaurants with play areas for children as well as deals for families.
There are plenty of places to picnic around Cooroy. We enjoy picking up dinner from Cooroy Fish and Chips and heading to the playground or gardens for dinner.
Saw and Mill sometimes offer family meals and they have barefoot bowls on Friday nights. Check their social media for special events, such as when they turn the green into a mini-golf course. Saw and Mill has a kid’s menu that includes a scoop of ice cream with every $12 kid’s meal.
Kids can play in the game room while they wait for their meals at Cooroy Hotel. Kids eat free with an adult meal purchase on Sundays. Kid’s meals are regularly $10.
Where to Shop for Kids in Cooroy
Both a bookstore and a cafe, A Little Shop of Soul has a kid’s section with books, games, and gifts. A Little Shop of Soul has both new and used books and offers both indoor and outdoor seating.
Galah Home is a small shop filled with beautiful Australian items and they have a children’s section filled with unique clothes, books, and gifts.
Cooroy Country Wear and Jeanery have a kid’s collection of clothes and accessories including cowboy boots and hats.
MIN Made in Noosa has a sewing studio in Cooroy where she handmakes children’s clothes in sizes 0000-7. Clothes can be purchased online or at local markets.
Gelignite Jack’s is the kind of store that has everything. From games to craft supplies, costumes to toys, kids will love Gelignite Jack’s.
Not just a magazine shop, Belvedere Newsagency not only has school supplies, but they also stock many great gifts for kids.
Where To Stay With Kids in Cooroy
Need a place to stay when you visit Cooroy?
Check out your options through Booking and TripAdvisor.
Things To Do With Kids Near Cooroy
Cooroy may be small, but there is plenty to do with kids nearby.
Some of our favorites include:
- The Ginger Factory
- Mount Tinbeerwah Lookout
- Noosa National Park and the Fairy Pools
- Mystery Picnic in Noosa
- Mary Valley Rattler Steam Train
- Ziplining at the Big Pineapple
Pin Things to do in Cooroy with Kids for Later!
