Sunshine Plaza: Hours, Parking, Playground and Next Level High Ropes

Sunshine Plaza is the largest shopping centre on the Sunshine Coast, in the heart of Maroochydore, with free parking for the first 3 hours, a cinema, two free play areas and Australia’s largest high ropes course. It sits on Horton Parade beside Cornmeal Creek.

It works as a wet-weather day out, a coffee and shop stop, or a base for kids who need to burn off energy.

Sunshine Plaza opening hours

Day	Centre hours
Monday to Wednesday	9 am to 5:30 pm
Thursday	9 am to 9 pm
Friday and Saturday	9 am to 5:30 pm
Sunday	10 am to 4 pm

Individual stores set their own hours, and public holiday hours differ, so check the centre’s opening hours page before you go.

Sunshine Plaza parking

There are five main car parking areas and over 4,800 spaces, reached from Plaza Parade, Horton Parade and Amaroo Street. Parking is free for customers who stay 3 hours or less. It is also free if you spend over $300 in a visit and validate your receipts with Customer Service, or if you enter after 6 pm and leave before 2 am. Cinema customers get a fourth free hour by scanning their ticket at a pay station. After that, standard rates apply.

Parking is managed by number plate recognition. Extra-wide parking spaces for parents with prams are near the main entrances. Electric vehicle chargers are on Level 3 of the Myer multi-deck car park (Evie), and the Kmart car park has Tesla Superchargers.

Playgrounds and kids

There are two free play areas open during trading hours, and children must be supervised. One is an outdoor playground on Cornmeal Promenade, between Coca Bar and Shoes and Sox, with a marine animal theme: a towering pelican tunnel slide, an interactive seal and a submarine.

There are three parents rooms, each with a microwave and a secure playpen: in the food court, on the ground floor between Just Cuts and Ann’s Nails, and on the ground floor next to Big W. Extra-wide pram parking spaces are near the main entrances.

Next Level high ropes

Next Level is a high ropes park at Sunshine Plaza, along the creek on Cornmeal Promenade. It has 7 courses and 145 aerial obstacles across four levels, from beginner to expert, with climbs up to 22 metres.

• Age and weight: minimum age 6, weight limit 120 kg.
• Time: a session takes about 2.5 hours, and the last session starts at 2:30 pm.
• Prices: from $39 for a Junior (ages 6 to 9) and $69 for a General Pass (ages 8 and over). Grip gloves are required and cost $5.50.
• Hours: Mon to Fri 10 am to 5 pm, Sat and Sun 9 am to 5 pm (school and public holidays 9 am to 5 pm).

Booking online is recommended, especially on weekends and holidays. Book through the Next Level website.

Cinema, food and a dog park

BCC Cinemas is on Horton Parade near the bus interchange. The Food Court is on the ground floor. The centre also has a fully fenced, off-leash dog park, Sunshine Plaza Paws Park, behind Woolworths near Banjo’s Bakery Cafe, with seating, water and shade.

Planning your visit

• How long: 2 to 3 hours for shopping and lunch; up to a full day with the high ropes and a movie.
• Cost: parking is free for 3 hours. The playground is free; Next Level and the cinema charge.
• Best time: Thursday is the late night, with the centre open until 9 pm.
• Accessibility: ramps, lifts and accessible paths throughout, accessible toilets on both levels, an adult change facility, and wheelchair and scooter hire from the Customer Service Desk.

Getting there

By car, Sunshine Plaza is about 101 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, about 90 minutes without traffic. By bus, Translink routes serve the centre, with the bus interchange on Horton Parade near the cinema entrance. Plan your trip at Translink. A taxi rank is next to the Coles click and collect bay. Contact the centre on (07) 5443 4133. Details can change, so check the Sunshine Plaza visitor page before you go.

Nearby

• Maroochydore Beach – the beach in the same suburb.
• Cotton Tree – river swimming and a park at the mouth of the Maroochy River.
• Alexandra Headland – beach and surf club to the south.
• Mooloolaba Esplanade – cafes and the beachfront promenade.
• Cotton Tree Markets – a Sunday market nearby.
• Things to Do on the Sunshine Coast – more ideas for the rest of the day.

Browse more Sunshine Coast places.

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