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Shopping and eating out

The Sunshine Coast has a large variety of shops from small neighbourhood stores to large shopping centres, outdoor markets, and specialty shops where you will find local handmade food, arts and crafts.

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Groceries and retail

Most people do their food shopping at large supermarkets such as Woolworths, Coles, IGA or Aldi. Supermarkets are located in most neighbourhoods. 

You will find a selection of familiar cooking ingredients in the international sections of the supermarkets. There are also smaller specialist shops listed in the Directory and Handbook[1983KB].

The prices in the supermarkets are fixed.

There are also specialist shops such as bakers for bread, butchers for meat and chemists for medical supplies.

Seafood caught fresh from our waters can be found at seafood markets in Mooloolaba and Caloundra.

Local markets are a great place to find fresh local fruit and vegetables, homemade treats, arts and crafts. 

Clothing, homewares and appliances can be found in the large shopping centres at:

  • Sunshine Plaza, Maroochydore
  • Noosa Civic Shopping Centre
  • Kawana Shopping World
  • Stockland Caloundra Shopping Centre.

You can also purchase these items second-hand from various recycle and charity stores, such as

  • The Salvation Army
  • Lifeline
  • St Vincent de Paul.

You may be used to shopping 24-hours. However trading hours are limited on the Sunshine Coast and not all shops have the same operating hours. Some shops will have reduced operating hours on a Saturday and some may close on Sundays. 

Eating out

You will find a wide variety of excellent restaurants to dine out for dinner. Breakfast and lunch are also a popular time for people to go out and eat with friends and family.

You can ask for what you would like when eating out. If you do not eat meat or if you are allergic to certain food products, let the staff know, they are often able to provide an alternative.

It’s also fun to pack up a picnic or pick up some takeaway food and eat outdoors in a public park.

Drinking

It’s generally safe to drink water from the tap. There are exceptions, and these are indicated with the sign saying ‘not drinking water’.

The following rules apply for alcohol:

  • Supermarkets in Queensland are not licensed and do not sell alcohol. 
  • Only retailers who have licenses can sell alcohol. We call these outlets ‘bottle shops’ some restaurants and hotels are also licenced. 
  • You must be 18 years or older to purchase alcohol.
  • In some places you are not permitted to drink alcohol, for example on public transport.
  • You cannot drink alcohol and operate a car, bike or any or machinery.

Not everyone in Australia drinks alcohol. People will not give you strange looks if you would rather drink water, juice or a soft drink when you are out.