Wondering what the top Sunshine Coast function venues are? Over the years, we at Onstage Entertainment have had the privilege of helping our clients plan and host memorable functions all across Queensland. We’ve learned that the right venue can make a massive difference to an event’s success, from the atmosphere and layout to cost and catering flexibility. Luckily, the Sunshine Coast is brimming with event spaces, so no matter your theme or budget, you’ll find something to suit.
Below, we’ve put together our top recommendations based on places we’ve personally worked and where our clients have had wonderful experiences. From small, cosy spots to cheap community halls, from birthday party winners to fully outdoor spaces, we’ve covered all bases – plus thrown in a few of our favourite rooftops for good measure.
Small Function Venues
1) Brightwater Hotel (Mountain Creek)
Why We Love It: Whenever we’ve provided live entertainment here, our clients comment on the beautiful lakeside backdrop – it really adds a relaxed holiday feeling.
- Spaces: The Pontoon Room seats up to 40, while the Pontoon Deck accommodates up to 70 seated or 80 standing.
- Food & Drink: Great pub classics, share platters, and a well-stocked bar.
- Ideal For: Intimate birthdays, smaller corporate functions, or family reunions.
Our Tip: We’ve found an acoustic soloist or duo works best to complement the laid-back ambience.
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2) Green Zebra Restaurant & Bar (Kawana Island)
Why We Love It: This waterfront venue has a bright, modern feel. We’ve supplied background jazz trios here – perfect for guests who want a relaxed, sophisticated setting.
- Capacity: Private dining alcoves for small groups, or the deck can host larger crowds if your event grows.
- Highlights: Gorgeous views of Double Bay Beach, flexible indoor-outdoor flow.
- Menu: Seasonal local produce; canapés, banquet-style, or à la carte.
Our Tip: We find that guests love to mingle on the alfresco deck with a glass of bubbly – it’s the Sunshine Coast at its best.
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3) Parklands Tavern – The Birdcage & The Chook House (Meridan Plains)
Why We Love It: Themed function spaces add so much fun! We’ve booked roving entertainers here, and the quirkiness of the Birdcage and Chook House always gets guests in a playful mood.
- Themes: Vintage birdcage décor in one space, Aussie backyard vibes in the other.
- Capacity: 30–60 seated in each area.
- Food & Drink: Casual pub fare, share boards, full bar service.
Our Tip: It’s perfect for smaller milestone birthdays or a hen/stag do. The staff are welcoming, and the laid-back atmosphere keeps things cosy.
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4) The Dock Mooloolaba (Mooloolaba)
Why We Love It: This stylish yet relaxed waterfront venue is perfect for intimate celebrations. We’ve provided acoustic musicians here, and the lively yet casual setting suits all kinds of events.
- Spaces: A mix of indoor and outdoor options with scenic river views.
- Menu: Specialises in fresh seafood and premium meats, with an extensive drinks selection.
- Capacity: Can cater for small groups up to larger functions.
Our Tip: Book a sunset time slot – the golden-hour lighting over the marina is spectacular for photos.
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Cheap Function Venues
1) Kawana Community Hall (Buddina)
Why We Love It: We’ve helped clients on tight budgets completely transform this hall using clever décor, lights, and staging. It’s a blank canvas at a low cost.
- Hire Fees: Starting around $35–$50 per hour.
- Capacity: Up to 320 people.
- Facilities: Basic kitchen, tables, chairs.
Our Tip: Bring in your favourite caterers, set up a stage for a band or a DJ, and you’re away – just factor in time to set up and pack down, as you’ll do it yourself.
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2) Maroochy Sailing Club Hall (Maroochydore)
Why We Love It: Hosting an event on a little island in the Maroochy River is a fun twist. We’ve provided entertainment here for wedding receptions, and the river backdrop is stunning.
- Cost: ~$40 per hour, or all-weekend hire at a discount rate.
- Features: A basic kitchen, bar area, large open hall.
- Quirk: You need to lug equipment across the footbridge – but the unique over-water location is worth it!
Our Tip: We often recommend having at least one or two strong helpers for load-in/load-out. Once you’re setup, you’ll enjoy a wonderful atmosphere over the water.
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3) Sunshine Beach Surf Club – Ocean View Room (Sunshine Beach)
Why We Love It: Surf clubs consistently deliver good value, and this one has a fabulous upstairs space. We’ve run various corporate events, birthdays and even live band nights here.
- Room Hire: Often included if you choose a catering package, so no extra venue fee.
- Capacity: Seats 30 to 160 (or 250 cocktail).
- Views: Uninterrupted ocean vistas from floor-to-ceiling windows.
Our Tip: We recommend placing the band or DJ in front of those big windows – the sea behind them makes a brilliant backdrop.
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4) Buderim Tavern – Function Room (Buderim)
Why We Love It: We’ve put on several birthday parties and engagement soirées here, and the “bang for your buck” is fantastic.
- Capacity: Up to 100 seated, 200 cocktail.
- Packages: Meals and drinks from around $45+ per person.
- Ambience: Pub-style warmth with scenic coastal views.
Our Tip: Because there’s a dance floor, we like to bring a DJ and a simple lighting setup. Clients appreciate the easy, all-in-one solution.
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Best Birthday Function Venues
1) Aussie World (Palmview)
Why We Love It: Let’s face it – a theme park birthday never gets old. We’ve sent our costume entertainers here, and the kids go wild for it!
- Packages: Day passes to rides, party tables, show bags, and more for around $50 per adult, lower for child (depending on age- 2 and under free of charge).
- Activities: Over 30 rides, side-show alley fun, and food stalls.
- Atmosphere: Exciting, lively, ideal for children’s parties or the young at heart.
Our Tip: If you book a roving character or magician, they’ll have endless opportunities to engage kids around the park.
Fun fact: They also do weddings and other events for adults without children!
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2) Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort (Caloundra)
Why We Love It: Their water park parties are always a hit – we’ve done face painting poolside, and the smiles are priceless.
- Packages: Various tiers, including water park access, food, and even a night’s stay for the birthday family.
- Highlights: Splash pools, slides, and an Adventure Zone.
- Stress-Free: Catering, décor, and clean-up are handled by the resort.
Our Tip: Book early for summer birthdays, as this place fills up quickly when the weather is warm.
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3) The Savvy Squire (Mooloolaba Wharf)
Why We Love It: For adult birthdays, this brewpub hits the mark. We’ve run everything from 21st shindigs to 50th cocktail receptions here, and people love the waterfront vibe.
- Spaces: Multiple function rooms (Riverside, Twilight, outdoor beer garden).
- Entertainment: Live music, DJs, and plenty of craft beers on tap.
Our Tip: Keep the energy going with a good DJ set or live band – people can dance, mingle, and sample the variety of ales. It’s always a lively atmosphere.
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4) Noosa Boathouse (Noosaville)
Why We Love It: Whether it’s a 30th or a 60th, birthdays here have an air of coastal sophistication. We’ve had clients arrive via private ferry – talk about an entrance!
- Spaces: Sunset Bar, River Room, large deck areas.
- Menu: Fantastic local seafood, cocktails, and canapés.
- Unique: That floating, three-level layout and panoramic Noosa River views.
Our Tip: If you’re planning speeches or special presentations, time it for sunset – the lighting and backdrop are unbeatable in photos.
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Outdoor Function Venues (Fully Outdoor)
1) Noosa Botanic Gardens (Lake Macdonald, Cooroy)
Why We Love It: We’ve provided acoustic duos in the amphitheatre overlooking the lake, and it’s absolutely enchanting. There’s nothing like nature’s stage!
- Setting: Peaceful gardens, Greek-style amphitheatre, lily ponds.
- Facilities: Public toilets and picnic tables are available, but there is no indoor area.
- Permits: Required for larger events.
Our Tip: Bring your own sound gear and décor. We often suggest a marquee for the unpredictable Queensland weather – or at least keep an eye on the forecast.
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2) Maleny Botanic Gardens & Bird World (Maleny)
Why We Love It: The rolling hinterland views here are breathtaking, and we’ve found that clients adore the on-site aviary tours. It’s a whimsical twist for a daytime function.
- Spaces: Expansive lawns, gazebos, vantage points with the Glass House Mountains backdrop.
- Weather: Maleny can be cooler and mistier than the coast, so plan accordingly.
Our Tip: We’ve noticed that boho or rustic wedding themes fit perfectly with the lush gardens. A string quartet or acoustic guitar also sounds lovely in the open air- just ask first regarding wildlife.
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3) Sunshine Coast Beaches (Noosa Main Beach, Coolum Beach, etc.)
Why We Love It: There’s something magical about hosting a simple ceremony or party right on the sand. We’ve done barefoot weddings and beachside DJ sets, and the atmosphere is always chilled.
- Cost: Minimal permit fees through the council.
- Facilities: Public toilets, showers, and nearby cafés, but no permanent structures on the sand.
Our Tip: Time your function with the tides! Also, be mindful of potential strong winds. We’ve seen a few tablecloths go flying!
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4) Wirreanda Park (Buderim)
Why We Love It: The towering fig trees create a natural canopy. We’ve set up fairy lights among the branches – the evening glow is pure magic.
- Setting: Grassy lawns with that iconic Morton Bay fig playground nearby.
- Infrastructure: Minimal – you’ll need to supply your own seating, décor, and weather contingencies.
Our Tip: A pop-up bar under the fig tree can turn a standard gathering into an enchanting open-air soirée.
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Rooftop Function Venues
1) Altitude Nine (Maroochydore)
Why We Love It: We’ve handled corporate networking events here, and the floor-to-ceiling views across the Sunshine Coast are seriously impressive.
- Location: On the 9th floor of the new City Hall building.
- Capacity: Up to 180 for cocktails.
- Extras: AV equipment is partially enclosed, so you don’t have to worry about rain.
Our Tip: If you’re planning a classy rooftop event, a live jazz ensemble or a smooth DJ set can add a sophisticated touch to match those panoramic views.
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2) The Rooftop Bar & Garden (Ocean Street, Maroochydore)
Why We Love It: It’s intimate, stylish, and we’ve provided everything from acoustic singer-songwriters to DJs here. It’s always a vibe.
- Capacity: Smaller groups of 50–100 fit best.
- Decor: Lush vertical gardens are open-air with partial cover.
- Atmosphere: Ideal for cocktail parties, engagements, or milestone birthdays.
Our Tip: Because of its smaller size, we recommend a more curated guest list. That way, it feels lively but not overcrowded.
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3) Mantra Mooloolaba Beach – Private Rooftop Terrace (Mooloolaba)
Why We Love It: This one’s popular for weddings, but we’ve also seen smaller private events that want those gorgeous ocean views from above.
- Setting: Large open terrace, no permanent covering, so fully outdoors on a warm evening.
- Inclusions: Often packaged with the resort’s catering and indoor backup space.
Our Tip: A flexible plan is important – if the Sunshine Coast weather shifts, you’ll need that indoor fallback. On a clear day, though, it’s utterly spectacular.
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Wrapping Up
We’ve shared a selection of our favourite Sunshine Coast venues that cover just about any style of event you could imagine. From intimate restaurants and cost-friendly halls to adrenaline-packed birthday adventures, open-air garden soirees, and rooftop soirées with skyline views, the Sunshine Coast truly offers it all.
We hope this guide helps you pinpoint the right spot for your next function. And remember, at Onstage Entertainment, we’re here to ensure the celebration is unforgettable – whether you need live music, a brilliant DJ, roving entertainers, or an MC to tie it all together. If you have any questions or want more advice on planning your perfect party, don’t hesitate to reach out.
Here’s to hosting memorable Sunshine Coast events that have everyone smiling long after the final dance!
