Can't help with the Sunshine Coast, but I hired a car when I went to Melbourne with my Mum and the girls a few years ago. I got a Holden Cruze and had baby seats - no problems with getting what I asked for.
FWIW, it was a struggle to fit everything - hadn't thought of boot space. Mum and I each had a suitcase - me the 70 cm odd one for me and the girls and mum one much smaller, as well as the umbrella fold double stroller and hand luggage. We made it work, but if I was going to have to do anything more than drive straight from the airport to where I was staying to dump the lot I would have gone with a bigger car.
Agree with OP, there is loads to do so get a car. We travel a lot with the kids and I'd recommend at least a Commodore or Falcon. We actually tend to get a Ford Territory or similar for the extra room. Most companies charge about $8 - $10 per day per car seat so we just take the girl's seats. DD1 (now 3) sits in her seat on the plane but we usually fly Qantas and it's allowed (although not common) on most their planes. They also allow car seats to be checked in free of charge in addition to their baggage allowance so it's really not an issue to take them.
We travel to the Sunshine Coast at least once a year b/c my IL's live there.
I'd get a larger sized car with all the luggage and prams etc...
When we have booked car seats we have always gotten them & I am fairly sure from memory that you pay for the hire of them.
In terms of public transport, there are the 'sun buses' that run frequently but are a little expensive from what my sister and BIL told me.
Whereabouts are you staying? If you are staying in Alex Headlands or Mooloolaba there is a long strip of shops, Underwater World, the Beach (of course)
We have done the whole hire car before and depending on if you sleep with 10 month old don't forget you might need a port-a-cot. I would recommend taking your car seats with you, the airline doesn't charge for car seats, prams and cots. I would get a car, then if you go to the beach etc if you forget something you can just drive back to the hotel You only really need the room for all of luggage and baby stuff when going to and from the airport, the rest of the time your suitcases will be in your room. Not sure if you are interested but my father-in-law recently hired baby equipment while we were up there so we would have a high chair which was handy. if wasn't too expensive and they can meet you at the airport.
I have hired a car and cars eats a few times in Brisbane without an issue. There is a company called abc nursery hire Brisbane (and another which is slightly more expensive but I can't remember the name!) who for $25 will deliver and install car seats as well as ports cots, prams, high chairs. Anything you need. You give them your car hire details and they put it all in the car ready for you.
If you order a car seat from a car hire company it should be a guarantee. I've never had any issues in the past.
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