The South East Queensland (SEQ) coast is exposed to coastal hazards that are likely to be exacerbated in the future. Rising sea levels, in combination with extreme meteorological events such as tropical cyclones and east coast lows, will increase the exposure to extreme water levels in open coastlines and transitional environments; at the same time, the region’s population growth and development rate have the potential to increase risks in the future. In this paper we explore the recent outcomes of two ongoing research projects, “Future Coastlines” and the “South East Queensland Climate Adaptation Research Initiative” and how these are informing the development of adaptation pathways and options for vulnerable coastal areas within the SEQ region.