A Magical Spot on the Sunshine Coast - It’s Mooloolaba
Located 60 miles north of Brisbane, Mooloolaba boasts one of the best loved beaches on the Sunshine Coast. Add a delicious dining scene, great nightlife, and attractions for the whole family into the mix and it’s easy to see why this resort township attracts thousands of visitors every year. Choose to stay in one of the hotels near the beach and you’ll be just steps from the action in this Queensland hot spot.
Beach Life
Life in Mooloolaba often revolves around the beach. Its pure white sand and warm Pacific waters make it easy to see why tourists flock to this award-winning beach all year round. The near perfect conditions mean that some guests will be happy enough finding a beach lounger upon which they can while away a sunny afternoon but there are plenty of activities available too. The sheltered nature of the water here means that Mooloolaba Beach is an ideal place for kids and novices to learn to surf although bigger waves can be found at the Alexandra Headland, a little way to the north. If you don’t fancy tackling the waves head on, there are many spots along the beach offering cruises, both out on the Pacific and along the nearby Mooloolah River.
Dining and Nightlife
Mooloolaba may offer surroundings that are a little more quiet and relaxed than other destinations along the Sunshine Coast but that won’t stop you enjoying delicious dining and a great night out. During the day, you can enjoy the spoils at one of the many cafes and juice bars that line the beachfront esplanade or tuck into a great lunch at one of the alfresco restaurants. As evening falls, don your glad rags and get ready to play. Alongside the esplanade eateries is an excellent choice of pubs, bars, and nightclubs, including the Surf Club Mooloolaba, a local icon since the early 1900s and fully refurbished in 2012. More fun can be found in the after-dark venues situated in and around Brisbane Road, just a 15-minute walk from the esplanade.
Retail Therapy
Retail therapy comes easy in Mooloolaba. Most shopping destinations can, again, be found along the esplanade where you’ll find everything from exclusive gifts to fashion labels to catch your eye. The area also plays host to regular community markets such as The Wharf Twilight Markets where goodies on offer include fresh seafood, locally grown fruit and vegetables, and handmade artisan products. These community markets perfectly complement the larger open air markets for which the Sunshine Coast is known. These better-known markets are still within easy reach. In fact, the Caloundra Street Fair Markets and the ever-impressive Eumundi Markets are both within a 30-minute drive of Mooloolaba, as are shopping malls such as Stockland Caloundra and Kawana Shoppingworld.
Local Attractions
Be sure to save a little time to check out some of the attractions in and around Mooloolaba. You might like to discover the various inhabitants of SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast or spend the day checking out The Wharf. The latter offers daily boat tours, whale watching tours, and, for the more adventurous, jet ski hire. Just a 15 minutes’ drive from Mooloolaba in Sippy Downs is the Mooloolah River National Park, an 830-hectare space that protects one of the Sunshine Coast’s last remaining coastal rainforests. Also within a 15-minute drive is the Point Cartwright Lighthouse, an active lighthouse that is easily accessible via a scenic walk from La Balsa Park in Buddina. Dolphins can often be seen playing from the many vantage points around the lighthouse.
Explore the Coast
Mooloolaba provides a great base from which to explore the Sunshine Coast. When you’ve ticked off all the local and nearby attractions, it’s well worth carrying on a little further; you’ll find plenty to keep you entertained. A visit to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland, for example, invites you to make the steep climb through the Blackall Ranges to the mountain villages of Maleny and Montville. Many people choose to hike their way there although a more leisurely option is to hire a soft-top and enjoy the views as you travel in style through the lush surroundings. Also easily accessible are attractions such as Aussie World, The Ginger Factory, and the Bellingham Maze. These offer a different flavour to the Hinterland but an appetising one nonetheless.