Beautiful Sunshine Coast beach destination for a family holiday in Queensland
Table of Contents
Hello! Welcome to my review of Mudjimba Beach on the Sunshine Coast. If you are planning a visit to this fabulous Queensland holiday destination then hopefully, you’ll find it a useful planning resource.
Below is the structure of the post. You can jump ahead to what interests you by clicking the relevant link.
1. Introduction
2. Where is Mudjimba Beach?
3. Best time to visit Mudjimba Beach
4. How to Get to Mudjimba Beach
5. Beach facilities at Mudjimba
6. Things To Do At Mudjimba Beach
7. Sunshine Coast Tours and Excursions
8. Shops at Mudjimba Beach
9. Mudjimba Accommodation
10. Mudjimba Restaurants
11. Final Thought
12. FAQs
After reading this guide my hope is that you’ll plan a day trip or longer holiday to this wonderful Australia beach destination!
(This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you if you interact with them).
Read Time: 11 Minutes
Introduction
The Sunshine Coast is home to some incredible beaches. But, while Noosa, Mooloolaba and Caloundra tend to get most of the plaudits, Mudjimba Beach deserves to be held in equally high regard.
Located just a stone’s throw from the Sunshine Coast Airport, Mudjimba is bound by a long stretch of golden sand that takes you south to the Maroochy River and north up to Marcoola and beyond. As it is predominantly a residential beach, it is a little off the tourist trail, which is what lends it a lot of its charm.
The Mudjimba Surf Club patrols the beach, which looks out to the famous Old Woman Island (which, contrary to urban legend, Sean Connery did not own). It is a terrific spot for walking (human and dog), sunbathing, fishing, and surfing. Off the sand, there is an expanse of green space with public amenities and a children’s playground.
Just over the road from its main entrance you’ll also find a handful of eateries, coffee shops and holiday accommodation, as well as plenty of unmetered parking running along the beachfront.
So, all things considered, it is a terrific place to go for a weekend beach getaway or a low-key family holiday. Make sure to put it on your bucketlist.
As the Sunshine Coast receives over 300 days of sun every year, a Mudjimba holiday is one you can enjoy all year round.
Where is Mudjimba Beach?
Mudjimba is a quiet coastal suburb on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, which forms a part of the wider Maroochydore urban centre.
It is situated between the popular beach holiday destinations of Coolum Beach to the north and Maroochydore to the south and is just 3 km from Marcoola. The suburbs of Twin Waters and Pacific Paradise flank it on one side, while the beach faces the Coral Sea on the other.
As Mudjimba Beach is just an hour and 20 minute drive from Brisbane, it is a popular day trip destination for those wanting a change of scene from the Gold Coast. It also attracts plenty of visitors from Gympie – an hour’s drive away – who don’t feel like going to Rainbow Beach.
Mudjimba resides on land traditionally owned by the Gubi Gubi people, and there are two fascinating aboriginal dreamtime stories about Old Woman Island.
Its name comes from the word midyim/mudjim, which describes a colourful native plant that sprouts sweet white berries with green spots, called the Midyam (Austromyrtus tenuifolia) bush.
Distance from Mudjimba Beach to Other Queensland Destinations
Best time to visit Mudjimba Beach
As the Sunshine Coast receives over 300 days of sun every year, a Mudjimba holiday is one you can enjoy all year round.
The summer months of December to February tend to be at their busiest in terms of beachgoers numbers, especially at the weekend. But because the expanse of sand is so long, you don’t have to walk too far to find a bit of space.
The Mudjimba weather is usually very hot at this time, with temperatures often exceeding 30+ degrees Celsius. So, if you go during summer, you will need to exercise these sun protection tips. It is worth noting that the summer is also the wet season, which means there is potential for heavy rain and lightning storms. There is nothing in the way of shade protection on the beach. So, it is best to leave immediately in these circumstances.
Possibly, the best time to visit Mudjimba Beach is during the shoulder season months of October to November and March to April. At this time, the weather is quite lovely, with daytime temperatures hovering around 25 degrees Celsius. You’ll find the beach fairly quiet, (other than at weekends), as most adults are at work and kids are at school.
During the winter, the temperatures are pleasant enough, plateauing at about 20 degrees Celsius. However, the water temperature might be a bit chilly for some, but if you are an early riser, you will be able to see some incredible sunrises – the sky colours over Mudjimba Island are spectacular.
How to Get to Mudjimba Beach
Mudjimba Beach is a relatively easy destination to get to for a Queensland holiday.
Many visitors drive to this part of the Sunshine Coast, predominantly along either the M1, Sunshine Motorway or David Low Way. Wherever you are coming from, the route is well signposted. However, it wouldn’t hurt to consult with Google Maps or the Waze app for the most accurate route and up-to-date traffic information.
If you don’t have access to a car you can take a Greyhound Australia bus to the area from various locations in Queensland and further afield.
Alternatively, you can catch a train to Nambour and then catch a bus to Mudjimba. You can check out the Translink website for more details.
For those coming from further afield, the Sunshine Coast Airport is the best place to fly into. The likes of Jetstar, Virgin and Qantas all run regularly flights there from various parts of Australia and New Zealand. Here is the current arrival and departure schedule.
Once you arrive at the airport, you can hire a car from one of the many rental companies that operate desks there, including Hertz, Budget, Enterprise and Europcar. Alternatively you can catch a bus or taxi.
If you don’t fancy venturing too far from the mainland, the beach at Mudjimba is perfect for going for a very long beach walk.
Beach facilities at Mudjimba
The Sunshine Coast council has invested a lot of money into the facilities at Mudjimba Beach to provide visitors with everything they need to make sure their experience of it is as comfortable and enjoyable as possible.
The beach at Mudjimba is patrolled by the Mudjimba Surf Lifesaving Club, whose premises are situated next to Memorial Park, which is just off the sand. This is a lovely greenspace that features a children’s playground, public toilets, showers and several barbecues and picnic tables.
You will also find the main car park here, although there is plenty of free parking available in the surrounding residential streets. (Cupania Street or Cottonwood Street are good places to park if you can find a spot in the main area).
Just behind the beach, on Ocean Drive/Mudjimba Esplanade, is a small parade of retail outlets that include cafes, restaurants and surfing-related shops.
Distance from Mudjimba Beach to Other Australia Destinations
Things To Do At Mudjimba Beach
If you are planning on visiting Mudjimba Beach, make sure you bring your surfboards and boogieboards. There is consistent swell along the shore to enjoy.
Should you own them, it is also worth bringing kayaks as you will be able to paddle the 1 km distance to Old Woman Island to fish, snorkel or go diving. There are captivating coral gardens to be seen just two metres below the shore and you may spot turtles too.
For those who don’t have a kayak you can reach Mudjimba island by boat. If you do decide to go there make sure you bring your camera, as the flora and coastline views should provide plenty of excellent photo opportunities.
If you don’t fancy venturing too far from the mainland, the beach at Mudjimba is perfect for going for a very long beach walk. Its about an 8 km return trip from the main entrance to the Marcoola lifeguard watchtower. But you can go even further if you want.
The wide expanse of sand also provides plenty of space for a range of other fun beach activities.
Sunshine Coast Tours and Excursions
There are plenty of Mudjimba Beach things to do. However, it is understandable that you would want to see more of the Sunshine Coast during your visit.
Thankfully, there are several tours and excursions you can take to experience the region’s delights in a qualitative way. Both Viator and Get Your Guide offer a good selection, which you should check out.
However, here are some of the most popular and interesting ones I would recommend you go on.
Mudjimba Island: Swim with Turtles
Walking Photography Tours of Mooloolaba and Alexandra Headland
4-Wheel Drive Tour in Great Sandy National Park
Deluxe 2-person Seaplane Tour from Noosa to Glasshouse Adventure
Sea Kayaking, Dolphin and Beach 4X4 Tour
Sunshine Coast Craft Beer Tour
These tours tend to sell out quickly, so whichever tour you decide to book, it is a good idea to do so as far in advance of your visit as possible to avoid the disappointment of missing out.
As it is a predominantly residential area, you can rest assured that the quality of Mudjimba restaurants and cafes is very good.
Shops at Mudjimba Beach
Mudjimba Beach is a small town with a limited range of shops and retail outlets. But there are still a few options available for visitors.
The closest shops are on the main esplanade, where you will find a grocery store, bakery and a handful of cafes and restaurants. There are also a couple of gift shops, surf shop and boutique stores selling clothing and beachwear.
About a five minute drive away is the North Shore Shopping Village, which you can reach via Mudjimba Beach Road. It accommodates a Coles supermarket, newsagents and several eating options, while running adjacent to it on the David Low Way are numerous other shops, restaurants and services.
For those looking for more extensive shopping options, the nearby towns of Coolum Beach and Maroochydore offer a wider range of shops and retail outlets. At Maroochydore, about a 15 minute drive away, the Sunshine Plaza and Big Top have hundreds of retail outlets between them.
Where To Eat Elsewhere on the Sunshine Coast
Mudjimba Accommodation
For tourists and overnight visitors, Mudjimba Beach offers a variety of accommodation options.
You can Click here to see a full list of all of them.
However, below are some of the best Mudjimba Beach resorts, hotels and holiday apartments in the area for those wanting a Sunshine Coast beach holiday.
Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort
This Novotel Sunshine Coast Resort is a 4-star resort in nearby Twin Waters. It features spacious rooms with comfortable beds and en suite bathrooms. Guests can enjoy the use of multiple swimming pools, a private lagoon and a range of dining options.
Mudjimba Beach Holiday Park
If you plan on camping, the Mudjimba Beach Holiday Park is a terrific option. It offers a range of accommodation options for RVs, trailers and tent camping, as well as cabins. All of which are within close walking distance to the beach. The park counts a swimming pool, playground and BBQ facilities among its amenities.
The Palm
A spacious and modern holiday home is just a short walk from the beach, The Palm features a fully equipped kitchen, private outdoor area and a swimming pool. It even has its own home cinema!
Mudjimba Shores-Coastal Bliss for Families & Dogs
As its name implies, this property is perfect for those travelling with their furry friends.
It has four bedrooms and two bathrooms and comes with air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchen with an oven, dishwasher and microwave, and a hot tub. Guests can also enjoy the use of free WI-Fi and private parking.
Overall, Mudjimba Beach offers a range of places to stay to suit different budgets and tastes. Subsequently, it is an inclusive destination for all types of travellers.
Mudjimba Restaurants
As it is a predominantly residential area, you can rest assured that the quality of Mudjimba restaurants and cafes is very good. They need to be otherwise locals wouldn’t go there!
Directly on the Mudjimba Esplanade, the High Tide Bar and Grill is one of my favourite venues on the Sunshine Coast. It offers an extensive menu of burgers, seafood dishes and salads which change on a seasonal basis. From Monday to Wednesday is is only open for breakfast and lunch. However, on other days, it is open for dinner too.
A few doors down, the Island Surf and Espresso is a cool coffee and surf shop. Order a latte and a crispy sausage roll to take it over to the beach. Alternatively, relax inside and enjoy its fabulous sounds and friendly vibe. There is often a queue here, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait to order.
Also on the Esplanade, Salt ‘n’ Battered on Mudjimba is an excellent place to get fish and chips. Many people take it over to the park to enjoy a meal at one of the seating tables. The serving size is pretty big here, and the food is reasonably priced. So it represents excellent value for money, particularly for families.
If you fancy something upscale, Florentina’s Trattoria + Las Tapas Bar is a very good Italian and Spanish inspired restaurant that serves up a delightful range of dinners. I really like the gnocchi di gorgonzola from the tapas menu. It is just so morish! They also do an excellent selection of pizzas, of which my favourite is the Carne. It features a barbecue sauce base with salami, mozzarella, bacon, ham and pepperoni. It is delicious!
Elsewhere, you should also check out The Loose Goose, which offers a lovely menu of contemporary Australian mains and share plates, which you can enjoy with some innovative cocktails.
Final Thought
If you are looking for a Queensland holiday destination that offers you a low-key way to enjoy the surf, sun and sandy delights of the Sunshine Coast, then Mudjimba Beach is the place for you.
The great thing about it is that it is easy to get to via car or flight. In addition, it is far less busy than the likes of Mooloolaba and Noosa, so, you’ll be able to enjoy your getaway in a much more relaxed fashion.
FAQs
How Far Is Mudjimba Beach from Brisbane?
Mudjimba Beach is located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. It is about 113 km from Brisbane and should take you about 90 minutes to drive there via the Bruce Highway.
Can you swim at Mudjimba Beach
Mudjimba Beach is patrolled by surf-lifesavers, so you can swim between the flags. As Mudjimba is a long stretch of beach that takes you towards Marcoola and Coolum, it is important you swim between the flags because the beach is notorious for rips. Remember, if the surf-lifesavers can't see you, they can't save you.
Are dogs allowed at Mudjimba Beach?
You can take your four-legged friend to the southern end of Mudjimba at the North Shore area, where there is an Off-Leash Beach they can run around in. This is a very good place to meet other dog owners.
What animals can you see around Mudjimba Island?
In the waters around Mudjimba island you should be able to see turtles and tiger sharks.
What is the Mudjimba Beach surf like?
The Mudjimba Beach tides are reasonable for surfing. However, as always you should take care when you are on the water. The best time to hit the swell is often in the morning. But check the Mudjimba Beach surf report before you intend to visit there.
What is the Mudjimba Beach sunset like?
Both the sunset and sunset a Mudjimba can be spectacular. As a general rule, the sunrise offers more vivid colours over the ocean's horizon. But the evening colours can be quite wonderful too under certain conditions
