Popular Sunshine Coast Beach sandwiched between Mooloolaba and Kawana
Table of Contents
Welcome to my tourist visitor guide to Point Cartwright Beach on the Sunshine Coast. To make it easier for you to follow I have organised it into the various heading below:
1. Introduction
2. Where is Point Cartwright Beach?
3. How to get to Point Cartwright Beach
4. Best Time To Visit Point Cartwright Beach
5. What Facilities do they have at Point Cartwright Beach?
6. Things to do at Point Cartwright Beach
7. Point Cartwright Beach Accommodation
8. Where to Eat at Point Cartwright Beach
9. Final Thought
10. FAQs
Please read this visitor guide until the end. If you do, I hope it will have inspired you to visit this superb Sunshine Coast beach!
(This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you).
Read Time: 10 Minutes
Introduction
Set below the northern face of Point Cartwright, the idyllic stretch of sand that makes up Point Cartwright Beach is the perfect place to head to when you fancy a change from Mooloolaba Beach and Kawana Beach.
Located on a rock platform at the base of the headland, the 400 metre expanse of sand sits at the very northern end of Kawana Beach, and is presided over by a prominent water tower and lighthouse.
Its dramatic setting and strong south east swells makes it a popular spot for surfing. However, as it is unpatrolled, it is not considered safe for swimming.
Notwithstanding, that doesn’t stop plenty of couples and families from coming here to walk their dogs, soak up some rays, and enjoy its laid back ambience.
The best way to get to Point Cartwright Beach is by car, which will eventually involve driving down Pacific Boulevard in Buddina, after traversing the Nicklin Way.
Where is Point Cartwright Beach?
Point Cartwright Beach is one of many beaches you can visit on the Sunshine Coast.
It is technically located within the suburb of Buddina and more specifically in the Point Cartwright Reserve, which you can get to through the Pacific Boulevard Car Park or via the Point Cartwright Walkway.
The beach is about a 10-minute drive from Mooloolaba Beach and about 100 km north of Brisbane. Access to it is via entry points 196 and 197.
Point Cartwright Beach distance to other Sunshine Coast Beaches
How to get to Point Cartwright Beach
The best way to get to Point Cartwright Beach is by car, which will eventually involve driving down Pacific Boulevard in Buddina, after traversing the Nicklin Way.
Most visitors from outside the Sunshine Coast will probably need to travel along the Sunshine Motorway or Bruce Highway to get to it. Once you arrive at the Point Cartwright Reserve you should be able to find a parking space at the Pacific Boulevard Car Park or the surrounding streets.
If you don’t want to drive to the beach you can catch the 600 or 611 bus to Kawana Shopping World and walk to the reserve from there, which should take about half an hour.
You can see the Translink bus timetables here.
Best Time To Visit Point Cartwright Beach
Like the rest of the Sunshine Coast, Point Cartwright Beach benefits from over 300 days of sunshine every year. This means that it is a destination you can visit all year round.
The best time to do this will depend on your preferences, but as you would expect, the summer months and school holidays are the busiest times, which might impact your ability to get a parking space.
Whenever you decide to visit the beach, try to stick around until sunset, as the colours of the sky are amazing at that time of day.
Within the reserve, the high cliffs showcase tremendous views of Mooloolaba, Mount Coolum, the mouth of the Mooloolah River and Kawana Beach
What Facilities do they have at Point Cartwright Beach?
Throughout the Point Cartwright Reserve you’ll find public toilets, plenty of picnic seating, and barbecues to cook up an al fresco meal.
Most of them are located around the Pacific Boulevard, although you’ll also find seating up on the grassy slopes near the main lookout point.
Point Cartwright Beach distance to other Queensland Destinations
Things to do at Point Cartwright Beach
At Point Cartwright Beach there are plenty of things you can do to occupy your time. Although swimming is off-limits due to the strong currents and the fact that the beach is unpatrolled, surfing is a popular activity here. The waves can be quite thrilling when conditions are right.
Many people come to the area to walk their dogs, which can run off leash at certain times, while some just come to sunbathe. Additionally, fishing is a favoured activity, which takes place predominantly from the bund wall which you can get to from the reserve and the entrance at Harbour Drive or the banks of the Mooloolah River.
Within the reserve, the high cliffs showcase tremendous views of Mooloolaba, Mount Coolum, the mouth of the Mooloolah River and Kawana Beach. On a clear day to the East you can see ships leaving from the Port of Brisbane, and turtles, dolphins and migratory humpback whales can also sometimes be seen.
Away from the beach, La Balsa Park is situated on the edge of the Mooloolah River, and is a great area for kids to run around and play in. You’ll find it on Harbour Drive towards the end of it.
Point Cartwright Beach Accommodation
If you are looking for a place to stay near Point Cartwright there are some lovely holiday rentals available near the water tower and lighthouse. However, you’ll find many more options in and around Buddina and Kawana.
One of the most notable options is the Hedge Apartments by CLLIX which is not far from Kawana Beach. It offers a wide selection of modern apartments with balconies and full kitchens, and counts an indoor swimming pool and fitness centre among its amenities.
You can see the full range of available Buddina holiday accommodation options here.
If you are looking for a place to escape the crowds of Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headlands, and Kawana Beach, then Point Cartwright Beach is a terrific option.
Where to Eat at Point Cartwright Beach
Food options are limited around Point Cartwright Beach, although there is a decent coffee shop called One on La Balsa near the entrance to the car park. It offers excellent lattes and a decent breakfast and lunch menu, which is available between 6.30 am and 2.30 pm Tuesday to Sunday.
Additionally, at the end of Port Cartwright Drive, you’ll find the Little Miss Saine Cafe & Bar. This funky cafe impresses with coffee made from single-origin beans from El Salvador, Guatemala, Brazil, and Indonesia, and eats that includes a delicious Morrocan Spiced Chicken Burger.
Point Cartwright Beach distance to other Australia Destinations
Final Thought
If you are looking for a place to escape the crowds of Mooloolaba, Alexandra Headlands, and Kawana Beach, then Point Cartwright Beach is a terrific option.
While you will have to walk a short distance to get there from the car park, the relatively isolated nature of this Sunshine Coast hotspot makes it the perfect destination to enjoy a relaxing morning or afternoon, in an idyllic location, next to the Coral Sea.
FAQs
Can you swim at Point Cartwright Beach?
As beautiful as Point Cartwright beach is, it is unfortunately not safe for swimming. The beach is not patrolled and there are often rips and drags. While people do swim there they do so at their own risk.
Can you fish at Port Cartwright Beach?
Port Cartwright is renowned for being one of the best spots for beach fishing on the Sunshine Coast. To get there turn off on to Port Cartwright Drive from Nicklin Way. Once you arrive you will be able to catch plenty of bream, flathead, tuna, jewfish and dart from its lovely stretch of beach.
Are dogs allowed at Point Cartwright?
Thanks to the recent introduction of new local legislation dogs are allowed on Point Cartwright's open spaced areas.
