Family- and Dog-friendly Sunshine Coast Beach Holiday Destination
Table of Contents
Welcome to my tourist visitor guide to Kawana Beach on the Sunshine Coast. To make it easier for you to follow I have organised this post into the various heading below:
1. Introduction
2. Where is Kawana Beach?
3. Best Time To Visit Kawana Beach
4. What Facilities do they have at Kawana Beach?
5. How to get to Kawana Beach
6. Things to do at Kawana Beach
7. Kawana Beach Accommodation
8. Kawana Restaurants
9. Final Thought
10. FAQs
Please read this visitor guide to Kawana Beach until the end. If you do, I hope it will have inspired you to visit this superb Sunshine Coast beach!
(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: 10 Minutes
Introduction
Kawana Beach is one of the most pristine, yet under-rated beaches on the Sunshine Coast.
Part of a 9km stretch of sand that runs from Point Cartwright at its northernmost point all the way south to Currimundi Lake, the beach is known for its golden sands, sparkling waters and fantastic surf breaks.
As it is much quieter than nearby Mooloolaba, this is where locals come to escape the tourist crowds. Here they can swim in a patrolled area, take their long or body boards out to ride the waves or cast a line directly on the shoreline or in the deeper longshore troughs at the rocks around Port Cartwright.
Kawana Beach is also a terrific place to bring your dog for a walk on the sand. Additionally, it has a lovely coastal walking path which enables you to walk, jog or cycle with superb views of the Coral Sea.
For those who want to enjoy a picnic, nearby La Balsa Park, which sits beside the Mooloolah River, is a brilliant spot. At the same time, the Point Cartwright Lighthouse is a fantastic place to spot dolphins or whales or take in a magical sunrise or sunset.
Kawana Beach, like most of the rest of the beaches on the Sunshine Coast is a destination you can visit all year round
Where is Kawana Beach?
Kawana Beach is a residential beach located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. It is sandwiched between Buddina Beach to its north and Warana Beach to its south and is not far from Kawana Shopping World.
The sand can be reached from beach access points 220-228 at various points along Pacific Boulevard or Oceanic Drive, both of which run alongside it.
On a wider level, Kawana Beach sits in between Mooloolaba and Caloundra. It is about a 90 minute drive north of Brisbane and about an hour’s drive south of Gympie.
The traditional owners of the land on which Kawana beach resides are the Kabi Kabi and Jinibara peoples.
Kawana Beach distance to other Sunshine Coast Beaches
Best Time To Visit Kawana Beach
Kawana Beach, like most of the rest of the beaches on the Sunshine Coast is a destination you can go to all year round.
Throughout the year, the region experiences over 300 days of sunshine, so you have an 82% chance of the weather being sunny on whatever day you decide to visit!
That said, in the summer months, the mercury regularly tops over 32 degrees Celsius (90°F), so you will need to make sure you take the necessary sun safety precautions.
At this time, as it coincides with the Queensland school holidays, there are likely to be a lot more people on the beach than at other times of the year. However, it still won’t be as busy as at Mooloolaba or Caloundra.
Generally speaking, Kawana Beach is quiet during week days, so if you want to enjoy a relaxed beach experience it is good to go there on a Tuesday or Wednesday between 9am and 3pm, particularly in October/November and March/April, which represents the shoulder seasons either side of summer.
In the winter, the water might be a little bit cold for some to take a dip in. However, you will be able to enjoy a long beach walk without encountering too many other people and the sun rises at this time can be incredible.
What Facilities do they have at Kawana Beach?
Overall, Kawana beach has a good range of facilities for locals and Sunshine Coast tourists to enjoy. These include toilet blocks and beach showers which you will find at beach access points 225 – 227. There are also two playgrounds, as well as bbq and picnic areas, some of which are shaded.
The area has a formal car parking area as well as plenty of all-day on-street parking options that run along Pacific Boulevard and Oceanic Drive.
Kawana Beach is the primary recreational section of the 9km stretch of sand that links Port Cartwright Lighthouse to Currimundi Lake.
How to get to Kawana Beach
Kawana Beach is a very straightforward beach to get to via the Nicklin Way, which is a major road that runs from the end of the Sunshine Motorway near Mooloolaba to Caloundra. (It is signed as State Route 6).
To reach it, turn on to Point Cartwright Drive from the Nicklin Way (not far from the Kawana Shopping World), then follow this road round to the beach.
Depending on where you are coming from, getting to the Nicklin way might involve driving along the Sunshine Motorway or Bruce Highway. So, it would be worth downloading the Waze or Google Maps app onto your smartphone to provide you with the most accurate directions, as per current road conditions.
If you don’t fancy driving, you can always catch a bus to the beach. Translink runs a series of series from all over the Sunshine Coast, including Maroochydore, Mooloolaba, Nambour and Caloundra that will take you directly to the beach access points.
You can use their journey planner to find the most appropriate service for you, depending on your current location.
Other ways to get to the beach at Kawana is via taxi or uber. Alternatively, you might fancy riding an electric scooter, which are freely available at Mooloolaba, Caloundra and other nearby suburbs.
Kawana Beach distance to other Queensland Destinations
Things to do at Kawana Beach
Kawana Beach is the primary recreational section of the 9km stretch of sand that links Port Cartwright Lighthouse to Currimundi Lake. Subsequently, it offers plenty for tourists and locals to enjoy.
The beach is patrolled all year round by the Kawana Waters Surf Livesaving Club, who have a lifeguard tower at beach access 223 within Coopers Lookout Park. If you want to go swimming here, the safest place, as always, is between the red and yellow flags. At other parts of the beach, swimming can be potentially hazardous as it can contain up to 35 separate rips.
At all times you should keep an eye out for the presence of rips and remain within the attached bar’s inner portion. You should also be very mindful of swimming around Point Cartwright, as there are usually very strong rips. Similarly, the tidal currents at the creek mouth can also be pretty strong.
For those who want to go surfing, you’ll find several beach breaks running for the entire length of the beach. They tend to work best at high tide in a moderate swell. You can check the daily tide times here.
Fishing is a very popular activity at Kawana Beach, from the shoreline, when the creek mouth is wide open and in the rock areas at Point Cartwright. Bream, trevally and flathead are the main species you can expect to catch. Though it is possible to snare the odd mangrove Jack as well.
If you want to give your four legged friend some exercise, there is a dog-friendly stretch of sand they can run around in between beach access points 226 and 247. Additionally, there is a walk/bike path that runs along the entire length of the beach. This park will take you all the way up to Point Cartwright, where you will be able to enjoy superb coastal views and even see the odd whale or dolphin splashing around off-shore.
It is also a terrific spot to take in a magnificent Queensland sunrise or sunset as well.
Kawana Beach Accommodation
You’ll find most of the bigger resort accommodations in nearby Mooloolaba. However, there are still quite a few decent holiday apartment options and places to stay near Kawana Beach. They include the following:
Beachside Resort Kawana Waters
One of the best places to stay near Kawana Beach is the Beachside Resort Kawana Waters. It offers a brilliant location near the shops and the sand, which means you won’t have to drive anywhere if you don’t want to.
The air-conditioned family rooms are spacious and modern, while the resort features a range of amenities including a hot tub, sauna, outdoor swimming pool and beautiful gardens.
North Shore Oceanside Kawana
If you would prefer to be a couple of km away from the beach, but more in the central part of the action, then the North Shore Oceanside Kawana is a good option.
Built in 2018, this stylish 4-star hotel offers rooms with balconies, some of which showcase stunning views of Kawana Waters. Accommodations here are stylish and clean and provide guests with a good range of mod-cons. Free on-site parking and free WI-Fi are among its other offerings.
Nightcap at Kawana Waters Hotel
The wonderfully named Nightcap at Kawana Waters Hotel is another great choice near Kawana Beach.
It presents a good selection of room types that range from single to family rooms, all of which have private bathrooms, flat-screen TVs and air-conditioning. Some rooms even come with fridges.
One of the best features about staying here is the onsite restaurant and bar which serves superb meals and an extensive selection of drinks. The hotel also has a swimming pool and children’s playground, making it a fantastic place to stay with kids.
These are just three of the options available near the beach. Here is a full list of all Kawana Beach holiday accommodation options you can choose from.
If you are looking for a place where you can spend some quality time down on the sand away from the crowds, then Kawana Beach is a terrific option
Kawana Restaurants
While there are no cafes or restaurants directly on the seafront at Kawana Beach, you will find plenty of options a couple of blocks back in the main commercial centre of Kawana and the neighbouring suburbs. Here are some great places you can choose to dine at.
Bocca Italian
If you are looking for somewhere to enjoy beachfront dining then Bocca Italian in Bokarina is the place to go.
They offer a sensational range of pizzas and pasta dishes that champion the quality of Sunshine Coast’s fresh produce. The pizzas are made in a Moretti stone-based pizza oven which was imported from Italy and tastes every bit as good as what they plate up in Naples. The garlic bread is also amazing, while their Asparagus risotto is out of this world.
Wildflower Restaurant & Bar
Enjoy a tremendous location, overlooking the serene waters of Kawana Lake, the Wildflower Restaurant and Bar is a terrific place for breakfast, lunch or your evening meal.
This is a place where local produce meets incredible culinary skill, as the venue serves up some masterful dishes like Morton Bay Bugs and Mooloolaba prawns. It also does an excellent smashed avo and eggs benedict to kick start your day.
The presentation is always top notch and the coffee and wine selection is pretty good too.
Green Zebra
If you are into Mediterranean food, you’ll love the banquet-style share plates presented by Green Zebra .
Situated on Kawana Island, this charming venue looks out to Double Bay, which makes a superb setting in which to enjoy an excellent range of mezze plates that are just as much a feast to your eyes as they are your stomach.
If you don’t fancy sharing, grab yourself a plate of honey lime king prawns. Alternatively, the apple glazed pork scotch fillet will really make your taste buds sing!
Twin Fins Espresso Bar
If you want to grab something nearer to Kawana Beach, Twin Fins Espresso Bar is your best bet.
This quaint coffee shop is near La Balsa Park and serves a good range of lattes, espressos and machiattos, as well as a nice selection of breakfast items and homemade baked goods.
Kawana Beach distance to other Queensland Destinations
Final Thought
If you are looking for a place where you can spend some quality time down on the sand away from the crowds, then Kawana Beach is a terrific option.
Defined by its pristine stretch of sand and good conditions for surfing, there is no better destination on the Sunshine Coast – or perhaps even Queensland – for you or your dog to enjoy a bit of sun, rest and relaxation.
FAQs
How Far Is Kawana Beach from Brisbane?
Kawana Beach is situated on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, about 102 km north of Brisbane. Typically it takes about an hour and 20 minutes to drive there along the Bruce Highway from the CBD.
How long is Kawana Beach?
Kawana Beach stretches for around 9km, making it one of the longest beaches on the Sunshine Coast.
Is Kawana Beach patrolled?
Kawana Beach is patrolled all year round by the Kawana Waters Surf Livesaving Club. They are based around Coopers Lookout Park, with the lifeguard tower being situated at Beach Access point 223.
