Fancy a Mooloolaba Beach Holiday?
How does a Mooloolaba Beach Holiday sound to you?
Well if you haven’t previously considered it, then perhaps it’s time to give it some thought.
Recently voted the sixth best beach in Australia by Tripadvisor, Mooloolaba Beach is known as one of the best places for a family beach holiday in Queensland.
Its gorgeous stretch of white sugar sand is also one of the safest and most beautiful beaches on the Sunshine Coast and you can access it within a two minute walk from most of the accommodation providers that line its Esplanade.
An easy destination to get too, either by car or flight to the Sunshine Coast airport, Mooloolaba is home to some of the best Australia Beach Resorts you could possibly hope to stay at. It is also situated very close to several other fantastic beaches on the Sunshine Coast including Alexandra Headlands, Maroochydore and Kawana.
It also has excellent cafes and restaurants, a fabulous coffee culture and some funky boutique shops to peruse.
When not sunbathing, you can enjoy a number of tours on your Mooloolaba Holiday. This includes swimming with whales, a scuba diving expedition to the sunken ruins of the ex-HMAS Brisbane, or a romantic sunset canal cruise.
You can even check out world-class attractions like SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, while the internationally renowned Australia Zoo and Eumundi Markets are within easy driving distance.
Overall, this fabulous tourist destination vibe is relaxed and very family-friendly, which is a major part of its charm.
So, with Covid-19 restrictions well and truly over, there is no better time to start planning your holiday in Mooloolaba.
About Mooloolaba Beach
As anyone who has been on a Mooloolaba Beach holiday will tell you, its idyllic white sands make it one of the most popular of all Sunshine Coast beaches.
Patrolled every day of the year in two main spots, the north-east to north-facing beach is replete with a gentle sweep of pristine white sand, aquamarine waters and lush grassy knolls.
Lying in the sheltered side of Point Cartwright, it is a terrific holiday beach in Queensland for swimming, body or surfboarding and many other beach activities.
As there is plenty of protection from the prevailing southerly and southeasterly winds, it offers near-perfect conditions all year round for tourists who love the ocean.
Stretching for about 1.7 km, Mooloolaba Beach is a truly spectacular Australia beach to look at. It is also very well maintained by the Sunshine Coast Council, so its sand is always pristine.
While there is plenty of swells to keep surfers entertained, one of the best features of this stunning QLD beach is the fascinating rock pools which reside at its northern end. They will hold any holidaymaker’s attention for hours, while good fishing can be found by the rock wall near the Mooloolaba Spit area.
There is also an excellent boardwalk to stroll on which will take you directly from the Surf Club to the rock wall and Mooloolaba Spit. In addition, a coastal pathway will lead you from Mooloolaba Beach to Alexandra Headland and up to Maroochydore Beach – a combined round trip distance of about 10 km, during which you will be able to take in spectacular views of the coastline.
Within the last year, the Mooloolaba Foreshore underwent a major multi-million pound upgrade which has now firmly entrenched its position as one of the best Queensland holiday destinations in Australia.
Location
Mooloolaba Beach is located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, along the east coast of Australia.
It is about 100km north of Brisbane and is a 5-minute drive from the main town of Maroochydore, where the Sunshine Plaza shopping centre is based.
It is also just a short drive to other popular Queensland holiday locations like Caloundra (20 minutes), Nambour (25 minutes) and Noosa (40 minutes).
Mooloolaba is bounded by the Coral Sea on its east side and the Mooloolah River on its south side. Towards its north lies Alexandra Headland and to the west is Buderim.
Its stunning location, sitting on a spit of land between a marina on the Mooloolah River and the beautiful beaches of the Pacific Ocean, makes it brilliant choice for a Queensland Australia holiday.
Beach Facilities
As mentioned previously, the foreshore area recently underwent a multi-million pound upgrade.
This means there are plenty of facilities and amenities for visitors to make use of during their Mooloolaba Beach holiday.
This includes a number of toilet areas such as the iconic ‘Loo With A View’, as well as plenty of BBQs, picnic tables and other seating areas to prepare and eat food in.
There are also five children’s playgrounds for the little ones to enjoy, which is more than most Sunshine Coast beaches have. As well as lots of grassy hillsides to spread out a blanket and chill out on.
Not far beyond either end of the Esplanade can be found outdoor exercise equipment, while a well-defined walking track makes it easy for you to exercise your way to Cotton Tree with spectacular coastal ocean views all the way.
Two other fairly recent developments at this Queensland coastal resort include the upgrading of a boardwalk that takes you all the way from the Esplanade, through the parklands, to the rock wall at the Spit and a brand new car park on Brisbane road that can accommodate 700 cars. Both of which should significantly enhance your Mooloolaba Beach holiday.
Mooloolaba Beach Holiday Attractions
Away from the beach, there are quite a few excellent attractions in, and within easy reach of Mooloolaba to keep you entertained.
One of the best of them is SEA LIFE, which you will find in the Wharf Mooloolaba. An award-winning tourist attraction, it showcases 8 unique zones that house thousands of weird and wonderful marine and freshwater animals.
The big thing to do here is diving with sharks. But if this is a bit too scary for you then just seeing the daily shark feeding is an interesting experience. Other things to do include getting a kiss from a seal or watching the hilarious seal and otter show.
Other major Sunshine Coast attractions you might want to visit include Aussie World, Eumundi Markets, the Big Kart Track, The Ginger Factory and the artistic hinterland area of Montville and Maleny. All of which are easily reached with a 30 – 45 minute drive.
If you are feeling adventurous you can also choose to climb Mount Ngungun, Tibrogargan or Mount Beerwah during your holiday in Mooloolaba. While tremendous views of the sunrise or sunset can be enjoyed from the hugely impressive Wild Horse Mountain lookout and Point Cartwright.
If you are into boats then Mooloolaba Wharf should be a real drawcard as there are loads of beautiful sailing vessels to check out here.
Whatever you choose to do during your Mooloolaba Beach Holiday you are sure to have a lovely time.
Mooloolaba Tours
There are several tours you can choose to do during your Mooloolaba beach holiday. Here is a selection of some of the best of them.
Aquaduck
Whilst on your Mooloolaba Beach holiday, if you are tossing up whether to explore the region by bus or boat then the amphibious Aquaduck tour is definitely for you!
Lasting for just one hour, it is the perfect way to get your bearings around Mooloolaba’s various streets, waterways, canals and of course its fantastic beach!
During the tour, your friendly guide will relate the fascinating culture and history of the Sunshine Coast while you revel in the fun of journeying in this very cool vehicle. Fun, relaxed and affordable, this tour also rewards children with a captain’s certificate by which to remember it.
Mooloolaba Whale Watching Tour
If you are looking for a once-in-a-lifetime Queensland holiday experience you will remember forever then consider going on a Mooloolaba Whale Watching Tour.
The sight of the magnificent humpback whales off the beautiful waters of the Sunshine Coast will break you out into goosebumps. Taking place during their annual migration, this Queensland tour is only open to 20 people at a time. So you are guaranteed to get an excellent view of it.
You should be able to see the whales both above the water, when they burst beyond the surface, and also below it when through cutting edge HD cameras that live stream their aquatic activities.
Best of all you can even hear them singing through a special hydrophone! If you are looking for things to do in Mooloolaba, you should definitely put this excursion on your travel bucketlist!
Turtle & Marine Life Tour
If you love marine life in general, then this Turtle & Marine Life Tour is the Queensland holiday experience for you!
Lasting 90-minutes, this fantastic marine safari gives you the opportunity to spot dolphins, turtles and other creatures around Mudjimba Island
Once owned by Sean Connery, this beautiful island is home to a diverse range of species. As well as spotting these animals above the water, you will also be able to check them out below the surface too via state-of-the-art underwater cameras.
This fascinating tour will break you out into goosepimples when you spot the animals on or around the island. You will also be able to take in fantastic views of the shore.
Here are some further tours of Mooloolaba you might consider booking.
Shops
If you plan to do a bit of shopping on your Mooloolaba Beach Holiday then you will love the opportunities available to you on its Esplanade.
Offering a nice mix for the visitor, you will find a good selection of clothing boutiques, which showcase locally made fashion, as well as that from Australia and around the world.
You will also find speciality jewellery stores, art galleries and a sprinkling of speciality stores that sell beautiful gifts and homewares.
Other shops in the surrounding area can be found on First Avenue, Brisbane Road and The Wharf.
Events
Mooloolaba houses some pretty big events throughout the year.
These include the Mooloolaba Triathlon and the Iron Man 70.3 Sunshine Coast event.
It is also home to the 7 Sunshine Coast Marathon, the Mooloolaba SUP Fest 2021 and the Mooloolaba to Auckland and Sydney to Mooloolaba Yacht Races.
In December the Mooloolaba Christmas Boat Parade is a spectacular event, whilst the New Year’s Eve in Mooloolaba end-of-year finale is quite the party!
If you are planning a Mooloolaba Beach holiday you should bear these events in mind as hotel availability and prices are impacted by them.
Best Time To Visit
With over 300 sunny days a year on average the best time for a Queensland holiday to Mooloolaba is now!
It can get quite hot in the summer months of December to February when the humidity can be high, and it can storm on occasion during this time too. Temperatures regularly exceed 30 degrees Celsius and humidity can sometimes top 70%.
During the winter, it can also get a little chilly at night, especially during June and August when the mercury can dip below 10 degrees Celsius.
But even in these times, you can look forward to plenty of sunshine on your Queensland beach holiday during the day. You would, after all, be in the Sunshine State!
Getting There
The Sunshine Coast is a pretty easy tourist destination to get to both for international and Australian visitors who want a Mooloolaba Beach holiday.
Located about 100km north of Brisbane Airport, it takes around 90 minutes to drive to Mooloolaba by car, taxi or bus via the Bruce Highway and Sunshine Motorway.
The nearby Sunshine Coast Airport receives direct flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Cairns, Newcastle and Canberra, as well as Auckland on a regular basis.
Those wishing to travel by train can do so up to Nambour and take a connecting bus or taxi from there.
Cruise ships regularly anchor outside the port here too, while Mooloolaba also has a marina for those who have their own sea vessels.
Place to Stay
If you are going to go on a Mooloolaba Beach holiday you are going to need a place to stay.
Thankfully there are plenty of Mooloolaba hotels and other types of Queensland Holiday accommodation to choose from.
Catering to all budgets, tastes and styles, they include lots of family-friendly beachside resorts and 2-3 bedroom apartment complexes for those who want longer stays.
It also incorporates luxury boutique complexes, which are perfect for romantic getaways on the Sunshine Coast and a range of budget options too.
Many of these are conveniently situated on or within a few minute’s walk of both the Esplanade and the main beach.
Here are some of the best resorts and hotels in Mooloolaba to stay at on your Queensland holiday.
Oceans
One of the only Mooloolaba Hotels 5 Star resorts in the area, Oceans is an excellent place to stay.
Situated at the beginning of the Esplanade it offers upscale accommodation that seamlessly blends a minimalist decor design with all the state-of-the-art amenities you would expect from luxury holiday accommodation in Queensland.
All of its rooms have balconies, many of which provide fantastic views of the Pacific Ocean. Amenities at this fabulous Sunshine Coast beach holiday resort include a stunning pool area, steam room and hot tub.
Peninsular Resort
If you are looking for the best beachfront accommodation Mooloolaba has to offer then you should consider the Peninsular Resort.
A favourite among those wanting a family beach holiday in Queensland, it is located virtually opposite the beach, which provides plenty of conveniences when you have kids.
The resort features self-contained apartments that look out to the ocean and the golden sands of the beach. Perfect for families and couples, they come with a contemporary design with kitchens that are fully equipped, a huge lounge area that accommodates a big flat-screen TV and laundry.
There are also three different restaurants on site, which again is very convenient for families.
If you stay here during the Mooloolaba New Year’s Eve fireworks, you’ll have a prime spot on your balcony to witness the spectacle.
Sea Pearl Resort
The Sea Pearl Resort is one of the newer Mooloolaba hotel esplanade establishments to have been built in the last few years.
A very popular romantic Mooloolaba Beach holiday destination for couples, this aparthotel offers stylish and comfortable rooms that boast either sea or pool views.
Units come with furnished kitchens and feature air conditioning, deluxe private bathrooms, a washing machine, and satellite TV. Other amenities include a hot tub, outdoor swimming pool, sauna, fitness centre and free Wi-Fi.
Sea Pearl Resort offers an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre and air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. The accommodation has a spa bath and a sauna.
Other excellent Mooloolaba beach hotels and apartments include the Landmark Resort & Spa , Breeze, Mantra and Sirocco.
Use the map of Mooloolaba Hotels below to find the best Queensland holiday accommodation deals currently available.
Eating Options
You certainly won’t go hungry during your Mooloolaba beach holiday as there are plenty of places to eat. Especially on the Esplanade where there are a number of excellent cafes and restaurants.
On the Esplanade Bella Venezia is a well established favourite that has been serving quality Italian fayre for many years. Also, at the other end of it, Quarterdeck, near the entrance to the Main Beach is a great choice too.
The surf club offers up delightful food with stunning views of the beach, while if you are looking for Chinese, Indian, Japanese or just good old hearty burgers there are plenty of these options in or around the Esplanade and the adjacent Brisbane Road.
For really good feed on your Queensland vacation check out Thai Lotus, a bit of a hidden gem on Brisbane Road. Whilst on the wharf both Rice Boi and Pier 33 serves excellent food too.
Those looking to taste some of the Sunshine Coast’s best seafood should head to Fisheries on the Spit. They have been serving fresh seafood to locals and Mooloolaba Beach holiday tourists since 1982.
Coffee
There are plenty of places to buy good coffee during your Mooloolaba Beach holiday. But my favourite is Hustle and Flow, a small hole-in-the wall located underneath the surf club.
Other good venues to check out include The Columbian Coffee Company on Brisbane Road, The Good Bean Espresso Bar on the Esplanade and The Velo Project. The latter of which is located in a residential area on Careela Street. It is a little out of the way but well worth the effort of going there.
Sunrise and sunsets
During your Mooloolaba beach holiday you may get to see some scintillating sunrises and sunsets.
Viewing the sunrise off the horizon is best done from the main beach, the spit or the lookout at the top of Alexandra Headlands. You will have to get up early to view it though as often sunrise happens about 5 am in the summer months.
If you are more likely to see the sunset then head to Port Cartwright or the new Mooloolaba Foreshore area where the evening hues can be breathtaking.
The Wildhorse Mountain is about a 30 – 40 minute drive from Mooloolaba, but if you can make it there for sunrise or sunset, it will be one of the major highlights of your Sunshine Coast holiday.
Some companies offer you the chance to have a sunset boat cruise around Mooloolaba. Offering a dinner as well as the opportunity to view dusk in all its glory. Here are a couple of them below.
Want To go on a Mooloolaba Beach holiday?
If you are interested in going on a Mooloolaba Beach holiday there are a number of other resources you can draw upon.
Check out the section on Mooloolaba on the Tourism Queensland website.
Also the Visit Sunshine Coast and Discover Mooloolaba websites too.
If you are on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter you can also search through the #mooloolaba and #visitmooloolaba hashtags
If you do go on a Mooloolaba Beach holiday don’t forget to tag #beachscenes on any of the beach photos you post on Instagram.
