Mooloolaba Travel Guide

Tourist Guide
Mooloolaba Beach showing rugged coastline as well as a large group of people
High-rise apartments, bistros and cafés line the Esplanade of this busy coastal town, known for it’s family-friendly beaches and fresh seafood.

Mooloolaba is one of the busiest destinations on the Sunshine Coast thanks to its beautiful, family-friendly beaches and cosmopolitan lifestyle. Sip a coffee in a café along the Mooloolaba Esplanade and then browse the shops along the beachfront boulevard. Visit the Underwater World SEA LIFE Mooloolaba marine park or sign up for a scuba diving tour to a sunken ship.

Mooloolaba was built around the mouth of the Mooloolah River. Today the town has a population of around 12,000 residents. During summer the popular beaches are packed with families, couples and international visitors who come to soak up the sun.

Three separate beaches along a 1-kilometre (0.6-mile) stretch offer calm, small and medium waves. Lifeguards patrol the beaches every day of the year. Choose to paddle in the shallows or sign up for surf lessons. Bring a shade umbrella and sunscreen, as there is no shade on the beach itself.

Picnic underneath trees in the parks that overlook the beach. Use the barbecue facilities and picnic tables provided or buy takeaway fish and chips and eat on the grass. Wholesalers around Point Cartwright, or “The Spit”, sell some of the freshest seafood around. Try the famous Mooloolaba prawns. The park in front of Main Beach has a big playground for children.

Visit the Mooloolaba Wharf, a short walk from the Esplanade, where you’ll find Underwater World SEA LIFE Mooloolaba. There are restaurants, shops and markets surrounding the marina. Take one of the fishing tours or scuba diving trips that depart here regularly. Scuba dive around the HMAS Brisbane, which was sunk off the coast and turned into an artificial reef.

Mooloolaba is situated 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Brisbane, about halfway between Caloundra and Coolum. Get around by car or bus. There’s a mix of pay and display and free street parking, although spaces fill up quickly on weekends and during school holidays. Once in town you can easily move between beaches and restaurants on foot. There are paved walkways along the water.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Mooloolaba Hotel Deals

Beach Club Resort
Beach Club Resort
4 out of 5
87 - 97 First Avenue, Mooloolaba, QLD
The price is AU$264 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
AU$264
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (634 reviews)
"Great location"

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Beach Club Resort
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
4.5 out of 5
Cnr Mooloolaba Esplanade & Venning St, Mooloolaba, QLD
The price is AU$294 per night from 21 Apr to 22 Apr
AU$294
per night
21 Apr - 22 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free parking, internet, and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,453 reviews)
Excellent spot!!
"Friendly helpful staff. Very clean. Our one bedroom unit had plenty of space. Great quiet location, yet surrounded by dozens of food outlets, beach, shops, free parking. Kitchen well stocked with appliances, crockery etc. Half size fridge suited our needs. Air-conditioning great when needed. We had ..."

Reviewed on 25 Mar. 2024

Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Landmark Resort
Landmark Resort
4 out of 5
11 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba, QLD
Stay at this 4-star spa aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,782 reviews)
"It was in a great location and clean and staff very helpful."

Reviewed on 18 Mar. 2024

Landmark Resort
Breeze Mooloolaba
Breeze Mooloolaba
4.5 out of 5
3 Meta Street, corner of Mooloolaba, Esplanade and Meta Street, Mooloolaba, QLD
The price is AU$339 per night from 22 Apr to 23 Apr
AU$339
per night
22 Apr - 23 Apr
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free parking, daily housekeeping, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (443 reviews)
"Very good"

Reviewed on 25 Feb. 2024

Breeze Mooloolaba
First Light Mooloolaba, Ascend Hotel Collection
First Light Mooloolaba, Ascend Hotel Collection
4 out of 5
25/27 First Avenue, Mooloolaba, QLD
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, a fitness center, and daily housekeeping. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (225 reviews)
"Clean, great location and peaceful"

Reviewed on 17 Mar. 2024

First Light Mooloolaba, Ascend Hotel Collection
Nautilus Mooloolaba
Nautilus Mooloolaba
3.5 out of 5
30-32 River Esplanade, Mooloolaba, QLD
The price is AU$475 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
AU$475
per night
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 3.5-star aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the clean rooms in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (860 reviews)
"we have stayed there before and it's nice. This time all was nice again the only thing was we mentioned the TV in the bedroom wasn't working and told them straight away on the day we arrived. We came back after going out and found they had taken it away but no note to say what was going on. We were ..."

Reviewed on 18 Mar. 2024

Nautilus Mooloolaba
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Mooloolaba

Alexandra Headland which includes a coastal town, landscape views and general coastal views

Alexandra Headland

Travellers to Alexandra Headland praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Alex Beach and Mooloolaba Esplanade.

Alexandra Headland
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Cotton Tree

When in Cotton Tree, you can plan a visit to Maroochydore Beach and Sunshine Plaza, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Cotton Tree
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Buderim

Buderim is noteworthy for its spas, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Buderim Forest Park Nature Refuge and Headland Golf Club.

Buderim
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Twin Waters

Twin Waters is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Twin Waters Golf Club and Yaroomba Beach while in the area.

Twin Waters
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Marcoola

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Marcoola. A stop by Marcoola Beach or Mount Coolum National Park might round out your trip.

Marcoola
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Moffat Beach

Unique features of Moffat Beach include the beaches and cafes. Make a stop by Moffat Beach or Shelly Beach while you're exploring the area.

Moffat Beach


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