With water temperatures ranging from a sensationally warm 26 degrees in the summer to a delightfully balmy 21 degrees in the winter, any time is a great time to hit a Sunshine Coast beach!
Sunshine Coast beaches are, quite simply, some of the most amazing in the world. Rimmed with wide stretches of clear white sand, you can choose from beaches with pumping surf breaks or calm bays sparkling with clear warm water. Most beaches are patrolled by surf lifesavers and are rarely crowded, giving everyone space to stretch out on the sand, play beach sports, swim, body surf, or jump on a board and ride a wave all the way in to shore.
Even better, most beaches have a load of restaurants where you can fuel up for breakfast before your swim or sip a cocktail to finish the day.
Day 1 – Noosa Main Beach
Rocketing up Trip Advisor’s Top 25 Best Beaches for 2020 to number five in the South Pacific with a bullet is Noosa Main Beach – and what’s not to love? This idyllic stretch of golden sand and clear blue water is bounded by Australia’s most visited national park and is backed by luxurious beachfront accommodation. Main Beach is just a stone’s throw from some of the coast’s coolest restaurants, cafés and boutiques in upmarket Hastings Street and is home to one of the country’s finest foodie events, the Noosa Eat & Drink Festival. A winning combination in anyone’s book!
Day 2 – Coolum Beach
Coolum Beach has a laid-back, holiday atmosphere that makes a nice change from the hustle and bustle of neighbouring beach towns. The home break of pro surfer Julian Wilson, the beach’s consistent waves and glassy waters make it a favourite for surfers and body boarders. Coolum Beach is backed by a shopping and entertainment strip featuring a range of fine dining and casual eateries. And you can’t miss Mount Coolum – a grand volcanic dome that offers 360-degree views of the region - presiding over the leafy streets of this beautiful coastal town.
Day 3 – Mudjimba Beach
Mudjimba Beach boasts quiet uncrowded beaches which are ideal for surfers, sun worshippers and beach walkers, as well as stunning views to Mudjimba Island and Mount Coolum. Enjoy a barbecue under the shade of a native Pandanus tree, take a dip at the patrolled beach, or retire to one of the fresh seafood shops and restaurants dotted around this seaside town. Mudjimba is a well-known spot to watch the humpback whales migrate during the winter months, and watching turtles hatching at night is a special experience the kids will not forget.
Day 4 – Alexandra Headland Beach
Alexandra Headland, known by the locals as 'Alex', is a coastal town with relaxed Aussie surf-club atmosphere that complements the soothing rolling surf and inviting beaches. Alexandra Headland's main attraction is its magnificent coastal frontage of beach, headland and parks extending to Maroochydore in the north and Mooloolaba in the south. The swimming beach is patrolled, and on any day, visitors can enjoy watching the surfers riding the waves off the headland, or better yet, join them! For the skaters and bikers, there is an outdoor skate park right alongside the beach where you will also find brand new absolute beachfront BBQs.
Day 5 – Mooloolaba Beach
Step onto the soft white sand of Mooloolaba Beach and enjoy one of the safest and most family-friendly surf beaches in Australia. Stroll along the beachside boardwalk to the Mooloolaba Spit for calm, sheltered swimming and excellent seafood cafes and restaurants. Enjoy shopping and foodie delights along Mooloolaba’s bustling beachfront esplanade which boasts an enviable array of award-winning hotels, outdoor cafes, juice bars, alfresco restaurants, and fashion boutiques. Attractions like SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast and The Wharf marina are also close by, as are some of the Sunshine Coast’s best waterfront restaurants.
Day 6 – Kings Beach
Kings Beach in Caloundra has a festive atmosphere year-round, so whenever you visit, you’ll be assured of plenty of fun in the warm, golden sunshine. Between the enchanting rockpools, the child-friendly water fountain with its time-delayed spurts of water, the oceanfront saltwater swimming pool, and the rolling surf break with protected swimming areas, Kings Beach is totally exhilarating.
Day 7 – Bulcock Beach
Bulcock Beach is popular for families who have young children, as there’s often warm paddling pools on the sand to splash in at low tide. Relax and enjoy panoramic views of Bribie Island and the sparkling azure waters that lead into the Pumicestone Passage or hire a paddleboard, kayak, jet ski or catamaran and sail out onto the idyllic waters. A long wooden boardwalk runs right along the coastline, connecting you to waterside cafes and restaurants on the Esplanade to the surf beach of Kings Beach, a short 10-minute walk around the scenic headland. Fishing enthusiasts will also love the gentle tides, shallow sandbars and a great variety of species waiting to be caught and cooked on one of the beachside BBQs.
