15 things to do in Caloundra

Moffat Beach bursts to life each morning with the sound of fresh wax rubbing and gripping to the bodies of beaten up longboards. Locals smile to one another between sips of specialty coffee through the small vents of their keep-cups and dogs run up and down the headland unhindered.

This vibrant little strip of alfresco cafes and restaurants fronts the famous right-hand point break at Moffat Beach Headland – home of Australia’s longest running surf competition the Pa & Ma Bendall.

‘Moffs’ is simply too easy, with a range of great beach-view accommodation options all just metres from the beach and even closer to the local restaurants.

While you are here, make sure you check out two of the Sunshine Coast’s coolest venues. 

Caloundra’s calendar is jam-packed with festivals and events year-round. Pencil these up-coming events into your social diary, and tack on a few days to explore the rest of the region’s attractions.

Luminate Festival is a three-night, walk through festival featuring unique light installations, music and markets designed to provide a immersive cultural experience for those visiting the Sunshine Coast in the September/October school holidays. Organise your school holiday travels around this unique event while also getting to explore the beautiful coastline of Caloundra.  

Normally come the October long-weekend, Caloundra is gearing up to enjoy four days of sun, surf and soul at the annual Caloundra Music Festival at Kings Beach. This beachside town comes alive to the sounds of a diverse line-up of entertainment featuring the best of the Australian music industry as well as incredible international artists.

Caloundra's Events Centre has a calendar featuring the best in touring comedy, ballet, classical music, modern dance, opera and musical theatre. Add a show to your next holiday itinerary.

Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina is just a short drive from Calounda, making it the perfect place to base yourself if you're attending an event.  The stadium is THE place to see top-level sporting matches and is currently the Melbourne Storm’s replacement home ground as conditions in Melbourne continue to improve. You can also catch thrilling circus acts open air cinema evenings and concerts from leading international acts throughout the year.

Book yourself in to see the death defying stunts of the Nitro Circus as they come to town in March 2021

Whether you are a craft beer and cider enthusiast, or just enjoy one or two with your meal – you cannot miss the Sunshine Coast’s Craft Beer and Cider Festival which showcases more than 160 brews from Australia and New Zealand. Bring your beer palate and buddies to a day of brews, live music and good food. While this event has been cancelled this year (2020) stay tuned for some brews news to hear about what they have in stock for 2021.

Kings Beach has a festive atmosphere year-round, so whenever you visit you’ll be assured of good time vibes in the sunshine. With an oceanfront saltwater swimming pool, and a gentle beach break, a Kings Beach holiday is totally relaxing.

Cafés, restaurants and markets are all just a few minutes’ walk away from a myriad of Kings Beach accommodation options, so you can unpack your bags and leave the car in the garage until the day you leave. 

Caloundra Street Fair (Sundays 8 am to 1 pm) is held under the canopy of the tree-lined main street, surrounded by cafés, boutiques and speciality shops. There are more than 1240 stalls to explore, featuring handcrafted goods, arts and crafts, as well as delicious food and fresh flowers. 

The Caloundra Twilight Markets operate on the last Friday evenings of the month and run along Bulcock Beach esplanade. This charming market is brimming with artisan, craft and homemade wares so there are some truly unique products to browse and inspirational gift ideas to discover. Wander the boardwalk and enjoy entertainment featuring world music tunes and colourful street theatre performers - and bring your appetite, there's a bounty of delicious fare to enjoy. 

Currimundi Lake Twilight Markets the newest market in Caloundra really is the Sunshine Coast’s best kept secret. Shhh! With local craft beer icons Your Mates Brewing doing what they do best, local musicians and a wide variety of street food and gourmet market feasts it won’t stay a secret long!

This market runs on the third Friday of the month and is not to be missed!

Caloundra is filled with so many incredible sunset-sip options that it can be difficult to choose! If you need a little live music to top of your afternoon however, you cannot go past the Iconic Drift Bar which features live music almost every day! Featuring delicious views and a stunning menu this sea-side haven will pull you in from the street with its enchanting décor and the friendly faces of locals.

Soak up the beauty of the Caloundra region by taking the scenic coastal walk. Take on the entire 25 km stretch that starts from Golden Beach in the south, or enjoy strolling along sections of the walk at a leisurely pace.

Keep an eye out for birdlife and dolphins in Pumicestone Passage, check out the historical Military Jetty used for operations during World War II, as well as the heritage listed Kings Beach Bathing Pavilion – and have your camera ready to capture those stellar ocean views.

Pumicestone Passage is a 35 km channel of pristine water stretching from Caloundra in the north to Deception Bay in the south. It’s ideal for all kinds of aquatic escapades, and if you like to travel a little faster than a SUP or kayak, hop aboard a Caloundra Jet Ski. 

Ride through tranquil mangrove-lined waterways into a marine park green zone, home to dolphins, dugongs, turtles and more than 360 species of birds. Don’t forget to bring your waterproof camera, you’ll want to capture the insta-worthy views of the Glass House Mountains that dominate the horizon.

Lake Currimundi is a stretch of calm water which runs into the ocean at Currimundi surf beach. There is an abundance of picturesque walking tracks surrounding the lake, so lace up your walking shoes, slip, slop slap, and tackle one of the many bush-beach trails that lead down to the lake’s cool waters. The tracks are well mapped, with signage along the way explaining the native flora and fauna you may encounter on your walk. There are plenty of shady spots for a picnic, or you can relax in one of Currimundi’s boutique cafés. 

It may be a popular local haunt but Moffat Beach Brewing Co is so much more than a beach-side bar. This award-winning brewery serves up everything from perennial favourites to seasonal releases, and even better, their beers are inspired by the people and places of the Sunshine Coast. Kick your feet up with the locals over a pitcher and a hearty burger.

If spirits are more your speed, Caloundra has just the thing at Beachtree Distilling Co. A small craft distillery that is putting out gin and vodka made with sugarcane and rainwater and some of the prettiest labels you will ever see with a taste to match. All just minutes from the beach, making it the perfect post-swim refresher.

Discover the spectacular beauty of Caloundra's marine environment on a Caloundra Cruise tour.  Hop aboard "Tern o' the Tide" for a 90-minute "Smoothwater Classic" tour (Sunday, Tuesday and Friday) - a relaxing cruise offering views from Caloundra Heads to Moreton Island, and Bribie Island.

On Thursdays, the "Eco Explorer Cruise" will take you deep into the clear waters of Pumicestone Passage Marine Park to discover an abundance of bird and marine life. You'll drop anchor at Lighthouse Beach and enjoy a scrumptious morning tea. On Friday and Saturday nights, watch the sun disappear behind the Glass House Mountains while relaxing on a BYO sunset tour. If you feel like taking the wheel, hire your own boat from Bills Boat & Bike Hire. 

The colourful, massive murals around Caloundra snapshot the area’s cultural identity and history. There are quirky and colourful representations of iconic locations, activities and events, such as the heritage lighthouses and Ma & Pa Bendall (surfing pioneers), and Pumicestone Passage. The bright, bold colours pop right off the rendered canvas, so snap away and add some colour to your Instagram page. 

Caloundra has its own mountain bike trail, the Sugar Bag Road Bike Trail, located in the Caloundra Town Reserve. There is a range of tracks for everyone from novices to experienced riders, featuring more than 12 km of rideable adventures.

The course includes natural features of rocks, drops, and crevices, as well as bridges, jumps, seesaws, and ramps. You’ll find it exhilarating, challenging and an excellent work out. If you've not brought wheels with you, give Bike On a call and they'll deliver a suitable bike to your door. 

Caloundra’s calm waterways lend themselves to all kinds of aquatic exploration and you’ll often see SUPs and kayakers gliding across Pumicestone Passage, Currimundi Lake or Tooway Creek.

BYO craft, or hire from Golden Beach Hire, Experientia Sunshine Coast, Kite Thrills, Ocean Adventure, or Bills Boat & Bike Hire. and chart your own course, or let the experienced guides take you on a tour. The waters are teeming with marine life so set a relaxed pace and keep your peepers peeled for humpback whales (May to November), turtles, dolphins, dugongs and rays.

Step aboard the Caloundra Jet Boat's luxury "SeaDoo" for an epic 40 km adventure along Pumicestone Passage that includes pristine wilderness, two marine national park green zones, and the historical "Lighthouse Reach" on Bribie Island.

Not only will you enjoy an exhilarating ride, but you'll encounter a myriad of marine life and enjoy some spectacular views of the Glass House Mountains. This is definitely one the whole family will love.