Kings Beach is Caloundra’s main beach, with a free 25 metre saltwater pool, a seawater fountain, three playgrounds and a coastal path along the foreshore. It is the beach most families choose in Caloundra, about 1 km east of the town centre.
It is about 93 km north of the Brisbane CBD, so it works as a day trip. Most of the day-out gear is already here: shade, toilets, showers, barbecues and an amphitheatre lawn for a picnic.
Kings Beach Ocean Pool
The Kings Beach Ocean Pool is a 25 metre seawater pool built into the rocks at the northern end of the beach. It is open from 4 am to 9 pm daily, and a lifeguard supervises it during summer. It is also known as the Sir Francis Nicklin Memorial Pool, after the Queensland premier from 1957 to 1968.
The pool has disabled access, including its children’s pool and wading area. It has been resurfaced, with new tiling, grates and lane markings.
Kings Beach Fountain and the playgrounds
The Kings Beach Fountain is the water play area, with timed bursts of natural seawater from 8 am to 5 pm all year. It sits across the road from the amphitheatre playground.
The foreshore has three playgrounds:
- South end: a large climbing net, a supernova spinner and an ice-cream cart to play on.
- North end: an interactive townhouse and cafe, with a slide, swings and a rocker.
- Amphitheatre: a fully fenced playground with a play fort, slide, whale, sand play, swings and a rocker. It sits at the ocean side of the stage building, next to the public toilets.
The fenced playground is the one parents of toddlers tend to prefer, because the fence keeps little ones from wandering off.
Swimming at Kings Beach
The beach is patrolled year round (council does not list the patrol hours). Waves, rips and tides change from day to day, so check the Beachsafe page for Kings Beach for current conditions, and swim between the red and yellow flags. If the surf is rough, the ocean pool is a calmer option.
The coastal pathway to Bulcock Beach
The coastal pathway runs along the foreshore and joins Kings Beach to Bulcock Beach, a 1.6 km walk one way. That stretch is accessible. The path follows the cliffs, so you can watch for turtles and whales as well as the ocean views.
The other way, the path continues to Moffat Beach, 2.9 km one way. See the Moffat Beach guide for the beachfront cafes and the headland.
Kings Beach Bathing Pavilion
The Spanish Mission style Kings Beach Bathing Pavilion on Ormonde Terrace was built in 1937 and is on the Queensland Heritage Register. The public toilets and change rooms have been in use since it opened.
Facilities
- Public toilets and beach showers, with more toilets beside the amphitheatre stage
- Barbecues, shelters, picnic tables and seating, plus natural shade
- Open lawn and the amphitheatre
- Beach access points 283 to 291
Is Kings Beach dog friendly?
No, apart from the path. Kings Beach Park, Bill Moreton Memorial Park and the pool are dog-prohibited areas, and the amphitheatre park is a dog free zone at all times. Dogs can be walked on a leash on the coastal pathway only.
The dog-prohibited area covers Ormonde Terrace and the Kings Beach car park. The prohibited areas page has the map. The Moffat Beach guide covers the nearby off-leash window at Moffat Headland.
Planning your visit
- How long: two to three hours for a swim, the fountain and a playground; a full day with a lunch stop and the walk to Bulcock Beach.
- Best time: mornings for the pool and parking; summer weekends and school holidays are the busiest.
- What to bring: sunscreen, a hat, towels and swimmers for the fountain.
- Building works: a new surf life saving facility is being built on Ormonde Terrace. Expect temporary parking, footpath and coastal path changes, and the Kings Beach wheelchair beach access and beach matting are temporarily unavailable.
Getting there and parking
By car, Kings Beach is about 93 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 85 minutes without traffic. Allow longer on weekends and school holidays.
Parking is on Ormonde Terrace, with small off-street car parks in the surrounding streets, including one on Levuka Avenue near the southern playground. Check the street signs for time limits.
By bus, Translink route 600 runs between Caloundra and Maroochydore and stops at Kings Beach on Moreton Parade at Mahia Terrace and at Saltair Street. Caloundra station, the bus interchange, is the nearest connection. The route 600 timetable has times. From Brisbane, route 605 connects Landsborough station with Caloundra station, so you can catch a train to Landsborough and then the bus. Use the Translink journey planner for the full trip.
Nearby
- Moffat Beach – cafes and a surf break, a short walk or drive north along the coast.
- Dicky Beach – the next beach north of Moffat, with its shipwreck history.
- Point Cartwright – a headland and lighthouse area further up the coast at Buddina.
- Carols on Kings – the free Christmas carols night at the Kings Beach Amphitheatre.
- Mooloolaba Beach – a bigger beach town further north.
- Things to do on the Sunshine Coast – more ideas for the rest of your trip.
- Browse all Explore SEQ beaches or the Sunshine Coast page.
Quick answers
When is Kings Beach Ocean Pool open?
Daily from 4 am to 9 pm, with a lifeguard during summer. It is a 25 metre seawater pool, and a children’s pool and wading area sit beside it.
Is there a water park at Kings Beach?
Yes. The Kings Beach Fountain is a water play area with timed bursts of seawater from 8 am to 5 pm all year.
Are dogs allowed at Kings Beach?
No. Kings Beach Park, Bill Moreton Memorial Park and the pool are dog-prohibited. Dogs can be walked on a leash on the coastal pathway only.
Are there toilets and showers at Kings Beach?
Yes. There are public toilets and beach showers on the foreshore, and more toilets beside the amphitheatre stage.
Where do you park at Kings Beach?
On Ormonde Terrace and in small car parks in the streets behind, including Levuka Avenue. Check the signs for time limits.
How far is Kings Beach from Brisbane?
About 93 km, or about 85 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD without traffic.
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