Moffat Beach is a small surf beach in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, with a row of beachfront cafes, a shaded playground and a headland walk at its southern end. It sits between Moffat Head and Tooway Lake, and it suits a half-day with a swim, a feed and a walk.
It is about 93 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, so it works as a long day trip or the start of a weekend away.
The beach and the surf
The headland at the southern end shapes a famous right-hand point break that is a favourite with local surfers, and the cafes along the beachfront look straight out at it. Behind the beach, Moffat Beach Park has a naturally shaded playground and picnic shelters.
Waves, rips and tides change from day to day. Check the Beachsafe page for Moffat Beach for the latest conditions before you swim, and swim between the red and yellow flags wherever flags are flying.
Moffat Head and the walk to Shelly Beach
A coastal pathway climbs over the headland and links Moffat Beach with Shelly Beach, with ocean views most of the way. The section on the headland is signed as the Des Dwyer Walkway.
The headland is also where the Queen of the Colonies story began. In 1863 a boat party from the emigrant ship Queen of the Colonies was cast ashore in stormy weather, and a pandanus tree on Moffat Head was carved with the ship’s name. A concrete memorial was put up on the site in 1963, near the top of Queen of the Colonies Parade, and the carved section of trunk is held in a Brisbane museum.
Cafes and food at Moffat Beach
The beachfront strip is the reason many people come. Pocket Espresso looks across to the point break and is popular with surfers, and One Block Back is a converted warehouse cafe a block back from the beach with a herb garden and a cabinet of treats. One Block Back is dog friendly, and dogs are regulars at Pocket Espresso too.
Opening hours change with the season, so check each venue before you go.
Playground, showers and picnic spots
Moffat Beach Park runs along the beach between Seaview Terrace and Queen of Colonies Parade, with a naturally shaded, surf-themed playground, picnic facilities, shelters and open grass beside the coastal pathway.
Next door, Eleanor Shipley Park on Seaview Terrace has public toilets, parking, beach showers, barbecues, picnic tables and a shade-sail playground with a play fort, double slide, climbing wall, fireman’s pole, monkey bars, swings and a sand play area.
Is Moffat Beach dog friendly?
Partly. Dogs can be off leash from 4 pm to 8 am in the signed area at Moffat Headland, and must be on a leash at other times. Dogs are not allowed on the rocky foreshore.
Follow the signs on the beach, because the council’s dog areas changed in July 2026 and the boundaries are on its Moffat Beach and Headland dog access map. In the cooler months, Shelly Beach, south of the headland, has a seasonal off-leash area from 4 pm to 8 am, May to October. The council’s dog rules page has the current map.
Planning your visit
- How long: one to two hours for a swim and a coffee; half a day with a headland walk and lunch.
- Best time: early morning for sunrise over the water and a quieter beach; late afternoon for the off-leash dog window.
- What to bring: sunscreen, a hat, a towel, and shoes for the headland pathway.
- Cost: the beach and parks are free.
Getting there and parking
By car, Moffat Beach is about 93 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 85 minutes without traffic. Allow longer on weekends and school holidays.
Eleanor Shipley Park on Seaview Terrace has car parking. Warm weekends and school holidays are the busy times, so arrive early.
Translink route 600 runs between Caloundra station and Maroochydore station, and stops in Moffat Beach on Edmund Street, Rinaldi Street and Buccleugh Street. Check the route 600 timetable for times.
Nearby
- Dicky Beach – the next beach north, a short drive away.
- Kings Beach, Caloundra – the main Caloundra beach to the south, with the headland pathway between.
- Mooloolaba Beach – a bigger beach town further up the coast.
- Alexandra Headland – another surf beach with a coastal path.
- Currimundi Lake – calm water if the surf is up.
- Things to do on the Sunshine Coast – more ideas for the rest of your trip.
- More coast: browse all Explore SEQ beaches or the Sunshine Coast page.
Quick answers
Where is Moffat Beach?
Moffat Beach is a suburb and beach in Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast, between Moffat Head and Tooway Lake. It is about 93 km north of the Brisbane CBD.
Is Moffat Beach dog friendly?
Dogs can be off leash from 4 pm to 8 am in the signed area at Moffat Headland and must be on a leash at other times. Dogs are not allowed on the rocky foreshore.
Are there cafes at Moffat Beach?
Yes. There are cafes along the beachfront, including Pocket Espresso and One Block Back, and you can check opening hours with each venue.
Are there toilets and showers at Moffat Beach?
Yes. Eleanor Shipley Park on Seaview Terrace, beside the beach, has public toilets, beach showers and barbecues.
How do you get to Moffat Beach by public transport?
Translink bus route 600 runs between Caloundra and Maroochydore stations and stops in Moffat Beach on Edmund, Rinaldi and Buccleugh streets.
Is there a walk from Moffat Beach to Shelly Beach?
Yes. A coastal pathway crosses Moffat Head and links the two beaches, with ocean views from the headland.
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