Mooloolaba Beach is a patrolled surf and swimming beach on the Sunshine Coast, about 97 km by road north of the Brisbane CBD, with a surf club, restaurants along the Esplanade and a family playground at the northern end. It is free to visit, and council patrols it all year.
The Spit Beach end is protected from southerly winds and generally calmer. Council is rebuilding the central foreshore, so expect fencing in front of the surf club, but more than a kilometre of beach stays open.
Can you swim at Mooloolaba Beach?
Yes, between the red and yellow flags. Mooloolaba Main Beach and Spit Beach are patrolled year round, with council lifeguards backed by volunteer lifesavers. Across the Sunshine Coast the volunteers patrol on weekends and public holidays, 7 am to 5 pm in summer and until 6 pm over the Christmas period.
Always swim at a patrolled beach and stay between the red and yellow flags, as council and Surf Life Saving Queensland advise. Follow the lifeguards’ instructions, check conditions before you go in and never swim alone. Surf Life Saving Queensland says rips are a leading cause of coastal drownings.
Main Beach, in front of the surf club
Mooloolaba Main Beach runs along the Esplanade. Council calls it a popular swimming beach, sheltered by Point Cartwright headland to the south, and it is also popular for body boarding and surfing. While the foreshore works continue, the patrolled, flagged swimming area is south of the surf club.
Spit Beach
Mooloolaba Spit Beach is at the southern end, off Urunga Esplanade. Council describes it as excellent for swimming and popular with families with children, protected from southerly winds and generally calmer than other locations. The lifeguard tower is next to Cheese Block Park, and takeaway fish and chips is a popular stop here.
The Esplanade and the surf club
The Mooloolaba Esplanade runs along the beach with shops, galleries and restaurants facing the sand, and takeaway food is close by. Mooloolaba Surf Life Saving Club is on the Esplanade, and the club building also houses The Surf Club Mooloolaba, a licensed venue with a restaurant and bar.
A raised boardwalk and viewing platform links Alexandra Headland to the Esplanade, part of the foreshore’s accessible coastal pathways.
Playground, barbecues and toilets
The Northern Parkland is the first stage of council’s foreshore project: about one hectare of beachfront parkland with a raised boardwalk, a playground, undercover barbecue areas, seating and accessible coastal paths. The playground has a climbing net, a large swing set and the Pandanus Play Towers, designed for children of all ages and abilities, with shade sails over the swings and the lower play tower.
Council keeps public toilets, showers and handwashing facilities available throughout the works, with temporary toilets and showers at Beach Terrace and Arthur Parkyn Park. The old Loo with a View block is being replaced. Council’s plans for the new block include 12 unisex toilets, 8 unisex showers, two family rooms, an accessible facility and a Changing Places facility.
What the foreshore works mean for your visit
The Mooloolaba Foreshore Revitalisation Project is rebuilding the central foreshore in front of the Esplanade. Stage Two includes a terraced seawall, an all-abilities beach ramp for wheelchairs, prams and mobility devices, four beach access stairs with handrails, an ocean viewing deck and a shaded meeting space. The first section of the terraced seawall in front of the surf club is already open.
Some beach areas are fenced off for safety, but there will always be public access to more than a kilometre of beach, a patrolled and flagged swimming area, and vehicle and pedestrian access to the Esplanade businesses. Some on-street parking, loading bays and drop-off areas may move while the works continue.
Is Mooloolaba Beach dog friendly?
No. Dogs are not permitted along the entire Mooloolaba Beach foreshore, and council’s new dog rules set a $345 fine for being in a prohibited area.
If the dog is coming on the trip, Buddina Beach (beach access 210 to 217, Mawarra Street to Talinga Street) is an off-leash area at all times on council’s list. Off-leash times are a guide only, dogs must be on a lead where there is no sign, and parts of the Point Cartwright foreshore are dog-free, so follow the signs on the day.
Planning your visit
- How long: a morning or afternoon for a swim, the playground and lunch on the Esplanade.
- Best time: summer weekends and public holidays have volunteer lifesavers as well as council lifeguards. Check BeachSafe for the day’s patrol hours.
- Cost: free to visit. Parking at PARKnGO is free for the first four hours, then paid (see below).
- What to bring: sunscreen, a hat, water and a towel. Leave the dog at home.
- Accessibility: accessible matting is available on the beach on weekends during the volunteer patrol season, the Northern Parkland has accessible boardwalk and pathways, and PARKnGO has 13 accessible bays. For anything else, ring Sunshine Coast Council on (07) 5475 7272.
Getting there and parking
By car, Mooloolaba Beach is about 97 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, about 1 hour 25 minutes without traffic, so allow longer on weekends and school holidays. If the kids are in the back, these tips for surviving long car trips with kids help.
The easy place to park is PARKnGO Mooloolaba Central, an undercover car park on the corner of Smith Street and First Avenue, less than 300 metres from the foreshore. It is open 24 hours with 700 car spaces, including 13 accessible bays. The first four hours are free. The free period is tied to the foreshore works and ends when Stage Two is finished, so check the council’s Mooloolaba parking page and PARKnGO’s page for the current offer and what longer stays cost. On-street bays near the beach are signed and time limited, so read the signs.
By bus, Translink route 600 runs between Caloundra and Maroochydore and stops in Mooloolaba, including Mooloolaba Esplanade at Meta Street. Route 615 runs between Maroochydore station and Landsborough station and stops on Mooloolaba Esplanade at Meta Street. Plan your trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30.
More detail is on council’s Mooloolaba Main Beach page and foreshore project page. Details can change, so check before you go.
Nearby
- Coolum Beach – another patrolled surf beach, about 24 km by road north (about 25 minutes by car).
- Peregian Beach – the next beach north of Coolum.
- Australia Zoo – about 28 km by road (about 30 minutes) if you want a wildlife day as well.
- Eumundi Markets – a market day inland from the coast.
- Montville – a hinterland village to add to the same trip.
- Things to do on the Sunshine Coast – more ideas for the rest of the trip.
The SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast aquarium is also in Mooloolaba; tickets are booked on its website. Browse more beaches or everything in the Sunshine Coast.
Quick answers
Can you swim at Mooloolaba Beach?
Yes, between the red and yellow flags. Main Beach and Spit Beach are patrolled year round, and volunteer lifesavers add weekend and public holiday patrols in summer. Check BeachSafe for the day’s hours.
Is parking free at Mooloolaba Beach?
The first four hours are free at PARKnGO Mooloolaba Central, about 300 m from the foreshore. The free offer ends when the foreshore works finish, and the car park’s own page has the rates for longer stays.
Can I take my dog to Mooloolaba Beach?
No. Dogs are not permitted anywhere along the Mooloolaba Beach foreshore. Buddina Beach is an off-leash area.
Are there toilets and showers at Mooloolaba Beach?
Yes. Council keeps public toilets and showers open during the works, with temporary blocks at Beach Terrace and Arthur Parkyn Park.
Is there a playground at Mooloolaba Beach?
Yes. The Northern Parkland has a playground with a climbing net, swings and the Pandanus Play Towers, plus a sheltered barbecue area.
How do I get to Mooloolaba Beach from Brisbane?
By car it is about 97 km, about 1 hour 25 minutes without traffic. Translink buses 600 and 615 stop in Mooloolaba; use the Journey Planner for times.
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