Mudjimba Beach is a patrolled surf beach on the Sunshine Coast, about 12 km north of Maroochydore, with a surf club, a shaded playground and cafes across the road. It is free to visit, and the island about a kilometre offshore, Mudjimba Island or Old Woman Island, makes it one of the easiest beaches on the coast to recognise.
Council describes it as a quieter, open stretch of beach, and the easy place to start is Power Memorial Park, right beside the Mudjimba Surf Life Saving Club.
Can you swim at Mudjimba Beach?
Yes, at the patrolled section. Council lists Mudjimba Beach as patrolled year round, with the Mudjimba Surf Life Saving Club next to Power Memorial Park at beach access 123. Patrol times change with the season, so check BeachSafe before you go.
Swim between the red and yellow flags, follow the lifeguards and lifesavers, and never swim alone. This is an open surf beach, so waves and rips change from day to day, and Surf Life Saving Queensland says rips are a leading cause of coastal drownings.
Power Memorial Park: playground, picnics and showers
Power Memorial Park (20 Mudjimba Esplanade) is the beachfront park behind the surf club, and it is the most useful stop with kids. The shade-sail playground has a lifeguard-themed play fort with monkey bars, a tunnel, a rope climb, a bridge and a slide, plus a ship-themed fort with rope climbs, a fireman’s pole and a slide. There is also a sand play area, swings, a seesaw rocker, a carousel and table tennis.
For lunch there are shelters, barbecues, picnic tables and seating, with plenty of natural shade. The park has public toilets and beach showers, and the local shops are across the road. Beach access points 124 and 125 lead from the park onto the sand, and the park connects to the Coastal Pathway.
Mudjimba Island and Old Woman Island
The island you can see from the sand is Mudjimba Island, also called Old Woman Island. It sits about 1 km offshore and is protected as part of the Maroochy River Conservation Park.
The name comes from the Kabi word for the midyim bush, which has sweet white berries. A Kabi legend tells of two women stranded on the island who lived on those berries.
Most visitors enjoy the island from the beach. The surf around it is for expert surfers only, and a boat is recommended to reach it.
Surfing and the beach itself
Mudjimba Beach is known as a good beach break for surfing. Council lists beach access points 117 to 131 along the beach, so you can walk a long way north or south from the surf club and find a quiet patch of sand.
Is Mudjimba Beach dog friendly?
Partly. Council’s off-leash stretch at Mudjimba South runs for 650 m between beach access 127 and 130, and it is open year round. It was added to make up for the seasonal dog closure at Maroochy North Shore (Twin Waters) from October to April.
- Everywhere else on the beach, dogs must be on a leash. Where there is no sign, a dog must be on a lead, including in the car parks that lead to off-leash beaches.
- Dogs are not allowed in children’s playgrounds or picnic and barbecue areas, so keep them out of Power Memorial Park’s play and shelter areas.
- Off-leash dogs must be supervised, come when called and wear their council registration tag. Pick up after your dog.
- Fines apply: $863 for an off-leash dog in an on-leash area and $345 for being in a prohibited area or not carrying a waste bag.
Council’s live dog map at pets.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au shows the current areas.
Planning your visit
- How long: a couple of hours for a swim and the playground; make it a half day with lunch in the park.
- Best time: the patrolled section is the safe choice for swimming, so check the patrol hours first.
- What to bring: sunscreen, hats, water and swimmers. The park has barbecues, tables and natural shade.
- Food: cafes, takeaway outlets and shops are across the road from the park.
- Staying longer: Mudjimba Beach Holiday Park has cabins and camping sites in the suburb.
Getting there and parking
Mudjimba is about 110 km by road north of the Brisbane CBD, which is about 95 minutes by car without traffic. From Maroochydore it is about 12 km, around 20 minutes by car.
Off-street parking is available from Mudjimba Esplanade, on the northern side of the playground at Power Memorial Park.
By bus, Translink route 620 runs between Maroochydore station and Noosa Heads station and stops on Mudjimba Esplanade, including at Currawong Street and near David Low Way. Check the timetable for the day you are travelling.
Nearby
- Marcoola Beach – the next beach north, a quieter open beach with parkland behind it.
- Coolum Beach – a patrolled surf beach with a boardwalk, playground and an off-leash dog stretch.
- Maroochydore Beach – the patrolled beach to the south, with cafes and restaurants nearby.
- Mooloolaba Beach – a bigger beach town with the Esplanade.
- More coast: all beaches and the Sunshine Coast pages.
Quick answers
Is Mudjimba Beach patrolled?
Yes. Council lists it as patrolled year round, with the surf club at beach access 123 beside Power Memorial Park. Check BeachSafe for the current hours.
Can you take dogs to Mudjimba Beach?
Yes, on a leash, or off the leash on the 650 m Mudjimba South stretch between beach access 127 and 130. Dogs are not allowed in the playground or picnic areas.
Is there parking at Mudjimba Beach?
Yes. There is off-street parking from Mudjimba Esplanade on the northern side of the playground at Power Memorial Park.
Are there toilets and showers?
Yes. Power Memorial Park has public toilets and beach showers.
What is the island off Mudjimba Beach?
It is Mudjimba Island, also called Old Woman Island, about 1 km offshore. It is part of the Maroochy River Conservation Park, and a boat is recommended to reach it.
Can you get to Mudjimba Beach by bus?
Yes. Route 620 between Maroochydore station and Noosa Heads station stops on Mudjimba Esplanade.
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