Wurtulla Beach: Dog Beach, Showers and Lake Parks

Wurtulla Beach is a long, quiet beach on the Sunshine Coast between Bokarina and Currimundi, popular for board riding, long beach walks and an off-leash dog stretch. Wurtulla is a suburb of the Kawana Waters area, and its beach runs from Wurley Drive south to the mouth of Currimundi Creek.

It is a simple beach rather than a built-up one: there are beach showers along most of it, a playground and toilets at one park, and a lake-side park with barbecues and a playground close by.

The beach and its access points

Sunshine Coast Council numbers its beach access points, and Wurtulla Beach uses numbers 247 to 253. Access 253 is at the mouth of Currimundi Creek, inside the Currimundi Lake (Kathleen McArthur) Conservation Park. The council’s listing gives the address as Oceanic Drive South, Wurtulla.

Council lists Wurtulla among its unpatrolled beaches, and its patrolled beaches list does not include it. Local news reported in 2024 that the lifeguard service at access 248 ended and the funding moved north to Bokarina, with a camera and emergency call point placed at 248 instead. A camera is not a lifeguard, so treat the beach as unpatrolled, take extra care in the water and check Beachsafe for current patrol information before you go in. Council describes the beach as popular for board riding, long beach walks and getting close to nature.

Showers, toilets and the playground

Showers are at access points 247 to 252. The playground and public toilets are at Dorothy Anderson Park, at access point 248 near Tallawa Place.

Is Wurtulla Beach dog friendly?

Yes. Council allows dogs off leash at all times between Moondara Drive in Wurtulla and Currimundi Creek (beach access points 249 to 253), or as indicated on the signs. The northern stretch from Wurley Drive to Moondara Drive (access 247 to 249) is off-leash from 5 pm to 8 am. The council says the times are indicative, so follow the signs on the day.

Council’s off-leash rules apply on the beach:

• Dogs must be on a lead wherever there is no sign, including in car parks that lead to off-leash beaches.
• Owners must supervise their dog, and the dog must come when called.
• Dogs must not disturb people or wildlife, and owners must pick up droppings.
• Dogs wear their council registration tag, and regulated dogs are not allowed.
• Dogs are banned from children’s playgrounds, picnic and barbecue areas and sports fields.

Crummunda Park on Currimundi Lake

Crummunda Park sits on the shore of Currimundi Lake on Coongarra Esplanade. The playground is at the western end of the esplanade near Mandara Drive, and there are swings at the eastern end near Bareki Street.

The park also has exercise equipment, a basketball half-court, shelters, barbecues, picnic tables, seating and beach showers. Public toilets and parking are listed, there is plenty of natural shade, and the Coastal Pathway runs nearby.

Currimundi Lake Conservation Park

Beside Crummunda Park is Currimundi Lake (Kathleen McArthur) Conservation Park, a 50 hectare remnant of wallum heath that was declared a conservation park in 1994. It has two walking tracks with information signs, and the heath has wildflowers all year, most of all from late winter to early spring. The park is named after a local artist and conservationist, and a volunteer group visits monthly to remove weeds and replant. For a calm-water swim and a lake walk, see the Currimundi Lake guide.

Planning your visit

• Best time: Mornings, when the wind is lighter.
• What to bring: A hat and sunscreen, water, a lead for your dog, and swimmers if you plan to go in the water.
• Safety: Do not count on lifeguards or flags here. Check Beachsafe for patrol information on the day.

Getting there and parking

Wurtulla is about 95 km from the Brisbane CBD, which is about 85 minutes by car without traffic. Nicklin Way runs through the suburb, and Dorothy Anderson Park and the beach access points sit off Oceanic Drive South. Parking is listed at Crummunda Park on Coongarra Esplanade.

By bus, Translink route 600 runs from Caloundra to Maroochydore via Mooloolaba and Kawana, with stops on Nicklin Way at Wurtulla Shopping Village and Park Haven. Use the route 600 timetable and journey planner to work out the walk to the beach. The council’s dog off-leash page has the current rules.

Nearby

• Bokarina Beach – the next beach north.
• Currimundi Lake – calm-water swimming and walks.
• Kawana Waters – beaches, parks and parking.
• Buddina Beach – dogs, parks and the surf club.
• Kings Beach, Caloundra – ocean pool and playground.
• More Sunshine Coast days out: Beaches, Dog parks and Sunshine Coast.

You might also like

• Teewah Beach (Noosa)
• Warana Beach (Sunshine Coast)
• Bulcock Beach (Caloundra)

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