Mooloolaba Travel Guide

Sunshine Coast
Mooloolaba Beach showing rocky coastline as well as a large group of people
High-rise apartments, bistros and cafés line the Esplanade of this busy coastal town, known for it’s family-friendly beaches and fresh seafood.

Mooloolaba is one of the busiest destinations on the Sunshine Coast thanks to its beautiful, family-friendly beaches and cosmopolitan lifestyle. Sip a coffee in a café along the Mooloolaba Esplanade and then browse the shops along the beachfront boulevard. Visit the Underwater World SEA LIFE Mooloolaba marine park or sign up for a scuba diving tour to a sunken ship.

Mooloolaba was built around the mouth of the Mooloolah River. Today the town has a population of around 12,000 residents. During summer the popular beaches are packed with families, couples and international visitors who come to soak up the sun.

Three separate beaches along a 1-kilometre (0.6-mile) stretch offer calm, small and medium waves. Lifeguards patrol the beaches every day of the year. Choose to paddle in the shallows or sign up for surf lessons. Bring a shade umbrella and sunscreen, as there is no shade on the beach itself.

Picnic underneath trees in the parks that overlook the beach. Use the barbecue facilities and picnic tables provided or buy takeaway fish and chips and eat on the grass. Wholesalers around Point Cartwright, or “The Spit”, sell some of the freshest seafood around. Try the famous Mooloolaba prawns. The park in front of Main Beach has a big playground for children.

Visit the Mooloolaba Wharf, a short walk from the Esplanade, where you’ll find Underwater World SEA LIFE Mooloolaba. There are restaurants, shops and markets surrounding the marina. Take one of the fishing tours or scuba diving trips that depart here regularly. Scuba dive around the HMAS Brisbane, which was sunk off the coast and turned into an artificial reef.

Mooloolaba is situated 100 kilometres (62 miles) from Brisbane, about halfway between Caloundra and Coolum. Get around by car or bus. There’s a mix of pay and display and free street parking, although spaces fill up quickly on weekends and during school holidays. Once in town you can easily move between beaches and restaurants on foot. There are paved walkways along the water.


Popular places to visit


Top hotels in Mooloolaba

Breeze Mooloolaba
Breeze Mooloolaba
4.5 out of 5
3 Meta Street, corner of Mooloolaba, Esplanade and Meta Street, Mooloolaba, QLD
The price is ₹12,998 per night from 19 May to 20 May
₹12,998
per night
19 May - 20 May
Enjoy free parking, daily housekeeping and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the property condition in their reviews.
9.4/10 Exceptional! (452 reviews)
"Great location, walking distance to main strip of beach and dining but a block away so it’s quiet and peaceful. Staff were very friendly upon check in. Property is well kept, clean, and all necessary amenities required. Only slight feedback is the air con is pre-set and we weren’t allowed to change ..."

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Breeze Mooloolaba
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
4.5 out of 5
Cnr Mooloolaba Esplanade & Venning St, Mooloolaba, QLD
The price is ₹14,165 per night from 22 May to 23 May
₹14,165
per night
22 May - 23 May
Enjoy free parking, room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in their reviews.
8.6/10 Excellent! (2,481 reviews)
"Have stayed previously and returned because we like the motel and the location. Unfortunately, our room was near a lift and the continued ding of the lift especially from early morning was rather loud and disturbing. Perhaps the ding of the lift does not need to be on after all we are standing there ..."

Reviewed on 14 May 2024

Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
Landmark Resort
Landmark Resort
4 out of 5
11 Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba, QLD
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,801 reviews)
5 day break
"We had a great time, staff great, convenient to everything highly recommend"

Reviewed on 10 May 2024

Landmark Resort
Beach Club Resort
Beach Club Resort
4 out of 5
87 - 97 First Avenue, Mooloolaba, QLD
The price is ₹13,249 per night from 19 May to 20 May
₹13,249
per night
19 May - 20 May
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in their reviews.
8.4/10 Very Good! (645 reviews)
"Easy communication. Clean bathroom. Kitchen furniture and outdoor chairs worn but new microwave and tv."

Reviewed on 12 May 2024

Beach Club Resort
Osprey Apartments
Osprey Apartments
4 out of 5
Cnr The Esplanade & Buderim Ave, Mooloolaba, QLD
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a fitness centre.
9.2/10 Wonderful! (338 reviews)
"Clean very well equipped apartment with a great pool within easy walking distance of local amenities"

Reviewed on 12 Apr 2024

Osprey Apartments
First Light Mooloolaba, Ascend Hotel Collection
First Light Mooloolaba, Ascend Hotel Collection
4 out of 5
25/27 First Avenue, Mooloolaba, QLD
The price is ₹13,254 per night from 2 Jun to 3 Jun
₹13,254
per night
2 Jun - 3 Jun
Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and daily housekeeping.
8.8/10 Excellent! (226 reviews)
"good location, fine for kids, small narrow pool was great, easy access, clean and new facilities, good location."

Reviewed on 2 Apr 2024

First Light Mooloolaba, Ascend Hotel Collection
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Mooloolaba

Alexandra Headland which includes a coastal town, landscape views and general coastal views

Alexandra Headland

Travellers to Alexandra Headland praise its stunning beaches. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by Alex Beach and Mooloolaba Esplanade.

Alexandra Headland
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Cotton Tree

When in Cotton Tree, you can plan a visit to Maroochydore Beach and Sunshine Plaza, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Cotton Tree
Maroochydore showing landscape views, a sandy beach and tropical scenes

Maroochydore

Maroochydore is known for its beaches, and you can plan a trip to Maroochydore Beach and Sunshine Plaza while you're in town.

Maroochydore
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Buderim

Buderim is noteworthy for its spas, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Buderim Forest Park Nature Refuge and Foote Sanctuary of Buderim.

Buderim
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Twin Waters

Twin Waters is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Twin Waters Golf Club and Yaroomba Beach while in the area.

Twin Waters
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Mudjimba

Mudjimba is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Yaroomba Beach and Maroochy River Conservation Park.

Mudjimba


Mooloolaba Travel Guide