17 Must-do things in Mooloolaba: Fun Ways to Explore the Coast!

If you’re planning your first trip to the Sunshine Coast, you could be searching for the Best things to do in Mooloolaba (including Maroochydore). With its swimming beaches, esplanade trails, and mix of nature, knowing where to start can feel overwhelming.

Problems arise when figuring out how to prioritise your time. Should you focus on the beach, book a whale-watching tour, visit SEA LIFE, or explore nearby coastal walks? With so many options packed into a small area, it’s easy to either over plan.

As a 25 year local to Brisbane and helped other first-timers plan their trips, this guide is designed to make things simple. I’ll share the must-do activities, local favourites, and practical tips so you can confidently enjoy the best of Mooloolaba, without feeling rushed or unsure.

This post may contain affiliate links that at no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission. Please read my disclaimer, T&C’s & privacy policy here.

Is Mooloolaba Worth Visiting?

Mooloolaba is worth staying at, as a central base for a brilliant Sunshine Coast vacation. It’s situated around the middle of the coastal region with phenomenal beaches, foodie hotspots and unique attractions to keep everyone entertained.

Note: Alternative, popular locations to stay on the Sunshine Coast include Caloundra, Noosa Heads.

➡  Find Mooloolaba accommodation HERE with Booking.com

But, if you need help locating everything, please use this specially pinned map to apply directions from where you’re staying.

Best things to do in Mooloolaba & Maroochydore

1. Mooloolaba Beach

The actual beach at Mooloolaba would have to be one of my favourites on the Sunshine Coast and very safe for swimming. Curving the coast with a stunning stretch of golden sand, with enticing waters allowing everyone to relax or participate in the many activities.

Sunbath your holidays away, laze on the beach, jump in for a swim, or try your hand at Surfing or body boarding. On the calmer days, it could be a nice spot to paddleboard or hire yourself a kayak to explore the waters.

Lifeguards patrol the beach, and accommodations line the Esplanade, making it an ideal spot to base yourself at. It’s also more spread out and often less crowded when compared to the Gold Coast Beaches.

2. Visit the Rockwall

There are many ways you can enjoy the Rock Wall on the southern end of Mooloolaba Beach. This includes using it as part of the esplanade walk, watching the birds dive for fish to eat, seeing the boats enter and exit the marina or a chance to spot wildlife.

Additionally, If you have the snorkel gear, you can even jump in from the rocks and find plenty of underwater life.

Honestly, while I don’t think it’s a prime spot for snorkelling, you will find a few cool things down there. Just swim on the beach side and not where the boats are coming in and out of the Marina.

3. The Wharf

The Wharf area in Mooloolaba is a central spot for entertainment and dining, offering a riverside atmosphere for visitors. For those foodies out there, you could stop into “See Restaurant” for that delectable underwater meal, with the views to match.

Otherwise, for a more relaxed dining experience, I’ve been to the Savvy Squire a few times for lunch. It has local pub meals and known for its craft beers.

Apart from that, you have a bakery, Coffee Shops, a Lolly store and a few other cafes. But more so, it’s a meeting place for local tours like the canal cruises and Whale watching, with the Sealife Aquarium right next door.

Which conveniently, allows all to use the same parking space.

Do you need help planning your trip to Queensland? Book a one-on-one consultation call with me, to get your questions answered & personalised help!

4. Canal Cruise

First up with the Guided tours, you can purchase tickets for the Sunset Cruise leaving from the Wharf.

➡  Book Canal Cruise HERE with GYG

This is a short hour-long tour where you cruise along the Mooloolah River with informational commentary. This includes being able to relax with a few alcoholic, or non-alcoholic drinks for a small charge.

It’s suitable for almost everyone and a lovely way to end the day chilling, before heading out for dinner.

5. Whale Watching

While we’re still at the Wharf, the Whale watching tours are hugely popular in season from June to October.

➡  Book Whale Watching HERE with GYG

This vessel will head out into the open water a couple of times a day to see the Whale breaching in the distance.

On the downside, the boats that leave from the Wharf can get really crowded and even worse with people pushing through to get a clear view. So, if this isn’t your thing, know there are alternatives from Noosa with smaller tours.

6. Aqua Duck

The Aquaduck tours are very family-friendly and always a big hit with the Kids. The vehicle drives on Land and Water with friendly local commentary. The kids even get a chance to drive it when they’re cruising along in the water.

➡  Tickets to Aquaduck rides HERE with GYG

Tours leave every hour or two from outside the Sealife Aquarium and tickets can be booked online. Plus, they are a great alternative to the Sunset cruise mentioned before.

TIP: Since the Aquaduck and Cruises drive through the same Mooloolah River, I would only book one of them.

7. Sealife Aquarium

The last activity near the Wharf area is the Sealife Aquarium and tickets can be purchased online or at the door when you enter. Although, numbers are limited during busy times, so, I would always pre-purchase to avoid disappointment.

➡  Find ticket to Sealife HERE with GYG

If you want to learn more about aquatic life, see an amazing seal show, or walk through a tunnel with sharks and rays swimming by – this is the place to be.

Not only that, but the penguins are also really cute, and I was completely mesmerised by the Jellyfish.

I would allocate a couple of hours to walk through and recommend planning out your time around the shows before you get there.

8. Esplanade eateries

While you can find places to eat all over Mooloolaba, the Esplanade has the beach across the road, and plus, you’re spoilt for choice.

The vibrant atmosphere and diverse menus make the Esplanade a perfect place to enjoy a meal after a day of exploring.

Start at the local Mooloolaba Surf Club for the pub meals overlooking the beach and move your way down to Augello’s for pizza and pasta.

Whether you crave Asian fusion, classic seafood dishes, or authentic Italian cuisine, I’m sure your taste buds will find something to enjoy.

9. Loo with a view

While you’re still traipsing around the Mooloolaba Esplanade, the Loo with a View is a unique public restroom with a stunning outlook of the sparkling ocean.

It’s not just functional, it serves as a quirky landmark that visitors love to photograph.

After finding out about this spot, I was really expecting to walk inside the bathroom for the view. But essentially, the bathrooms are underneath with a nice, shaded view on top of it.

10. Coastal Walk

The entire coastal walk is 73 kilometres, but you can use a section of it running from Mooloolaba, past Alexandra Headlands and up to Maroochydore.

Whether it’s a short morning walk, a longer bike ride, or you can even hire scooters around the Maroochydore area.

It aims to preserve the coastal environment while providing everyone with a magnificent route to enjoy the area’s landscapes.

Absorb the sun’s rays, get some exercise, and I find it really helps you explore the different areas of the Sunshine Coast. And don’t miss the amazing views from the top of the headland at Alex Heads.

11. Explore the Rock Pools.

The rockpools are located on the northern end of Mooloolaba to Alexandra Headlands. At high tide, you might not be able to see them, but Low tide brings a delightful encounter with marine life, especially for the kids.

You can search for starfish, crabs, and various shellfish, but I would ensure you wear sturdy, waterproof shoes to walk around. Plus, for an educational twist, you could make a game out of identifying the different creatures.

12. HMAS Brisbane Diving

Do I have any divers out there? The HMAS Brisbane was a former Royal Australian Navy vessel, and it was sunk as a dive wreck off the coast of Mooloolaba in 2005.

This site has since become a haven for divers, and Matt and I have ventured below a few times for our Dive training or exploring the different areas of the ship.

However, if you can’t dive, there is a lookout point at the Alex Bluff Foreshore Park. While you can’t actually see the wreck in the water, you can read up on the wreck from the informational boards and take in the views.

13. Point Cartwright Lighthouse

Historic sites are just one of the reasons why the Sunshine Coast is worth checking out. The Lighthouse at Point Cartwright was built in 1978 and stands as a beacon of maritime history. Its surrounding area contains short hiking trails or joins with longer ones along the coast.

Overall, it’s a higher point over the headland, which offers stunning views over the beach and the Pacific Ocean. However, on the downside, the car parking is horrible here, and you might need to walk a fair distance along the boardwalk to get there.

An impressive water tower only adds to the charm, artistically designed with murals depicting local marine life.

14. Maroochydore Beach

With only 10 minutes between them, anyone exploring Mooloolaba will find it convenient to visit Maroochydore Beach as well. To be honest, I’ve always found the convenient beachside Accommodation here a little more affordable here and a little less crowded than in Mooloolaba.

The serene feel for an early morning walk or just sitting on the beach watching the sunrise.

Otherwise, depending on your hotel, you can see the gorgeous colours emerge right from your hotel room. And, this is exactually what we experienced from our stay at the Beachfront Towers accommodation.

There are still plenty of food choices around here from the local Surf Clubs, fast food takeaways, to local cafes. But, they are spread out more compared to other suburbs.   

15. Buderim Falls

Most people would actually road trip for the day into the Sunshine Coast hinterland to see a waterfall.

However, the Buderim or Serenity Falls are located 15 minutes from the coastal areas and have two different entrances on Quorn Close or Harry’s Lane.

While I don’t think it’s the most impressive waterfall, it’s a lovely walk through the forest and amazing for slow shutter photography.

You could also try your luck at swimming, but it’s very shallow and fed by the surrounding stormwater.

16. The Big Pineapple

The Big Pineapple is an iconic tourist attraction located in Woombye, about 20 minutes from Mooloolaba. It originally opened in 1971, and quickly became a symbol of the region’s rich agricultural history, particularly its pineapple farming.

As it only just opened again in 2024, I’m still waiting for the pineapples to be planted. But you can still get your Instagram-worthy selfie with the giant structure or take a ride on the pineapple train to see the other fruit trees on the plantation.

17. HQ Wildlife Zoo

Right next door to the Big Pineapple is the HQ Wildlife Zoo. In fact, the pineapple train will actually drop you off here. It’s one of the smallest zoos in the area, but I was impressed with its variety of international and Australian species.

You could spend a couple of hours wandering around at the different exhibits with kangaroos, Monkeys, Lemurs, Meerkats, and lizards. But, I would read up on the personalised animal encounters before you get there.

More importantly, the entrance fee into the HQ Zoo is a little more reasonable than somewhere like Australia Zoo. Plus, its serviced with public Bus transport, if you don’t have a car.

For the First time visitors, please click here for a detailed video on How to use the Sunshine Coast Public Transport.

Where to Stay?

Staying in Mooloolaba or Maroochydore is an excellent choice for first-time visitors to the Sunshine Coast, thanks to their central location and easy access to both the coastline and the hinterland.

➡  Find Mooloolaba accommodation HERE with Booking.com

On my most recent visit, I stayed at Beachfront Towers, and the location alone made it a standout. Waking up to ocean views and having the beach directly across the road is hard to beat, especially if you enjoy morning walks, swimming, or watching the sunrise.

That said, you really can’t go wrong with any accommodation offering beachfront or ocean-view rooms in Mooloolaba or Maroochydore, as they put you right in the heart of the action.

Being positioned in the middle of the region makes day trips north to Noosa or south to Caloundra simple, while also allowing you to duck inland to places like Montville, Maleny, and Kondalilla Falls without long travel times.

How to Get to the Sunshine Coast?

The Sunshine Coast is easily accessible via direct domestic flights to Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) in Marcoola, just a 15-minute drive from Mooloolaba. Major airlines like Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia offer daily flights from Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide.

Alternatively, International or Domestic travelers can fly into Brisbane Airport (BNE), and connect to the Coast via public transport. This includes taking the AirTrain, then a 2h5m train to Nambour, followed by a bus to Mooloolaba or Maroochydore.

Currently, Public transport has affordable (50¢ fares) with contactless payments, but this is NOT the same for the Airtrain. Otherwise you can skip the Airtrain and use my hack for the budget conscious travellers.

Do you need a car to get around?

While exploring Mooloolaba itself, public transport could suffice. However, having a vehicle is beneficial for venturing further afield and accessing the hinterland hiking trails and waterfalls.

I also find it gives you more freedom and allows you to see more attractions.

➡Find your favourite brand & compare prices for your Rental Car HERE

For flexibility, car rentals are available at both airports, which can help for self-drive tours around the Coast. Driving from Brisbane takes about 1.5 hour by car, via the M1 motorway.

Taxis and scooters are also available for shorter trips.

Wrap Up!

In the end, Mooloolaba and Maroochydore are just one small part of the greater Sunshine Coast region. Therefore, if you have a car to drive around or want to expand your reach, then there are plenty more activities on the Sunshine Coast or located in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland.

So you if you like, please click here for all my other Sunshine Coast Blog Posts to help with your research and planning.