Beaches on the Sunshine Coast
Noosa Heads is best left to the surfers and walkers. There are many points and bays along the National Park tracks that look inviting but are unpatrolled, and currents can be quite dangerous. Main Beach is a safe patrolled beach, popular with visitors, with a swell rarely exceeding one metre over a clean sandy beach. The further you get towards the point, the larger and stronger the swell, so novice surfers should stick to First Point or Johnsons.
Rock fishing along the rock walls is good all year with good catches of bream, trevally and reef fish, but, as always, can be dangerous. Great care should be taken here, especially on the ocean edge of the point.
The walking track through the National Park along the bays to Alexandria Bay is 3km long and very safe, with a only a few hilly sections, and the spectacular views of the headland and the coastline make it well worthwhile.
Toilets, showers and public phones are available at the National Park car park.
Alexandria Beach is not patrolled and swimming there is not recommended. Because of its out of the way location, the area is popular with scantily clad bathers and has been known as a nudist beach for many years.
The steady swell is magnified by the shape of the bay and only experienced surfers should attempt these breaks.
Most fishermen are put off by the hike, preferring to fish more convenient locations nearer to the road. Very large fish may be caught offshore but anglers need to be mindful of the large freak waves known to the area.
Sunshine Beach's glassy waters are ideal for a refreshing dip, but beware of the strong rips that frequent the beach. Local surf patrols will locate the safest spots, so be sure to swim between the red and yellow flags.
A popular spot for surfing, Sunshine Beach seems to pick up every inch of swell. The rocky headland provides protection from north winds and the clear breaks often produce the best waves on the entire Sunshine Coast. Anglers fish the beach for bream, dart and flathead, but be mindful of freak waves if you're fishing from the rocks.
Walkers can trek through from North Sunshine, through Alexandria Bay to Noosa, but the track is sandy and can be very hard going. (Keep your eyes peeled - you may be rewarded by the sight of a local koala snoozing in the eucalyptus). Remember to take lots of water and food, as there is no water until you reach Noosa on the far side of the National Park.
Showers, toilets, covered picnic areas and barbecues are available.
The secluded swell is a surfer's dream and good catches of dart, bream and flathead can be taken from the gutters.
Walkers can enjoy a peaceful walk along the hard sand at low tide.
Toilets and showers are available at different access points along the beach.
Peregian Surf Club patrols the area and the safest spot for a swim will be between the red and yellow flags.
For surfers, the swell at Peregian is decent, but only experienced surfers should attempt the breaks near Pitta Street.
Anglers can wet a line for good catches of dart, tailor, bream, flathead and jewfish from the gutters, especially if the wind is a light westerly.
Peregian Beach Environmental Park allows limited access points so you will not have to share the beach with too many others.
A skateboard bowl located just behind the Board Riders Club shed is popular with young people.
Tickle Park boasts toilets and showers, covered barbecue and picnic areas, and a children's playground.
Surfers enjoy good waves near the headland but the quality is usually better at other point breaks.
Fishing is best in the late evening for bream, dart and tailor, but the beach is often too crowded during summer. For a good catch of jewfish, wet a line off Point Arkwright.
Take a nice walk to the south over Point Perry or along the shops on the Esplanade.
Surfing can be unpredictable, with short powerful waves, and the rocky ocean bottom can be dangerous.
In winter, fish around the rocks for large jewfish with gang hooks baited with pilchards. Bream, flathead and dart can be taken from the beach all year.
Take the dirt track, visiting the lookouts on the way to the top of Point Arkwright. The spectacular views of the coast provide the perfect photo opportunity.
Nearby Felix Park features toilets, showers, and covered barbecue and picnic areas.
The secluded banks, enhanced with a light wind, are popular with surfers.
Fish the gutters for flathead, bream and dart in the evening, especially in the cooler months.
Take a peaceful walk during low tide on the hard sand close to the water.
Mudjimba Island is located 1km off the mainland, and is accessible only by sea.
Very experienced surfers will find a heavy break over sharp rocks and massive barnacles, but should get advice from a local before attempting these breaks.
To fish the island, you will need a strong ocean-going vessel. Accessing the island from Mooloolaba River is the safest option. Good quality tuna, tailor and mackerel can be caught around the island and on the ocean side of the island; close to the rocks is an ideal spot for reef fish.
Power Memorial Park at Mudjimba Beach offers toilets, showers, playgrounds and covered picnic and barbecue areas.
Secluded banks are ideal for a surf and anglers will catch dart, bream and flathead during summer and good catches of tailor in the evening over winter.
Take a peaceful walk during low tide on the hard sand close to the water.
Very experienced surfers may catch some good waves but conditions are usually too unpredictable.
Quality catches of bream, tailor and dart can be had all year round, especially in the winter months.
Take the track south from the carpark to the Maroochydore River, find yourself a perfect hole and relax. The most attractive feature of North Shore Beach is the rolling sand dunes, although the soft sand on the north track can make walking hard work. A cement walkway winds from North Shore to Mudjimba Beach.
A popular beach for visitors, Maroochydore beach is adjacent to the bustling town centre.
Good quality beach breaks for surfers and good gutters for the anglers make this a popular choice for many.
Stroll along the concrete walkway from the beach, along Maroochydore River and Cotton Tree Park, to the city centre, passing covered picnic facilities, barbecues and playgrounds.
On Sundays, check out the art and craft markets at the corner of Fisherman's Road and David Low Way.
Just north of Maroochydore, Pincushion Island offers excellent fishing and spectacular views of the Maroochydore River. Seasoned anglers will find the strong tides and large waves a challenge, but a reward of large bream may be worth the loss of some tackle.
Swimming and surfing here is not recommended due to the strong tidal flows from the mouth of the river.
Known as 'the bluff' by locals, Alexandra Headland offers great swell for board riders.
Fishing is good in the evening or during winter for flathead, dart, tailor and bream.
Take a walk over the headland towards Mooloolaba to enjoy the great views of the coast. You can walk around the headland at low tide, but take care on the rocks.
The park at Alexandra Headland features toilets, showers, a skateboard bowl, children's playground, barbecue and picnic benches. Shops and cafes are a short stroll away.
Mooloolaba Beach is a very safe, patrolled beach featuring a small swell that rarely exceeds head height. Nearby to accommodation, cafes and shopping, it is very popular with visitors.
Surfers can catch a wave from north of the beach near the rocks, but care must be taken to heed warnings from the lifeguards, and to keep an eye out for swimmers.
Fishing from the beach during the day is not recommended, but the rock wall can offer nice catches of bream. Taking a boat into the bay, you will be rewarded with good catches of mackerel, tailor and bream.
Walk north over Alexandra Headland for spectacular views of the bay, or head south and explore the river mouth and rock wall. The Esplanade offers a number of cafes and restaurants offering great views.
Showers and toilets are available and Mooloolaba boasts exercise areas, a children's playground, barbecues and picnic benches.
The Mooloolaba Spit is at the southern end of the bay and offers a very safe patrolled swimming beach, sheltered from sea swells by the rock wall. It's an ideal spot for families with young children, as the small swell is usually around waist height.
South of the Spit, the Mooloolah River offers protected ocean access to boaties.
Only experienced surfers should attempt 'Carties', which is unsuitable for swimmers.
Good catches of a wide variety of fish can be made using pilchards on gang hooks, with the cooler months bringing more success as fish follow the schools of mullet. There are loads of snags so try a float or light sinker to minimise loss.
Take a short walk up to the lighthouse at Point Cartwright Reserve or head down the hill to discover a secluded beach.
Showers and toilets are available.
The safe, patrolled Buddina Beach is popular with visitors.
Obey the lifeguards' instructions and heed their warnings, especially during large tides.
Surfers will enjoy the strong swells picked up on this east-facing beach.
Fish for tailor in the gutters in the late afternoon during the cooler months.
Take a peaceful walk during low tide on the hard sand close to the water.
Kawana Beach is not patrolled, other than during regular roving patrols by Kawana Surf Life Saving Club, and swimming here is not recommended.
Surfers will catch a short ride off the point, but the area is quite popular and can attract crowds. Only experienced riders should tackle the swell once the winds push it over 1.5 metres.
Some luck can be had fishing from the rocks, but be mindful of freak waves and take care to avoid falls.
The area is quite attractive with shady pandanus palms, and rock pools to explore at low tide - well worth the long flight of stairs to the beach.
Relax and watch the gliders soar silently through the air after launching from the headland.
Toilets and showers are available, and the beach can be accessed by wheelchair.
Take care to swim in the patrolled section - between the red and yellow flags - near the Kawana Surf Life Saving Club.
The secluded banks are a surfer's dream.
Anglers can catch good hauls of flathead, bream and dart during summer and fish the gutters in winter for tailor.
Showers and toilets are available at a number of beach access points.
Surfers will usually find a good bank near the mouth of the lake, but take care to avoid strong currents when the tide is changing.
Good fishing can be had all year round - try in the early morning and early evening to avoid the crowds.
Walkers can enjoy a stroll along the river's edge, or head through the nearby park.
Toilets and showers are available and the park has barbecue and picnic facilities. Shops and a cafe are nearby.
A good clean wave can be found straight off the beach for body boarders, but experienced surfers prefer to take the 20 minute paddle out to the Caloundra Reef and surf the heavy waves of the open waters.
Anglers will have mixed results.
Walkers can take a short stroll through the park to the beach and explore the wreck of the 'Dicky', just north of the swimming area.
The nearby skateboard bowl attracts lots of youngsters and the park offers toilets, showers, barbecues, covered picnic areas and a shaded children's playground. Shops and a cafe are located nearby.
Moffat Beach is an unpatrolled beach and swimming here is not recommended.
Tooway Lake is a good spot to cool off if the lake is open to the sea and the water quality is suitable.
Longboard riders enjoy the heavy waves on a south-east swell, and experienced surfers prefer to paddle out to the Caloundra Reef and surf the open waters.
Anglers will have mixed results.
Walkers can stroll north around the rocks to Shelly Beach or south to the wreck on Dicky Beach.
The park offers toilets and children's playgrounds, with a cafe and shops nearby.
Fishermen will find that winter southerlies and a low swell combine to provide good catches, especially at sunrise and sunset.
Explore the rocky outcrops to the north at low tide and enjoy a barbecue under the shelter of the Norfolk Pines. Toilet facilities are available.
Closer to the point, conditions are ideal for snorkellers looking to explore the local marine life. Care must be taken when accessing this area as the rocks can be tricky to negotiate.
Surfers require a large north-east swell and northerly winds to create any decent waves.
The beach is usually too popular for anglers, but try throwing a line in off the rocks in the evening.
Toilets and showers are available at different access points to the beach. The access from Leyuka Avenue boasts a children's playground and general store near the Metropolitan Surf Life Saving Club.
Walkers should head north up the hill to experience great views of the coastline.
Bulcock Beach offers good patrolled swimming, but care should be taken on strong tides.
The protected area near the entrance to the Pumicestone Passage has no surf to speak of, but fishing from the boardwalk is popular.
Nearby boat ramps offer access to the Passage but only very experienced boaties should attempt to cross the Caloundra Bar.
Walkers will enjoy the easy stroll along the boardwalk and children will delight in the Happy Valley playground. Try the fantastic fish'n'chip shop across from the beach.
Toilets and showers are available.
Nearby Bulcock Beach is suitable for swimmers and surfers would be well advised to head north towards the points. The protected waters are popular with windsurfers.
Fishing can be rewarding, with good catches of whiting and flathead available from the sandy banks.
Numerous parks are situated along Golden Beach, featuring toilets, showers, boat ramps, picnic areas, barbecues and playgrounds.
Energetic walkers can take advantage of the cement path that runs the full length of the beach. The park runs through several parks and to walk the entire length will take around 2 hours.
