Best Things to Do and Places to Visit in Caloundra

Caloundra used to be the Sunshine Coast’s quiet little sister. She’s no Noosa yet, but this southern (Sunshine Coast) belle is getting her groove on. You just have to know where to look.

1. Grab a Beachside Fish and Chips at the Sandbar Cafe & Kiosk

Snap up greasy takeaway beer-battered fish and chips (and maybe a crumbed garlic prawn or two) from the Sandbar’s kiosk, directly across from Bulcock Beach. Spread out on the tables under the giant pine trees across the road and drink in views across Pumicestone Passage to Bribie Island.

Sandbar Cafe & Kiosk, Caloundra QLD — Go for a meal in the cafe and get your fix of some of the freshest seafood in Caloundra.

If it’s a windy day, settle in at the licensed cafe for a slightly pricier but more refined dish such as the smoked Atlantic salmon and Hervey Bay scallop orecchiette pasta, served with pea puree. And maybe get a side of chilli salt and aioli hand-cut chips to treat yourself.

Address: 26 Esplanade, Bulcock Beach

2. Get your Adrenaline Fix with Caloundra Jet Ski

Ken Jeffreys takes the Bogan out of jet skiing with his tours along Pumicestone Passage. The Caloundra Jet Ski trips follow Bribie Island into Moreton Bay Marine Park where you’ll be floored by a rarely-seen aspect of the Glasshouse Mountains from your ‘ski.

It’s not just noisy splashing about either; Ken shares local legends and indigenous history with infectious enthusiasm. If you’re lucky, you may even spot dugongs and dolphins. No licence is required when you’re under the supervision of a qualified guide. If you have got a licence, then rent a jet ski, grab a map and get exploring.

3. Climb up to the top of the Caloundra Lighthouses

Caloundra Lighthouse QLD — Only $5 admission to walk up to the Caloundra Lighthouses (the oldest building in the town).

The best views of both Bribie Island and the Glasshouse Mountain is from the top of the Caloundra Lighthouses. One is the oldest building in the town and the area only costs you a fiver to get access to (when it’s open). Only opening every second and fourth Saturday of the month.

Both lighthouses are accessible to the public, with the newer having a more relaxed and lazy climb to it, and the 1896 building being a little more of a trek (and not for the faint-hearted). If you want a history lesson and a guided tour, it’ll cost you around $40 per person and it’s worth it.

Address: 8/10 Canberra Terrace, Kings Beach

4. Order a Coffee at Lamkin Lane Espresso Bar

Always drink where the locals do. In this case, that’s at funky espresso bar Lamkin Lane , which you’ll find on a cosy little laneway; a nice respite from the main drag, Bulcock Street.

There are single origins from Nicaragua, Brazil and beyond. The piccolo is recommended if that’s how you take it. The handful of outside tables and one communal one inside make for an intimate vibe.

There’s no big array of food options, but it’s all about the dark stuff; Lamkin Lane is in the mix for the best cup of coffee on the Sunshine Coast.

Address: 3 Lamkin Lane

5. It’s Smoothie Time at Coco Loco Club

Coco Loco Club Caloundra smoothie — Heat-beating treats with health credentials: Coco Loco Club, Caloundra.

If you had a hankering for a smoothie or fresh juice in the past here, it was best to traverse the few kilometres to Coco Loco Club, Moffat Beach. It’s all very Instagram-worthy: loud furniture, hanging plants, light and airy.

And a big bunch of bonus points go to these guys, grab one of their Coco Loco buckets, pick up some litter (like the good citizen you are) and hand it back in for a free cup of coffee.

The great taste generators here are the acai bowl (topped with granola, seasonal fruits, coconut flakes, chia seeds and honey) and The Fresh Prince (mango, kale, lime, ginger, mint and coconut water).

Address: 3 Roderick Street, Moffat Beach

6. Go Shopping for a Pressie at Villa Verde Living

Villa Verde drags a little bit of Noosa boutique shopping south. There are local and global selections of homewares, jewellery, knick-knacks and fashion with an overarching beach house aesthetic.
If you’re on holidays, you might ignore the cane furniture but there are plenty of things to spoil yourself with. Cute pair of Miz Mooz shoes anyone?

Address: Shop 1/10 Ormuz Avenue

7. Book a Room to Stay at the Rumba Beach Resort

Rumba Beach Resort Caloundra QLD — Relax by the pool at the Rumba Beach Resort in Caloundra.

There are a plethora of holiday lets in Caloundra but Rumba Beach Resort is the pick of the all-inclusive. Aim for a sea-facing one- or two-bedroom spa suite, which have long, flowing living spaces larger than you could ever need.

The low-key five-star resort is packed with the long-holiday essentials such as complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs (plural), iPod docks and Nespresso machines.

Overall it’s a compact family-friendly resort with a lot of pools to cool off in and an outdoor hot tub to do the opposite. It’s close to beach-front food options and off-street parking and bike hire are available.

Address: 10 Leeding Terrace

8. Clink Glasses over a Dinner at Amici Restaurant Pizzeria

This Caloundra locally-renowned Italian eatery, Amici Pizzeria is a treasure in the community. The drinks list is lengthy and the food tasty (an understatement), this is the perfect end to a Caloundra vacation. Order up a glass of La Vis Pinot Grigio, direct from Trentino in Italy and cheers.

The food menu has enough choices to last you a lifetime, so we recommend that you go along the motto ‘sharing is caring’ and try one of everything. Get a few gourmet pizzas, a couple of plates of pasta (might we suggest the linguine boscaiola?) and a plate of cured meats and marinated olives. Also, side note – they have an Oreo sundae and choc fudge caramel brownie on the dessert menu. Now that’s amore.

Address: 16 Bulcock Street

City buzz, gourmet trails, surf breaks and art scenes are all at your fingertips.

When it comes to planning a trip, picking a holiday destination is the easy part. The real dilemma is where to set yourself up for the night. Do you go coastal, city, or countryside? Somewhere remote and rugged, or right in the action? Luckily, the Sunshine Coast, and huge number of amazing Sunshine Coast day trips, have kindly made the choice for you.

Ditch the hotel-hopping and suitcase-lugging. Instead, base yourself at Novotel Sunshine Coast or Mantra Mooloolaba , where big-city culture, vine-covered valleys, and theme parks are all within a two-hour drive.

1. Sunshine Coast to Brisbane

Drive time: 1 hour 20 minutes (105km)

Shake off the sand from your sandals and swap the beach for the throb of the Queensland capital. Ease in gently with a bougainvillea-filled stroll through South Bank, iced latte in hand, before cooling off at Streets Beach lagoon – Brisbane’s answer to the coast (but without the waves).

Once firmly in big-city mode, hit up the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) , home to Australia’s largest collection of modern and contemporary artworks. Dive into the past at the Queensland Museum, where prehistoric fossils of Australian dinosaurs and megafauna collide with First Nations cultural collections and interactive science exhibits.

All this learning got you hungry? Howard Smith Wharves calls. Here, riverside dining delivers breweries with meat-forward menus, Japanese fine dining and overwater bars. If you’ve got room for more, Fortitude Valley’s shopping boutiques await you and your wallet.

woman walking around Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) — Wander the Gallery of Modern Art. (Image: TEQ)

2. Sunshine Coast to the Scenic Rim

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (170km)

Make your way inland to the Scenic Rim for the state’s best vineyards and age-old volcanic slopes. Start your day early (like, sparrow’s breakfast early) at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park . Here, take a treetop walk through the canopy and hand-feed the wild birds who flock here.

Next, it’s your turn to eat. Here, the food scene operates where locally sourced produce is an expectation, not an exception. Order a picnic basket crammed with regional wine and cheese to devour next to the creek at Canungra Valley Vineyards . Or perhaps a grazing platter of vegan and non-vegan cheeses at Witches Falls Winery .

Feeling bold? Tackle the Twin Falls circuit in Springbrook National Park. Or keep the gourmet life going with a Scenic Rim Brewery tasting paddle, best enjoyed while taking in the rise of the Great Dividing Range.

woman with cheese and wine at Witches Falls Winery — Enjoy a cheese platter at Witches Falls Winery. (Image: TEQ)

3. Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast

Drive time: 2 hours (180km)

Surf, sand and sparkling skylines might be the Gold Coast’s MO, but there’s more to Surfers Paradise and beyond. Kick things off with a beachfront coffee at Burleigh Heads, then hike through Burleigh Head National Park to look over the ocean and whale sightings (dependent on the season, of course).

Cool off in the calm waters of Tallebudgera Creek before chowing down on the famously buttery Moreton Bay bug rolls at Rick Shores . Travelling with the kids? Then you can’t miss Australia’s theme park capital, with Dreamworld ’s big rides and Warner Bros. Movie World ’s Hollywood treatment at hand to keep the family entertained.

aerial view of Tallebudgera Creek — Dive into Tallebudgera Creek. (Image: TEQ)

4. Sunshine Coast to Tweed Heads

Drive time: 2 hours 15 minutes (200km)

Dare to cross enemy lines? Then welcome to New South Wales. Tweed Heads blends the laid-back attitude of the Northern Rivers with high-quality dining, experimental art, and farm-fresh indulgence – a combo worth the drive.

Start strong with a long, lazy brunch at Tweed River House , then swing by Tropical Fruit World for exotic finds like red dragon fruit, handfuls of lychees and black sapote. Next, hit M|Arts Precinct – an art deco hub of micro galleries, artist workshops and one-off boutiques.

Round off the day with sunset drinks at Husk Distillers among the glowing cane fields, and order one with their famous Ink Gin. You’ll thank us later.

exterior of Husk Distillers — Taste the famous Ink Gin at Husk Distillers. (Image: Destination NSW)

5. Sunshine Coast Hinterland

Drive time: 1 hour (70km)

Strap on those hiking boots and make tracks inland, where volcanic peaks, misty rainforest and hinterland townships beckon. Ease in with the Glass House Mountains Lookout Walk, or, if you have energy to burn, tackle the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk for a 360-degree sight of the surrounding summits.

Next: Montville. This township delivers European-style architecture and old-world appeal. Nearby, settle in at Flame Hill Vineyard, where a large pour of estate-grown wine comes with encompassing views of the countryside.

Not ready to leave the hinterland villages just yet? Of course not. Meander past art galleries and indie shops at Maleny. Nab some fudge from Sweets on Maple for a sweet fix. Or go salty at Maleny Dairies with a farm tour and a chunky wedge of their deliciously creamy cheese.

End the day among the eucalypts and rainforests of Kondalilla National Park. Here, the Kondalilla Falls Circuit winds down through trees humming with life to a rock pool beneath a waterfall – as if designed for soaking tired feet before heading back to the coast.

view of Mount Ngungun on the scenic rim queensland — Take on the Mount Ngungun Summit Walk (Image: TEQ)

Start planning your Sunshine home base at all.com.