The Best Things To Do In Mooloolaba For A Coastal Break

Blending cultural awakenings with an idyllic backdrop, the best things to do in Mooloolaba offer so much more than your usual beach holiday.

The sweeping curvature and rolling waves of Mooloolaba Beach hypnotise me – but there’s so much more to life in this Sunshine Coast town than sitting on the sand. Over a week, I grow my understanding of, and appreciation for, the Kabi Kabi people’s extraordinary land, leaning into experiences beyond the tourist trail (though there’s always time for beachside cocktails, refined dining and retail therapy, if you ask me). Here, I break down the best things to do in Mooloolaba for a coastal escape unlike any other.

In short

If you only have time for one of the best things to do in Mooloolaba, make it a cruise along the Mooloolaba River with Saltwater Eco Cruises. The team offer me genuine cultural insight through the lens of Indigenous storytellers, all while I’m kicking back in style on a gorgeous sailboat.

1. Discover bush tucker at sea with Saltwater Eco Tours

Bush-Tucker by the River hosted by Saltwater Eco Tours — Enjoy bush tucker-inspired canapes with Saltwater Eco Tours. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

There are a bunch of cruise operators in Mooloolaba, but I’ve long heard glowing reports about Saltwater Eco Tours – and my experience lives up to expectations. Simon Thornalley and his partner Jenna are instantly endearing, gaining the trust of Indigenous elders and local storytellers to join forces and offer a unique experience filled with creation stories, geographical history and a delicious taste of bush tucker (cheers to Skye, their onboard chef whose bubbly passion for cooking and native ingredients is infectious).

The crew’s newest offering, launched in July 2025, takes guests (even those with access needs, incredibly) out on the Mooloolaba River for 90 minutes in canoes, and the company’s ever-popular Bushtucker Cruise runs for two hours while serving canapes incorporating native flavours, bubbles and beer, as cultural commentary and a didgeridoo performance entertain. Check the website for more of their fabulous options.

2. Embrace whale watching season with Tallo Billa

whales swimming underwater, Sunreef Mooloolaba — Swim with humpback whales. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Mooloolaba is rapidly growing as a whale watching destination, so I time my visit to winter in the hope of spying a breach or few. What really catches my breath, however, is Sunreef Mooloolaba’s Tallo Billa experience, a light and sound show on Mooloolaba River that harmonises recorded humpback whale song to spectacular projected imagery and an authentic Indigenous perspective. The unforgettable cruise also incorporates live didgeridoo performances and creation storytelling from Kabi Kabi artist and key Tallo Billa collaborator Lyndon Davis. The event, which launched in June 2025, is staged sporadically between June and October, so check the website for upcoming dates.

3. Fuel your creativity at Frida’s Mooloolaba

friends posing for a picture while holding their artwork at Frida’s Sip n’ Paint — Sip and paint with friends at Frida’s.

Switch out those sea legs for on-land interaction with a local artist. Frida’s Mooloolaba invites professional artists from across the region to lead guests through a step-by-step painting session to recreate a featured work. The cherry on top? Giggles are guaranteed as BYO beverages are encouraged. Nibbles are provided, as is the chance to improve your talents among likeminded creatives.

4. Sample local seafood on a fishing trawler at Prawn Star

a woman enjoying local seafood at Prawn Star, Mooloolaba — Get your fill of Mooloolaba prawns. (Image: Katie Purling/Tourism and Events Queensland)

In town to wrap your lips around Mooloolaba’s famed prawn? I found some of the town’s freshest goods on board one of Prawn Star ’s awesome fishing trawlers. Totally kitsch and all-out fun, the beloved Mooloolaba restaurant is charming from end to end, permanently moored to dial up the novelty as fresh crustaceans and other catches load tables. I dig into tiger and king prawns this time around but promise to return one day for other fine picks like salmon sashimi, crayfish, bugs, oysters and huge seafood platters that combine it all.

5. Sip on cocktails at a beachfront wine bar

a cocktail drink on the table at WAT Den — Sip cocktails next to the beach at WAT Den.

Break up intense exploration with chilled drinks over the water. Holiday vibes are cranked at WAT Den , a narrow hole-in-the-wall located along the Mooloolaba Esplanade that shakes up crafty concoctions utilising every shade of the hard stuff. There’s also Casita Wine Bar , a Pinterest-perfect Mediterranean-inspired hot spot complete with olive trees, white-on-white furnishings and delicious small plates.

6. Wander the Mooloolaba to Alexandra Headland coastal walk

the Alexandra Headland coastal walk, Mooloolaba — Slow down and soak up the sunshine at Alexandra Headland. (Image: Mark Fitz/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Stretch your legs while soaking up some of Mooloolaba’s most incredible coastal vistas. Starting at the Mooloolaba River’s northern break wall and rolling on to the dramatically beautiful Alexandra Headland, the coastal walk follows the boardwalk at Mooloolaba Beach before passing a sprawling playground and the suburb’s main dining precinct, before climbing over a hill to the Headland, which is a magnet for surfers. Bring your togs to swim along the way.

7. Hang ten with XL Surfing Academy

Brush up on your longboard skills with one of XL Surfing Academy ’s surf lessons. From absolute amateurs to occasional dabblers and the far more confident, every style of surfer is welcome. The team, led by former pro surfer Robbie Sherwell and his family, run introductory group lessons, school holiday sessions and private lessons with multiple sessions staged daily.

8. Explore canals with Mooloolaba Canal Cruise

Woman onboard a Mooloolaba Canal Cruise — Listen to your knowledgeable skipper while you take in the sights of the canal. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Wind your way through the town’s tranquil waterways on a Mooloolaba Canal Cruise which departs daily. The historical timber ferries have been transporting visitors for more than 30 years and each trip is guided by an experienced skipper who offers commentary on everything you’re soaring past. Choose from a range of journeys including one-hour expeditions and sunset cruises or charter a ferry if you’re game.

9. Find your ultimate water sport with Sunreef Mooloolaba

a boat whisking past the wharf, Sunreef Mooloolaba — Elevate your coastal adventure with Sunreef Mooloolaba. (Image: Krista Eppelstun/Tourism and Events Queensland)

There’s more to Sunreef Mooloolaba than its Tallo Billa experience. If you’re licensed to dive, hit the team up for a spot of scuba. Haven’t got your PADI certificate? There’s something here for everyone. Kayaks, jet skis, SUP boards, snorkelling gear – you name it, these guys are the coastal suburb’s go-to, always eager to show you the ropes.

10. Feast on the region’s famed flavours

Whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it at one of our favourite Mooloolaba restaurants. The Esplanade flows with superstars including the always-pumping Pavilion Mooloolaba which dishes up breakfast, lunch, dinner and late-night aperitifs, Bella Venezia , which blew me away with authentic Italian despite its touristy facade, and Fish House , which opened its doors in August 2025 inside the old Fish on Parkyn spot just outside the town’s buzzing centre.

11. Swim at the protected Mooloolaba Spit Beach

surfing at Mooloolaba Spit Beach — Cool off at the Spit. (Image: Liam Brennan/Tourism and Events Queensland)

You can jump in right along beautiful Mooloolaba Beach, but I think the best swimming is at Mooloolaba Spit Beach. Patrolled conditions and protection from southerly gusts make for tranquil cooling off, plus there’s outstanding fish and chips to be ordered from Fisheries on the Spit on Parkyn Pde, best enjoyed while overlooking the waves.

12. Get pampered at a Mooloolaba day spa

You won’t walk far along central Mooloolaba Esplanade before running into yet another zen-inducing day spa. From Thalassa Spa , offering all the usual treatments plus float therapy, and The Waterfall Day Spa inside Landmark Resort, to Salt Caves offering salt therapy inside a salt-laced halo chamber, there’s always something ultra-soothing to indulge in.

13. Grab a classic pub feed at The Surf Club Mooloolaba

fish and chips at The Surf Club Mooloolaba — Snack on fish and chips by the water. (Image: Mark Fitz/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Blessed with prime real estate, The Surf Club Mooloolaba is a non-negotiable dining experience during every visit into town. Look past the beach views to peruse a menu of chicken parma and schnitzel, burgers, burritos and fish and chips, plus there’s a surprisingly fresh selection of fresh seafood (it’s a surf club so they’re obviously not renowned for fine dining, but their supplies seriously impress) and grilled meats. Grab a spot on the outdoor deck for pure holiday bliss.

14. Visit historical Point Cartwright Lighthouse

the Point Cartwright Reserve and lighthouse pictured from above — Point Cartwright Reserve overlooks the Mooloolaba River and the coast. (Image: Reuben Nutt/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Charge your camera battery because Point Cartwright Lighthouse , and the views it boasts, offers open-air enthrallment. Located right at the mouth of the Mooloolaba River, the 1897 landmark towers at 32.4 metres, however it’s the blue-on-blue out yonder that’ll really catch your eye. Spy the expansive river as well as the coastline and Mooloolaba Spit from this incredible spot I always struggle to leave.

15. Take a picnic to Alex Bluff Foreshore Park

Soak up your surroundings with a picnic or barbecue at Alex Bluff Foreshore Park . BYO supplies to spread across a sheltered picnic table or get your cook on at public barbecue facilities while stickybeaking historical landmarks including the HMAS Brisbane Memorial, the Korean War Memorial and the Australian War Dog Memorial. It’s a one-kilometre stretch that’s made for slow-paced downtime.

16. Go shopping at The Wharf Mooloolaba

Commemorate your visit by picking up something chic from The Wharf Mooloolaba . Home to an excellent edit of stores filled with clothing, homewares, jewellery, artworks and more, the delightful shopping mecca is located a little away from Mooloolaba Esplanade so it’s a nice change of scenery from the chaos.

17. Tour land and sea with Aquaduck Sunshine Coast

the Aquaduck Sunshine Coast hybrid vehicle touring the sea in Mooloolaba — Explore Mooloolaba aboard the amphibious Aquaduck. (Image: Krista Eppelstun/Tourism and Events Queensland)

Is it a boat? Is it a plane? Is it legal? Find answers to every burning question on board Aquaduck Sunshine Coast , the notorious hybrid vehicle also spotted on the streets of the Gold Coast. The flashy automotive tackles a street tour (hence the wheels) before embarking on a river cruise (hence the boat) to present a truly unique thing to do in Mooloolaba.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

18 things to do in Mooloolaba for a cultured beach break