The sun-soaked city of Mooloolaba is 97 kilometres north of Brisbane on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Surrounded by turquoise waters, it’s commonly ranked as one of the best beach destinations in all of Australia, and has a metropolitan vibe with tall business and residential towers that dominate the central district. Surf shops, sculptures made by local artists, galleries, and upscale seafood restaurants with curated wine lists line the beachside esplanade where people go to hang out when they’re not sunbathing.

Top attractions include a theme park, botanical gardens filled with sculptures, a hedge maze, and the Point Cartwright Lighthouse. With beaches renowned for their velvety white sand and a beachside promenade rife with exquisite food, cafes, juice bars, and trendy boutique shops, Mooloolaba draws visitors with its blend of sun, water, city amenities, and just a touch of bohemian flair.

The largest airport near Mooloolaba is the Brisbane Airport (BNE), located 100 kilometres south of the coastal destination. Most travellers opt to rent a car or book a shuttle for the roughly 1.5 hour drive into town from the airport. The smaller regional Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) is much closer at just a 15-minute drive or about 45 minutes by bus. Mooloolaba is a very pedestrian-friendly city, and it’s easy to travel between the central beaches, shops, and restaurants in just a few minutes, but bike rentals are also available for easy cruising up and down the pristine coastlines. Taxis, ride-hailing services, and public buses are plentiful inside of the city and in the surrounding region.

The weather in Mooloolaba is warm and pleasant throughout the year, with only minor drops in temperature during the winter months. The region experiences its hottest temperatures between November and February, but higher winds and more precipitation help keep the heat index low. The Mooloolaba Beach Festival celebrates the end of summer in February with events like outdoor movie screenings and sunrise yoga on the beach. The winter months are cool and dry, drawing migrating humpback whales near the shores, and it’s an excellent time to book one of the area’s holiday rentals if you want to have the coastal trails to yourself.

Mooloolaba Boardwalk

The Mooloolaba Boardwalk is a pedestrian walkway along the beach that brings you past the best things that the town has to offer. Seafood restaurants, music venues, trendy bars, and boutique shopping are all within a stone's throw of the beach and promenade. You can walk directly down to the sand to take in the area’s striking sunsets.

Point Cartwright Loop

This 1.8-kilometre trail brings you through some of the most spectacular scenery on the Sunshine Coast Following the Mooloolah River as it flows into the sea, this hiking path concludes with a trip around the Point Cartwright Lighthouse and views that are well worth the trek — especially if you can make it for the sunset. Along the way, there are several opportunities to explore the brush and play in the water.

The Wharf

Fishing is still an important industry in Mooloolaba, and the specialty is shellfish. Head to the wharf for seafood restaurants with large outdoor dining areas where you can eat great spanner crab, lobster, and prawns. Sweet shops, a marina with boat rentals, fishing areas, and the patrolled Mooloolaba Beach round out this area.