17 family fun ideas in Caloundra

Looking for the perfect spot for a family-friendly holiday with a host of activities the whole family will love? Caloundra is that perfect Southern belle of the Sunshine Coast you have been looking for.

When you holiday in Caloundra, the laid-back atmosphere and the playful sounds of your family enjoying the sunshine will echo in your memory forever. If you need some inspiration for your next family holiday, check out our hit list of must-dos for guaranteed for the whole family.

Bills Boat Hire at Golden Beach, Caloundra

Aquatic adventures

Caloundra’s calm waterways lend themselves perfectly to all kinds of aquatic exploration. You will see locals and visitors alike cruising the Pumicestone Passage, Currimundi Lake or Tooway Creek, on their SUPs and kayaks. BYO craft, or hire from Golden Beach Hire, Bill’s Boat Hire, Experientia Sunshine Coast, Kite Thrills or Ocean Adventure and chart your own course, or let the experienced guides take you on a tour. Caloundra’s waterways are teeming with marine life so set a relaxed pace and keep your peepers peeled for humpback whales (May to November), turtles, dolphins, dugongs and rays.

Kings Beach pool, Caloundra

Kings Beach tidal pool and saltwater fountain

With its festive year-round atmosphere, Kings Beach is the ideal location for setting up base for your Caloundra getaway. You won’t want to spend a second inside, with beaches, a tidal pool and saltwater fountain just waiting to be enjoyed. Your kids will love the child-friendly water fountain with its time-delayed surprise spurts of water. Hours will pass as you enjoy fun in the sunshine, before relaxing into the afternoon at the Kings Beach tidal pool.

Caloundra Street Fair

Caloundra street fair

Voted the best street fair on the Sunshine Coast, Caloundra street fair is a must visit on your family-friendly bucket list. Explore over 140 unique stalls, fresh local food, flowers and juices, tasty breakfasts, coffee, lunch and delicious sweet treats, there is something for everyone. There are also activities for kids, handcrafted locally made product and arts, as well as live entertainment and street theatre. After you have explored the markets, take time to discover the local cafes, boutiques and specialty shops down Bulcock Street.

Twilight Markets

Did you know, that the term ‘golden hour’ was actually created in reference to Caloundra? That’s what we hear anyway.. but how about you find out for yourself by heading to one of two Twilight Markets – each beautifully positioned to catch a magnificent Caloundra sunset. You will be hard-pressed finding two better locations for a night market.

Caloundra Twilight Markets:

Held on the last Friday of every month

Local musicians, street entertainment, unique artisan products and a wide range of delicious food options - all situated just metres from the crystal-clear waters of the Pumicestone Passage. Add in the breathtaking views of the Glasshouse Mountains as the sun sinks behind the skyline and you will be counting down the days before you return.

Currimundi Twilight Market:

Perched on your picnic blanket along the shores of the Currimundi Lake Twilight Markets, feels more like a family BBQ then being out in public. The only exception is that we can guarantee the food is better than your uncles burnt sausages. Oh, and the Sunshine Coast craft beer barons at Your Mates Brewing are there to perfectly compliment your surroundings. Dig in!

Caloundra Jet ski adventures

Caloundra Jet Ski

Caloundra Jet Ski Hire and Safaris is Queensland’s premier jet ski experience, aboard clean green fun machines. You can find this thrilling adventure in the Pumicestone Passage, offering fast paced tours of nature, wildlife and ancient volcanoes. The best part is – you get to do the driving! Pick and choose your favourite safari and get ready for an unforgettable adventure through the amazing marine eco-system, with the exciting opportunity of spotting local marine life.

Enjoying ice cream and a walk down Bulcock Beach in Caloundra

Caloundra Coastal Pathway

Take a stroll or cycle along the stunning Caloundra Coastal Pathway. Soak up the beauty of the region, keeping an eye out for birdlife and dolphins in the Pumicestone Passage. Check out the historical military jetty at one end of the journey at Golden Beach, used for operations during WWII, as well as the heritage listed Kings Beach Bathing Pavilion. Remember to bring your camera, you will be itching to snap family photos featuring stellar ocean views.

Cruising on the Pumicestone Passage

Caloundra cruise

Take to the water and discover the spectacular beauty of Caloundra’s marine eco-system on a Caloundra Cruise Tour. Hop aboard “Tern o’ the Tide” (pun intended) for a “SmoothWater Classic” tour “Eco Explorer Cruise”. You will experience the beautiful environment that surrounds Caloundra, an amazing abundance of bird and marine life before dropping anchor at the Lighthouse Beach to enjoy a scrumptious morning tea.

Ice Skating & Roller Skating

Yes, you read that correctly! Ice-skating in Caloundra is here. Live out your winter wonderland dreams between October and Late January as the Caloundra Rollerdrome, usually dedicated to roller-skating, transforms into the Sunshine Coast’s only ice-skating rink. Throughout the rest of the year, take a fun-fuelled step back in time and enjoy an afternoon of blading or skating. If you’ve never been – don’t fear there, equipment and lessons are for hire too.

Family breakfast in Caloundra

Family-friendly dining

Caloundra is bursting with groovy cafes, coffee shops and bars as well as delicious cafes and of course, family-friendly dining. Head along to the Sandbar Café & Kiosk and order the quintessential seaside meal, fish ‘n’ chips! Or, visit Mets on Kings The Caloundra Surf Club, which is perched on the edge of Caloundra’s beautiful coastline and enjoys some of the Sunshine Coasts most spectacular coastal scenery.

Caloundra Cinemas

You have had a busy day exploring the beaches and shops of Caloundra and now you just want to sit back and relax. OR, it’s wet out and you’re looking for something fun for you and the kids? Head to Bulcock Street’s Caloundra Cinemas and catch the latest releases at the iconic Strand venue.

Beach fishing. Credit: Kieran Tunbridge

Let’s go fishing

Caloundra is the perfect location to drop a line off the boardwalk at Bulcock Beach and see if you can catch some lunch. Sunshine Coast resident and “Fishing Australia” television host, Rob Paxevanos has put together some great tips on fishing with kids on the Sunshine Coast.

Family day at Kings Beach in Caloundra

Beach getaway

Relax on your choice of world class, pristine beaches in the Caloundra region. Choose from Kings Beach, Moffat Beach, Dicky Beach, Happy Valley, Golden Beach, Bulcock Beach and Shelly Beach. There are plenty of parks, community barbeques and kids’ playgrounds to keep the whole family entertained. Pack your cricket set, frisbee and football and spend a day in the sun, relaxing, family friendly atmosphere.

Mountain Biking

Go cycling

Caloundra has its own mountain bike trail, the Sugar Bag Road Trail, located in the Caloundra Town Reserve. There are a range of tracks for everyone from novices to experienced riders, featuring more than 12 km of rideable adventures. The course includes natural features of rocks, drops, and crevices, as well as bridges, jumps, seesaws, and ramps. You’ll find it exhilarating, challenging and an excellent work out. If you've not brought wheels with you, give Bike On a call and they'll deliver a suitable bike to your door. Bike On can deliver bikes if you haven’t brought one of your own.

Rock Climbing

For those families that are a little more adventurous, you can’t go past Adventure Empire and their great range of indoor rock climbing and bouldering walls. However, if you want to turn the adventure up another level – they even offer packaged programs which will get you out climbing and abseiling at near-by Mt Ngungun.

Spinners Bar and Bowl

Ready to battle it out with your family for bragging rights? After a day spent shopping along Bulcock Street it’s time to get serious at Spinners Bar and Bowl. Bowling is endless fun PLUS there is an arcade, pool tables and a bar the parents.

Queensland Air Museum

The Queensland Air Museum is the perfect local attraction for both aviation enthusiasts and families alike! Explore the widest collection of aviation history in Queensland and discover the incredible stories of each of the aircraft. The museum has no paid staff and is a great location for Sunshine Coast photo shoots or just a fun day out with the kids!

Aussie World

Attractions

Caloundra is a great base for exploring some major family friendly attractions on the Sunshine Coast. Head to Warana for a game of Laserzone or bounce around at the Big Boing Indoor Trampoline Park at Birtinya. Aussie World and Australia Zoo in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland are just a short drive away.

For some get-back-to-nature fun, enjoy the natural beauty of the coast at Point Cartwright Lookout, or take a short drive to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and discover ancient forests at Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve.