Naturally beautiful, endlessly fun, and oozing personality and year-round good vibes, it’s hard not to fall head over heels in love with Mooloolaba.
This buzzing coastal town is ideal for that multi-gen vaycay as it appeals to both kids and adults alike – think kid-friendly beaches, cafes, restaurants and epic attractions.
To make sure your Mooloolaba family holiday is your most memorable trip yet, we’ve put together the ultimate two-day guide that will keep you entertained from morning to night.
Day 1
AM
Rise and shine!
Start your Mooloolaba getaway by catching the first glorious rays of sun from the sandy shores of Mooloolaba Main Beach.
This scenic spot is a firm favourite with locals and visitors alike as it’s patrolled year-round and its sheltered, north-facing position makes it a protected spot for your saltwater fix with the tribe in tow.
Post swim, live like a local and get your caffeine fix and tuck into breakfast at The Surf Club Mooloolaba.
With full bellies, it’s time head over to the revamped Mooloolaba Wharf Precinct to hit up SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, a much-loved aquarium and home to thousands of marine and freshwater animals.
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, Mooloolaba
The kids will be in their element with the interactive touch pool display, Little Blue Penguins zone and 80m-long Ocean Tunnel where you can walk beneath sharks, rays and reef fish.
Lunch
Come lunchtime you’ll have worked up an appetite and they’ll be something for the whole family to love at the waterfront modern Asian street food institution Rice Boi, located at The Wharf – next door to SEA LIFE – here the parents can kick back with a cheeky cocktail while you dig into dumplings, curries and soak up the Izakaya-feel vibes.
If you can squeeze it in, make sure to swing by after lunch to Kenilworth Coastal Bakery – the seaside outpost of the Sunshine Coast icon Kenilworth Country Bakery - for some takeaway donuts.
When on holidays, right?
After a little rest, it’s time to work off lunch and breathe in the glorious salt air on foot or bike.
Walk or hire a bike from ecoTekk Sunshine Coast and head north along the coastal pathway towards Alexandra Headland, stopping to enjoy the new playground at Mooloolaba’s northern parklands.
PM
Get your retail fix at the boutiques and shops along Mooloolaba’s beachfront esplanade before heading down to The Spit for the afternoon.
Mooloolaba Spit
Grab some takeaway fish and chips from one of the many fish and chipperies you’ll find here – such as Mooloolah River Fisheries - and enjoy a picnic on the beach for dinner while watching the sun go down. Bliss.
After a busy day exploring and eating until your heart’s content, listen to the calming sounds of rolling waves and you drift off to sleep at Mantra Mooloolaba Beach Resort, located right on the Esplanade.
Day 2
AM
Kickstart your second glorious day in Mooloolaba with a smooth, strong brew and a bite at The Velo Project, a cool neighbourhood café set in a converted garage with a focus on local produce.
Post-breakfast, make the most of the sunshine and head out on the water for a whale watching tour – run seasonally between June and November - with Sunreef Mooloolaba or Sunshine Coast Afloat.
Watching these magnificent creatures do their thing in the wild never gets old and these tours are some of the best Australia has to offer.
In the off season, get your adrenaline pumping and breath in the salt spray out on the water with Adventure Rafting’s thrilling Action Ride.
Adventure Rafting & Coastal Express heading out into the ocean from the Mooloolaba Spit
If the kids are over 10, they can join you for the ride of your life aboard this custom-built boat as you explore Mooloolaba and Mudjimba with expert skippers – just hold on!
Lunch
Head back to shore for a long lunch at Pavilion Mooloolaba, a buzzing waterfront hot spot with Mediterranean-style interiors and modern sharing-style menu.
Shopping along Mooloolaba esplanade
Afterwards tap into your inner child – go on, the kids will love you for it! – and jump on board the Aquaduck for a cruise along the esplanade and Moolah River canals and waterways.
Aquaduck Sunshine Coast cruising through the Mooloolah River
With some entertaining commentary – and the chance for the kids to steer the boat – it’s the perfect way to spend the afternoon.
PM
Book in for dinner at landmark Italian dining spot: Augellos.
Located right on the esplanade, it’s the perfect spot for people watching and sensational pizza.
For a sweet end to the eve, tuck into some dessert from American diner-style venue Ninth Street at The Wharf Mooloolaba or Artigiano Gelato on the Esplanade, before returning to your hotel with full bellies and happy hearts.
Accommodation around Mooloolalaba and Maroochydore
Accommodation
Coco Mooloolaba
Located in the heart of Mooloolaba, Coco Mooloolaba offers self-contained accommodation only a short
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Seaview Resort Mooloolaba
Seaview Resort is ocean fronting apartments. Centrally located on the Sunshine Coast, the 12-store
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Newport Mooloolaba
Mooloolaba offers a sunny, seaside charm and it has retained a laidback, casual and inviting atmosph
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
BreakFree Alexandra Beach
For Sunshine Coast accommodation, that s perfect for the whole family, you simply can t go past Brea
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Osprey Apartments
Perched on a hill overlooking the ocean, Osprey Apartments Mooloolaba offers spacious, stylish apart
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Mantra Zanzibar
Located opposite the beach, Mantra Zanzibar offers a stylish East African inspired resort and stunni
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Oaks Sunshine Coast Seaforth Resort
Ideally located, Oaks Sunshine Coast Seaforth Resort is just a short stroll from a patrolled surf be
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Landmark Resort
Landmark Resort is located directly opposite Mooloolaba's beautiful beachfront and is comprised of 1
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Mantra Sirocco
Situated on the Esplanade in the heart of Mooloolaba, Mantra Sirocco is perfectly positioned to make
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
With One, Two and Three Bedroom Apartments, Mantra Mooloolaba Beach is bound to be the perfect accom
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Highwater Haven
Highwater Haven is the perfect beach getaway for your family and furry friend in Alexandra Headland.
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Mandolin Beachfront Resort
The iconic Mandolin Beachfront Resort, located in the heart of Alexandra Headland, so close to all t
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Lux Beachfront Apartment at Beach Life
This stylishly decorated self-contained apartment is centrally located between Mooloolaba and Maroo
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Soul Beach Bungalow
Coastal lux with a soulful vibe, Soul Beach Bungalow is a beautifully renovated bespoke unit specifi
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Allure Mooloolaba
Experience All u Are at Allure Mooloolaba only one street back from the world-famous beach, shops, r
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Soul Beach House
Kick-off, your shoes, slow down, relax and reconnect with family and friends, amidst a tropical back
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Breeze Mooloolaba
Mooloolaba s newest luxury resort features 57 One and Two Bedroom Self-contained Apartments with poo
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Grand Palais Beachside Resort
Overlooking the beautiful Alexandra Headland beach, Grand Palais Beachside Resort is your perfect ch
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Alexandria Apartments
Alexandria Apartments offers serviced apartment accommodation for families and couples opposite beau
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Dockside Holiday Apartments
Dockside Holiday Apartments - a small family-friendly resort of one, two and three-bedroom self-cont
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Mooloolaba Beach Holiday Park
Mooloolaba Beach Holiday Park is the must-visit gem on the Sunshine Coast. Mooloolaba Beach Holiday
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Pacific Beach Mooloolaba
Pacific Beach Resort at Mooloolaba Beach offers superb beachfront holiday accommodation positioned o
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Oceans Mooloolaba Beach
Oceans Mooloolaba offers two, three and four bedroom apartments and penthouses all in similar stylin
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Spinnaker Quays
Spinnaker Quays is a boutique resort consisting of 18 three bedroom, two bathroom luxury air-conditi
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Raffles Mooloolaba
Raffles Mooloolaba, an intimate resort, is just a short stroll to all that idyllic Mooloolaba has to
Mooloolaba
