With a sparkling coastline perfect for lazing away the day, incredible restaurants to eat your way around and a vibing bar scene to explore, one sun-drenched day in Mooloolaba is never enough.
If you want to really soak up the natural beauty and epic attractions on offer here, then we have the perfect holiday guide for you.
Do as the locals do, and check out all the best places to eat and things to see and do in Mooloolaba!
The best places to eat and drink in Mooloolaba
Eating Mooloolaba prawns at The Surf Club Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast
The first tip you need to know when visiting Mooloolaba is to arrive hungry. Mooloolaba is famous for its seafood (Mooloolaba prawn, anyone?) and the local cafes and restaurants take full advantage of the fresh produce on their doorstep.
Start your morning with a tour of Mooloolaba's best cafes. The Velo Project and De Ja Vu Cafe & Bar get our vote for their eggs benny, corn fritters and deliciously smooth coffee.
Come lunch you'll be hungry again, and we suggest snagging a table along Mooloolaba's beachside Esplanade or buzzing Wharf precinct. Down a bucket of fresh local prawns with uninterrupted ocean views at The Surf Club Mooloolaba, head to Bella Venezia for chef hatted Italian cuisine and The Wharf Mooloolaba for buzzing restaurants like Rice Boi, Spero and The Dock.
Come evening, you'll want to head for the fisheries at The Spit Mooloolaba for fish and chips and seafood fresh off the trawler, or book your table on the waterfront at Pier 33 Mooloolaba for Modern Australian flavours with a subtle hint of Asian fusion.
WAT Den. Credit @chevaunehindley
Thirsty? Grab an espresso martini or flaming cocktail from the mixologist masters at Boston Shaker Bar and Backlane Tapas and Wine Bar, or sip craft beers and listen to live music at Taps Mooloolaba and Blackflag Brewing. Finish your day with a stroll along the Esplanade and pull up a stool for a drink at Pavilion Mooloolaba, WAT Den or Casita Wine Bar.
The best things to do in Mooloolaba
While we reckon it’s always a good idea to throw a towel down on Mooloolaba’s pristine beaches - even in winter - there’s plenty more to see and do beyond the shoreline.
Mooloolaba Foreshore Boardwalk
Start your day right with a stroll along the coastal pathway that stretches just over 4km to Cotton Tree. If the lure of the ocean proves too great, you can get to know the locals (humpback whales that is) who migrate seasonally along the coastline on a whale watching or swim with whales experience. Whale migration season runs from June through till the 'tail end' of October, and operators like Sunreef, Blue Tortuga Adventures, and The Pressure Project will get you out on (and in) the water with these gentle giants.
If you want to explore under the water without getting wet, pay a visit to SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast. Discover the Sunshine Coast’s only colony of Little Blue Penguins and wander beneath sharks as you walk through their 80-metre long ocean tunnel.
Saltwater Eco Tours
Learn about the Kabi Kabi people, the traditional owners of the Sunshine Coast, with Saltwater Eco Tours and go for a sunset cruise along the Mooloolaba canals, sipping bubbles and feasting on local bushtucker while the sun slips below the horizon. Finally, flex your creative side with a sip n’ paint session at Fridas. It’s BYO so you can bring booze and nibbles while an instructor teaches you how to make your own masterpiece.
The best places to stay in Mooloolaba
Be the first to sink your toes in the sand and watch the sun’s golden rays bounce off the ocean with one of Mooloolaba’s best beachside retreats. For something a little bit luxe check yourself into Oceans Mooloolaba. A true sanctuary by the sea, soak up the sunshine and breathe in the fresh ocean air and sweeping views from their sprawling balconies. There’s also a huge pool with a 25-metre lap pool attached, spa and gym to check out - plus the whole gang can enjoy a private movie night in the resort's 14-seat movie theatre.
Oceans Mooloolaba Beach
If you're looking for a family friendly option, you can't go past Mantra Mooloolaba Beach. Perched on the Esplanade - stumbling distance to the best shops, restaurants and bars - there’s one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments with private balconies offering ocean or hinterland views. There’s not one but two lagoon-style pools to bliss out in, plus a gym, sauna and BBQ areas - perfect for grilling the seafood you bought fresh from the trawler earlier that day.
Family walking along Mooloolaba Beach, Mooloolaba
If camping is more your vibe, Mooloolaba Beach Holiday Park offers powered sites for your tent, camper or caravan. Revamped in 2019, there's laundry facilities, free Wi-Fi, a modern camp kitchen and BBQ facilities. But best of all, there is direct access to Mooloolaba beach.
Accommodation around Mooloolalaba and Maroochydore
Accommodation
Mandolin Beachfront Resort
The iconic Mandolin Beachfront Resort, located in the heart of Alexandra Headland, so close to all t
Alexandra Headland
Accommodation
Coco Mooloolaba
Located in the heart of Mooloolaba, Coco Mooloolaba offers self-contained accommodation only a short
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Breeze Mooloolaba
Mooloolabas newest luxury resort features 57 One and Two Bedroom Self-contained Apartments with pool
Mooloolaba
Accommodation
Seaview Resort Mooloolaba
Seaview Resort is ocean fronting apartments. Centrally located on the Sunshine Coast, the 12-store
Mooloolaba
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Alexandria Apartments
Alexandria Apartments offers serviced apartment accommodation for families and couples opposite beau
Alexandra Headland
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Newport Mooloolaba
Mooloolaba offers a sunny, seaside charm and it has retained a laidback, casual and inviting atmosph
Mooloolaba
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Oceans Mooloolaba Beach
Oceans Mooloolaba offers two, three and four-bedroom apartments and penthouses all in similar stylin
Mooloolaba
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BreakFree Alexandra Beach
For Sunshine Coast accommodation, thats perfect for the whole family, you simply cant go past BreakF
Alexandra Headland
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Landmark Resort
Landmark Resort is located directly opposite Mooloolaba's beautiful beachfront with hinterland, pool
Mooloolaba
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Mirra Chana Beachfront Apartments Mooloolaba
Located in the quieter part of town and situated right on Mooloolaba Beach, Mirra Chana resort is th
Mooloolaba
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Meridian Alex Beach
The Meridian Alex Beach boasts a sensational location and stunning views. Located opposite the magni
Alexandra Headland
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Osprey Apartments
Perched on a hill overlooking the ocean, Osprey Apartments Mooloolaba offers spacious, stylish apart
Mooloolaba
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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
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Mantra Sirocco
Situated on the Esplanade in the heart of Mooloolaba, Mantra Sirocco is perfectly positioned to make
Mooloolaba
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Mantra Mooloolaba Beach
With One, Two and Three Bedroom Apartments, Mantra Mooloolaba Beach is bound to be the perfect accom
Mooloolaba
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Highwater Haven
Highwater Haven is the perfect beach getaway for your family and furry friend in Alexandra Headland.
Alexandra Headland
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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
Grand Palais Beachside Resort
Overlooking the beautiful Alexandra Headland beach, Grand Palais Beachside Resort is your perfect ch
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
