When people tell me they are going to the Sunshine Coast for a holiday I always ask whereabouts. Because the Sunshine Coast stretches over 55 kilometres of coastline, from Caloundra in the south to Noosa Heads in the north, with 36 stunning sun-soaked beaches.
From Caloundra to Noosa the coastline is strewn with sandy shores and open ocean, each with their own features and facilities. So don’t just stay put in one spot get out and about during your stay on the Sunshine Coast and enjoy a bit of beach hopping.
So here is the lowdown on the sun-soaked beaches of the Sunshine Coast:
Beaches in Caloundra vary from the calm protected waters in the Pumicestone Passage at Golden Beach and Bulcock Beach, to the surf break at Moffat Beach, to family friendly Kings Beach. You can enjoy everything from windsurfing to volleyball, family barbecues to beach yoga and pilates on the beaches of Caloundra which is why it is very popular with families.
The southern-most Sunshine Coast town is an easy exit off the Bruce highway in our Toyoto to Caloundra and its spectacular beaches.
Golden Beach Caloundra
Bulcock Beach Caloundra
Kings Beach Caloundra
Shelly Beach Caloundra
Moffat Beach Caloundra
Dicky Beach Caloundra
Heading only 15 minutes drive north in our Toyota for Kawana Waters there are plenty of less known beaches. With its long stretch of open beaches, this region hosts some of the best surfing spots on the Coast with names like Wurtulla, Buddina, Currumundi and Warana Beaches. Keen surfers are spoilt with their pick of uncrowded banks on this superb section of coastline.
Kawana Beach
Buddina Beach from Point Cartwright Lookout
Boasting countless barbecue areas, great amenities, clean swell and lifeguards aplenty, Mooloolaba’s serene beaches are a visitor’s dream and are very safe for swimming. Afterwards enjoy a bit of retail therapy at Mooloolaba’s exclusive boutiques or relax at one of the many cafes and restaurants for some alfresco dining along the beachfront.
Mooloolaba Beach
Alexandra Headland
The beaches surrounding Maroochydore offer something for everyone, with superb surfing and many recreation activities including kite surfing and fishing. Maroochydore Beach is patrolled by lifeguards 7 days a week for your safety. If you want to try some calmer waters then the Maroochy River has lovely sandy shores and is perfect for paddling a kayak or standup paddleboard.
Maroochydore Beach
Maroochy River Estuary at Cotton Tree Maroochydore
Nestled amongst towering cliffs, the beaches surrounding Coolum offer a great blend of features and facilities with beaches at Coolum, Yaroomba, Marcoola and Peregian. You can join the crowds at the patrolled beaches, enjoy a quiet sunbake or surf at the more secluded spots and take the dog for a walk in the convenient dog friendly areas. Coolum would have to be my pick of the Sunshine Coast Beaches.
Point Perry, Coolum
Coolum Beach
First Bay Coolum
Yaroomba Beach
If you are looking for some quieter more secluded and lesser known beaches on the Sunshine Coast, try some of the spots between Coolum and Noosa – Marcus Beach, Sunrise Beach and Sunshine Beach. They are simply superb.
Sunshine Beach
Peregian Beach in the Twilight
Noosa has a spectacular assortment of beaches offering everything from horse riding to snorkelling, leisurely swimming and great surfing. The main beach is patrolled 365 days a year and is perfectly protected from strong southerly winds. The area also boasts many uncrowded and secluded beaches hidden amongst the cliffs and bays throughout the Noosa National Park.
Main Beach Noosa
Little Cove Beach
Winch Cove
Alexandria Bay
Noosa Spit
With an amazing selection of golden beaches offering families, couples or solo travellers numerous options, there is no wonder that visitors flock to the Sunshine Coast. You can surf, swim, sunbake, snorkel or SUP at one of these stunning beaches one day and try a different one the next. Your choices are endless really. Sunshine Coast’s sun-soaked beaches are sizzling hot this summer!
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Anne
November 30, 2016Too many to pick from!
Kathy
November 30, 2016Ha ha exactly! That’s why you need to go beach hopping when you’re staying on the Sunshine Coast. They have such a fantastic selection of beaches and not all of them are overcrowded. :)
Sue
November 30, 2016Gorgeous photos Kathy I want to be there today! I need to explore Noosa and surrounds more and am certainly getting some great ideas of places to visit from you blog. Have a lovely day.
Kathy
November 30, 2016There is definitely more to the Sunshine Coast than just Noosa or Mooloolaba. There are plenty of gorgeous beach spots in between. My personal favourite is Coolum and Yaroomba as it is much less populated and the coastal scenery is spectacular. Plus you can walk up Mount Coolum for a great challenge. :)
Leanne@ www.crestingthehill.com.au
November 30, 2016we have such beautiful beaches in Australia – I’m always surprised at how “less than lovely” beaches in other countries are. I think it’s our white sand?
Kathy
November 30, 2016Yes I think we do have the best beaches in the world. Our sand is the whitest and softest plus you can usually find a beach somewhere that’s not too crowded. There is no better feeling that having a beach all to yourself! :)
Jan
November 30, 2016So much beauty, we love exploring the Sunshine Coast. A beach, or several, to suit all needs.
Kathy
December 1, 2016I could easily live on the Sunshine Coast as I find it’s not as busy or crowded as the Gold Coast. It is where my daughter calls home, so I just need to convince my son to move! The beaches are endless and some are virtually untouched and pristine. :)
Sophie @ Sophie's World
December 2, 2016I was in the Sunshine Coast with my kids 12 years ago, when my youngest was 2. We all loved it; the beaches, but also the hinterland, the Glasshouse Mountains, the landscape… lovely part of Australia. If only it weren’t so far away (we live in Norway)
Kathy
December 3, 2016Norway is about as far away from the Sunshine Coast as you can get! Yes it is a gorgeous place with its numerous beaches and the verdant green hinterland. It is a place that I like to escape to frequently. :)
Ruth
December 3, 2016What a great selection of beaches! I started saying, I like this one, not I like this one but had to stop since I seem to like most of them. I would rent a car an beach hop for days. I love to do that. #TPThursday
Kathy
December 3, 2016You could easily do that for days Ruth because there are so many gorgeous beaches and little towns with great places to stop to sip coffee or eat delicious food sourced from local farmers. The Hinterland of the Sunshine Coast is also worth visiting. I must do a post on this region as well! :)
budgettraveltalk
December 3, 2016Gosh I love this post. It brings back so many wonderful holiday memories and now we are living on the coast. We arrived today and are staying temporarily at Mudjimba Beach – another gorgeous beach. I love your Peregian and Coolum photos because they are my favourite locations, but there are so many lovely photos – like Mooloolaba, Alexandria Bay, Little cove. What a beautiful coast.
Kathy
December 3, 2016I’m jealous of you right now Jan – living on the Sunshine Coast. It does have some gorgeous beaches and yes my favourite place is around Coolum area. My daughter showed me some photos of the new house she is moving into in January at Yaroomba and it is absolutely beautiful, so I’m looking forward to visiting and staying at her place.
Jim ~ ReflectionsEnroute
December 4, 2016Dicky Beach Caloundra looks like it would be my favorite. That golden sand is incredible!
Kathy
December 5, 2016Dicky Beach is one of my favourites too, but I must admit I adore Coolum Beach the most. There is so much choice! :)
Kreete
December 9, 2016Great photos! I have been to most of them, but certainly not all. It’s amazing how many beaches there are here in Australia! There is way too much choice and hard to pick a favourite! Thanks for sharing your gorgeous photography!
Kathy
December 9, 2016I have been to the Sunshine Coast countless times and I don’t think I have visited every single beach. There are just so many. Thank you for commenting. :)