Caloundra and Kawana

This destination article is sponsored by Visit Sunshine Coast

The golden beaches and stunning coastal paths of Caloundra are the perfect destinations for a day trip, a weekend away or a longer stay that the whole family will enjoy.

This beloved coastal wonderland is just an hour’s drive north of Brisbane and offers a wide range of aquatic adventures and land-based attractions to suit everyone from young toddlers to adventurous teens.

Everything is within easy reach, and leading attractions such as Aussie World and Australia Zoo are just minutes away, making it the perfect idyllic family-friendly holiday destination.

Kings Beach tidal pool and saltwater fountain

Named by Surf Life Saving Queensland as the top beach in Queensland for 2015, iconic Kings Beach is a must visit over the Summer holidays! This happy spot on the Sunshine Coast encompasses everything younger family members could dream of: enchanting rock pools to explore, a child-friendly water fountain that delights with its time-delayed surprise spurts of water, a picturesque oceanfront saltwater swimming pool, and a gentle patrolled beach break. Everything you could need is within a few minutes’ walk, making it the perfect spot for a relaxing family escape.

Kings Beach Surf Club

Perched on the edge of Kings Beach’s beautiful coastline, Kings Beach Surf Club serves up a breathtaking outlook over the Pacific Ocean, down the coast and across to the pristine shores of the heritage listed Bribie Island. Enjoy some of the Sunshine Coasts most spectacular coastal scenery as you enjoy a few drinks or a delicious pub meal. Open seven days a week from 10am until late.

Caloundra Street Fair

Voted the best street market on the Sunshine Coast, the Caloundra Street Fair features over 200 stalls. Set in the main street in downtown Caloundra and only two blocks from Bulcock Beach, the street fair includes live entertainment, handcrafts, and tasty local fare. It’s on every Sunday morning.

Bulcock Beach and Happy Valley

While Kings Beach is ideal for kids who love the thrill of a decent wave, Bulcock Beach and Happy Valley are an excellent choice for families with younger kids. Bulcock Beach is just around the corner from Kings Beach, is a patrolled beach with minimal waves, offering a relaxing spot for families of young children. Happy Valley which sits in between Bulcock Beach and Kings Beach is an non-patrolled beach offering rock pools on low tide for kids who love to hunt for shells and other marine treasures. Families love Happy Valley because it is the ideal spot to sit and watch the kite surfers as they surf into and around Pumicestone Passage. Happy Valley also boasts one of the best playgrounds on the Sunshine Coast with trees to climb, forts to explore and a regular coffee machine for parents

SUP and Kayak Hire

The calm waters of Pumicestone Passage, Currimundi Lake or Tooway Creek are ideal spots to get out on the water. Adventure loving families will enjoy paddling on SUPs and kayaks which are available for hire from several local businesses.

Keep an eye out for the plentiful marine life which includes humpback whales (May to November), turtles, dolphins, dugongs, and rays.

Caloundra Coastal Walk

Enjoy a relaxing stroll along this scenic coastal walk. Keep an eye out for birdlife and dolphins in Pumicestone Passage, and don’t miss the old Military Jetty used for operations during World War II, or the heritage-listed Kings Beach Bathing Pavilion.

Waterfront dining

Across the road from Bulcock Beach and Pumicestone Passage, there are multiple restaurant and casual takeaway venues offering family-friendly affordable dining. Kick back at the venue, or take your fare across the road to enjoy at one of the nearby beach-front picnic tables.

Caloundra Cruise

Hop aboard Tern o’ the Tide for a 90-minute family-friendly Smoothwater Classic tour (Sunday, Tuesday, and Friday) exploring the area from Caloundra Heads to Moreton Island, and Bribie Island. On Thursdays, you can discover the abundance of bird and marine life that inhabit the clear waters of Pumicestone Passage Marine Park on the Eco Explorer Cruise.

Mountain bike riding

Get out into nature and experience the thrill of navigating the Sugar Bag Road Bike Trail, located in the Caloundra Town Reserve. The difficulty of the 12km of rideable tracks ranges from novices to experienced riders. 

Point Cartwright

Stroll through the beautiful parklands and non-patrolled beach that surrounds the iconic Point Cartwright Lighthouse. The high cliffs in the coastal headland reserve provide sensational views of Mooloolaba, the Mooloolah River mouth and Mount Coolum to the north, and Kawana Beach to the south. It is the perfect spot for a picnic as your soak in the view.

Laserzone Sunshine Coast

Laserzone Sunshine Coast is the ultimate activity for video game fans. Experience the feeling of being part of a real-life video game simulation, utilising laser tag equipment to seek out and deactivate targets in their impressive multi-level maze. Laserzone also features virtual reality technology and a large arcade with classic games and prizes.

It is any wonder why families keep coming back year after year to enjoy this family friendly location. The Caloundra to Kawana stretch is the perfect base to explore the rest of the Sunshine Coast or to enjoy a fun day at the beach. To find out more, head to the visitors guide to the Sunshine Coast.