Mooloolaba is an hour north of Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast and for anyone not Australian it is pronounced Muh-Looo-Luh-Bar. It is the gem of the Sunshine Coast and a must-visit for families with kids. So, if you’re interested in staying in Brisbane or close by and looking for things to do on the Sunshine Coast, here are more than 20 things to do in Mooloolaba with kids.
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Why Is Mooloolaba Great For Children And Families?
Why is Mooloolaba such a gem for families? It’s just an hour north of Brisbane and is easy to find off the highway. There are loads of places to stay close by and the area is super child-focused.
Mooloolaba’s main beach was voted Australia’s 7th best beach by Tripadvisor but Mooloolaba also has two other beaches within a 15-minute walk, multiple rocky points and a generous number of lookout points & parks too! It’s just a win-win for families with children of all ages.
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Mooloolaba’s Beaches
Mooloolaba Spit Beach is the most popular beach in the area but it’s also the safest beach for families on the Sunshine Coast because of its sheltered north facing position, doubly protected by Point Cartright & the Beacon Lighthouse Reserve. Rips will only form on the beach when waves exceed 1m in height but it’s a patroled beach & so if you follow the flagged areas, there should be no problems. The cove shaped beach is a nearly 2km stretch of near-perfect, white sand and with a limited number of big waves it’s a perfect beach for paddling, wave jumping, snorkelling, boogie boarding & even for kids learning to surf.
Alex Corner Beach, the Alexandra Headland Beach & Pandanus Lookout are a short walk away to the north and if you have a kid that loves rock pooling, this is the place for you. At low tide these rocks are home to hundreds of tiny sea creatures & are perfect for kids wanting to observe minute fish, sea anemones and small crabs (although don’t get in the water off the rocks as there’s a permanent rip).
If you’re into canoeing or SUP boarding, these northern beaches are better because they’re much less frequented than the main split beach, the beach has more depth and is more shallow but do watch out for the rocks.
Pandanus Lookout is one of the best areas to watch the sunrise over the rocks although you’ll need to get up early because in the summer months it can start going up before 5 am.
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Book Other Activities To Do Near Mooloolaba
Child-Friendly Parks In Mooloolaba
If you’re looking for a stress-free day out, Mooloolaba with kids genuinely couldn’t be easier!
Despite its coastal location, Mooloolaba has a number of big parks.
The Alex Bluff Foreshore park, La Balsa park & Cotton Tree park boast picnic, bbq, ball & bike areas as well as short hikes and La Balsa offers access to the lighthouse which is 32 metres high.
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Where Is Good To Eat In Mooloolaba With Kids?
The Esplanade is by far the most popular area in Mooloolaba for alfresco dining and just off that sits CK Coffee Bar & Wholefoods which is perfect for a quick bite to eat. Lemon & Thyme has a larger menu & is a relaxed family venue. Alternatively, the Velo Project is child friendly but if you’re looking for something slightly more upmarket, head to Spice Bar.
Check out this post by The Urban List on ten other places to eat within Mooloolaba.
After a big breakfast or a long lunch, why not consider whale & dolphin watching? Whale One, Elite Sailing, Coastal Cruises and the Mooloolaba Canal Cruise offers the chance to follow these majestic creatures on their journeys (May to October) however for the ultimate exhilarating adventure, join Sunreef on their swim with whales experience.
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What A Haven For Active Events
Mooloolaba is a busy destination for events too. A SUP fest, Iron Man Comp, Coastal Trek, Women’s State of Origin, Horizon Festival, Rock N Blues festival and far more happen right here in this idyllic cove! Check this What’s On link for what’s on so you don’t miss anything.
There are also weekly and monthly markets & regular sunset markets. The Esplanade Market is on the 2nd & 4th Sunday of every month and the Mooloolaba Market takes place on the last Sunday of the month at Mooloolaba School Oval.
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It’s Close By To Rainforest Too
A short 15-minute drive from Mooloolaba and you couldn’t be in a more contrasting area. You’ll see dense rainforest full of trees, birds, waterfalls and amazing greenery. The Buderim Rainforest Walk has a number of paths and treks for all ages and abilities.
If this sounds too hectic for you, Mooloolaba is just a five-minute drive from Maroochydore where there’s a river shallow enough for paddling and beautiful boathouses.
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