Our Beaches

Nature & Parks

This page is dedicated to those who may be new or unfamiliar to the Sunshine Coast beaches, or those who may be looking for a little extra information. Using our local knowledge we have supplied information on the surrounding beaches and what activites they are best suited for. 

Alex Heads at Sunrise

The Sunshine Coast has an array of beautiful beaches that cater for everyone and every activity. Here is a brief insight to the Sunshine Coast surf conditions. Our swell height is around the 2-3ft mark and mainly from an East to South Easterly direction. Depending on the time of year our winds generally blow from the following directions

Summer: South East
Autumn: South West
Winter: West
Spring: North East.

All these factors can have an affect on what beach you may choose to head to, so let us help you out. 

  • Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland & Coolum, these beaches all offer an abundance of waves with Coolum & Alex being headlands there is always that little bit more shelter from those SE winds.
  • Mooloolaba - Maybe not the best place to surf given the small nature of the waves but you will find body boarders a plenty. Mooloolaba is very protected from the strong SE winds and gets a lot of shelter when the surf gets larger. The further you head towards Point Cartwright (southern end) the smaller and calmer it gets, perfect for families and even your four legged friend (so long as they are on a leash within the designated dog areas). Northern end of Mooloolaba has cafes and dining, with the southern end providing local fresh fish and parks for the kids to run around in. 
  • Noosa - one of the safest beaches on the Sunshine Coast, at Main Beach where you will find calm conditions perfect for beginners of surfing and stand up paddle boarding and great for a swim as well. Noosa National Park has an array of right hand point breaks catering from beginners to advanced. If that SE wind is up and howling, this is where you will want to be but you may need to be patient when it comes to nabbing a car park. You'll find cafe's and food a plenty in the bustling heart known as Hastings Street.  
  • Kawana Stretch - The pocket on the southern side of Point Cartwright offers protection from the NE winds and is a great option in spring when those Northerlies will blow pretty much every day. Recommended for the more experienced surfers and swimmers as it is a more exposed part of the coast it can be susceptible to rips, currents and larger swells. In winter this beach is an absolute haven for families and again their four legged buddies. 
  • Moffat Beach - Another beautiful headland located down the southern end of the Sunshine Coast, a long boarders dream with a peeling right hander that typically breaks best in summer. The view, cafe and parks make this beach a local favourite. 
  • Happy Valley/Kings Beach - Located at the end of the Sunshine Coast strip is Happy Valley/Kings Beach, another family haven surrounded by great cafes and dinning, typically more sheltered from winds of the NE direction which makes it a great option in spring as well.

 

Dog Friendly Beaches:

North Shore Maroochy River

Off-leash beach access 132 south to pincushion, access from North Shore Road, Twin Waters.


Currimundi 

Poatina St, Wurtulla to Currimundi Creek, Currimundi (beach access 249 to 253)- off-leash at all times

Gothic Parade to Ann Street Beach access 255 to 262- off-leash at all times.


Coolum

This beach is easy to find and central to the heart of town. Head to Stumers Creek Road, at the northern end of the Coolum Beach Caravan Park, beach Access 67 to 72. Off-leash at all times.


Point Cartwright

Off-leash areas span from Mawarra Avenue to Talinga Street, beach access 198 to 201 off-leash at all times, 210 to 217 off-leash at all times. Head up the hill towards the lighthouse and let your dog's enjoy the open green space while you enjoy the views. Check the signs, but the grassed areas are off-leash 4pm-8am. 


Moffat Beach

Coorara St, Dicky Beach to Russell St, Shelley Beach. Beach access 270 to 276. Check out the signs, but designated 4pm-8am.

Russell St to Victoria Terrace, Shelly Beach, beach access 276-281, check out the signs, May to October from 4pm-8am.


Noosa Dog Park

The Dog Beach at the end of Hastings Street in Noosa Woods offers protected beach for families and where dogs can play off leash with other dogs and their owners.

There are two other off leash beaches in the Noosa area:

Northern end of Sunshine Beach, (Beach Access Point 27) at Seaview Terrace to the northern boundary of Noosa National Park.

Sunrise Beach South, (Beach Access Point 37) at the Southern end of Tingira Place all the way down to and past Castaways Beach.

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