The Beaches

Noosa Heads is best left to the surfers and walkers. There are many points and bays along the National Park tracks that look inviting but are unpatrolled and currents can be quite dangerous. Main Beach is a safe patrolled beach, popular with visitors, with a swell rarely exceeding one metre over a clean sandy beach. The further you get towards the point, the larger and stronger the swell so novice surfers should stick to First Point or Johnsons. 

Rock fishing along the rock walls is good all year with good catches of bream, trevally and reef fish, but as always, can be dangerous and care should be taken especially on the ocean edge of the point.

The walking track through the National park, along the bays to Alexandria Bay is 3km long and very safe with a only a few hilly sections, and the spectacular views of the headland and the coastline are worth it. 

Toilets, showers and public phones are available at the National Park car park.

Alexandria beach is not patrolled and swimming is not recommended. Because of it’s out of the way location, the area is popular with scantily clad bathers and has been known as a nudist beach for many years. 

The steady swell is magnified by the shape of the Bay and only experienced surfers should attempt these breaks.

Most fishermen are put of by the hike, preferring to fish more convenient locations nearer to the road. Very large fish may be caught offshore but anglers need to be mindful of the large freak waves known to the area.

Sunshine Beach’s glassy waters are ideal for a refreshing dip but beware of the strong rips that frequent the beach. Local Surf patrols will locate the safest spot so be sure to swim between the flags. 

A popular spot for surfing, Sunshine Beach seems to pick up every inch of swell. The rocky headland provides protection from north winds and the clear breaks often produce the best waves on the entire Sunshine Coast. Anglers fish the beach fro bream, dart and flat head, but be mindful of freak waves if fishing from the rocks. 

Walkers can trek through from North Sunshine, through Alexandria Bay to Noosa but the track is sandy and can be very hard going. (Keep your eyes peeled -  you may be rewarded by the sight of a local Koala snoozing in the eucalyptus). Remember to take lots of water and food, as there is no water until you reach Noosa on the far side of the National park.

Showers, toilets, covered picnic areas and BBQs are available.

Mudjimba Island is 1km off the mainland, accessible only by sea. 
Very experienced surfers will find a heavy break over sharp rocks and massive barnacles but should get advice from a local before attempting these breaks.
To fish the island, you will need a strong ocean going vessel, accessing the island from Mooloolaba River the safest option. Good quality tuna, taylor and mackerel can be caught around the island and the ocean side of the island, close to the rocks is an ideal spot for reef fish.

Power Memorial Park at Mudjimba Beach, offers toilets, showers, playgrounds and covered picnic and BBQ areas.
Secluded banks are ideal for a surf and anglers will catch dart, bream and flathead during summer and good catches of taylor in the evening over winter.
Take a peaceful walk during low tide on the hard sand close to the water.

A popular beach for visitors, Maroochydore beach is adjacent to the bustling town centre.
Good quality beach breaks for surfers, and good gutters for the anglers make this a popular choice for many.
Stroll along the concrete walkway from the beach along Maroochydore River and Cotton Tree Park to the city centre, passing covered picnic facilities, BBQs and playgrounds.
On Sundays, check out the art and craft markets at the corner of Fisherman's Road and David Low Way.

Just north of Maroochydore, Pincushion Island offers an spectacular views of the Maroochydore River and excellent fishing. Seasoned anglers will find the strong tides and large waves a challenge but a reward of large bream may be worth the loss of some tackle.
Swimming and surfing is not recommended due to the strong tidal flows from the mouth of the river.

Mooloolaba Beach is a very safe, patrolled beach featuring a small swell that rarely exceeds head height. Nearby to accommodation, cafes and shopping, it is very popular with visitors.
Surfers can catch a wave from north of the beach near the rocks, but care must be taken to heed warnings from the lifeguards, and to keep an eye out for swimmers.
Fishing from the beach during the day is not recommended but the rock wall can offer nice catches of bream. Taking a boat into the bay, you will be rewarded with good catches of mackerel, tailor and bream.
Walk north over Alexandra Headland for spectacular views of the bay or head south and explore the river mouth and rock wall. The esplanade offers a number of cafes and restaurants featuring great views.
Showers and toilets are available and Mooloolaba boasts exercise areas, a children’s playground, BBQ's and Picnic benches.

The Mooloolaba Spit is at the southern end of the bay and offeres a very safe patrolled swimming beach, sheltered from sea swells by the rock wall.
It’s an ideal spot for families with young children as the small swell is usually around waist height.
South of the spit, the Mooloolah river offers protected ocean access to boaties.
Mooloolaba is not a good surfing or fishing beach, due to it’s popularity with visitors.
Anglers can fish the bay from a boat to catch tailor, bream and mackerel and the nearby rock wall offers good catches of bream. 
Take a walk along the rock wall to the river mouth or enjoy a meal alfresco, taking advantage of the BBQ and picnic facilities. Toilets and showers are also available.

Buddina Beach’s safe patrolled beach is popular with visitors.
Obey the lifeguards instructions and heed warnings especially during large tides.
Surfers will enjoy the strong swells picked up on this eastern facing beach. 
Fish for tailor in the gutters in the late afternoon during the cooler months. 

Take a peaceful walk during low tide on the hard sand close to the water.

Kawana Beach is not patrolled, other than regular roving patrols by Kawana Surf Life Saving Club, and swimming is not recommended. 

Surfers will catch a short ride off the point but the area is quite popular and crowds can form. Experienced riders only should tackle the swell once the winds push it over 1.5 metres.

Some luck can be had fishing from the rocks but be mindful of freak waves and take care to avoid falls.

The area is quite attractive with pandanus palms providing shade and rock pools to explore at low tide, well worth the long flight of stairs to the beach.
Relax and watch the gliders soar silently through the air, after launching from the headland. 

Toilets and showers are available, and the beach can be accessed by wheelchair.

Moffat Beach is an unpatrolled beach and swimming is not recommended.
Tooway lake is a good spot to cool off if the lake is open to the sea and the water quality is suitable.

Long board riders enjoy the heavy waves on a south east swell and experienced surfers prefer to paddle out to the Caloundra Reef and surf the open waters.
Anglers will have mixed results. 

Walkers, stroll north around the rocks to Shelly Beach or south to the wreck on Dicky Beach. 

The park offers toilets and children’s playgrounds, with a café and shops nearby.

Bulcock Beach offers good patrolled swimming but care should be taken on strong tides. 

The protected area near the entrance to the Pumicestone Passage has no surf to speak of but fishing from the boardwalk is popular.

Nearby boat ramps offer access to the Passage but only very experienced boaties should attempt to cross the Caloundra Bar.

Walkers will enjoy the easy stroll along the boardwalk and children will delight in the Happy Valley playground. Try the fantastic fish'n'chip shop across from the beach.
Toilets and showers are available.