87. Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
Today we are taking you for a walk all around Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast as we continue our Australian summer series.
We used to live here, and we just love it and you will see why when you listen to this episode.
The Sunshine Coast is a massive tourist area in Queensland Australia and Mooloolaba is one of the most popular spots for holiday makers – and for good reason.
We tell you all about the water activities available here including whale watching, scuba diving and sunset cruises.
It is also home to the Mooloolaba Marina which houses up to 100 boats.
We tell you about the newest and most popular dining spot in Mooloolaba and of course our favourite restaurant in the whole of the Sunshine Coast because of the fabulous food but also for another surprising reason.
Come with us as we stroll past Sealife and I tell you all about my visit here a couple of weeks ago and what you can expect to see.
Next, we take you along the walkway through the dunes to parklands, barbecue areas, playgrounds and then to the “Seafood Precinct”. This is where all the fishing trawlers arrive each day with fresh seafood, and you can buy it directly from the fish markets – or eat at one of the many restaurants that serve the local catch.
Finally we go to the famous Mooloolaba surf club and the patrolled beach area which is buzzing with families on the beach, along the parkland and in the playgrounds all the way to the Loo with a view. Lyle and I share a couple of hilarious stories from our boogie boarding days at this beach.
Stay listening when we eventually end up at the most popular café, restaurant and shopping area in Mooloolaba.
We give you some great info on best places to stay, where to buy your supplies and then we finish with a love story that went viral about a French girl and guy she met in Mooloolaba and her quest to find him.
Please enjoy this fun Aussie summer episode all about Mooloolaba.
SHOW NOTES AND PICTURES BELOW
Mooloolaba Marina
Mooloolaba Marina is located on the Mooloola River. It is a very popular marina and has room for up to 100 large boats, yachts and catamarans. It is a very safe harbour and is popular among local and international visitors.
The Wharf Mooloolaba
The Wharf area next to the marina has been redeveloped and is continuing to be upgraded. It is now a very popular place for locals and tourists to buy designer clothes, eat at popular restaruants and pubs, try a locally made icecream or donut. You can also book any of the water activities here like whale watching cruises, jet ski hire and sunset canal cruises. One of the most popular places to eat is Rice Boi which is a delicious Asian fusion restaurant.
A very popular place to try the best fish and chips in Mooloolaba is aboard on the of the fishing trawler fish and chip restaurants called Prawn Star. You can sit on the trawler and enjoy your meal, and even have a nice cold beer.
Underwater World - Sea Life
For many years Sea life has been one of the top tourist activities on the Sunshine Coast. It is a wonderful place to visit for kids and adults and many locals buy yearly passes as it is certainly worth visiting more than once if you have the chance.
We visited with six grandkids and they had an absolute ball. They loved all the brightly lit sea creature displays, as well as the fairy penguins and the seal show. The playground and cafe area was well-liked and used - giving parents and grandparents a bit of a break for a coffee or cold drink while the kids play. The favourite thing though was definitely the underwater see-thru tunnel where you have giant stingrays, turtles, many different types and sizes of fish and of course the best of all - sharks - swimming only inches away from you as you stroll through the tunnel area.
Aussie World
If you want a day out away from the beach while visiting the Sunshine Coast - then Aussie World is the place to visit. It is only a 10 minute drive from Mooloolaba and is located just behind the Banana Bender Pub.
There are many rides of different levels of fun for all the family. The very young kids have rides like the small train ride and carousel.
The bigger and more daring rides have height limits and they are very strict on them. Some of the rides were absolutely terrifying for me - but the grandkids loved them. There is a water play area, a putt putt golf course, lots of shade, shows to watch and a big cafe for lunch. It is a wonderful day out and you will all leave feeling exhilerated and exhausted.
Along Mooloolabah beach runs a walking track and boardwalk. The track runs parallel with the beach all the way from the centre of shops and restaurant area all the way to the rock wall that juts out into the ocean where the Mooloola River meets the sea. The path is wide and flat and easy to navigate. Along the way you will find many playgrounds, barbecue and picnic areas. You will also past by the “seafood precinct” where you can buy the fresh produce straight from the fish markets. There are a number of seafood restaurants along this area as well.
At the southern end of Mooloolaba beach is a lovely sheltered beach area that is protected by the rock wall. It is a great place to swim away from the crowds, but also the water is much calmer and safer here. There are shady trees over the sand which makes this part of the beach great for families.
The main beach area at Mooloolaba beach is very popular with tourists and locals alike. It is right out the front of the surf club. There are many picnic tables, shady spaces and a playground right on the beach. It is a patrolled beach and has disability access via a ramp to the sand. The “loo with a view” sits at one end of the beach area which is a great spot to take in the best views from Cartright Point in the south to Mount Coolum in the north.
The best place in Mooloolaba for a meal with views is definitely the Mooloolaba Surf Club. It has a big open, airy space that opens to the outdoors via glass windows. It has lots of memorabilia hanging on the walls, and the ceilings. The club has great food and live entertainment each week. Lyle and I used to live in Mooloolaba and this was our “local” that we sometimes danced the night away.
We share some hilarious stories about our time in Mooloolaba including boogie boarding accidents and heaps of great information if you are thinking about visiting this part of the Sunshine Coast in this podcast episode. You can click one of the players above to listen.
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