{"id":5121,"date":"2024-04-20T00:13:36","date_gmt":"2024-04-20T00:13:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/?p=5121"},"modified":"2025-04-08T03:53:39","modified_gmt":"2025-04-08T03:53:39","slug":"your-guide-to-the-best-beaches-in-and-around-maroochydore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/your-guide-to-the-best-beaches-in-and-around-maroochydore\/","title":{"rendered":"Your Guide to the Best Beaches In and Around Maroochydore"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Located just two hours\u2019 drive north of Brisbane<\/a> on the Sunshine Coast<\/a>, Maroochydore is famous for its warm climate, friendly atmosphere and stunning beaches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s where to find the best stretches of sand in and around town \u2013 whether you\u2019re looking for sheltered swimming spots for the kids<\/a> or excellent surf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOR CONVENIENCE AND BUZZ: MAROOCHYDORE BEACH<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re staying in town, then the beach that\u2019s easiest to reach is Maroochydore. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This beautiful stretch of golden sand is a hive of activity, where locals and visitors come to swim, surf, stroll and sunbake. There\u2019s a surf club, and lifesavers patrol all year round. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re ready for a break, you\u2019ll find cafes, restaurants and pubs close by. Why not grab some takeaway and picnic on the sand? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Maroochydore
Image credit: jipe7<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FOR STILL WATER AND PRETTY SCENERY: COTTON TREE BEACH<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just around the corner from Maroochydore Beach, on the banks of Maroochy River, is Cotton Tree Beach. This tranquil spot is on calm, sheltered water, so it\u2019s fabulous for little kids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Plus, there\u2019s plenty to do besides swimming. Try stand-up paddle boarding, which, the locals say, is best at sunrise, or take a stroll along the coastal path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re around on a Sunday, you\u2019ll be treated to Cotton Tree Markets. Feast on local produce, while catching some live music and browsing stalls peddling artworks, homewares and other delights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOR WALKING TRAILS AND INCREDIBLE VIEWS: ALEXANDRA HEADLAND BEACH<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Follow Maroochydore Beach all the way to its southern end, and you\u2019ll reach Alexandra Headland (known locally as Alex). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gorgeous, uncrowded spot is great for swimming, walking and exploring rock pools. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When you\u2019re done on the sand, stroll up to the headland for incredible views. From there, you can follow a path along the water all the way to Mooloolah River. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or, head into Alex Forest Conservation Area, a 5.7-hectare bushland reserve with lovely trails through lowland rainforest. Look out for bush turkeys, ringtail possums and microbats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

FOR SPACE AND DOGS: MUDJIMBA BEACH<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Just north of the town centre is Mudjimba, a long, sweeping beach that travels all the way to Marcoola. It\u2019s hidden away behind residential back streets, so it\u2019s not usually as busy as Maroochydore Beach and Cotton Tree. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, there is a surf club, regular patrols and eateries nearby \u2013 including excellent fish and chips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Travelling with your four-legged friend? They\u2019ll love Mudjimba, as there\u2019s a 500-metre-long stretch at the southern end where dogs are welcome to roam off-leash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Mooloolaba
Image credit: Rockerball Australia <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

FOR WHITE SAND AND GENTLE WAVES: MOOLOOLABA BEACH<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

15 minutes\u2019 drive south of Maroochydore lies Mooloolaba \u2013 home to postcard-perfect white sand, gentle waves and a laid back atmosphere. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In between dips, wander along the esplanade, people watching or stopping at one of the many cafes for a coffee, ice cream or fish and chips. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep going all the way to the southern end, and you\u2019ll reach Mooloolaba Spit, a small, sheltered beach that\u2019s great for kids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also worth exploring nearby are the SEA LIFE Aquarium, Point Cartwright Lighthouse and the Parkyn Parade seafood precinct.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

GETTING TO MAROOCHYDORE<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Maroochydore is a two-hour drive north of Brisbane, an 11-hour drive north of Sydney<\/a> and a 20-hour drive north of Melbourne<\/a>. If you\u2019re planning on driving, then make the most of your journey with our Sydney to Brisbane road trip guide<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another option is to fly to Maroochydore Airpor<\/a>t, which is just 10 kilometres north of town, then pick up a SIXT car hire. We\u2019re conveniently located in the terminal building, so you can step off the plane and be behind the wheel as quickly as possible.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Located just two hours\u2019 drive north of Brisbane on the Sunshine Coast, Maroochydore is famous for its warm climate, friendly atmosphere and stunning beaches.  Here\u2019s where to find the best stretches of sand in and around town \u2013 whether you\u2019re looking for sheltered swimming spots for the kids or excellent surf.  FOR CONVENIENCE AND BUZZ:…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":108,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[82,79],"class_list":{"0":"post-5121","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-travel","7":"tag-queensland","8":"tag-sunshine-coast","9":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\nBest Beaches Guide Around Maroochydore - Sunshine Coast<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Located two hours\u2019 drive north of Brisbane, Maroochydore is famous for its warm climate, friendly atmosphere and stunning beaches.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/your-guide-to-the-best-beaches-in-and-around-maroochydore\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Best Beaches Guide Around Maroochydore - Sunshine Coast\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Located two hours\u2019 drive north of Brisbane, Maroochydore is famous for its warm climate, friendly atmosphere and stunning beaches.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/travel\/your-guide-to-the-best-beaches-in-and-around-maroochydore\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SIXT Magazine Australia\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-04-20T00:13:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-04-08T03:53:39+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com.au\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/20\/2024\/04\/Maroochydore-Image-credit-jipe7.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"538\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"arvinf\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"arvinf\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Best Beaches Guide Around Maroochydore - 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