The Weekend Edition - Sleep In. Slow Down. Enjoy.

Secret swimming spots, luxe stays and sky-high adventures – make an easy escape to beachside paradise Caloundra

Secret swimming spots, luxe stays and sky-high adventures – make an easy escape to beachside paradise Caloundra



Sun, surf and relaxing surrounds – the quaint seaside town of Caloundra is a coastal paradise perfect for your next holiday. Just an easy one-hour trip from Brisbane, there's plenty to do at this picturesque destination – there's sky-diving for the adrenaline junkies, houseboats for holidaymakers who want some waterfront R&R and cooking classes for those that want to up their culinary game. Get ready to kick your feet up, as we've rounded up the best things to do in the beachside Sunshine Coast gem.


Adventure through the big blue with these heart-pumping activities
There’s no better way to explore Caloundra than with a trip out on the water. Thrillseekers can take a jet-ski safari from Bulcock Beach through to Bribie Island and up to the calm waters of Golden Beach with help from Caloundra Jet Ski. Eager for some more fun in the sun? Try out fliteboarding – an electric hydrofoil surfboard that gives the sensation of flying over water. You’ll feel like Marty McFly as you skate across lakes and the ocean with help from the crew at Sunshine Coast Boardsports. This is one activity worth adding to your bucket list.

Have a sky-high experience 
Have you always wanted to skydive but something has been holding you back? Make your next holiday one to remember and take the jump at Caloundra! This life-changing experience is made easy with help from the adrenaline junkie crew at Sunshine Coast Skydivers, who will join you as you fly through the sky, enjoy fantastic views of the Sunshine Coast from up to 14000-ft high and land at the beach at Currimundi. Strap in for the ride of a lifetime.

Make like Picasso and create an artistic souvenir (with a side of wine)
After a more relaxing activity? Test your artistic skills at The Arts Hub in Caloundra with a paint-and-sip class. A local artist will be on board to show you step by step how to create your very own painting, all while sipping a tipple of your choice – you’ll be able to paint scenes like Dicky Beach, the Glass House Mountains and Sunshine Coast beaches. All you need to bring is your favourite beverage! 

Camp on the water
A marine park with the oldest registered fish habitat in Queensland, Pumicestone Passage is a scenic waterway that offers a sheltered recreational area perfect for boating, fishing and swimming. The best way to explore this pristine paradise? Sleep with the fishes (or rather, on top of them)! Rent a houseboat from Caloundra House and Camping Boats and anchor up at a private beach, watch the sun set over the Glass House Mountains and enjoy your own oasis on the water. Be sure to stop at the secluded Golden Beach – a secret swimming spot loved by locals with calm crystal-clear waters, perfect for a relaxing float.

Lap it up at this beachfront pool
Forget Bondi Icebergs – Caloundra’s $4-million tidal swimming pool on the beloved Kings Beach foreshore is only an hour away and the ideal spot to soak up some rays and cool off with a quick dip. The area is equipped with shade sails, a free 25-metre seawater lap pool, a children’s swimming pool and a wading area with disabled access. Just remember to pack your togs!

Eat and drink to your heart’s content
Caloundra is full of dining gems and laidback watering holes so you can sip and snack the days away. Start your morning off with a beachside brew and some tantalising brunch bites – think corn fritters, eggs Benedict, smashed avocado and decadent Belgian waffles – at Sandbar Café and Kiosk. Craving a croissant? Make tracks to European-inspired cafe meets cheese-and-wine bar One Third French, where you can indulge in everything from pastries (hello, pain au chocolat!) and charcuterie boards to fresh baguettes and coffee. Thinking of sinking a few ice-cold beers? Pop over to independent brewery Moffat Beach Brewing Co, where you can tuck in to mouth-watering pub fare and taste-test the lager-loving crew’s newest frothy drops.

Stay and play at these stellar accommodation spots
Looking for somewhere to stay that is family friendly? Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort is a picturesque spot for families, with plenty of fun-filled features up its sleeve. There are lush tropical grounds, a fun-filled waterpark, resort-style pool, putt putt golf course, a sandpit and a climbing frame to enjoy! If a relaxed seaside getaway is more what you’re after, look no further than Kings Beach locale Ultiqa Shearwater Resort, which offers a range of luxury boutique apartments to lodge in. Need help finding the perfect place to rest your weary head? Consult the friendly folks at Caloundra Holiday Centre, who have a whole bunch of accommodation options to snap up, from lavish penthouses to charming beach shacks.

Level up your culinary game with a cooking class
Spice up your life and spend a morning learning about various cuisines from around the world at Red Hot Chilli Pepper Cooking School. Understanding how to properly use herbs and spices is the focus here, covering cuisines such as Middle Eastern and North African, native modern Australian, Mexican and South American, Indian and Sri Lankan, and more. The best part? After you’ve whipped up your meal, you can sit back, relax and dig in to your prepared feast – with a wine to wash it all down!

If that’s not enough goodness, Caloundra has plenty of fun-filled events on the calendar. You can shop up a storm at the Caloundra Street Fair Markets every Sunday or stroll through the local stalls at The Caloundra Twilight Markets on the last Friday of each month. Looking to test your fitness levels? Take part in the Caloundra Triathlon on Sunday February 7, a triathlon series that welcomes athletes of all ages and abilities.

This article was created in partnership with our friends at Visit Sunshine Coast. Located just an hour north of Brisbane, Caloundra is the Sunshine Coast’s Southern Gateway – an easy-to-access place where the laid-back charm is ‘too easy’. To plan your ideal escape to Caloundra, head to the Visit Sunshine Coast website.



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