Top Towns for 2022: 8 reasons to visit Mooloolaba

Carla GrossettiBy Carla Grossetti
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A beach holiday in Mooloolaba on the Sunshine Coast truly has something to offer everyone, as former Queenslander Carla Grossetti declares. The coastal town also came in at no. 41 in your pick of Top 50 Aussie Towns.

Find the complete list of the Top 50 Aussie Towns here

I first visited Mooloolaba about 20 years ago to enjoy a beach holiday with my beau that revolved simply around the surf and sand. But these days, I would drop anchor in Mooloolaba for a multitude of reasons.

Mooloolaba Beach
Walk along the luxurious beachfront esplanade adjacent to Mooloolaba Beach. (Image: Visit Sunshine Coast)

1. Dine at Prawn Star

For starters, make a pilgrimage here primarily to enjoy fresh-caught prawns at the Prawn Star , now moored in both Mooloolaba and Cairns.

Prawn Star Mooloolaba
Mooloolaba is worth the trip for a visit to Praw Star alone. (Image: Visit Sunshine Coast)

2. Soak up the live music at The Wharf

One of the many reasons to visit Mooloolaba is to rub shoulders with loafer-clad yachties and the young surfie set listening to live music at The Wharf.

The Wharf in Mooloolaba
Wander down to The Wharf in Mooloolaba. (Image: Visit Sunshine Coast)

3. Join a Saltwater Eco Tour

Likewise, a cruise up the Mooloolah River with Indigenous-owned Saltwater Eco Tour s is also a must to learn about the Kabi Kabi’s rich culture.

Saltwater Eco Tours Mooloolaba
Join Saltwater Eco Tours to learn about the Kabi Kabi’s rich culture. (Image: Visit Sunshine Coast)

4. Get your fill of Walker Seafoods

The Sunshine Coast is very much on the map for foodies thanks to Walker Seafoods. The local business has Marine Stewardship Council certification for sustainable fishing of yellowfin tuna, albacore tuna and broadbill swordfish. It’s what any local restaurant worth their salt serves.

5. Check out The Pavilion

The Pavilion , sandwiched between Briner and Mooloolaba Beach, is the pumping new hotspot at the Mantra Mooloolaba Beach. This smart and sophisticated spot is all elegant archways and rattan chairs full of sun-kissed people with hair arranged by the ocean.

The Pavilion Mooloolaba
The Pavilion is Mooloolaba’s pumping new hotspot.

6. Gorge yourself on sustainable seafood

Fish on Parkyn , Spice Bar , Pier 33 , The Surf Club Mooloolaba , Rice Boi and Il Vento get our vote of confidence for their association with Walker Seafoods as it means they share an ethos to promote sustainable products. If you see market fish on the menu here, you order it.

The Surf Club Mooloolaba
The Surf Club Mooloolaba is one of many restaurants serving sustainable seafood. (Image: Visit Sunshine Coast)

7. Dive with sharks or swim with whales

Sign up for the new Shark Dive Extreme experience at Sea Life to get an idea of what else is in the ocean. Or simply spend a breezy day between July and the end of October swimming with whales on a Sunreef tour.

swimming with whales on a Sunreef tour
Go swimming with whales on a Sunreef tour. (Image: Visit Sunshine Coast)

8. Stay tuned for the opening of Avani Mooloolaba Hotel

Back on land, the announcement of the new upscale $50 million 180-room Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel also sends a message to holidaymakers about confidence in this sought-after destination.

No question, I could move to Mooloolaba tomorrow to just relax, lay back and enjoy a life of sweet leisure.

Explore more of Noosa in our travel guide or find out which other towns made it into your Top 50.
Carla Grossetti
Carla Grossetti avoided accruing a HECS debt by accepting a cadetship with News Corp. at the age of 18. After completing her cadetship at The Cairns Post Carla moved south to accept a position at The Canberra Times before heading off on a jaunt around Canada, the US, Mexico and Central America. During her career as a journalist, Carla has successfully combined her two loves – of writing and travel – and has more than two decades experience switch-footing between digital and print media. Carla’s CV also includes stints at delicious., The Sydney Morning Herald, and The Australian, where she specialises in food and travel. Carla also based herself in the UK where she worked at Conde Nast Traveller, and The Sunday Times’ Travel section before accepting a fulltime role as part of the pioneering digital team at The Guardian UK. Carla and has been freelancing for Australian Traveller for more than a decade, where she works as both a writer and a sub editor.
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This coastal town just beat Byron Bay as Australia’s favourite

    Taylah DarnellBy Taylah Darnell
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    The votes are in –there’s a new favourite town on top.

    For Australian Traveller’s 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards, we asked you to vote for your Aussie favourites, from the country’s top road trip to our most-loved wine region. But one of the most contested categories? The best town in Australia. And this year, an exciting newcomer has stolen hearts nationwide, beating another oft-lauded coastal town for the title.

    Australia’s best town is…

    Noosa, Queensland
    Noosa is officially the best town to visit in Australia, as voted by you. (Image: David Wilcock)

    Aussies, you’ve made your choice loud and clear. Leaving perennial favourites like Byron Bay and Margaret River in its wake, the sun-soaked haven of Noosa has officially taken the crown for best town in Australia this year – and it’s not hard to see why. Situated on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, around a two-hour drive from Brisbane, Noosa has it all.

    Keen for a seaside summer escape? Its golden stretch of coastline boasts some of the best beaches in the world. After something slower? Noosa’s hinterland offers lush forests, wild swimming holes and cosy off-grid stays for lazy, unhurried days. Whatever part you choose to explore, you’ll find endless ways to relax, reset and recharge.

    Your guide to the best of Noosa

    Noosa, Queensland
    The Sunshine Coast gem is a haven for holidaymakers. (Image: Jesse Lindemann)

    Whether you’re a long-time fan or its new title has finally convinced you to go, there’s no denying Noosa deserves a spot on your holiday list. The coastal town is practically brimming with things to see and do, but if you’re limited on time, there are a few experiences you won’t want to miss. Lucky for you, we’ve got the itinerary sorted.

    Start with a trip to the Noosa Everglades, about 30 minutes north of town. Alongside the USA’s Florida Everglades, it’s one of just two everglade systems in the world and among the oldest waterways on the planet. It also spans two UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, the Noosa and Great Sandy.

    Canoeing through the Noosa Everglades in Queensland
    Join a canoe tour to see the Noosa Everglades up close. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    A tour with Everglades Eco Safaris will take you deep into the heart of this natural wonder, where expert guides navigate the waterways and share fascinating insights into the flora and fauna that call it home.

    Guests can choose between a tranquil river cruise and an immersive canoe adventure, both running for 4.5 hours. There are plenty of other outdoor nature experiences on offer, too – think whale-watching, hiking, surf lessons and even skydiving.

    Noosaville Brewery in Noosa, Queensland
    The coastal town is dotted with local breweries serving craft beer. (Image: Tourism Noosa/Amy Higg Photo)

    Rather just sit back and relax? Noosa’s got you covered. Home to dreamy day spas designed to soothe even the most stressed-out souls, relaxation here is a non-negotiable. With the knots in your back a distant memory, you’re free to wander local markets touting handmade wares, dine at restaurants heroing fresh seafood and sip your way through Noosa’s hitlist of breweries and distilleries.

    Seahaven Noosa in Noosa, Queensland
    Soak up the sunshine during a stay at Seahaven Noosa.

    You’ll find a range of accommodation options, too. Noosa welcomes everyone – families with little ones, couples on honeymoon and travellers going solo are all catered to.

    If you’re travelling on a budget, book into one of Noosa’s comfy caravan parks. Nestled among the paperbarks, Habitat Noosa is a great option, offering both camping and glamping sites. Got holiday cash to splash? Seahaven Noosa is among the town’s hottest stays with its spacious suites, beachfront pool and proximity to Hastings Street.

    The runners-up for Australia’s best town

    Noosa, Queensland
    Noosa beat towns like Byron Bay, Mudgee and Margaret River. (Image: Tourism Australia)

    While Noosa took out the top spot in 2025, it faced some fierce competition along the way. Consistent favourite, Byron Bay missed out on the top spot but still made it into the list as a runner-up, as well as claiming the title of best wellness destination in Australia.

    Other contenders included Port Douglas in Queensland and WA’s Margaret River. Mudgee in NSW was also close behind, instead taking out best country escape thanks to its world-class wineries, destination diners and charming regional stays.