Best Things to Do and Places to Visit in Caloundra

Caloundra used to be the Sunshine Coast’s quiet little sister. She’s no Noosa yet, but this southern (Sunshine Coast) belle is getting her groove on. You just have to know where to look.

1. Grab a Beachside Fish and Chips at the Sandbar Cafe & Kiosk

Snap up greasy takeaway beer-battered fish and chips (and maybe a crumbed garlic prawn or two) from the Sandbar’s kiosk, directly across from Bulcock Beach. Spread out on the tables under the giant pine trees across the road and drink in views across Pumicestone Passage to Bribie Island.

Sandbar Cafe & Kiosk, Caloundra QLD — Go for a meal in the cafe and get your fix of some of the freshest seafood in Caloundra.

If it’s a windy day, settle in at the licensed cafe for a slightly pricier but more refined dish such as the smoked Atlantic salmon and Hervey Bay scallop orecchiette pasta, served with pea puree. And maybe get a side of chilli salt and aioli hand-cut chips to treat yourself.

Address: 26 Esplanade, Bulcock Beach

2. Get your Adrenaline Fix with Caloundra Jet Ski

Ken Jeffreys takes the Bogan out of jet skiing with his tours along Pumicestone Passage. The Caloundra Jet Ski trips follow Bribie Island into Moreton Bay Marine Park where you’ll be floored by a rarely-seen aspect of the Glasshouse Mountains from your ‘ski.

It’s not just noisy splashing about either; Ken shares local legends and indigenous history with infectious enthusiasm. If you’re lucky, you may even spot dugongs and dolphins. No licence is required when you’re under the supervision of a qualified guide. If you have got a licence, then rent a jet ski, grab a map and get exploring.

3. Climb up to the top of the Caloundra Lighthouses

Caloundra Lighthouse QLD — Only $5 admission to walk up to the Caloundra Lighthouses (the oldest building in the town).

The best views of both Bribie Island and the Glasshouse Mountain is from the top of the Caloundra Lighthouses. One is the oldest building in the town and the area only costs you a fiver to get access to (when it’s open). Only opening every second and fourth Saturday of the month.

Both lighthouses are accessible to the public, with the newer having a more relaxed and lazy climb to it, and the 1896 building being a little more of a trek (and not for the faint-hearted). If you want a history lesson and a guided tour, it’ll cost you around $40 per person and it’s worth it.

Address: 8/10 Canberra Terrace, Kings Beach

4. Order a Coffee at Lamkin Lane Espresso Bar

Always drink where the locals do. In this case, that’s at funky espresso bar Lamkin Lane , which you’ll find on a cosy little laneway; a nice respite from the main drag, Bulcock Street.

There are single origins from Nicaragua, Brazil and beyond. The piccolo is recommended if that’s how you take it. The handful of outside tables and one communal one inside make for an intimate vibe.

There’s no big array of food options, but it’s all about the dark stuff; Lamkin Lane is in the mix for the best cup of coffee on the Sunshine Coast.

Address: 3 Lamkin Lane

5. It’s Smoothie Time at Coco Loco Club

Coco Loco Club Caloundra smoothie — Heat-beating treats with health credentials: Coco Loco Club, Caloundra.

If you had a hankering for a smoothie or fresh juice in the past here, it was best to traverse the few kilometres to Coco Loco Club, Moffat Beach. It’s all very Instagram-worthy: loud furniture, hanging plants, light and airy.

And a big bunch of bonus points go to these guys, grab one of their Coco Loco buckets, pick up some litter (like the good citizen you are) and hand it back in for a free cup of coffee.

The great taste generators here are the acai bowl (topped with granola, seasonal fruits, coconut flakes, chia seeds and honey) and The Fresh Prince (mango, kale, lime, ginger, mint and coconut water).

Address: 3 Roderick Street, Moffat Beach

6. Go Shopping for a Pressie at Villa Verde Living

Villa Verde drags a little bit of Noosa boutique shopping south. There are local and global selections of homewares, jewellery, knick-knacks and fashion with an overarching beach house aesthetic.
If you’re on holidays, you might ignore the cane furniture but there are plenty of things to spoil yourself with. Cute pair of Miz Mooz shoes anyone?

Address: Shop 1/10 Ormuz Avenue

7. Book a Room to Stay at the Rumba Beach Resort

Rumba Beach Resort Caloundra QLD — Relax by the pool at the Rumba Beach Resort in Caloundra.

There are a plethora of holiday lets in Caloundra but Rumba Beach Resort is the pick of the all-inclusive. Aim for a sea-facing one- or two-bedroom spa suite, which have long, flowing living spaces larger than you could ever need.

The low-key five-star resort is packed with the long-holiday essentials such as complimentary Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs (plural), iPod docks and Nespresso machines.

Overall it’s a compact family-friendly resort with a lot of pools to cool off in and an outdoor hot tub to do the opposite. It’s close to beach-front food options and off-street parking and bike hire are available.

Address: 10 Leeding Terrace

8. Clink Glasses over a Dinner at Amici Restaurant Pizzeria

This Caloundra locally-renowned Italian eatery, Amici Pizzeria is a treasure in the community. The drinks list is lengthy and the food tasty (an understatement), this is the perfect end to a Caloundra vacation. Order up a glass of La Vis Pinot Grigio, direct from Trentino in Italy and cheers.

The food menu has enough choices to last you a lifetime, so we recommend that you go along the motto ‘sharing is caring’ and try one of everything. Get a few gourmet pizzas, a couple of plates of pasta (might we suggest the linguine boscaiola?) and a plate of cured meats and marinated olives. Also, side note – they have an Oreo sundae and choc fudge caramel brownie on the dessert menu. Now that’s amore.

Address: 16 Bulcock Street

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.