Whether surfing at one of Maroochydore’s sensational surf beaches or swimming in the calm waters of the Maroochy River, Maroochydore is the ultimate beach holiday on the Sunshine Coast.
Maroochydore is the urban centre of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia. It is a one hour, 98km (61 mile) drive, north of Brisbane and the city is situated at the intersection of the Maroochy River on one side and the Pacific Ocean on the other.
For those who like to be out in the water, Maroochydore is all about water activities on sunny days.
1. Get your surfboard and catch the Maroochydore waves
The main surfing beach, Maroochydore beach, is popular with surfers. It hosts a number of surfing and surf lifesaving events. Other famous beaches for surfing are Mooloolaba beach and Alexandra Headland.
You may want to check the surfing skill levels of each beach, so you can have the best surf time at Maroochydore. Try to contact some surf clubs for more information. Maroochy Surf Club is one of the most respected surf clubs in Australia where you can get information about surfing at Maroochydore. Another one is Mooloolaba Surf Club at Mooloolaba beach.
Maroochy Surf Club
Address: 34/36 Alexandra Parade, Maroochydore QLD 4558, Australia
Opening Hours: 10am - 12am.
Access: Maroochy Surf Club is right at the front Marrochydore Beach
Contact: +61 7 5443 1298
Website: Maroochy Surf Club
2. Basking in the afternoon sun of Mooloolaba beach
For those who love to do some lazy lounging in the sun, bring your tanning oil and your favourite book, and lie in the afternoon sun of Mooloolaba beach or Maroochydore beach.
For those with children, the beaches are a perfect place for sandcastle activities or sign up your kids for a surfing lesson. No kid will ever reject the splashes of waves on a surfboard.
The Surf Club Mooloolaba
Address: The Esplanade, Mooloolaba QLD 4557, Australia
Opening Hours: 7am - 10pm.
Access: The Surf Club Mooloolaba is right at the front of Mooloolaba Beach
Contact: +61 7 5444 1300
Website: The Surf Club Mooloolaba
3. Wind down at the calm waters of the Maroochy River
When you think you have enough of waves and suntanning, head out to Maroochy River for a wind down. Refresh yourself with a relaxing swim in the gentle current of the Maroochy River.
The Maroochy River is also a perfect area for kids to play in the water. Its calm waters offer a safe swimming area for children and you can always bring your picnic bag. The kids will love to picnic by the river.
You can rent a fishing rod and ask the locals where are the best spots to throw your line. If you are into water-based activities, there are other choices such as canoeing, wind sailing and stand-up paddle boarding.
If you already had enough adrenaline surfing the waves in the morning, grab a picnic bag and head out to the river for lunch and swimming. You might catch yourself taking a nap after that.
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4. Enjoy a romantic sunrise or sunset on Maroochydore beach
A holiday by the beach will never be perfect without a beautiful sunrise or sunset experience and Maroochydore has this, too.
Head out to the Maroochy Surf Club early in the morning or sip beers and cocktails while watching the sunset on the Pacific Ocean. You can always grab your beer and walk along the beach as the sun goes down.
5. Eat glorious food at Maroochydore
Let’s admit it, holiday time means being hungry all the time and we can all agree that food is one of the most important holiday highlights. Head out to Ocean Street, the Sunshine Coast’s newest and shiniest attraction for all things scrumptious. This reborn strip is the place to gorge on tapas or various food from Asian fusion to fresh from the ocean seafood. You can have an informal dining experience at Junk, a 10 USD menu, Asian fusion restaurant at its best. Or, you can have a delicious seafood dinner at Ocean Ended restaurant. Try the chili lime crab linguini with a glass of house white wine and you will end up with a happy tummy.
The award winning Wasabi offers Japanese fusion with locally sourced products. Nestled over the shimmering Noosa River, the food and service deserves high praise.
Another highlight is the Maroochy Surf Club. The Surf Club is famous for its 10 USD Lunch Special and the Sunday Buffet Breakfast from 7.30am-10.00am, and is one of the best at Maroochydore. Check out its website for further information.
Maroochy Surf Club Bar & Bistro
Address: 34/36 Alexandra Parade, Maroochydore QLD 4558, Australia
Price: from 18.95 AUD (14.57 USD) for Sunday Buffet Breakfast
Opening Hours: 10am - 12am.
Access: Maroochy Surf Club Bar & Bistro is right at the Maroochydore beach
Contact: +61 7 5443 1298
Website: Maroochy Surf Club Bar & Bistro
6. Bar hopping on Ocean Street
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Start your night in a classy way at The Piano Bar and order The Gondola for something fruity and sweet. For those who like a more relaxed and vintage ambience with no heels or tuxedo code, head out to The Post Office, which is located inside of the Maroochydore old post office building. The bartender knows their way around a good martini.
Newly opened Elixiba is all about herbal alchemy, where they serve up cocktails created with a custom range of alcohol infused with herbs, superfoods and bush tucker. Sip on an Aztec Negroni, the usual alcohol mixed with housemade cacao bitters and blood orange oil. The night is just going to get better.
Close the bar hopping experience at Sol Bar, or the new Sol Bar as the locals call it. Sol Bar is the perfect place where live music, after office drinks, and dreadlocks come together. It’s the Sunshine Coast’s premium hot spot for live tunes and a cold but affordable beer.
Website: The Piano Bar
Website: The Post Office
Website: Exiliba
Website: Sol Bar
7. Retail therapy in the heart of the Sunshine Coast
We will never get tired of shopping and Maroochydore will spoil you with its shopping places. Sunshine Plaza shopping centre, the largest shopping centre on the sunny coast, has a fantastic range of retail shops that attracts people from all around the Sunshine Coast. Here, you can pick up a new bikini or sun hat to take to the beach. If you prefer shopping on the strip, then Cotton Tree and Duporth Avenue have a great selection of clothing boutiques, homeware stores and art.
If you are into a more traditional local market, like me, visit the Sunday markets. The Cotton Tree Street Market or The Maroochydore Sunday Market sell a whole range of goodies from locally produced fruits and vegetables, jewelry, clothing and ready to eat food.
Website:Sunshine Plaza
Website:Cotton Tree Street Market
The beating heart of the Sunshine Coast
Maroochydore is, in many ways, the beating heart of the Sunshine Coast. It is a bustling city where you can enjoy the ocean by day and cocktails by night.
History
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