Best Beaches Sunshine Coast 2026 Guide

Sunshine Coast Beaches 2026, Overview

The Sunshine Coast has 60km of continuous coastline from Caloundra in the south to the Noosa National Park in the north, delivering a beach for every taste, from sheltered family beaches and patrolled surf breaks to the extraordinary natural setting of Noosa National Park. The Sunshine Coast is widely regarded as having Australia's best combination of lifestyle, beach quality and community. Here's a guide to its best beaches.

Caloundra Beaches (Southern Sunshine Coast)

• Kings Beach, Kings Beach, Caloundra. Caloundra's most central beach. Patrolled, good family swimming, ocean pool (Kings Beach Pool), esplanade for walking and cycling.
• Moffat Beach, Moffat Beach, Caloundra. A local favourite with a beautiful headland, great surf and the popular Moffat Beach Brewing Co adjacent. Quieter than Kings Beach.
• Dicky Beach, Dicky Beach, Caloundra. Named after the SS Dicky shipwreck (the wreck has since been removed after storm damage). Patrolled surf beach popular with families.

Central Sunshine Coast Beaches

• Mooloolaba Beach, Mooloolaba Esplanade, Mooloolaba. One of the Sunshine Coast's most popular beaches, 1km of patrolled golden sand backed by a vibrant esplanade of cafes, restaurants and retail. The Mooloolaba Spit (on the northern side) has calmer water ideal for families with toddlers.
• Alexandra Headland (Alex), Alexandra Headland. A quieter beach between Mooloolaba and Maroochydore with excellent surf and a tight-knit surf club community.
• Maroochydore Beach, Maroochy Rivermouth and surrounding beaches. Good surf and family swimming. The Cotton Tree area (rivermouth) is ideal for children with calm, shallow water.
• Coolum Beach, Coolum Beach township. Uncrowded and beautiful. Mount Coolum National Park (iconic plugged volcano) visible from the beach. Strong local surf community.
• Peregian Beach, Peregian Beach. One of the coast's most beautiful and natural beach settings. Minimal commercial development, natural dunes, excellent surf.

Noosa Beaches

• Noosa Main Beach, Hastings Street, Noosa Heads. Patrolled, calm and beautiful beach at the entrance to Noosa National Park. The Hastings Street restaurant and retail strip is adjacent, expensive but exceptional quality.
• Noosa National Park Beaches, Tea Tree Bay, Granite Bay, Dolphin Point. Wild beaches within the national park, accessible by coastal walk from Noosa Main Beach. Tea Tree Bay is famous for its point surf break.

This article was compiled by AI and screened before publishing. See our editorial standards.