Golden Beach Short Stays Guidebook

Caloundra is taking coastal cool to the next level with its award-winning beaches, thriving coffee, craft beer and market scene, and a social calendar brimming with festivals, events and expos. Take another look at this holiday gem, it's just an hour north of Brisbane making it the perfect base for your next Sunshine Coast escape. 1. Grab a frothie at Moffat Beach Brewing Co Queensland's only brewery boasting beach views, Moffat Beach Brewing Co is a major player in the Sunshine Coast’s thriving craft beer scene. This award-winning café and micro-brewery specialises in crisp, handcrafted pale ales, ciders and lagers, featuring quirky monikers such as the Hipsterdoofus ESB, and C-Bomb IPA (named as a nod to the hops - chinook, cascade, centennial and citra - that flavour the brew). The brewer is no slouch in the food stakes either. Banish your hangry with a serve of macadamia crusted chicken schnitty, Mooloolaba king prawn pasta, or Eudlo pork bangers and mash - and leave room for dessert as chef Dan brings a serious cake game to his kitchen creations. For some of the best weekend vibes on the Sunshine Coast, head along on Saturdays from 5 pm and from 3.30 pm on Sundays, to enjoy live music from local talent performing “between the tanks”. Bookings recommended. 2. Festivals and events Caloundra’s calendar is jam-packed with festivals and events year-round. Pencil these up coming events into your social diary, and tack on a few days to explore the rest of the region’s attractions. Enjoy the best of catwalk fashion from local and international designers at the Sunshine Coast Fashion Festival in October. It’s Queensland's only internationally recognised fashion festival, and this year’s line-up features a range of award-winning designers showcasing everything from bikinis and active wear, to bridal fashion and wearable art. Enjoy four days of sun, surf and soul at the annual Caloundra Music Festival at Kings Beach, held over the October long weekend. Kings Beach comes alive to the sounds of a diverse line-up of entertainment featuring the best of the Australian music industry as well as incredible international artists. Caloundra's Events Centre has a calendar featuring the best in touring comedy, ballet, classical music, modern dance, opera and musical theatre. Add a show to your next holiday itinerary. Sunshine Coast Stadium in Bokarina is just a short drive from Calounda, making it the perfect place to base yourself if you're attending and event. The stadium is THE place to see top-level sporting matches (don't miss the Canberra Brumbies v Canterbury Bulldogs on 17 Februrary), thrilling circus acts including Circus Rio on 30 December, open air cinema evenings and concerts from leading international acts. Caloundra turns up the heat on Bulcock Street in November for the Hot 91.1 FM Ignite Caloundra Chilli Festival. Take a stroll down the tree-lined street to sample spicy and delicious cuisine from around the world, an incredible range of piquant peppers, cooking demonstrations and information on everything that's so hot right now. If you’ve worked up a thirst at the Ignite Caloundra Chilli Festival, then mosey up the road to Kawana and wash down those peppery flavours with an ice cold beer! Sunshine Coast’s Craft Beer and Cider Festival showcases more than 160 brews from Australia and New Zealand. Bring your beer palate and buddies to a day of brews, live music and good food. 3. Take a dip at the king of beaches Kings Beach has a festive atmosphere year-round, so whenever you visit you’ll be assured of good time vibes in the sunshine. With an oceanfront saltwater swimming pool, and a gentle beach break, a Kings Beach holiday is totally relaxing. Cafés, restaurants and markets are all just a few minutes’ walk away from a myriad of Kings Beach accommodation options, so you can unpack your bags and leave the car in the garage until the day you leave. 4. Market shopping Caloundra Street Fair (Sundays 8 am to 1 pm) is held under the canopy of the tree-lined main street, surrounded by cafés, boutiques and speciality shops. There are more than 200 stalls to explore, featuring handcrafted goods, arts and crafts, as well as delicious food and fresh flowers. The Caloundra Twilight Markets operate Friday evenings during holiday periods along Bulcock Beach esplanade. This charming market is brimming with artisan, craft and homemade wares so there are some truly unique products to browse and inspirational gift ideas to discover. Wander the boardwalk and enjoy entertainment featuring world music tunes and colourful street theatre performers - and bring your appetite, there's a bounty of delicious fare to enjoy. 5. Sunday sessions at 26° Bar and Venue If you've hit the beach in the morning, indulged in some retail therapy at the Caloundra Street Fair, then come Sunday afternoon you're probably looking for a place to chill. Look no further than 26° Bar and Venue in Rumba Beach Resort - it's the ideal spot for lazy Sunday afternoon hangs with your crew. This swish bar has a killer cocktail list, delectable tapas from 2 pm, and cruisy beats and cool tunes from some of the Sunshine Coast's best live music acts from 3 pm to 6 pm. We'll see you there! 6. Caloundra Coastal Walk Soak up the beauty of the Caloundra region by taking the scenic coastal walk. Take on the entire 25 km stretch that starts from Golden Beach in the south, or enjoy strolling along sections of the walk at a leisurely pace. Keep an eye out for birdlife and dolphins in Pumicestone Passage, check out the historical Military Jetty used for operations during World War II, as well as the heritage listed Kings Beach Bathing Pavilion – and have your camera ready to capture those stellar ocean views. 7. Jet Ski around Pumicestone Passage Pumicestone Passage is a 35 km channel of pristine water stretching from Caloundra in the north to Deception Bay in the south. It’s ideal for all kinds of aquatic escapades, and if you like to travel a little faster than a SUP or kayak, hop aboard a Caloundra Jet Ski. Ride through tranquil mangrove-lined waterways into a marine park green zone, home to dolphins, dugongs, turtles and more than 360 species of birds. Don’t forget to bring your waterproof camera, you’ll want to capture the insta-worthy views of the Glass House Mountains that dominate the horizon. 8. Explore Currimundi Lake trails Lake Currimundi is a stretch of calm water which runs into the ocean at Currimundi surf beach. There is an abundance of picturesque walking tracks surrounding the lake, so lace up your walking shoes, slip, slop slap, and tackle one of the many bush-beach trails that lead down to the lake’s cool waters. The tracks are well mapped, with signage along the way explaining the native flora and fauna you may encounter on your walk. There are plenty of shady spots for a picnic, or you can relax in one of Currimundi’s boutique cafés. 9. Fish and chips at Bulcock Beach Locals know that the Sandbar Café and Kiosk serves up some of the best fish and chips on the Sunshine Coast. Enjoy beer-battered and crumbed barramundi with hand cut chips, or market fish of the day with kipfler potato and bouillabaisse. The café also has a fine selection of designer burgers, salads and desserts. Kick back in the café or take your fare across the road to enjoy an alfresco fish and chips at one of the many picnic tables over looking Bulcock Beach. If you need a sweet chaser after your meal, pick up a delectable cupcake from Stormie D’s Cupcakery. 10. Take a cruise or hire a boat Discover the spectacular beauty of Caloundra's marine environment on a Caloundra Cruise tour. Hop aboard "Tern o' the Tide" for a 90-minute "Smoothwater Classic" tour (Sunday, Tuesday and Friday) - a relaxing cruise offering views from Caloundra Heads to Moreton Island, and Bribie Island. On Thursdays, the "Eco Explorer Cruise" will take you deep into the clear waters of Pumicestone Passage Marine Park to discover an abundance of bird and marine life. You'll drop anchor at Lighthouse Beach and enjoy a scrumptious morning tea. On Friday and Saturday nights, watch the sun disappear behind the Glass House Mountains while relaxing on a BYO sunset tour. If you feel like taking the wheel, hire your own boat from Bills Boat & Bike Hire.