About Caloundra
Uncover the town's coastal beauty, vibrant culture, and rich tapestry of experiences. Delve into the heart of this Sunshine Coast gem and discover what makes Caloundra a must-visit destination.
8 reasons to visit Caloundra
Beautiful Beaches
Caloundra boasts a series of stunning beaches, each with its own unique charm.
These include Golden Beach, Bulcock Beach, Kings Beach, Shelly Beach, Moffat Beach, Dicky Beach, and Currimundi. The beaches are ideal for family outings, romantic walks, and various water sports.
Outdoor Activities
The region is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Caloundra offers activities such as swimming, snorkeling, kiteboarding, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and jet skiing. The Caloundra Coastal Path provides a scenic route for walking, running and riding, and Kings Beach offers a heritage-listed saltwater pool.
Family-Friendly Destination
With its range of beaches, parks, and family-friendly accommodations, Caloundra is popular among families.
It offers activities suitable for all ages, making it an excellent destination for family vacations and day trips.
Events and Festivals
Caloundra hosts the annual Caloundra Music Festival and other events throughout the year.
Events such as beach volleyball tournaments, triathlons, and cultural festivals are all part of the yearly excitement. The Events Centre in Caloundra is a venue for various shows and live gigs.
Indigenous Significance
Home to the Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi) and the Jinibara people
Efforts have been made to preserve and recognise the Indigenous heritage of Caloundra. This includes acknowledging historical sites, protecting significant landscapes, and promoting the understanding of Indigenous culture and history among residents and visitors.
The area has historical significance, including its role during World War II as a key defense location.
Caloundra also has several heritage-listed sites, like the Caloundra Lighthouses and the Kings Beach Bathing Pavilion.
Natural Beauty and Wildlife
Caloundra is close to the Pumicestone Passage, known for its wildlife and stunning waterways.
Nature enthusiasts enjoy exploring this area for its pristine beauty. Parks with water play, lush forest and cool breezes are the perfect places to enjoy our seaside playground.
From tranquil waterfalls to beachside havens, pack a picnic and enjoy some of the recreational parks and open spaces maintained by Sunshine Coast Council.
For an aerial view or to locate park facilities, visit Sunshine Coast Council’s website and search “Beaches and Park Directory” which includes an interactive map.
Here are some of our Caloundra favourites:
Kings Beach Park and Community Precinct
This ‘natural and unique’ part of the Sunshine Coast gained international recognition and has been awarded a Green Flag Award.
Kings Beach Park and Community Precinct has so much to offer, including the popular spray water park, multiple playgrounds, exercise equipment, an open and grassy area at the amphitheatre, Kings Beach Pool, picnic tables and natural shade scattered throughout the park.
The park overlooks Kings Beach so why not take a refreshing dip in the ocean at the patrolled beach or stroll along Council’s stunning Coastal Pathway. Bring a picnic and enjoy the outlook or pop in and enjoy the local cafés and eateries.
Location: Ormonde Terrace, Esplanade Headland and De Vene Avenue, Caloundra
Shelly Beach Park
A district park located along the beach front providing shaded play equipment and shelters with barbecue and picnic facilities. The park also provides car parking and public amenities.
Shelly Beach Park is located along the beach front under plenty of natural shade. Enjoy the great views of the ocean, and take in a story with the park the home to Bring a book story seat by Caroline Magerl, an award winning author and illustrotor of children’s picture books.
Shelly Beach Park provides an ideal location for hosting an event.
Location: King Street, Shelly Beach
Read more: https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/experience-sunshine-coast/beaches-and-parks/beaches-and-parks-directory/shelly-beach-park
Happy Valley (Clarke Place Park)
This scenic district park features numerous barbecue facilities with picnic tables and shelters nearby, a large playground and a public amenities block to the south. The playground provides plenty of activities to entertain children. At the northern end of the park is the spectacular Happy Valley Boardwalk to Kings Beach, the beginning of the Coastal Pathway. The Coast Pathway commences against the Happy Valley Foreshore Reserve parcel.
Clarke Place Park is also referred to as Happy Valley. With beach and ocean views this is a popular location for gatherings of all types, from family picnics to weddings. It is suitable for almost every type of celebration, or just a great place to enjoy the facilities and surrounding attractions.
Location: Esplanade Bulcock Beach, Caloundra
Read More: https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/experience-sunshine-coast/beaches-and-parks/beaches-and-parks-directory/clarke-place-park
Caloundra Skate Park
Located beside the Caloundra Aquatic Lifestyle Centre this skate park is fully fenced and supervised by the Centre staff. There are multiple shade sails over half the facility.
The skate park features grind rails, grinding block, double launch ramp, 5ft ¾ bowl, 6ft ¾ bowl, 7ft ¾ bowl, two ¼ bowls and three spines.
The Aquatic Centre provides off street car parking and access to the facility is via Arthur Street.
Location: Central Park, 81-239 Arthur Street, Caloundra
Read More: https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/experience-sunshine-coast/beaches-and-parks/beaches-and-parks-directory/caloundra-skate-park
Felicity Park
This small shady park is a thoroughfare between Bulcock Street and Omrah Avenue between the Art Gallery and Caloundra Library. An oversized Chess Board is situated in this park for all to enjoy.
Felicity Park is a civic park that offers a lot of great shade, seats and is the entrance to the Caloundra Art Gallery and Caloundra Library.
Location: Omrah Avenue Caloundra
Read More: https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/experience-sunshine-coast/beaches-and-parks/beaches-and-parks-directory/felicity-park
Ben Bennett Bushland Park
The Ben Bennett Bushland Park features extensive walking tracks and environmental information. The reserve also provides shelters with barbecue and picnic facilities, public amenities and is popular for get-togethers.
The tracks guide visitors through the vegetation communities of Melaleuca and Eucalypt forests, coastal heaths and one of few areas of coastal lowland vine forest. There are over 150 plant species identified in reserve and it is a known feeding area of Glossy Black Cockatoo.
Location: Queen Street, Caloundra
Read More: https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/experience-sunshine-coast/beaches-and-parks/beaches-and-parks-directory/ben-bennett-bushland-park
Discover more of the Sunshine Coast’s parks via the Beaches and Parks Directory.
Market Culture
Explore our local markets for bespoke treasures, cultural cuisines and friendly faces
Caloundra's CBD transforms into the Sunday Street Fair every week. Weave through the unique stalls, taste the ever changing foodie options, and enjoy entertainment from local buskers to street performers.
A hidden treasure on the Sunshine Coast, featuring over 120 unique stalls, the Caloundra Street Fair has something for everyone.
Exploring local crafts, art, and produce at the Arthur Street Country Markets, held every Sunday at Caloundra Rugby Union Club.
Bulcock Beach Esplanade is the home of the Caloundra Twilight Markets on the last Friday evening of each month (excluding June & July for a winter break). With a large range of both food and artisan stalls, there is no shortage of treasures at this market!
The Currimundi Lake Twilight Market is a popular local’s hangout with local breweries with plenty of bevvies on tap. Running on the third Friday evening of each month (excluding June & July for a winter break).
Caloundra's vibrant market scene offers a glimpse into the region's bustling community life.