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Caloundra, Queensland - Beaches, Street Art and Easy Coastal Living
- Wander * Explore * Discover
- Mar 17, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: 19 hours ago
Caloundra, Queensland - Beaches, Street Art and Easy Coastal Living
Set at the southern gateway to the Sunshine Coast, Caloundra is the kind of seaside town that makes it easy to slow down and settle in. Just 94 kilometres north of Brisbane, Caloundra blends beautiful beaches with colourful street art, relaxed cafés and a friendly, walkable town centre.
When we stayed in Caloundra, we explored Kings Beach and Bulcock Beach, discovered the amazing Street Art and enjoyed coffee and pastries at Lamkin Lane. We then explored Moffat Beach and Golden Beach, wandered through the Sunday market and visited Currumundi Lake.
Kings Beach - Our Favourite Beach
Kings Beach, is our favourite beach in Caloundra. With its wide shoreline, rolling waves and lively atmosphere, it’s easy to see why locals and visitors gravitate here. The free 25-metre saltwater swimming pool sits right by the ocean, while cafés, playgrounds and picnic areas make it a place you can happily spend hours.
One of the standout features is the heritage-listed Kings Beach Bathing Pavilion, built in 1937 and still in use today. Nearby, the rockpools reveal a surprising world of small, colourful fish at low tide, perfect for a quiet moment of watching and wandering.
Adding to the character, a series of murals around the beach and parklands bring Caloundra’s coastal culture from the 1920s to the 1950s vividly to life.
Bulcock Beach - Cafes & Shops
Just steps from the town centre, Bulcock Beach offers calm, south-facing waters ideal for swimming, fishing, boating and windsurfing. The beachfront esplanade is lined with shady parks, grassy areas, picnic facilities and playgrounds, making it a favourite for families.
Across the road, cafés, restaurants and boutiques spill onto the street, creating a relaxed buzz that’s especially inviting around breakfast and lunch. It’s also where Caloundra’s creative side really shines.
Street Art, Laneways and Lamkin Lane
Caloundra’s street art trail is a joy to explore. As we wandered through town, we discovered vibrant murals tucked into laneways and painted across building walls, including the iconic artwork on Dingle Avenue and pieces near the Art Gallery.
One laneway stop we loved was Lamkin Lane, where the murals set the mood perfectly for a coffee break. We ducked into Lamkin Lane Espresso Bar and Café for excellent coffee and fresh pastries — the kind of spontaneous stop that becomes a highlight of the day.
Moffat Beach: Laid-Back and Local
A short drive away, Moffat Beach feels wonderfully relaxed. Backed by a high, tree-lined headland, the bay has a local, village-style atmosphere. While the main beach isn’t patrolled, the sandy inlet of Tooway Creek offers a shallow, family-friendly swimming spot.
The grassy foreshore is shaded by pines and pandanus trees and dotted with picnic tables, shelters, toilets and a playground — an easy place to linger with a picnic or watch the afternoon drift by.
Golden Beach and the Pumicestone Passage
Stretching for more than four kilometres along the Pumicestone Passage, Golden Beach is calm and sheltered by Bribie Island. With gentle water and long sandy edges, it’s popular for swimming, fishing and windsurfing, and it’s perfect for long, unhurried walks along the shore.
If you’re looking for a fun way to get out on the water while visiting Caloundra, this stand-up paddleboarding experience along the Pumicestone Passage is a fantastic option.
Departing from Golden Beach, you can paddle across calm, clear waters toward Bribie Island, taking in the coastal scenery at your own pace. This experience is suitable for beginners and more confident paddlers alike, with a quick safety briefing and all equipment provided. Along the way, you may spot stingrays, fish and birdlife in the shallow waters, making it a peaceful and scenic way to explore this beautiful stretch of coastline.
If you love relaxed outdoor adventures and unique ways to experience the coast, this SUP experience is well worth a look.
Sunday Markets and a Taste of Local Life
On Sundays, Bulcock Street comes alive with the Caloundra Street Fair, held from 8.00 am to 1.00 pm. More than 120 stalls fill the street with fresh produce, handmade homewares, fashion, art, flowers and plants. Add street food, live music and children’s entertainment, and it’s an easy way to tap into Caloundra’s community vibe.
Currimundi Lake: Calm Water and Coastal Paths
Just six kilometres from Caloundra, Currimundi Lake offers a peaceful contrast to the surf beaches. The lake’s calm waters and golden sand edges are ideal for swimming and paddling, and it connects to the ocean at Currimundi Beach.
Nearby picnic tables, toilets, shady trees and cafés make it a great place to spend a relaxed afternoon. The adjoining Currimundi Beach stretches for 1.3 kilometres and is patrolled on weekends and during school holidays.
Why Caloundra Is So Easy to Love
Caloundra brings together everything that makes the Sunshine Coast special — beautiful beaches, creative street art, good coffee and a pace of life that invites you to linger.
Whether you’re exploring rockpools at Kings Beach, strolling the markets, or unwinding by Currimundi Lake, Caloundra delivers an easy, sun-kissed escape that keeps calling you back.
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