Patrolled golden sand at Mooloolaba. The famous concrete slide at Alexandra Headland. The 80-metre Ocean Tunnel at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast. A flat coastal boardwalk that hugs the shoreline. Fish-and-chips on the working wharf. A perfect Sunshine Coast beach day with zero planning stress — for toddlers, teenagers, parents, and grandparents alike.
A Sunshine Coast Beach Day, Sorted
Mooloolaba is the Sunshine Coast's most loved family beach strip — safe patrolled swimming, a buzzing esplanade lined with cafés and gelato shops, a paved coastal walk past pandanus groves and rock pools, and a working fishing harbour with dolphins regularly cruising past the trawlers. This relaxed guided day takes in the best of the coast between Mooloolaba and Alexandra Headland ("Alex" to the locals), with time for swimming, the famous Alex slide, a coastal boardwalk, a seafood lunch at The Wharf, and a visit to SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast.
SEA LIFE (formerly Underwater World) is the multi-award-winning aquarium at The Wharf on Parkyn Parade — 11 interactive animal zones across three levels, including the 80-metre Ocean Tunnel, the Tidal Touch Pool, Seahorse Kingdom, Jellyfish Kingdom, Seal Island, and Little Blue Penguins. 14 daily talks and animal feeds include the famous Seal Presentation. It's an all-weather attraction — perfect midday relief when the sun is at its peak, or a brilliant rainy-day backup. Entry is included in the tour price for all guests.
Whether you're travelling with toddlers in a pram, teenagers more interested in the gelato than the geology, or grandparents who'd like a sit-down seafood lunch with a sea view, this is a day built around fun in the sun with zero planning stress. Your guide handles transport, timing, and local recommendations so every family member gets exactly the beach day they're after. Beach towels, a shade umbrella, bottled water, and boogie boards for the kids come standard.
The Sunshine Coast lies on the traditional Country of the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) people. Cooee Tours has been running premium Queensland day tours from Brisbane and the Sunny Coast since 1989 — three and a half decades of getting the small things right.
Tour Highlights
Mooloolaba Beach · The Esplanade · Alexandra Headland · Coastal Boardwalk · SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast · The Wharf
Your Tour Trail
Pace built for families. Beach time first while everyone's fresh, indoor relief at midday, more sand and gelato to finish.
Why Cooee Tours
35+ years of family-tour experience, plus genuinely helpful guides who know which café has the best high chairs and which gelato shop does the smallest scoops.
Infant-friendly to grandparent-friendly. Calm shallow water at Mooloolaba, gentle waves at Alex, pram-accessible boardwalk, sit-down seafood for the grown-ups.
No driving, no parking stress, no car-seat unpacking. Air-conditioned coach pickup and drop-off from anywhere between Caloundra and Noosa.
Intimate group dynamics so kids aren't crammed in, parents aren't shouting over a tour megaphone, and your guide can actually learn names.
Both Mooloolaba and Alexandra Headland are lifeguard-patrolled — swim between the flags with confidence. Conditions checked before every swim.
11 interactive zones, 80m Ocean Tunnel, Seahorse Kingdom, Seal Presentation, and Little Blue Penguins — entry for every guest is built into the tour price.
Beach towels, shade umbrella, sunscreen top-ups, and bottled water provided. SEA LIFE is the perfect rainy-day backup — all-weather attraction.
The Esplanade, the coastal boardwalk, and SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast are all wheelchair- and pram-accessible. Tell us your needs when booking.
Australian Travel Industry Association accredited. Brisbane-based business since 1989 — three and a half decades of Queensland day-tour expertise.
Sample Itinerary
Approximate times — exact schedule varies slightly by pickup location and season. Pickups available from Caloundra, Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland, Cotton Tree, Twin Waters, Coolum, and Noosa.
Pickup from your Sunshine Coast accommodation in our air-conditioned coach. Travel cots, prams, and boogie boards welcome.
Morning coffee on the Esplanade, beach time on the patrolled golden sand, and a stroll along the beachfront promenade past boutique shops, gelato stands, and waterfront restaurants. First swim of the day.
The paved 1.5km coastal path from Mooloolaba to Alexandra Headland hugs the shoreline past rock pools, headland lookouts, and pandanus groves. Flat, fully pram-accessible. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, turtles, sea eagles, and (in season) breaching humpback whales offshore.
Lifeguard-patrolled and protected by the headland, "Alex" is a favourite with families for its gentle waves, grassy foreshore, and the famous concrete slide for the kids (and brave adults). Swim, body-surf, or simply lay out on the grass.
Seafood lunch (own expense) at the working fishing harbour. Choose from fish-and-chips kiosks, sit-down seafood restaurants with river views, or family-friendly cafés. The Surf Club Mooloolaba sits opposite SEA LIFE.
Multi-award-winning aquarium at The Wharf, Parkyn Parade (formerly Underwater World). 11 interactive zones across 3 levels: the 80-metre Ocean Tunnel with "Jawsome Sharks", Tidal Touch Pool, Seahorse Kingdom, Jellyfish Kingdom, Seal Island, and Little Blue Penguins. The Seal Presentation is daily — included in admission. Entry for all guests is built into the tour price.
Last swim at Mooloolaba Beach, gelato run, or souvenir shopping along the Esplanade. Your guide times this so you finish on a high.
Air-conditioned return drive — sandy, salty, sun-tired children gently encouraged towards seat belts.
Door-to-door return. Showers, dinner, early bedtime — in roughly that order.
What You'll Experience
Stroll the beachfront promenade past boutique shops, gelato stands, and waterfront restaurants. Grab a flat white, browse the surf stores, watch the dolphins cruise past the harbour entrance, or simply people-watch with the ocean as your backdrop. The Mooloolaba Twilight Markets run Friday nights from 4pm to 8pm in school holidays — your guide will let you know if your tour falls on one.
Lifeguard-patrolled and protected by the headland, "Alex" is a favourite with families for its gentle waves, grassy foreshore, and the famous concrete slide for the kids (and brave adults). The headland itself offers panoramic Sunshine Coast views from Point Cartwright south to the Glass House Mountains.
The 1.5km paved path from Mooloolaba to Alex Headland hugs the shoreline past rock pools, headland lookouts, and pandanus groves. Fully flat, pram- and wheelchair-accessible. Keep your eyes peeled for dolphins, turtles, sea eagles, and humpback whales (May–November migration).
Multi-award-winning aquarium at The Wharf, Parkyn Parade (formerly Underwater World). Walk through the 80-metre Ocean Tunnel with sharks gliding overhead, meet seals and penguins, and let the kids loose in the Tidal Touch Pool. 11 zones across 3 levels, 14 daily talks and feeds, famous Seal Presentation — and a perfect midday activity when the sun is at its peak. Entry included for all tour guests.
What's Included
✦ Dietary requirements easily handled — The Wharf and Esplanade cater to vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergen-aware diets.
Guest Reviews
Real reviews from families who've done the Mooloolaba & Family Beaches tour with Cooee Tours.
The kids absolutely loved it — the Alex slide was a hit, and we couldn't drag them away from the touch tanks at SEA LIFE. The guide even found us the best fish and chips on the wharf.
Such a relaxing day. Having everything organised — towels, water, SEA LIFE tickets — meant we could just enjoy the beach without worrying about logistics. Will definitely book again.
We're grandparents travelling with our two grandchildren (ages 4 and 7). The pace was perfect, the guide was patient and fun, and Mooloolaba Beach is just gorgeous for little ones.
Questions?
Everything you need to know before booking the Mooloolaba & Family Beaches tour.
Yes. Mooloolaba Beach has calm, shallow water perfect for little ones, and the coastal boardwalk is pram-friendly. SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast welcomes all ages. We carry shade umbrellas, beach towels, and extra water for families with young children.
SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast (formerly Underwater World) is the multi-award-winning aquarium at The Wharf, Parkyn Parade in Mooloolaba. It features 11 interactive animal zones across three levels — including the 80-metre Ocean Tunnel, Tidal Touch Pool, Seahorse Kingdom, Jellyfish Kingdom, Seal Island, and Little Blue Penguins. There are 14 daily talks and animal feeds, including the famous Seal Presentation. It's an all-weather attraction, open 9am to 5pm daily (last entry 4pm). Entry is included in the tour price for every guest.
Lunch is at your own expense so families can choose what suits them. Mooloolaba Wharf has a great range — from fish-and-chips kiosks to sit-down seafood restaurants — plus cafés and gelato along the Esplanade. Budget $15–$35 per person.
Absolutely. Your guide is flexible — if the family is happy on the sand, the aquarium time can be swapped for extra beach time at Mooloolaba or Alexandra Headland. Just let your guide know on the day.
Light showers usually pass quickly on the Sunshine Coast. If the weather turns, your guide will adjust the day — SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast is a fantastic all-weather backup (multi-award winner, 3 levels indoors), and the Esplanade cafés are mostly covered. In the case of severe weather, we offer a date transfer.
Door-to-door pickup from most Sunshine Coast accommodation between Caloundra and Noosa — including Mooloolaba, Maroochydore, Alexandra Headland, Cotton Tree, Twin Waters, Coolum, Peregian Beach, and Noosaville. Your exact pickup time is confirmed by email after booking.
Yes. The Mooloolaba Esplanade, the coastal boardwalk between Mooloolaba and Alexandra Headland, and SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast are all wheelchair- and pram-accessible. The beach itself has firm sand near the water's edge. Please mention any accessibility needs when booking so we can plan the best route.
Pricing varies depending on group size, pickup location, season, and number of adults/children. Please contact us on 0409 661 342 or via our enquiry form for current 2026 family rates and availability. SEA LIFE entry is included in the tour price.
Use the Enquire button on this page, call us on 0409 661 342, or email contact@waggiegroup.com. Full payment is required at the time of booking. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before departure.
Your Complete Guide
Mooloolaba is the heart of the central Sunshine Coast, roughly halfway between Noosa Heads and Caloundra and about one hour north of Brisbane. The name comes from the Kabi Kabi (Gubbi Gubbi) language — generally taken to mean "place of snapper" or "black snake". Today it's a buzzing beachside suburb built around a working fishing harbour, the Mooloolaba Spit, and a wide patrolled beach of golden sand. The Esplanade hosts cafés, restaurants, surf stores, gelato shops, and the much-loved Twilight Markets on Friday nights during school holidays.
Formerly known as Underwater World, SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast is the region's top family attraction. Located at The Wharf on Parkyn Parade, just a short walk from the Esplanade and across the road from The Surf Club Mooloolaba. 11 interactive animal zones across 3 levels, including the headline 80-metre Ocean Tunnel where sharks and tropical fish glide overhead. Cage-free shark dives and snorkels available for adventurous over-12s (separate booking). Octopus Garden Café on-site for snacks.
"Alex" Headland sits just north of Mooloolaba — a lifeguard-patrolled family beach with the famous concrete slide, a grassy foreshore, and one of the best coastal lookouts on the Sunshine Coast. From the headland, watch for dolphins year-round, sea turtles, sea eagles, and (between May and November) humpback whales on their annual east-coast migration. Brisbane's 2032 Olympics is bringing increased visitor interest to the Sunshine Coast — expect the region to continue investing in family infrastructure.
35+ years of Brisbane and Sunshine Coast operation. ATAS accreditation. Maximum 12 guests per departure — never crammed, never rushed. SEA LIFE entry included for every guest. Beach towels, shade umbrella, water, sunscreen, and boogie boards all provided so you arrive empty-handed. Door-to-door pickup from Caloundra to Noosa. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before. Genuinely family-friendly pacing — not just adult itineraries with kids tacked on.
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