subject: Explore the beaches around Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast [print this page] Explore the beaches around Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast
This attractive seaside resort lies in the south region of the Sunshine Coast in East Queensland, Australia. The town is 60 minutes away from Brisbane city, and a 45 minute drive from Brisbane Airport. The 2005 census confirmed a population of 88,500. There is a range accommodation to suit your individual taste and budget.
Caloundra residents were extremely excited and proud when their town won the prestigious 'Queensland's Tidiest Town' award. If you are planning to visit this part of the world to soak up the sun and sea, you will find some of Australia's best beaches. Most of them are patrolled throughout the year.
Golden Beach provides ideal swimming conditions for children because it is protected by the Bribie Island. It is also a popular venue for fishing, boating, kite surfing and wind surfing. When the tide is low, you can almost walk to the island.
With its boardwalks and piers, Bulcock Beach is also ideal for swimming. It too is close to Bribie Island. There is a lovely walking track at this beach which offers a scenic hour's stroll along the beautiful coast to Moffat Beach.
You can have a refreshing dip at Moffat Beach even though it is not patrolled. This is a haven for surfers with its perfect wave breaks. The beach is surrounded by parks, apartments and residential houses. From here you can continue walking to Dicky Beach.
Kings Beach is considered to be the main beach in Caloundra. Patrolled 365 days a year, it has lovely picnic areas and designated children's playgrounds. There are no less than 4,000 holiday apartments available for rental at Kings Beach. There is a large swimming pool near the ocean which is fed by sea water. This is very popular with visitors of all ages.
Unsupervised swimming is not suitable at Shelly Beach, but it is still worth a visit. You can watch wild, rough waves crashing onto the rocks producing thunderous sounds. When the tide is out, the shoreline is a paradise of rock pools. Shelly beach is one of the few that allows dogs on the beach.
A major hit with visitors is the Ettamogah Pub. This strangely built establishment looks as if it has come out of a comic magazine. In fact it was built in the style of cartoonist Ken Maynard who used to work for the now obsolete Australian Post Magazine. This Caloundra attraction enjoyed such popularity that there is now a chain of Ettamogah pubs across Australia.
