Caloundra
Table of Contents: Culture and History / Travel to Caloundra, visa requirements By car Buses to Caloundra By train By boat / Get around / Caloundra attractions and sightseeing / Beaches / Horse Racing / City tours / Shopping, Caloundra souvenirs / Good restaurants and cheap meals / Budget / Mid-range / Splurge / Caloundra nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs. / Hotels, youth hostels, lodging / Budget 2 / Mid-range 2 / Splurge 2 / Contact / Stay safe / Get out More from Sunshine Coast (Queensland): Beerwah, Caloundra, Flaxton, Maleny, Noosa More from Queensland: Airlie Beach, Bowen, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cape York Peninsula, Capricornia, Far North Queensland, Fraser Island, Gladstone (Queensland), Glass House Mountains National Park, Gold Coast, Granite belt, Hervey Bay, Mackay, Mount Isa, Nambour, Rockhampton, Roma, Sunshine Coast (Queensland), Toowoomba, Tully More from Australia: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Australian Capital Territory, Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves, New South Wales, Norfolk Island, Northern Territory, Outback, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria (state), Western Australia More from Australasia: Australia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea More from Oceania: Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, Midway Islands, New Zealand, Polynesia |
Caloundra is a city on Queensland's Sunshine Coast. Slightly more laid-back than its neighbours Coolum and Noosa, Caloundra still retains a slightly "old-fashioned" air.
Culture and History
Caloundra's suburbs are in fact a number of different beaches, each with a slightly different local character. Among these are Golden Beach, Moffatt Beach, Dickie Beach and King's Beach.
Travel to Caloundra, visa requirements
The easiest way into Caloundra is by road from either the south (Brisbane) or the north (the rest of the coast).
By car
Following the highway north from Brisbane for approximately two hours (depending on traffic) will get you to Caloundra. Be aware that the Sunshine Coast is a popular weekend getaway for Brisbanites, so expect a slightly longer drive on a Friday afternoon. You will also have to pay the toll on the Gateway Bridge as you leave south Brisbane.
Buses to Caloundra
Regular bus services run from Brisbane to Caloundra. The bus terminal is located near King's Beach.
By train
The nearest train station is located at Landsborough in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, from there a connecting Sunbus service operates into Caloundra.
By boat
Get around
For a comparatively small city in population terms, Caloundra takes in a surprisingly large area, much of which is quite hilly. Unless all you want to do or see is close to your accommodation (which is unlikely), a car will probably come in handy.
Caloundra attractions and sightseeing
Beaches
The major attraction of Caloundra is the beaches, some of the state's best. These include:
- King's beach, the main patrolled surf beach, even has a webcam.
- Bullock beach, popular with families, but beware of the strong current along Pumistone passage. Bullock beach also features a lovely boardwalk with bars and restaurants and also some very popular fishing spots.
- Moffatt beach.
- Golden beach, popular with windsurfers. You will find a number of hire places offering kayaks, surf-ski's sail-boards, Hobie-cats, fishing dinghy's and pontoons.
- Dickie beach, popular with families and adjoins a caravan park.
- Shelly beach, popular for picnics and exploring the rock pools.
Horse Racing
170 Pierce Avenue, (07) 5491 6788 [1] Racing every Sunday
City tours
All beach-related activities are more than well catered for.
Play golf at Caloundra golf course.
Go Tandem Skydiving with Sunshine Coast Skydivers
Hire a a luxurious pontoon boat and enjoy the delights of the Pumicestone Passage. Bill's Boat Hire, 2 The Esplanade, Golden Beach, Phone: (07) 5492 2008
Take an eco-explorer tour of Pumicestone Marine Park aboard the "African Queen" Caloundra Cruise
Shopping, Caloundra souvenirs
While there are no traditional "tourist purchases" to make, there are a number of shops stocking books and suchlike which are often worth a browse.
Good restaurants and cheap meals
As befits a seaside town, seafood is very popular and there are many fish and chip shops around. For the sweet tooth, the Gelateria Milano is highly-regarded in the southeast of Queensland and is actually run by Italians, unlike many other gelato shops.
Budget
Mid-range
Splurge
Caloundra nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs.
- Caloundra RSL, 19 West Terrace, Caloundra, Phone: (07) 5491 1544.
Winner Queensland Club of the Year for the 4th time (Clubs Queensland Awards) Winner Best Food Venue in Queensland for the 5th time (Clubs Queensland Awards)
Hotels, youth hostels, lodging
Budget
- Caloundra City Backpackers, 84 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra (07) 5499 7655, [2] dorm $18.00, twin (2 persons, 2 single beds) $42.00/room, double (double bed + ensuite) $52.00/room
Mid-range
- Rydges Oasis Resort Caloundra, Landsborough Parade Golden Beach, ph 1300 857 922, [3]. Provides guests with a variety of accommodation ranging from Hotel Spa Rooms to Self Contained Apartments and Villas. Rydges Oasis Resort is located on the southern tip of Queensland Sunshine Coast at Caloundra. Rydges Hotels and Resorts is an Austrailian owned and operated company.
- Shearwater Resort, [4].
Splurge
Contact
Stay safe
The usual precautions against theft in a developed nation should be taken. As always in coastal Australia, remember to swim between the flags - namely the red-and-yellow flags erected by the surf lifesavers each day. Between those flags is the safest part of the beach. It may be more crowded, but the risk to life otherwise is considerable. Lifesavers are also often annoyed at having to rescue tourists not following those instructions.
Get out
Caloundra can serve as a base from which to visit Australia Zoo [5] run by "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin. The spectacular Glass House Mountains are also nearby.
More from Sunshine Coast (Queensland): Beerwah, Caloundra, Flaxton, Maleny, Noosa More from Queensland: Airlie Beach, Bowen, Brisbane, Bundaberg, Cape York Peninsula, Capricornia, Far North Queensland, Fraser Island, Gladstone (Queensland), Glass House Mountains National Park, Gold Coast, Granite belt, Hervey Bay, Mackay, Mount Isa, Nambour, Rockhampton, Roma, Sunshine Coast (Queensland), Toowoomba, Tully More from Australia: Ashmore and Cartier Islands, Australian Capital Territory, Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves, New South Wales, Norfolk Island, Northern Territory, Outback, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria (state), Western Australia More from Australasia: Australia, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea More from Oceania: Australasia, Melanesia, Micronesia, Midway Islands, New Zealand, Polynesia |
China travel tips: Language / pensions culture in Barcelona / cheap youth hostels singapore / hotels and hostels in Trastevere in Rome / Major Morocco tourist attractions / South Africa political attractions / Vancouver visitors guide, culture & youth hostels / Las Vegas hotels, top casinos, tours and shows
