Mid-Week Escapes: Here’s How To Spend 48 Hours In Mooloolaba

Whether you’re craving a full-body reset or a sun-drenched escape with your crew, a sneaky mid-week trip to Mooloolaba is always a good idea. Just 98 clicks from Brisbane, or a 10-minute cruise from Sunshine Coast Airport, this laidback beachside beauty is all rooftop cocktails, ocean dips, and pinch-me moments. 

Here’s how to make the most of 48 hours in Mooloolaba.

Day One

12pm: Arrive And Check In At Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel 

There’s just one place you’ll want to slumber during your stay, and that’s Mooloolaba’s newest—and arguably chicest—digs, Avani. Perched just steps from the sand, the 12-storey stunner channels Euro summer vibes all year long with 180 light-filled rooms, a dreamy day spa and a rooftop bar and pool fringed by private cabanas. 

It’s the little luxuries that really seal the deal here. Think Malin + Goetz bathroom amenities, plush robes you won’t want to roll out of, deep-soaking tubs, AvaniFit—a high-performance fitness studio—and three distinct (and delicious) dining venues. 

If you’re lucky, your room will be ready early. But if not, simply drop your bags, throw on your togs and head straight to the rooftop…

12:30pm: Lunch At Sully’s Rooftop

With 180-degree vistas from the beach to the Glasshouse Mountains, you’ll slip straight into holiday mode at Sully’s Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, positioned on top of Avani. Terrazzo, timber, and pops of sunshine yellow and peach set the tone for long lunches and sunset cocktails. 

Nab a spot on the deck or retreat indoors, where floor-to-ceiling windows ensure there isn’t a bad seat in the house. The menu celebrates local produce with dishes designed for grazing, sharing or keeping all to yourself.

While the entire menu is top-tier, if you want our hit list, start with the Togarashi YellowFin Tataki and the compressed watermelon, followed by the chargrilled steak skewers and the pork and prawn schnitty. Round it out with a seasonal sgroppino or one of their signature Sully’s slushies.

While this is the kind of place where a long lunch could easily turn into dinner and drinks, we'd encourage you to carve out some time for a post-feed dip in the rooftop pool. 

Better yet, commandeer a private cabana, crack open your Kindle before venturing out to explore Mooloolaba's greatest hits, conveniently located right on your doorstep.

2pm: Wander The Wharf

Beat the food coma with a wander around The Wharf Mooloolaba, only 10 minutes from your accommodation. Set on the Mooloolah River with the marina as its backdrop, you could easily lose hours here. 

Give your credit card a work out at the local boutiques slinging homewares, art and fashion, indulge in a cocktail class at Boston Shaker, take on the 1kg donut challenge at Kenilworth Bakery, or get up close and personal with everything from penguins and seals to sharks and rescued turtles at SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast—wandering through the 80m ocean tunnel is pure magic. 

4pm: Sunset Cruise With Saltwater Eco Tours

As golden hour rolls around, immerse yourself in local Kabi Kabi culture on Saltwater Eco Tours’ sunset cruise. Climb aboard a beautifully restored 100-year-old sailing vessel and spend two hours floating along the river, welcomed with a glass of bubbles and serenaded by a rotating line-up of local musos. 

As the sky glows shades of pink and orange, nibble on your artisan grazing box packed with native ingredients and have a yarn with Aunty Bridgette Chilli. If you're keen to delve deeper into local culture, Saltwater Eco Tours also offers immersive bush tucker cruises and canoe experiences.

7pm: Dinner At Riceboi

Back at The Wharf, it’s just a short stroll to your dinner destination—Riceboi. A local institution, you'll know you've found the right place by the queue of hungry punters snaking out the door. Don't stress, though—the line moves quickly. 

The grungy, industrial-style space serves up water views and flavour-packed Asian street food. Think: Mooloolaba prawn toast (this is nonnegotiable), katsu curry fries and crispy Xinjiang lamb ribs. They also offer a full vegan menu, so everyone is catered for.

After your meal, head back to the Lobby Bar for a drink. Open from morning coffee through to nightcap hour, it's the perfect place to sip a classic cocktail or a seasonal creation crafted with the best of the Sunshine Coast's local produce.

Day Two

7am: Ocean Dip, Then Hit The Markets

Make like the locals and start your day with a refreshing ocean dip just steps from your hotel room—trust us, there’s no better way to kick off the morning, no matter the temp. After washing off the saltwater in your plush suite, grab a coffee from Avani’s Lobby Bar before setting off for one of Sunshine Coast’s best morning markets in search of brekky. 

Where you head depends on the day. On Sundays, the beloved Cotton Tree Markets in nearby Maroochydore kick off at 7am. Visiting on a Wednesday or Sunday? The iconic Eumundi Markets are well worth the scenic 30-minute drive. Whichever you choose, expect farm-fresh produce, artisan sourdough, fruit smoothies, international eats and flaky pastries. 

10am: Have Your David Attenborough Moment

We mentioned Mooloolaba serves up plenty of pinch-me moments, and this is one of them. Join local operators Sunreef for the chance to swim with humpback whales—an Australian-first experience running from July to October. After suiting up, you’ll board the Sunreef vessel and head out in search of the giants of the sea. 

Mooloolaba sits right on the humpback highway, meaning sightings are all but guaranteed. Once the experienced crew spot the whales and deems conditions safe for both guests and the marine creatures, you’ll slip into the water. From there, the experience is entirely on the whales’ terms. Some may continue on their journey, while others might linger nearby. Either way, sharing the ocean with these beauties is nothing short of extraordinary.

Visiting out of whale watching season? Sunreef has plenty more adventures up its sleeve. Snorkel alongside turtles, reef fish, rays and wobblegongs at Mudjimba Island, or dive beneath the surface to explore HMAS Brisbane—Australia’s premier military wreck dive and thriving marine conservation park. Prefer to captain your own adventure? Hire one of their stand-up paddleboards or jet skis and hit the water at your own pace.

2pm: Sundowners At Sully's

All of that swimming is thirsty work. Not quite ready for an afternoon siesta? Kick on back at Sully’s Rooftop Restaurant & Bar, their mandarin and chilli cocktail with tequila, mandarin, habanero, and lime will keep you warm before sinking your toes into the sand for a blissfully lazy afternoon stroll on the beach. 

4pm: Indulge At The Spa

It’s time to treat yourself and soothe those weary muscles at Avani Spa. With four private treatment rooms and a dedicated couples’ suite, this wellness sanctuary blends holistic therapies with contemporary techniques. 

For the ultimate switch-off, book the Mooloolaba Melt, which begins with a warm foot soak infused with rose, neroli and sea buckthorn before melting into a blissful full-body massage. Really want to lean into holiday mode? Opt for the Coastal Body Renewal, a head-to-toe ritual featuring dry body brushing, a mineral-rich salt scrub, a full-body massage and soothing scalp and foot treatments.

7pm: Soak And Room Service

Sometimes your hotel is so good, cancelling your plans and leaning all the way into it is the right choice. Keep those post-spa zen vibes rolling and retreat to your room, where you can pour a glass of wine, sink into your deep-soaking tub and order room service. 

If you’re feeling recharged, zip back up to Sully’s Rooftop for cocktails and a few dishes to share, or venture out to one of Mooloolaba’s other standout dining spots. Bella Venezia dishes up nonna-approved pasta and spritzes, Dirty Moes is the place for towering burgs and melt-in-your-mouth smoked meats, while Backlane serves up beautifully crafted cocktails and elevated bar bites.

Day Three

9am: Check Out And One Last Caffeine Fix

Wake up to the sound of the ocean one final time. Sadly, it’s time to check out—though no shade if you’re already cross-checking your calendars and plotting your return.

Before hitting the road, enjoy one final caffeine fix at the Lobby Bar. Settle in just steps from the check-out desk with a freshly brewed coffee in hand, taking a moment to relax before your journey home begins.

Make Avani Hotel your home base when planning a Mooloolaba holiday. Get booking here. 

Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Avani Hotels Mooloolaba and proudly endorsed by The Urban List. To find out more about who we work with and why read our editorial policy here.

Image credit: Supplied.