Looking for your next sunny sojourn? Maroochydore is calling your name. This laid-back coastal gem is brimming with good vibes and is the ultimate chill spot to spend the day or linger longer on a mini vacay. It’s a place where you can float in the turquoise ocean in the AM, and sip cocktails at a slew of buzzing bars in the PM. Just over 100 clicks from Brisbane or a two-hour roadie from the Gold Coast, it’s time to start planning your next getaway to this dreamy seaside enclave.
Not sure where to begin? We’ve rounded up eight of the very best things to do in Maroochydore, so you can explore like a local.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Is it even a holiday if you don’t give your bank balance a solid workout? Maroochydore might be small in size but its shopping options are mighty. Home to David Jones, Myer and all the fashion essentials, you'll find yourself and the whole family well looked after at Sunshine Plaza.
For more of an independent boutique shopping experience, the seaside suburb of Cotton Tree is where you’ll want to aim your GPS. Shop locally-made fashion, art, skincare and more. We recommend Alterior Motif for the best range of wish-list worthy sunglasses. And if you're looking for a cruisy way to spend Sunday morning, the Cotton Tree Craft Markets are an absolute must. With live local music and the widest range of irresistible bits and bobs, a stroll among these stalls very rarely ends empty-handed.
Raise Your Heartbeat
If your perfect day out includes a calf burn, then Maroochydore is serving up some of the best backdrops for a fitness hit. Soak up the sunshine while upping your step count with the Maroochy to Mooloolaba trail. Spanning 12km, the trail hugs the coastline and will take you through beautiful Alexandra Headland out to the Mooloolaba Spit.
Or, swap the gold for green with a trot through the Maroochy Bushland Botanic Gardens. Prefer to explore on two wheels? Check out the Maroochy to Bli Bli Circuit, where over 12km, you’ll cross the sparkling Maroochy River and pass sugar cane fields. And for something more challenging, try the Buderim Local Loop—it spans 37km and will see you traversing farmland and countryside.
Get Your Feast On
Maroochydore’s foodie scene is seriously stacked, so you’d best arrive hungry. In the CBD your options are endless. Transport yourself to Europe at the achingly cool Market Bistro, tuck into Asian street food at Giddy Geisha and demolish hand-stretched pizzas at Bottarga.
For immaculate holiday vibes, meander along Ocean Street and let your eyes and nose decide which of the many eateries lining the street take your fancy. New to the scene but already a local go-to, The Beach Bar in Cotton Tree is dishing up the best in elevated pub grub. We recommend booking yourself a lunchtime date with their hot honey chicken burger, a chilled marg, and a table in the sun. You can thank us later.
Finally, when the time calls for the tried and true, Maroochy Surf Club boasts 11/10 beach views, huge meals and ice-cold frothies.
Dial Up The Fun
While the great outdoors of Maroochydore is absolutely stunning, you can have just as much fun indoors. For endless entertainment, head to Strike Bowling, where the neon-soaked lanes will kick-start the party. Post-game, the fun continues with their nostalgia-inducing arcade (think: air hockey, hoops, whack ‘n’ win), or test out your vocal skills in one of their private karaoke rooms.
Finally, you can’t miss their escape room—test your relationships as you work with your mates/lovers/fam to solve riddles, crack clues and beat the clock. And if you still have time leftover, there’s laser tag and mini golf. Over at Sunshine Plaza, be sure to swing by VR Hero, where you can try out one of their virtual reality games—from surviving a zombie apocalypse to a futuristic shoot-out.
Hang With Your Furry Friends
If you like to vacay with your four-legged friend in tow (same!), there are loads of pet-friendly things to do in Maroochydore. Let them feel the sand between their paws and the sea salt in their hair with a run around Mudjimba Beach—a beautiful off-leash stretch of coast.
On-lead, Maroochydore Beach is another epic spot for a stroll with your pooch. The nearby doggo-friendly eatery Criminal Coffee is the area's go-to in the artisan coffee and gourmet toastie game—making it a perfect pit stop to enjoy a puppuccino and a bite with your mate. Finally, round out your visit by filling your basket with farm fresh produce at some pet-friendly markets—Fisherman Road Markets welcomes pooches with open arms.
Get Your Zen On With A Wellness Experience
Feel your shoulders instantly drop the moment you set foot at TANK Bathhouse in Bli Bli, which is an easy 7-minute drive from Maroochydore. The dreamy space has six outdoor magnesium baths in a tranquil Med-inspired setting, making it the perfect place to soak away the stress. There’s also a steam room and sauna to unwind in, or you can add on a botanical facial and a deep tissue massage.
Hit pause at The Float Space, and let the Epsom-salt-saturated water melt any stress away. For facial heaven, stop by Endota Spa at Sunshine Plaza, or if you want to linger longer in your zen-like state, stay the night at Bli Bli House Riverside Retreat. Perched on the edge of the Maroochy River, this adults-only boutique B&B seamlessly blends luxury with historic charm nestled in nature.
Scope Out Bars And Nightlife
One of the best things about a getaway is discovering the coolest spots for a tipple. Fortunately, Maroochydore is brimming with epic watering holes. Start at Ocean Street where you’ll find tasty eateries sitting snugly next to bars slinging delicious cocktails and live music. Our top picks for a boogie and a bev are The Post Office Bar, Solbar and Junk.
Got a big group? Make like the locals and head to the three-storey Med-inspired Bli Bli Hotel, while craft beer connoisseurs will love 10 Toes Brewery. For immaculate views, head to The Rooftop Bar & Garden or settle into a rose-hued booth at Circa Rooftop.
Explore The Outdoors
Maroochy is for everyone, with a nature-filled experience ready to wow you no matter what you’re vibing that day. A no-brainer is hitting the beach—throw a towel down on the powder-soft sands of Maroochydore Beach, or go for a SUP sesh along the smooth water at Cotton Tree Beach. For something equally chill, book a BBQ boat and cruise down the Maroochy River while cooking some snags.
Carve it up with a jetski ride, or cast a line out on the Maroochy River (expect Yellowfin Bream in summer and Flathead in winter). Back on land, marvel at the beauty of the Buderim Waterfall, have a swing at the Maroochy River Golf Club and check out the view from above on Australia’s largest high ropes course.
In the mood for something more low-key? Right next door to the treetop high ropes adventure you'll find the freshly renovated—and quite simply iconic—Big Pineapple. Equipped with a brand new playground, café specialising in babyccinos and a train adventure the little ones will love, there's no better spot for some good old fashioned family fun.
Editor’s note: This article is sponsored by Maroochydore Chamber Of Commerce and proudly endorsed by Urban List. Thank you for supporting the sponsors who make Urban List possible. Click here for more information on our editorial policy.