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10 Things to do in Mooloolaba


Brush the sand off your feet and explore some of this coastal city’s other attractions

1 Take a bushtucker cruise

Take a cruise on a beautifully restored

113-year-old timber sailboat along the river

and through the canals, passing posh waterfront

homes and sleek yachts. En route, Saltwater Eco

Cruises’ Simon Thornalley and his team share the

history of Mooloolaba’s Kabi Kabi people,

information about the local flora and marine life

and serve a meal featuring local bushtucker.


2 Dine at Rice Boi

Join the line at the perennially popular

Rice Boi at The Wharf, and prepare to tuck


into its crowd-pleasing repertoire of modern Asian

street food with headlining dishes including the

10-hour coconut braised beef or barbecue Ora King

salmon in banana leaf and favourites such as katsu

curry fries, duck bao and sticky char sui pork at the

casual and and bustling venue.

3 Soak and sip at Tank Bathhouse

Sip Champagne while you soak in one of

six mineral-rich bubbling baths, all set at a

different temperature, including a frigid one for the

ice-bath aficionados. You can also dip in and out of

Tank Bathhouse’s dry sauna and steam room, or


book in a massage or facial. There’s an onsite cafe

with water views that offers a tapas-style menu.





4 Toast aperitivo hour

Plaster-covered arched walls, touches of

raw wood and a coastal palette give Casita

Wine Bar a Mediterranean vibe. Owner Kate Gear

took inspiration for the bar from her time spent in

France and Spain with husband, former NZ rugby

player Hosea Gear. A short stroll from the

boardwalk, the cocktail list and succinct but

appealing snack menu make it the perfect pit-stop.




5 Swim at the Spit

If the waves at Mooloolaba’s main beach

are too intimidating, or you have little

ones, The Spit is the perfect swim spot. Protected

by a finger of land separating the ocean from the

river, the water is calm, and the soft crescent of

sand is fringed by casuarina trees, offering welcome

shade. Afterwards, nab a picnic table and nip across

the road for a fish and chip takeaway.

6 Feast on a trawler

Dine among the luxury yachts and

catamarans bobbing in the harbour aboard

a retired, restored timber trawler. Prawn Star is


permanently moored at The Wharf, and serves sea-

fresh platters of local tiger prawns, crayfish, bugs


and oysters, along with cold beer, cider and wine.


7 Breakfast at the markets

The vibe is chill at these Saturday morning

markets. There’s a great spread of produce

– spray-free or organic greens, herbs, fruit, bread,

flowers, cheese, meat and more. Grab a coffee and


graze on ready-to-eat treats, from warm, lemon-

curd-filled buttermilk doughnuts to triple cheese


toasties, banh mi, or a flaky almond croissant.


8 Take in the views

It’s a short, easy walk along a shady path to

the historic lighthouse and muraled water

tower sitting on a bluff at Point Cartwright. On one

side is Buddina Beach, on the other, views to

Mooloolaba and Alexandra Headland beaches all

the way to Mount Coolum.


9 Eat like an Italian

A local go-to for more than 40 years, Bella

Venezia’s popularity shows no sign of abating.

The alfresco dining option is a little more

casual, while inside, it’s date-night romantic, with

soft lighting, crisp white napery and a menu of

polished Italian classics. Wine buffs will be

impressed with the 500-strong wine list, some of

which are available by the glass.


10 Take a whisky flight

A beacon to those who are serious

about whisky, or just whisky-curious,

Wat Den’s backlit bar features some of the notable

collection of about 300 bottles sourced from the

best whisky-producing countries in the world –

from the Scottish islands and highlands to Japan.

Staff can guide you through themed whisky flights

or masterclasses. There’s also an inventive and

seasonal cocktail list and drink-friendly snacks.




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