The day trips, weekenders and anchorages worth knowing around Sunshine Coast. Plainly written.
The Coast's boating heart.
The Mooloolaba boat harbour is the busiest working port between the Gold Coast and Hervey Bay — a full-service marina, The Wharf precinct, ramps, chandlery and quick access to the open ocean. The default staging point for offshore trips to the Barwon Banks and the reefs beyond.
The Coast's protected playground.
A long, sheltered river system running from the Tewantin mouth up into the Everglades. Sandbars, deep pools, riverside cafés and a run of anchorages the whole way. Great for kids, tenders and long slow days — read the sandbanks and stay off the main channel on a run-out.
Winding sand and mangroves in Maroochydore's backyard.
The Maroochy River twists inland from Cotton Tree through Chambers Island, Bli Bli and up to Dunethin Lake. Shallow, tide-affected and beautiful — a good day-boat run for whiting, prawns and a lunch stop at Cod Hole. Watch the sandbanks on the low.
Canals, marina berths and sheltered water.
A network of canal estates and a working marina south of Mooloolaba, feeding into the Mooloolah River. Flat water year-round, easy launch access at La Balsa and a quieter alternative to the Mooloolaba precinct for berthing and cruising.
Where the passage meets the Pacific.
The northern entrance to the Pumicestone Passage — a shifting sandbar between Bribie Island and Caloundra Headland. Serious water when it's up: local knowledge, the right tide and a good weather window are non-negotiable. Bar-crossing country only.
Shallow, quiet and beautifully protected.
The Caloundra end of the passage — sandbanks, oyster leases and quiet stretches all the way south towards Bribie. Slow water, minimal wash and some of the best shallow-draft cruising in south-east Queensland. Read the beacons and watch the tide.
