Mooloolaba is a bustling town located on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland, Australia where the beaches are endless.

An hour and a half from Brisbane, Mooloolaba is a great spot for a quick day trip to get out of the city, perfect for the kids.

Here’s how to spend a day in Mooloolaba with the family.

Go To The Mooloolaba Aquarium

The Sea Life Aquarium is a compact aquarium in Mooloolaba. With all the usual suspects like turtles, sting rays, seals, penguins, sharks and more. The highlight is the underwater walk through tunnel with massive rays and sharks swimming all around you.

Also check out the sea horses, giant cuttlefish and a cute selection of frogs.

Considering the small size of the aquarium they really do pack a lot in and the kids will love this place.

There are a couple of play areas inside the aquarium if the kids have any energy left to burn, and a large gift shop with an excellent selection of soft and other toys. Good luck trying to get the kids out of here!

There’s a cafe onsite and plenty of toilets throughout the aquarium.

It’s a very easy place to take the kids.

Spend Some Time On The Mooloolaba Esplanade

The beach at Mooloolaba is stunning. A dazzling arc of white sand and turquoise water with a crystal blue sky as the backdrop. Typical of Queensland beaches the water is quite rough and the safe swimming area between the flags is tiny compared to the size of the beach. But it’s a good beach for paddling, boogie boarding and reading a book under your Cool Cabana shade.

Along the esplanade there are also a few shops and lots of cafes. The aquarium is a two minute walk away so you can easily do both the aquarium and esplanade without having to move your car. Although parking is plentiful this area gets very busy and it can be hard to secure a space on weekends. Be prepared to drive around for a while looking for a spot, you’ll find one eventually.

You can enjoy a very pleasant stroll along the esplanade just people watching and taking in the ocean views.

Have Some Seafood For Lunch

The Mooloolaba Surf Club occupies a beautiful spot right on the beach with glorious views, perfect for lunch. Fresh seafood is the winner here, don’t miss the huge Mooloolaba prawns on the menu.

After lunch there’s a playground right on the beach near the Surf Club which is a great spot to burn the last bits of energy before you head home. Parents can relax and enjoy the views while the kids play.

For more activities and tours in Mooloolaba click here.

Getting There

Mooloolaba is located on the Sunshine Coast of Queensland. It’s an hour and a half’s drive from Brisbane up the M1 motorway. Traffic can be bad on this route so allow extra time.

There’s also a train from Brisbane which takes 2 hours. Currently all public transport in Queensland is 50 cents but the fares may go back up to normal rates of $50-$75. Check Translink for more information.

Further Afield

The Sunshine Coast has white sandy beaches that stretch for hundreds of miles. There are many other beautiful areas to explore on the Sunshine Coast.

Further up the coast you will reach Noosa which is a holiday hotspot with resorts, restaurants, shops and a calm beach perfect for families. How about staying overnight at Habitat Noosa for some glamping? Read my full review here.

For something different head into the Sunshine Coast Hinterland to Maleny and Montville. These are quaint towns with beautiful countryside views.

For more ideas of things to do with the kids in and around Brisbane click here.