Pumicestone Passage in Caloundra, Queensland: What’s so special?

The Pumicestone Passage in Caloundra, Queensland, is a shimmering, weaving channel of sand bars and clear water. You can explore it using kayaks and stand-up paddleboards hired at Golden Beach.

The Pumicestone Passage is the 35km channel between Caloundra on the Sunshine Coast and Deception Bay further south in Queensland. It is protected from the ocean by Bribie Island, and is technically a shallow estuary.

The Pumicestone Passage at Golden Beach, Caloundra, Queensland. Photo courtesy of Tourism and Events Queensland.

Sometimes called the Pumicestone Channel, this narrow stretch of water is incredibly photogenic in parts. Off Golden Beach in Caloundra, in particular, the sand bars and clear water make for a dreamy maze of white, teal and turquoise.

Caloundra checklist: 5 fab experiences to book in advance

1. Kayak hire or paddleboard rental at Golden Beach. 2. Self-guided scavenger hunt. 3. Half day Pummicestone Passage jetski tour. 4. Waterways cruise. 5. Two hour Efoil lesson.

Wildlife in the Pumicestone Passage

The Pumicestone Passage is also a remarkable haven for wildlife. Dugongs and turtles are attracted to the often duckpond-esque waters. You’ll regularly see dolphins, too.

Migratory birds also hand out around the Pumicestone Passage – there were 24 species at the last count.

Fishing is understandably popular around the channel. Bream, prawns and jewfish are plentiful. But for those not interested in casting a line, the main attraction is watersports.

12 fantastic Sunshine Coast experiences to book now

Taste coffee and ginger, do rainforest walks, and visit the best lookouts on a highlight-packed hinterland tour.
Take a serene Noosa Everglades cruise along the mirror-like waterways – or canoe through the Everglades.
Learn to surf at a Sunshine Coast surf school – or try paddleboarding instead.
Combine sight-seeing and thrills on a fast boat tour.
Go e-mountain biking on the downhill trails of Tewantin National Park.
Kayak with dolphins as part of a beach 4WD tour.
Explore the Sunshine Coast from above on a seaplane flight.
Take an indigenous cultural tour – with bush tucker tasting.
Visit the region’s best craft breweries and distilleries on a drinks tasting tour.
Go jetskiing through the gorgeous Pumicestone Passage.
Taste wines, cheeses and chocolates on a hinterland food tour.
Watch migrating humpbacks on a whale-watching cruise.

Kayaking Pumicestone Passage

Golden Beach Hire at Golden Beach in Caloundra is the place to come to if you want to explore the Pumicestone Passage under your own steam. It hires out kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, windsurfing boards and mini-catamarans.

A single kayak hire costs $12 for the first hour, then $10 for each subsequent hour. For double kayaks, it’s $25 for the first hour and $15 for each subsequent hour.

Golden Beach kayak and paddleboarding lessons

If you’re uneasy in a kayak, Golden Beach Hire offers instruction. It’s $30 for half an hour.

Similar applies to the stand-up paddleboards. These cost $20 for the first hour and $15 for subsequent hours. The $30 per 30 minutes tuition deal also applies.

Highlights elsewhere in and around Caloundra include Bulcock Beach, Dicky Beach, Kings Beach, the Aussie World theme park and the Moffat Beach Brewing Co.