Brisbane to Caloundra drive: Distance, time & road trip stops

The Brisbane to Caloundra drive is 91km in distance, with a 1h10m driving time. Airport transfers cost from $52, but if driving to Caloundra, top road trip stops include the Wild Horse Mountain Lookout.

The Brisbane to Caloundra drive is not a particularly long one. Caloundra is at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast, so the trip doesn’t take as long as the Brisbane to Noosa drive, which travels considerably further north.

Brisbane to Caloundra distance and driving time

The distance from Brisbane to Caloundra by car is 91km. That makes for a driving time of around one hour and ten minutes, most of which is along the Bruce Highway.

6 supreme Brisbane day trips that will improve your holiday

Moreton Island day trip – with kayaking, sandboarding and snorkelling or with dolphin-feeding and desert dunes adventure.
Springbrook National Park glowworms and rainforest tour – including Tamborine Skywalk.
Eumundi Markets day trip – Australia’s best markets, plus the Sunshine Coast Hinterland and Noosa.
North Stradbroke Island day tour – with cruise, wildlife spotting and guided walk.
Tamborine Mountain winery tour – with gourmet lunch.
Maialia rainforest walking and wildlife tour – visit lesser-known D’Aguilar National Park.

The Brisbane to Caloundra drive heads through Brisbane’s northern suburbs, then through the underwhelming towns of Burpengary and Caboolture.

Brisbane to Caloundra drive: Glass House Mountains

Steve Irwin Way, which heads to Mount Tibrogargan, Mount Ngungun and Australia Zoo, branches off just north of Caboolture. But stick to the motorway, and the Wild Horse Mountain Lookout is a good spot to pull over for a photo.

The motorway threads between the Glass House Mountains and Beerburrum East State Forest. But the turn-off for Caloundra is at the Jowarra section of the Mooloolah River National Park.

On the Caloundra Road into town, you’ll pass the Queensland Air Museum.

Brisbane Airport to Caloundra transfers

From Brisbane Airport to Caloundra, the journey time is roughly the same, even though the airport is north of central Brisbane. An airport shuttle transfer from Brisbane Airport to Caloundra costs from $52.

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.

Once in Caloundra, there’s a choice of beaches to enjoy. Bulcock Beach is closest to the centre. Kings Beach and Dicky Beach are well known for their surfing. Moffat Beach is home to the Moffat Beach Brewing Co and you can go kayaking or jetskiing around the gorgeous Pumicestone Passage from Golden Beach.

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.

Caloundra accommodation

Caloundra accommodation options include the beachside Rolling Surf Resort at Kings Beach and the Ultiqa Shearwater Resort next to the Kings Beach Pool. You can also try the budget-friendly Dicky Beach Caravan Park and Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort at Golden Beach.

Where to stay in Caloundra

The best accommodation options in Caloundra are:

For a big lagoon pool: Ramada Resort by Wyndham Golden Beach.
For a sensational waterfront location: Watermark Caloundra.
For a prime spot at Kings Beach: Rolling Surf Resort.
For high quality apartments: Rumba Beach Resort.
For a solid, affordable motel: Moffat Beach Motel.

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

9 brilliant Brisbane experiences to book in advance

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary tickets (or entry plus river cruise combo) – hold a koala and see lots of adorable native wildlife.
Brisbane River cruise – see the key sights and learn about the city on the way.
Story Bridge Adventure Climb – walk along the top of Brisbane’s famous bridge, with 360 degree views.
Combine the Southbank Parklands, City Botanic Gardens and Kangaroo Point Cliffs on a fun Segway tour.
Helicopter flight – see the city from a bird’s eye view.
Kayaking tour – choose the night tour to see the city light up, the day tour to enjoy the sunshine.
XXXX brewery tour – see how Australia’s most famous beer is made.
Guided wine flight tasting – get an Aussie wine introductory course.
See Brisbane’s spooky side on a city centre ghost tour.