Caloundra to Mooloolaba distance, driving time & attractions

The Caloundra to Mooloolaba drive covers a 17km distance in a driving time of around 18 minutes. Just remember to turn off before you reach the Sunshine Motorway.

Caloundra and Mooloolaba are two of the best beach towns on the Sunshine Coast, Queensland. Caloundra offers kayaking at Golden Beach, scavenger hunts and jetski tours. Mooloolaba, meanwhile, brings whale-watching cruises, amphibious vehicle tours and the Sealife Sunshine Coast Aquarium.

The two towns are only a short drive apart. You can easily do a day out in Mooloolaba from Caloundra and vice versa.

What to pre-book in Mooloolaba

A sunset cruise along the palm-lined waterways
The Aquaduck tour – it’s a bus tour, and then it’s a cruise, all in the same amphibious vehicle.
A canal cruise – on a historic wooden ferry.
Sealife aquarium tickets – visit the biggest aquarium on the Sunshine Coast.
In season, a whale-watching cruise – get close to the migrating humpbacks.
Your accommodation.

Caloundra to Mooloolaba distance and driving time

The distance from Caloundra to Mooloolaba is 17km. In normal traffic, that should make for a driving time of around 18 minutes.

Leaving Caloundra, you need to head north along Nicklin Way – also known as State Route 6. The route goes past Dicky Beach, then passes through Currimundi, Wurtulla, Bokarina and Warana.

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.

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.

At the junction with the Sunshine Motorway, branch off, but not along the motorway. You need to head into Mooloolaba along Brisbane Road.

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.