Maroochydore to Caloundra drive: Distance, time & stops

The Maroochydore to Caloundra drive covers a 20km distance in a driving time of around 24 minutes. However, it’s more enjoyable to take a slight detour via Mooloolaba.

The drive from Maroochydore to Caloundra is a short one through Queensland’s Sunshine Coast region.

Maroochydore is home to Cotton Tree Beach, the Cotton Tree Pool and Maroochydore Beach.

Caloundra, meanwhile, brings several beaches, jetski tours, waterways cruises and kayak hire.

There are, however, a few stops worth considering along the way.

Maroochydore to Caloundra distance and driving time

By car, the distance from Maroochydore to Caloundra is 20km. You can expect a driving time of around 24 minutes if you just bomb it down the Sunshine Motorway.

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.

However, if you’re wanting to explore along the way, it’s much more pleasant to pootle along State Route 6 through Mooloolaba. Going via Mooloolaba only adds about five minutes to the journey.

Maroochydore to Caloundra drive: Mooloolaba attractions

This way, you can take in Alexandra Headland, the HMAS Brisbane Lookout and Mooloolaba Beach.

Things to do in Mooloolaba include diving around the HMAS Brisbane wreck, getting beers and a feed at the Mooloolaba Surf Club and taking a somewhat comical ride on the Sunshine Coast Aquaduck from the Sealife Aquarium.

More activity options in Mooloolaba include whale-watching cruises, high speed adventure rafting and a submarine tour.

Maroochydore to Caloundra drive: South to Caloundra

Beyond Mooloolaba, State Route 6 changes name from Brisbane Road to Nicklin Way, then passes Warana, Bokarina, Wurtulla and Bokarina on the way into Caloundra.

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, although the Kings Beach Pool is a better place to swim. 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.

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.