Guide
By Jamie Wilton
Shelly Beach isn’t just one of the Sunshine Coast’s hidden gems, it’s one of Caloundra’s hidden gems: a stunning stretch of east-facing oceanfront that’s rarely crowded and boasts a yesteryear charm that many parts of the Sunshine Coast have lost. As the beach isn’t patrolled and isn’t ideal for swimming, Shelly Beach offers a different vibe and feel to its more frequented and busier neighbours — Kings Beach and Moffat Beach — making it a perfect destination for a quieter and more peaceful (but no less rewarding) beach break on the Sunshine Coast. Kick back for a few days and enjoy the old-time feel of Shelly Beach with its original weatherboard and fibro beach houses and get a different take on the Sunshine Coast’s coastal suburbs.
The rocky shoreline at Shelly Beach is home to crystal-clear ankle-deep rock pools that boast as many as 20 different marine species, including black sea cucumbers, blue periwinkles, rose barnacles and chiton, making it an amazing playground for kids and adults alike. Reconnecting with nature and enjoying the tranquillity of the seemingly isolated surroundings is much of the appeal to holidaying at Shelly Beach, but with the hustle and bustle of Kings Beach to the south and the perfect point break at Moffat Beach and its tree-lined serenity to the north, you’ve got an excellent array of options to keep you busy a short stroll away.
One of the main draw cards to holidaying at Shelly Beach is its serenity that makes it perfect for a relaxing seaside break with walks along the beach — be sure to make your way to the beach for sunrise — and days spent picnicking and relaxing in Shelly Beach Park with its heavenly ocean breezes and views. Naturally, the rock pools are ideal for families as the kids will have an exciting time spotting the myriad marine life, and there’s a playground at the park to keep younger children entertained. Between May and October (4pm to 8am), Shelly Beach is an off-leash haven for fur-babies and with a 900-metre stretch of sand, provides ample opportunities for all to stretch their legs and catch cool sea breezes along a stunning stretch of coastline.
Photo by @this_little_journey_
Tree-lined and breezy with stunning views over the water, the Caloundra Headland Memorial Walkway is perfect for an afternoon stroll along the headland. A relatively easy walk, if you're spending time in Caloundra it’s the most enjoyable way of venturing from Kings Beach to Shelly Beach and vice versa, and if you’re feeling energetic, you can walk further along the Caloundra Coastal Walk which stretches all the way from Golden Beach in the south to Mooloolaba in the north.
The patrolled beaches at the adjoining beaches both provide excellent swimming, with Kings Beach also offering the bulk of the attractions that are sure to keep the kids suitably entertained, like Caloundra Rollerdome which in addition to roller skating, offers ice skating from October through to December. If you’re holidaying in Shelly Beach over the weekend, check out the Caloundra Street Fair on Bulcock Street in Caloundra, a pleasant 2-kilometre walk that you can stretch out to a little under 3 kilometres if you follow the Coastal Walk. Just two blocks from Bulcock Beach, the lively and bustling markets boast a variety of stalls and entertainment, and there’s also a great range of food and coffee options for breakfast, brunch and lunch.
Photo by @amyhiggphoto
You’ll find several coffee and food vans parked around Shelly Beach on weekends but for wining and dining options and takeaway meals, you’ll need to head over to Kings, Moffat, Dicky or Bulcock Beach. Kings Beach is the obvious choice for many with its excellent array of bars, cafes and restaurants, including a wide range of takeaway options, but Moffat Beach also has plenty to offer, like The Pocket Espresso Bar which is popular with the coffee connoisseur crowd and the award-winning craft brewers at Moffat Beach Brewing Co, both of which are located on Seaview Terrace overlooking the park at Moffat Beach.
If you’re looking to explore a little farther afield, there’s Dicky Beach Surf Club to the north and an array of options at Bulcock Beach to the south, including the upmarket Tides Waterfront Dining.
Cerulean Holiday Apartments
There’s a small but varied choice of accommodation at Shelly Beach, mostly self-contained holiday apartments, with more varied accommodation options at the neighbouring beaches, especially Kings Beach which offers camping and caravan accommodation along with a plethora of hotels, resorts and holiday apartments.
Pacific View Resort is just 500 metres from Shelly Beach and offers two bedroom units with ocean views over Bribie Island and the sand dunes of Mulgumpin (Moreton Island). Bulcock Beach also offers a variety of accommodation, like the one-two and three-bedroom self-contained units at Cerulean Holiday Apartments and The Waterford Prestige Apartments.