Where to eat, play and stay in Coolum Beach

As its name suggests, the little beachside town of Coolum is, well… cool.  You’ll find Coolie (as known by the locals) on the Sunshine Coast chilling quietly between family favourite, Caloundra and famously flash, Noosa. But don’t let Coolum’s low-key nature fool you. Its massive stretch of pristine beach, lush national parks and buzzing community is absolutely worth your annual leave or a cheeky weekender.

Not sure where to begin? We’ve curated a list of all the best things to eat, see and do in Coolum.

Where to eat in Coolum Beach

At Coolum, you’ll soon realise the culinary scene isn’t just about food (although the food is delicious), it’s about connection, community and belonging. It has heart.

The Sunday Roasts at Curly’s On The Boardwalk are a crowd favourite. Staff at this family run bistro will greet you with a warm smile and g’day. Curly’s gets bonus points for being a short stroll from the beach where you can ward off the food coma by sinking your toes in the sand.  

If you want to have a bit of a mosey and see what takes your fancy, head to David Low Way. Mr Mancino is your place for authentic pizza and decadent tapas. Got a sweet tooth? Indulge in a treat (or three) at Ma Boulange Café Patisserie. One bite of their famous pistachio croissants will send you straight to the streets of Paris (you have to get in quick though, they sell out pretty quickly on the weekend). If your doggo is with you on holidays you’ll both be thrilled to know it’s also pet friendly.  For a sunset cocktail hit up My Place for and you’ll find your pasta fix at Castro’s Bar and Restaurant.

Of course, when the views are this good, you can’t beat picking up takeaway and laying out for a picnic.

Where to drink in Coolum Beach

Need a caffeine hit before you conquer some waves? Look no further than Compound, a local favourite amongst Coolie’s community. While here, you’ll get all the inside info on where to catch the best breaks of the day and one of the best coffees in town. 

Is there anything more Queensland than sipping on a coldie while you watch the waves roll in? The iconic Coolie Surf Club. has been in action for over 100 years, so its history and sense of community are as impressive as its 180 views of the Pacific. Get amongst it while you’re in town by testing your knowledge and having a laugh at Trivia Tuesday. If you’re keen to let your hair down and bust some moves to Australia’s very best rock classics - you can catch the quality live tunes on Friday and Saturday nights.

Canteen Kitchen and Bar does a heart starting coffee to get you going in the morning and a decadent cocktail to keep you going into the evening. While Alley Cat is locally renowned for its excellent brews, cocktails and craft beers on tap. Open until late on Wednesday and Friday nights, they pride themselves on showcasing locally sourced produce, live music and gin. Doesn’t get much better than that

Where to play in Coolum Beach

For that festival feeling (minus the mud and port-a-loos), head to Jack Morgan Park every second weekend for Salty Saturdays. The vibe - Xavier Rudd meets local artisan markets. Add in sunsets, the ‘Grom Zone’ full of activities for kids and ‘The Sand Bar’ full of beverages for the grown-ups, and you have yourself a Saturday arvo sure to fill everyone’s creative and community cups.

For the outdoor types, embrace your inner mountaineer and take on Mount Coolum. This climb is the perfect sweet spot for young and old; fit and… less fit. The distance up is 800 metres and should take you under an hour. Word on the mountain is that runners can shoot up in around 20 minutes. However long you take, when you summit this 25-million-year-old volcanic dome and bask in the spectacular views of the ocean, cane fields and rolling hinterland, you’ll be feeling quite chuffed with yourself and awestruck by this magnificent world you are now standing on top of.  

If you’ve always dreamt of riding the waves like a pro (or at the very least just standing on a board for a few seconds), have a chat to Chris Kendall, owner of Coolum Surf School. A born and bred local, Chris lives and breathes surfing and encourages anyone of any age to get out there and have a go. Chris reassures complete novices that Coolum’s flat beach makes it one of the very best for entry level surfers.

A trip to Coolum in summer would not be complete without experiencing Blast Aqua Park. Imagine a jumping castle/obstacle course/trampoline park – but in the middle of a lake. You’ll have a hard time wiping the smile from your face during your visit here. As you can imagine, this place gets pretty popular so bookings are highly recommended.

Where to stay in Coolum

So obviously one day in Coolie simply isn’t going to cut it. Luckily, Coolum has accommodation options to suit all.

The Point Coolum, Coolum Caprice and Coolum Beach Getaway Resort are conveniently located in the heart of Coolum and have self-contained apartments, ocean views from your private balcony and, of course, the all important pool and spa.

For the campers or budget conscious, check out Coolum Beach Holiday Park. If you’re keen to take your fur baby with you on holidays, check out Coolum Boutique Treehouses.