Escape and unwind on the Sunshine Coast: 48 hours in Marcoola

ITINERARY

Marcoola
Jamie Wilton

By Jamie Wilton

Published 4 years ago

Like Caloundra’s Moffat Beach, Marcoola is one of those Sunshine Coast beach destinations often overlooked in favour of its better-known neighbours like Coolum and Noosa. But with a superbly scenic stretch of coastline, ample accommodation and wining and dining options, there’s more than enough to keep all holidaymakers enthralled in its heavenly surrounds for 48 hours or longer — there’s plenty to see and do in Marcoola besides the sea, sun and sand.

What’s more, whether you’re driving up from Brisbane or flying in from interstate, getting to Marcoola is a breeze. With the Sunshine Coast Airport conveniently located in Marcoola — major Australian airlines fly direct — and the River City just 1½ hours’ drive to the south, making your way to this laid-back stretch of the Sunshine Coast is easy to arrange.

Here’s your guide to escaping the hustle and bustle and unwinding in Marcoola for 48 hours.

Friday | Arrive

Arrive at your digs. Marcoola accommodation is varied and ranges from apartment-style accommodation to hotels and resorts, most of which is a short walk to Marcoola Beach. With options to suit all travellers, our top picks for Marcoola accommodation and hotels include:

Ramada By Wyndham Marcoola Beach 

Situated directly on Marcoola Beach, Ramada offers self-contained apartments and private rooms, many with ocean views and breezes. There are several restaurants, along with a large lagoon-style pool and a children’s pool.

Sand Dunes

Located 150 metres from the beach, Sand Dunes Resort Accommodation offers private villas and apartments in a resort-style setting with a large pool, bbqs and fitness centre. The most upmarket apartments feature a private swimming pool, hot tub or rooftop terrace.

Atlantis Marcoola Beachfront Resort  

Just a  two minute walk from Marcoola Beach, Atlantis boasts great facilities, including tennis and basketball courts, and a heated pool and hot tub, perfect for those holidaying in the mid-year. All apartments are self-contained and feature a balcony, many with ocean views. 

Friday | Dine out 

If you’re not hitting the Marcoola restaurant scene, head out for dinner at the Marcoola Twilight Market with its laid-back celebration of international cuisine and local music.

A short stroll from the beach on Lorraine Avenue, Marcoola’s evening markets are open Fridays from 4pm - 8pm, then transform into a local Saturday morning farmer’s market from 8 am - 12 pm. You can dine at the markets and catch some live music while you eat or grab a takeaway and head to the beach for dinner under the stars.

As the Marcoola Twilight Market doesn’t offer alcoholic beverages, you might like to grab a post-dinner drink at one of the local bars that overlook the beach.

Saturday | Breakfast 

Little Boast Espresso Marcoola

Photo by @beccyboo77

Kickstart Saturday with a walk along the beach while it’s cool before grabbing a coffee and a bite to eat at one of the cafés within a stone’s throw from Marcoola beach.

Little Boat Espresso on Lorraine Avenue is a contender for best breakfast menu on the Sunshine Coast with great coffee and an unexpected breakfast selection that’s sure to make you rethink the way you see the first meal of the day.

CUBA ST. Coffee Roasters Cafe is another top choice, especially for coffee lovers. Located a short walk from the Ramada on David Low Way, this bustling café takes its coffee seriously and has garnered rave reviews from locals and holidaymakers alike.

After breakfast, head to the beach for a dip, relax in the shade or head to the Saturday Farmer’s Market where you’ll find some of the Sunshine Coast’s best local produce.

Alternatively, make the most of the proximity to Mount Coolum National Park and climb the 208-metre summit where you’ll catch stunning panoramic views of the Sunshine Coast. Be sure to pack water and sunscreen and only attempt the rocky and often steep rack that leads to the summit if you’re a reasonably fit walker. Allow about 1½ hours for the return walk.

Saturday | Lunch 

Paradise Seaplanes Sunshine Coast | 48 hours in Marcoola

If you’re not exploring other parts of the Sunshine Coast in the afternoon and looking for local Marcoola restaurants, you’ll find there are numerous lunch options near the beach.

Along David Low Way, take your pick of the Surfair Beach Hotel with its excellent beachfront location and casual atmosphere, the Grilled Gecko Café with its popular breakfast, lunch and dinner menu, and the Marcoola Surf Club. For those who fancy takeaway fish and chips in one of the parks or on the beach, there are quite a few offerings, including the popular Laughing Lobster, which in addition to seafood, also offers an extensive burger menu.

On Lorraine Avenue near the markets, Bulli is open 8 am-9 pm Wednesday to Sunday and a top choice for breakfasts, lunch and dinner. An extensive pizza menu is available from 5 pm.

After lunch, if you’re not hitting the beach or relaxing in the pool, consider joining a tour to see a little more of this amazing stretch of the Sunshine Coast. Paradise Seaplanes offers a range of tour experiences in the only Wilga 80 seaplane in the southern hemisphere. Tours are limited to 2-3 people, so be sure to book early.

Saturday | Dinner

For a casual yet atmospheric Saturday evening dining experience, Off Tap Tapas on David Low Way has plenty to offer. Along with Bulli, the Grilled Gecko, Marcoola Surf Club and the Ramada Marcoola Restaurant, it’s one of the most popular evening dining options in the area with a food and drinks menu that’s sure to please all — including the kids. 

While Marcoola doesn’t offer a huge range of late-night drinking options — you’ll find most restaurants with drinks menus are open until 9-10 pm — there’s always the Surfair Beach Hotel at the Ramada, which is open until 2 am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Sunday | Coffee & breakfast

Two women overlooking the Glass House Mountains | 48 hours in Marcoola

Glass House Mountains

On your last morning in Marcoola, it’s up and off to the beach — or take in the morning sea views from your balcony — before hitting a café for a caffeine fix and breakfast. If you’re looking for somewhere new with delicious coffee and bakery-style breakfast fare, Waiting for Huey on Seaside Boulevard could be the café for you. Open from 6 am-12 pm daily, this popular venue with ample outdoor seating often features live music on Sunday mornings.

Sunday | Hit the road

Heading to Brisbane or beyond by road? Be sure to stop somewhere along the way and take in some bonus experiences on your way home. If you have time, leave the M1 at Palmview and take the Steve Irwin Way to Australia Zoo in Beerwah or, if you’re feeling fit, hike to the summit of Mount Ngungun or Mount Beerburrum, two of the most convenient Glass House Mountains. Feeling fit? Why not climb six Sunshine Coast mountains in a day

Feature image: @lifeforcewellbeing

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