This Marcoola Beach guide was hand written by Robert Austin, a Sunshine Coast Local for over 20 years.

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Cheers, I hope you enjoy your stay on the coast.
Robert Austin

Marcoola is a small, relaxing tourist town in the center of the Sunshine Coast, half way between Noosa & Mooloolaba and close to Coolum. While the resorts and hotels located here have good modern facilities, the esplanade is still quite basic. Marcoola does not have chic ( overpriced? ) shopping and the restaurants and nightlife are limited ( 3 restaurants and a sports bar ).

So if you are looking for a quiet holiday location, with great ocean views and direct access to a long stretch of beach than maybe Marcoola is for you. Marcoola is still quite untouched, with all the major resorts along the esplanade having direct beach access via small sand pathways. You can literally walk out the back door of the hotel onto the beach access pathway. Early morning walks are actually really beautiful in this area, follow up with a quick swim and breakfast.

The main beach is never crowded, but the conditions can be rough, since it is not a sheltered beach. It is similar to Kawana Beach. The surf is good, and nearby Mudjimba and Sunshine Beach are both local surfer hangouts ( Sunshine beach high school has surfing on the curriculum ). Marcoola beach is a patrolled surf beach and I believe it is now patrolled year round but take care to swim between the flags at all times.

Marcoola is quite central to the rest of the Sunshine Coast, but you will need a car as public transport is useless in this area. Car hire is available from the airport ( which is literally next to Marcoola ) or there is an independent car hire business at the top end of the esplanade.