Alexandra Headland sits between Mooloolaba and Maroochydore on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, about 90 minutes north of Brisbane by car. Known locally as "Alex", it has one of the more consistent surf breaks in the region and a cluster of beaches within a few kilometres that suit very different types of visitors. This post covers the 6 best beaches near Alexandra Headland, with data on facilities, ratings, and who each one actually suits.
Alexandra Headland Beach
Alexandra Headland Beach rates 4.8 stars from 101 reviews on BeachCheck. The beach runs along the Alexandra Headland Esplanade with parking directly opposite, so access is straightforward. The Alexandra Headlands Surf Life Saving Club patrols year-round, which is less common on the Sunshine Coast than you might expect.
The surf break here is a beach break that works best on a south-east swell. It draws intermediate surfers who want consistent waves without driving to Noosa. The patrolled swimming area is separated from the surf zone, so families and surfers coexist without issue. Facilities include toilets, showers, and cafes on the esplanade.
Worth noting: the esplanade parking can fill on weekends by 9am in summer. Arrive early or park a block back on Alexandra Parade.
Mooloolaba Beach
A 10-minute walk south from Alex (or 3 minutes by car), Mooloolaba Beach rates 4.7 stars from 1,469 reviews. That review count is the highest of any Sunshine Coast beach in the BeachCheck directory. Mooloolaba is calmer and more sheltered than Alexandra Headland, making it better for young children and less confident swimmers.
The beach is patrolled with lifeguards, has full facilities (toilets, showers, parking), and connects directly to the Mooloolaba Esplanade, which has the highest concentration of restaurants and cafes on this stretch of coast. The foreshore here is almost always busy on weekends, but the beach itself is wide enough that it doesn't feel overcrowded.
Cotton Tree Beach
Cotton Tree Beach is at the northern end of Mooloolaba, separated from the main beach by the Mooloolah River mouth. It rates 4.7 stars from 284 reviews and is patrolled by both lifeguards and a surf club. The beach faces north rather than east, which means calmer water and a different light in the afternoon.
Cotton Tree is worth choosing over main Mooloolaba if you want a quieter beach with easier parking. The Cotton Tree Holiday Park sits directly behind the beach and has parking available for day visitors. Toilets, showers, and cafes are all within a short walk. This beach also has a surf club presence and is regularly used by stand-up paddleboarders because of the calm conditions near the river mouth.
Maroochydore Beach
Maroochydore Beach is a 5-minute drive north of Alexandra Headland and rates 4.6 stars from 192 reviews. It's a long, straight beach with consistent swell and a patrolled swimming area. Maroochydore is a better choice than Alex or Mooloolaba if you want more space. On a busy summer weekend when the other beaches are packed, Maroochydore often has stretches of sand with room to spread out.
The beach is patrolled, has toilets, showers, parking, and cafe access. Waves here are typically slightly larger than Mooloolaba because of less headland protection, so it suits swimmers who are comfortable in open ocean conditions rather than small children.
Mudjimba Beach
Mudjimba Beach is a 15-minute drive north of Alexandra Headland and one of the more underrated beaches on the Sunshine Coast. It rates 4.8 stars from 208 reviews, the joint-highest rating of any beach in this list. Mudjimba has a surf club, lifeguard patrols, and full facilities, but draws far fewer visitors than the beaches closer to Mooloolaba.
The beach is backed by a small beachside village with a takeaway and a park, but no major resort development. Old Woman Island sits 1.8 km offshore and creates a slightly more protected swimming environment than the fully exposed beaches. If you're staying in the Maroochydore area and want to avoid crowds, Mudjimba is worth the extra 10 minutes of driving.
Kings Beach, Caloundra
Kings Beach is at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast in Caloundra, about 25 minutes from Alexandra Headland. It rates 4.7 stars from 416 reviews and has one of the better facilities setups on the coast: lifeguard patrol, playground, cafe, toilets, showers, and parking all confirmed. The swimming conditions here are rated calm, which puts it at the safer end of the spectrum compared to the more exposed beaches around Alex.
The Caloundra foreshore has a range of cafes and restaurants directly adjacent, and Kings Beach is popular with families who prioritise safe swimming conditions over surf. The sheltered position means it's often a good fallback on days when larger swell makes the more exposed beaches less suitable for children.
Practical Notes
- Best for surf: Alexandra Headland Beach (patrolled, consistent break)
- Best for families with young kids: Mooloolaba Beach (calm water, 1,469 reviews, full facilities)
- Least crowded of the group: Mudjimba Beach (4.8 stars, far fewer visitors)
- Best facilities overall: Kings Beach, Caloundra (lifeguard, playground, cafe, showers)
- Quietest in the immediate area: Cotton Tree Beach (north-facing, easier parking than Mooloolaba)
All beaches in this list are patrolled and have toilet facilities. Parking at Alexandra Headland Esplanade and main Mooloolaba fills on summer weekends , arrive before 9am or plan for a short walk from a side street.
For full ratings, reviews, and facility details on every Sunshine Coast beach, see the BeachCheck Sunshine Coast guide.