The Caloundra Coastal Walk is one of those local assets that guests discover by accident and then can't believe they almost missed. A 25km track from Caloundra north to Mooloolaba, following the coastline through headlands, beaches, parks, and foreshore paths with constant water views - it's the kind of walk that rewards any amount of time you give it, from a 30-minute morning stroll to a full one-way all-day adventure.
The best news: you don't need to do all 25km. Even a 2 to 3km section from Bulcock Beach down to the Passage foreshore is one of the finest morning walks in the region.
Starting Point: From the Apartment
From the apartment at Caloundra Escape, the walk starts literally at your front door. The Bulcock Beach foreshore connects directly to the coastal path heading in both directions - south along the Passage toward the channel, and north past Kings Beach toward the headland and on to Mooloolaba.
The Southern Section - Pumicestone Passage Walk
Head south from Bulcock Beach and the path follows Pumicestone Passage along the western shore - flat, sheltered from the wind, and facing west over the waterway to Bribie Island. This is the section for morning walks with coffee, evening strolls at sunset, and unhurried birdwatching. Pelicans, herons, ospreys, and sea eagles are daily sightings. Dolphins are regular visitors to the channel.
The Passage foreshore walk is entirely flat - suitable for prams, wheelchairs, and anyone who wants the experience of being next to beautiful water without any elevation. It's also the most reliably scenic section at both sunrise and sunset given the westward-facing orientation.
The Northern Section - Kings Beach to Dicky Beach
Heading north from Bulcock Beach, the path climbs over the headland past the Caloundra lighthouses (both heritage-listed and worth stopping to look at) and continues through Kings Beach, Shelly Beach, and on to Dicky Beach and eventually Mooloolaba. This section has more elevation change, more exposed headland sections, and the most dramatic views back over Kings Beach and south to the Passage.
Kings Beach to Shelly Beach: 25 minutes, some incline, rewarding headland views. Shelly Beach to Dicky Beach: 20 minutes, excellent coastal scenery. Dicky Beach to Mooloolaba: 2 hours, varied terrain, the full coastal experience.
The Caloundra Lighthouses
Two heritage-listed lighthouses stand near the Kings Beach headland - the old Canberra Terrace lighthouse (1896) and the newer Canberra Terrace lighthouse (1968). Both are accessible on foot from the coastal path and worth a 15-minute detour. The older lighthouse in particular gives you a view over the Passage entrance that puts the whole geography of Caloundra in context.
Wildlife Along the Route
The coastal walk passes through several distinct ecosystems - foreshore parkland, coastal heath, rocky headland, and beach - each supporting different wildlife. Birds are the obvious highlight: lorikeets, honeyeaters, ospreys, pelicans, and in the right section, sea eagles hunting over the passage. Keep your eyes up as well as out to sea.
Walk straight from the apartment. Book direct at Caloundra Escape.
Image: Wikimedia Commons
