Happy TravellerCaloundra, a coastal town in South East Queensland, Australia, is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered by tourists. With its stunning beaches, rich history, and plethora of amenities, Caloundra is the perfect destination for a relaxing getaway. Here’s everything you need to know before planning your trip to this charming town.
Caloundra is located 90 kilometers north of the Brisbane central business district and is accessible from Landsborough railway station, 21 kilometers away, and the Caloundra bus station. The town is located across the Pumicestone Passage from Bribie Island North and marks the coastal, northern extent of the Moreton Bay Marine Park.
Caloundra lies within the Aboriginal Gubbi Gubbi language region, and its name is from the Gubbi Gubbi language Cullowundoor with Kal Owen meaning beech tree (Gmelina leichhardtii) and Dha meaning place. The town’s history is rich with the Bulcock family, who founded the town and subdivided part of the land into 404 lots, creating the area known as Bulcock Beach, which is now a popular tourist destination. During World War II, Caloundra played a vital role in Australian defence, and Radar stations and machine gun pits were mounted along the beaches.
One of Caloundra’s main attractions is its beaches, which provide a variety of amenities to tourists. Golden Beach is perfect for swimming, windsurfing, boating, and fishing, while Bulcock Beach has board-walks, piers and numerous restaurants. Kings Beach, the main beach of Caloundra, is patrolled all year round by Metropolitan – Caloundra Surf Life Saving Club and has a picnic and children’s play area. Moffat Beach is surrounded by residential housing, cafes, a post office, a newsagent, parkland, and apartments.
Apart from beaches, Caloundra also offers several other attractions, such as Corbould Park Racetrack, home of Sunshine Coast Turf Club, which holds an important race meet during the Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, with the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas and Listed Caloundra Cup. The town is also home to Aussie World, a family-friendly amusement park that offers thrilling rides and games.
Caloundra is served by Sunbus Sunshine Coast, which operates the Caloundra bus station in Cooma Terrace in the CBD. Bus routes 600, 602, 603, 605, 607, 609 connect Caloundra to Kawana Waters, Maroochydore, Buderim, and Landsborough. Landsborough railway station on the Sunshine Coast line has regular services to Roma Street railway station in Brisbane, operated by Queensland Rail. There are several bus companies providing coach services from Caloundra to Brisbane Airport.
In conclusion, Caloundra is a beautiful town that offers an abundance of attractions for tourists. With its stunning beaches, rich history, and variety of amenities, Caloundra is an ideal destination for a peaceful and relaxing getaway. So pack your bags and head to Caloundra for an unforgettable vacation!
