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Activities and attractions

The Sunshine Coast has almost year round perfect weather to enjoy a wide variety of activities and attractions and its world famous beaches. It is also the home to some of Australia’s best known events. The Mooloolaba Triathlon in March attracts world class athletes. The Sunshine Coast Marathon Festival courses go through Mooloolaba, with the start/finish line is just over the Headland from Northwind Apartments near the Alex Surf Club. The Half Ironman is held in September and the course goes through Mooloolaba, right past Northwind. Outrigger regattas and surf carnivals are held on Mooloolaba Spit. The nearby Sunshine Coast Stadium, just a ten minute drive from Mooloolaba hosts major sporting events, as does Lake Kawana.

Opportunities to go fishing abound – from simply throwing a line in the Mooloolaba canal system through to deep sea game fishing and crabbing experiences. You can go out with experienced deep-sea charter operators from Mooloolaba Wharf or hire a boat and leave from Mooloolaba’s boat ramp on Parkyn Parade.The Suncoast Barra fishing park and the Gowake Cable Park are just a short drive from Northwind.

For those wanting to unwind and enjoy a relaxing Sunshine Coast holiday, Northwind Apartments can help arrange some great scenic tours of the beautiful Sunshine Coast Hinterland, taking in the quaint friendly atmosphere of the Hinterland towns of Montville, Maleny and Mapleton, allowing you, your family and friends to sample the local arts and crafts, boutique cheese factories, parks, gardens, wineries and restaurants overlooking the Sunshine Coast.

Enjoy the Sunshine Coast winery when you visit Mooloolaba

You might prefer a morning at the popular Eumundi Markets, the Big Pineapple Saturday Markets, or at the Fishermen’s Road Market on a Sunday where the locals go.

Enjoy the beautiful gardens while sampling some ginger at the Yandina Ginger Factory, or the Macadamia Icecream at the adjacent Nutworks. There are strawberry farms to visit for an opportunity to PYO strawberries and sample fresh, home made jams and preserves. The many art galleries on the Sunshine Coast have works by local, nationally and internationally renowned artists.

Or… you might just want to sit back and enjoy the Sunshine Coast’s waterways on a cruise of the canals or an eco cruise of the Maroochy or Mooloolah Rivers. Sail along the coastline experiencing the joys of yachting with Set Sail Cruises, or if you are an experienced sailor join a crew from either the Mooloolaba Yacht Club or the Sunshine Coast Yacht Club for a day’s racing and cameraderie. You can experience the adrenalin rush of a jet ski or hire a kayak and explore the canals by yourself , maybe join a tour with an experienced guide. You can also do a spot of Whale Watching from the luxury of ’Whale One’ during the seasonal migrations from June to November. Dive locations abound close to Mooloolaba – you can explore the reefs just off Mudjimba Island, or take a closer look at the ex-HMAS Brisbane and the creatures that have made it their home. Local dive companies can accommodate the novice through to the most experienced divers. Sunreef Dive Services also offers the opportunity for you to swim with the humpback whales during the whale season, the first place in Australia where you can experience these creatures up close. There are also Eco Tours of the Maroochy River, Conondale and Woondum National Parks and Fraser Island.

The Sunshine Coast is home to some of the best driving ranges and challenging golf courses in Australia, including Palmer Coolum, Twin Waters, Pelican Waters,or the nearby Headland Golf Course, which offers great views from the clubhouse and a beautiful ocean breeze on the fairway.

Cycling tours of the Coast are available, or you can bicycle and explore the region by yourself, either on the roads or exploring the mountain biking tracks which abound on the Coast.

Motor bike hire is also available. Surfing is part of the Sunshine Coast culture and there are several surf schools, stand-up paddle board hire, board-hire shops, surf shops within easy walking distance of Northwind Beachfront Apartments.

The Mooloolaba Bowls Club has all -weather greens with bowls carnivals held regularly throughout the year. Segway hire, bike hire, motorbike hire, car hire is all available close by.

There is something for all on the Sunshine Coast!

Mooloolaba beach is a fantastic beach for families and is patrolled year round. The beach is just right for swimming, paddling, sandcastle building, hole-digging, fishing, beach combing, beach volley ball and that Australian classic – beach cricket. Exploring the rock pools at low tide is a fascinating way for families to spend a few hours. Sealife (formerly Underwater World) is a few minutes walk from Northwind Apartments, with its touch tank and other exhibits full of fascinating creatures like colourful starfish, jellyfish, sea-cucumbers, sharks, stingrays, octopus, saw fish, turtles and reef creatures. The seal and otter shows are informative and entertaining for all the family. A behind the scenes tour gives insights into the conservation work the staff are involved in, particularly their turtle rescue projects.

With Australia Zoo, Bellingham Maze, the Big Kart Track , the award-winning Aussie World theme park and the Sunshine Castle just a few minutes drive from the Northwind Apartments there is a something for every family member to see and do.Top Shots is a theme park with minigolf, water cannon boats, climbing walls and more activities. For the avid skateboarder in the family there is a skate park just over the Headland beside the Alex Surf Club. The Sunshine Castle at Bli Bli is a fascinating place to explore while learning about life in a medieval castle, see an extensive range of toy and model collections and enjoy a snack or a meal at their cafe. Just a few minutes drive from the Castle is the Maroochy Wetlands Reserve with a 900m long boardwalk through different types of coastal forests, and next to it is a strawberry farm where you can pick your own strawberries in season. Sunshine Plaza is just a bus ride away from Northwind and has a wide range of retail shops as well as the Birch Carroll Coyle multi-plex cinema. Ten Pin Bowling is situated just a 5 minute drive away, so there is plenty for all the family even on wet days.

Mooloolaba is the home of the Etchells cup racing and Sail Mooloolaba features great racing for yachts of all classes in June each year. Guests enjoy watching the racing from their apartment balconey, as well as the spectacle of yachts leaving and returning to the harbour each day. During the holidays the Mooloolaba Yacht Club runs learn to sail programmes for all walks of life – women, children and disabled.

There are also a number of classical music concerts, eisteddfodds, jazz festivals, wine and food festivals, and other cultural events hosted on the Sunshine Coast close to Mooloolaba. If you are booking Mooloolaba accommodation for a local event make sure you book early to avoid disappointment! Many Mooloolaba restaurants and clubs have live music each evening and weekend afternoons.

There is much for you and your family to see and do in and around Mooloolaba from art lessons to beach-combing, sailing to shopping and Northwind is the perfect base for exploring the Coast and Hinterland, whether on your own, with your partner, family, club or interest group.

For more information on the best tours and attractions while enjoying your Mooloolaba holiday, talk to our friendly staff who will happily advise you of all the must do attractions.

Activities and attractions

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There is something for all on the Sunshine Coast!

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