FAST FACTS

Marcoola was named for its location, because of its position between Maroochydore and Coolum.

Legend:

In Aboriginal legend Mount Coolum represents the body of Coolum and Mudjimba Island is his head. They were detached after Coolum rescued his bride Maroochy from the vengeful Ninderry, a would-be suitor, who was turned to stone for his terrible deed.

Locals refer to Mudjimba Island as ‘Old Woman Island’

Find Marcoola on a map


at a glance
Marcoola is above and beyond expectations in every sense of the phrase. From the stunning views of Mount Coolum to ex-HMAS Brisbane, one of Australia’s premier wreck dive sites, Marcoola’s delights continue to surprise visitors. When you have finished exploring it from top to bottom, Marcoola’s friendly community and long stretches of quiet beachfront also make it the perfect place for lazy days. Marcoola is the first stop when leaving Sunshine Coast Airport and the last stop for natural beauty from the mountains to the ocean.

taste
Whatever you are craving, there is a Marcoola ‘local’ that has worked hard to perfect it. The Marcoola Bakery’s famous pies are perfect for a snack on the beach and Franco’s Pizza and Pasta will add a little Italian perfection to your day. But when you want to combine a good bottle of wine with a menu to be devoured, the answer can be found at Gecko’s located in Surfair Resort. Culinary delights aside, you can be sure that your dinner conversation and idle contemplation are not overpowered by the bustle of people in Marcoola.

shop
Marcoola’s close proximity to the Sunshine Coast Airport offers its visitors a unique opportunity to take advantage of some shopping treasures that are hidden in the terminal. Whether you are panning for gold or digging for diamonds The Jewellery Lounge offers unique pieces that make a timeless and elegant souvenir of your holiday. The Jewellery Lounge boasts exclusive access to European collections and much-loved brands. Simply walk another few steps to visit The Art Gallery and enjoy a variety of paintings by local artists.

play
Marcoola Beach is a safe and family friendly place to spend the day playing. Set up right in front of the Marcoola Surf Club and you will have just a short walk to a delicious lunch. Also a great place to just unwind with a good book, the beach is close to quiet picnic areas, a grassy parkland that is great for a game of football or cricket and a children’s park. Or completely shut down by booking an entire day of treatments at the Surfair Day Spa – bliss! After dark adults play out the evening at the Scubar with live entertainment and a range of beers on tap.

explore
Take a deep breath! Decommissioned warship HMAS Brisbane was sunk 2.4 nautical miles off Mudjimba Island in July 2005. Once servicing Australia in the Vietnam and Gulf wars,
ex-HMAS Brisbane is now home to a range of corals and sea creatures and is the only purpose-designed dive wreck in Australia where you can actually dive inside the engine and boiler rooms. Divers with varying levels of experience can explore the ship’s rooms and visit the bat fish, mackerel, coral trout, turtles, starfish, stingrays and crayfish that now call it home.

local knowledge
Marcoola was once synonymous with an old Australian television icon – Perfect Match. Winning contestants would often spend their romantic holiday at ‘Surfair’. Once standing alone amongst the coastal bushland, Surfair is now an icon in its own right.

Locals call Mudjimba ‘Old Woman Island’. The term refers to an Aboriginal legend in which a woman became stranded on the island, where she lived into old age. When conditions are right, the surfing community visits the old woman and one of the best reef breaks in Australia.