If you are looking for things to do in Caloundra with kids and you want the version from a family who goes every year, this is it. Caloundra is one of the Sunshine Coast’s best-kept family secrets: a real beach town with calm water, free facilities, and a pace that lets you rest.
IN THIS GUIDE
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This was our second year coming with our little one, and the trip has already found its shape. Boogie boards at 9am, coffee from whoever is closest, and a toddler who considers the ocean pool her personal swimming lessons. We go back every year because it works. Every single time.
This is our March 2026 trip, written up day by day. Everything here is based on real time spent in Caloundra with a toddler, not a press trip or a quick overnight. We think it is one of the most underrated family destinations on the Sunshine Coast, and this guide is our case for it.
things to do in Caloundra with kids
things to do in Caloundra for families
Kings Beach Caloundra toddler
Caloundra family accommodation
Sunshine Coast
GETTING THERE
Getting to Caloundra from Brisbane and Beyond
DRIVE
Roughly 90 minutes from Brisbane. Easy motorway the whole way. We drove after lunch to avoid the peak hour traffic and arrived well before dinner.
📅 BEST TIME
March to April is excellent. School holidays mean the markets are livelier. Winter is quieter but still mild and sunny.
💰 Budget
Mid-range. Accommodation is the main cost. Most beach and park activities are free. The markets are very wallet-friendly.
🏡 Best for
Families with toddlers and young kids. Extended family trips. Anyone who wants a slow week with actual rest built in.
Rolling Surf Resort: The One We Keep Booking
The balcony view at Rolling Surf Resort
OUR PICK, CALOUNDRA
Rolling Surf Resort, Kings Beach
Three bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms, laundry, and a balcony with direct ocean views. The unit sits right in front of Kings Beach, so the sand is a two-minute walk from the front door. The resort pool is heated, large, and has shallow sections for small kids. We have come back every year because it works for families. You can cook, you can do laundry, and no one has to whisper in a hotel corridor.
That first morning, the beach was overcast and misty. We stood on the balcony, decided to cook breakfast in the unit first and see what the sky did. By 9am it had completely cleared. That is pretty much how Caloundra works.
Same resort, same beach, every year. Our daughter now considers this her beach. We are not going to argue with that.
THE HEART OF CALOUNDRA
Kings Beach: Where Most of the Week Happens
Kings Beach is the centrepiece of family life in Caloundra. Calm, wide and family-facing, with a foreshore that has been thoughtfully set up for people who are not in a rush. The Council has done a good job here: free BBQs, playgrounds, a patrolled beach, an ocean pool, and coffee close enough that you never have to go far. We brought our own cabana and towels every morning, which made a real difference once the sun got going.
Kings Beach and the ocean pool.
The Ocean Pool
A short walk along the foreshore and you land at the ocean pool. It is seawater-fed and has proper shallow corners where a toddler can splash around without any drama. Murray got a board from a local surf shop and our daughter got a $10 boogie board from Kmart, and that combination kept them both busy for most of the week. The pool is the safer call when the surf picks up, which it did on a couple of afternoons.
Coffee on Kings Beach
Coffee is easy to sort on Kings Beach. Between swims, while the kids are playing in the sand, or when you are watching them splash around in the ocean pool, a takeaway coffee makes the whole morning feel less like supervision and more like an actual holiday. The Pavilion is right at the ocean pool end, Coffee Cat is further along towards the main beach, and if you are happy to walk a little further Lamkin Lane Cafe is our favourite in Caloundra. Pick whichever is closest to where you are swimming that morning.
Kings Beach Rock Pools at Low Tide
This one is worth timing your morning around. At low tide, the rocky jetty along the Dingle Avenue beachfront opens up for exploring, and it is one of those spots that does not show up in any tourism brochure. We walked out along the rocks and found trapped fish in the rock pools, which kept our daughter completely absorbed. You can crouch down, peer in, and spot small fish, crabs and whatever else the tide has left behind. Free, unhurried, and the kind of experience that is only possible because Caloundra has kept this stretch of coastline accessible and unspoiled.
From that side of the headland on a clear day you get an uninterrupted view across to the Glass House Mountains. It is one of those Queensland moments that stops you mid-sentence: rock pools at your feet, an ancient volcanic landscape on the horizon, and a toddler who has completely forgotten she was ever tired.
KINGS BEACH TIPS FOR FAMILIES
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Bring your own cabana. The beach does not have shade structures and the sun gets strong by mid-morning.
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Coffee options on the foreshore: Pavilion at the ocean pool, Coffee Cat at the main beach, Lamkin Lane for the best cup.
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The ocean pool shallow corners are the right call for young toddlers who are not yet confident in open water.
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A $10 boogie board from Kmart is all the entertainment a toddler needs for a week.
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Kings Beach is patrolled by lifeguards daily. Always swim between the flags.
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Pools and amenities are regularly maintained to a high standard.
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Park at the resort and walk. Parking along Kings Beach fills up quickly on weekends.
PLAYGROUNDS
Caloundra Playgrounds Worth Adding to the List
Happy Valley playground and Kings Beach Amphitheatre and Stage.
Clarke Place Park (Happy Valley)
Set along the Coastal Pathway, Clarke Place Park, also known as Happy Valley, is one of the best free family stops in Caloundra. It has a large nautical-themed playground with a wooden pirate ship and lighthouse structure, picnic facilities, free BBQ, off-street car parking, public amenities and direct access to the Happy Valley Boardwalk leading to Kings Beach. The Turtle Cafe is right next door. We spent two hours here on Saturday morning and our daughter would have stayed longer. It is the kind of playground that makes families want to come back to a destination, and Caloundra has it right on the beach.
Kings Beach Park
On a late afternoon wander we found Kings Beach Park, which turned out to be much bigger than we expected. It covers four distinct areas so there is something for every age and energy level.
- Kings Beach Amphitheatre and Stage — fully fenced playground with play fort, slide, sand play, swings, rocker and flying fox, plus a basketball half-court and open space for kick and throw activities
- Kings Beach Park South — large climbing net and spinners
- Kings Beach Park North — play fort with slide, swings and rocker, plus open space for kick and throw activities
- Kings Beach Fountain — water play for young kids
We had not planned to stop. We stayed for an hour.
FREE AND WORTH IT
Bill Morton Memorial Park
Along Kings Beach there is Bill Morton Memorial Park with free public BBQs, tables, chairs and a playground. We used it for a rump steak and salad dinner with the whole family. Our toddler played while the adults cooked. It is one of those evenings that costs almost nothing and ends up being the one everyone talks about on the drive home.
WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS
Caloundra Markets: A Community Event Worth Planning Around
The Caloundra Street Fair on Bulcock Street.
Caloundra Street Fair (Sunday)
The Caloundra Street Fair runs every Sunday from 8am to 1pm along Bulcock Street, rain or shine, year-round. With over 120 stalls under the big fig trees. It is the Sunshine Coast’s largest weekly street market and one of the best free family events in the region. We arrived on Sunday morning and our daughter spotted a princess character within about 45 seconds. That was the itinerary sorted. Princess characters turn up most Sundays for meet-and-greet sessions and photo opportunities, which makes it a reliable drawcard for families with young kids.
Beyond the princess: the variety of stalls is the real draw. Toys, artisan soaps, jewellery, clothing, baked goods, food vans and good coffee. The twirly fried potato on a stick is very much a hit with the under-5 crowd. Slide Coffee Roasters at the far end of the market is worth the walk. We tried the Decadent Donuts stall, gluten free and vegan. Ask them to go easy on the sugar or skip it entirely as it can get too sweet. Worth trying though, especially if you are gluten free.
Caloundra Twilight Market (Last Friday of the Month)
The Twilight Markets run on the last Friday of every month, excluding winter months, at Bulcock Beach Esplanade from 5pm to 9pm. More than 70 boutique stalls, 20-plus food trucks and live music along the water. We went on the Friday of our trip and had a lovely evening. The musician was great, our daughter danced, and my mother-in-law even found a gift she loved at one of the stalls. The only thing to note is that the stall count was smaller than we expected, so go with the right expectations and you will have a good time.
Caloundra Regional Gallery: Free Art Treasure Hunt for Kids
After the market we walked into the Caloundra Regional Gallery, which runs a free kids art treasure hunt activity. Children get a sheet listing artworks to find around the gallery, no touching, just eyes and ticks. Our daughter found every single one and was very pleased about it. We bought her a hot chocolate mug as a reward at the gallery shop. Entry is free, the treasure hunt is free, and it turned into one of the best hours of the whole trip. The gallery sits within easy walking distance of the Sunday markets, so the two combine naturally into a full morning on Bulcock Street that costs the family almost nothing.
MARKETS AT A GLANCE
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Street Fair runs every Sunday, 8am to 1pm, Bulcock Street. Arrive before 9am for the princess characters.
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Slide Coffee House at the far end of the Street Fair is the best coffee on the market circuit.
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The art gallery treasure hunt is free. Great for toddlers who are starting to engage with art.
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GETTING OUT
Lighthouse Walk and Geocaching
The Caloundra Lighthouse and a geocache find just nearby. The free Geocaching app turns any walk into a treasure hunt for kids.
One of our slower days we walked out to the Caloundra Lighthouse and played geocaching along the way. If you have not done geocaching with kids, it is worth knowing about: it is a free app that turns any walk into a treasure hunt, and it is one of the main reasons our daughter will happily walk much further than she would ever agree to otherwise. The coastal footpath back to the resort is a good walk in its own right. On the way home we found a bicycle left out on the path that needed a wheel replacement. My father-in-law took it. He can fix anything.
FROM THE BLOG
Geocaching in Australia With Kids
The free app that gets toddlers walking for hours. Full guide on how to start.
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Shelley Beach Park to Kings Beach Coastal Track
We did this one the year before, on our first trip with our daughter. The coastal track from Shelley Beach Park to Kings Beach follows the Caloundra headland with ocean views the whole way, and it is one of the most scenic short walks on the Sunshine Coast. If your family is comfortable with a longer walk, it belongs on the list. The track showcases a stretch of coastline that is spectacular, and it gives kids a sense of the geography of Caloundra that you simply do not get from the beach alone.
We use the AllTrails app to scout tracks nearby wherever we travel. It shows distance, difficulty rating and reviews from other walkers, which is useful when you are trying to work out what is realistic with young kids in tow. Search for the Caloundra Coastal Walk and it will pull up the full track details before you set off.
RAINY DAY OPTION
Caloundra Library
We had one slow morning and just walked to the Caloundra Library. The kids section is set up for reading and play and it is properly well done. We were not expecting much. We ended up staying for an hour. A good option for an overcast morning when the beach does not feel right. Check their website for opening hours before you go.
THE FREE ACTIVITY NOBODY TALKS ABOUT
Watching Ships Through the Caloundra Channel
Every evening before the last of the light went, we sat on the resort balcony and watched the ships move through the Caloundra channel. This sounds like nothing and it is one of the best things we did all week. Our daughter was fascinated. We used the MarineTraffic app to look up what each ship was and where it was going. Completely free. Became the daily ritual we did not know we needed.
GOOD TO KNOW
Set Your Expectations Right
The Twilight Markets were smaller than expected. If your visit does not land on the last Friday of the month that is a non-issue, but if you are planning your evening around it, set your expectations for a modest-sized event. The Bulcock Beach Esplanade walk is lovely regardless.
Caloundra is designed for slow family travel. The beach, the playgrounds, the markets and the foreshore are the main event. Families wanting theme parks and water parks will find plenty of options across the Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast. Australia Zoo, SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast and Eumundi Markets are all within easy reach for a day trip. Caloundra works best as a slow base, and the wider Sunshine Coast has everything else covered.
DAY BY DAY
A Week in Caloundra with a Toddler
The pattern sorted itself out quickly. Beach in the morning, rest after lunch, something low-key in the afternoon or evening. Things to do in Caloundra with kids do not need to be complicated to work. This is what our week looked like.
7 NIGHTS, KINGS BEACH, CALOUNDRA
March 2026 · Rolling Surf Resort · Family + extended family
DAY 1 Wed
Arrive Caloundra + Surf Club dinner
Drive from Brisbane, arrive by late afternoon. Settle into the resort. Dinner at the Kings Beach Surf Club with extended family for the specials menu. A low-key arrival day that does not try to do too much.
DAY 2 Thu
Kings Beach + Ocean Pool + Kmart boogie boards
FREE BEACH
Kings Beach + Ocean Pool + Kmart boogie boards by 8:50am. Swim, play, then walk along to the ocean pool. Coffee from the Pavilion. Afternoon: grocery run for beach essentials. Evening: BBQ dinner at Bill Morton Memorial Park.
DAY 3 Fri
Surfboarding morning + Twilight Markets evening
Murray on the waves early. Pavilion coffee on Kings Beach. Afternoon nap and rest. Evening: walk along the boardwalk to Bulcock Beach for the Twilight Markets. Home by 7:30pm.
DAY 4 Sat
Happy Valley playground + Kings Beach swim
FREE
Beach walk at sunrise. Coffee Cat for the family. Walk the boardwalk to Happy Valley nautical playground. Turtle Cafe coffee and hot cross bun. Return for resort pool in the afternoon. Murray body boarding at 5pm. Ship watching from balcony before dinner.
DAY 5 Sun
Caloundra Street Fair + Art Gallery treasure hunt
FREE
Markets from 9am. Princess character, twirly potato, market exploration. Slide Coffee Roasters at the far end. Art gallery treasure hunt. Afternoon: Kings Beach playground. Dinner at home.
DAY 6 Mon
Caloundra Library + Resort pool + Amphitheatre playground
FREE
Sleep in, slow morning. Library visit. Resort pool and lunch. Afternoon discovery: water playground behind the Kings Beach Amphitheatre.
DAY 7 Tue
Lighthouse walk + Geocaching
FREE
Town exploration on foot. Lighthouse walk with geocaching stops along the way. Coastal footpath back to the resort. Relaxed evening.
DAY 8 Wed
Check out + coffee + drive home
THE REAL TALK
What to Know Before You Go
THE VERDICT
Is Caloundra Worth It with a Toddler?
Without question, if slow travel is your style. Caloundra is one of those rare family destinations where the planning is straightforward and the pace looks after itself. Most of the beaches, playgrounds and markets need no advance booking, which takes the pressure off the itinerary and lets you adjust the day as the kids need.
The Council has invested well in this foreshore: free beaches, free BBQs, free playgrounds, a patrolled ocean pool, a working gallery, a weekly market. Caloundra gives families a full week without a theme park in sight.
It works especially well as an extended family trip, and as a destination for families visiting Queensland for the first time. The accommodation is built for multiple generations and the beach is calm enough for grandparents to manage a morning with the kids on their own.
With the Sunshine Coast continuing to grow as a tourism destination and Brisbane 2032 drawing more families to Queensland, Caloundra is exactly the kind of place that deserves more attention than it currently gets. We think that is about to change.
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Caloundra does not have a lot of structured kids entertainment within walking distance. The library and the local museum are both reachable on foot but not ideal in heavy rain. If your family has a car, both are easy to get to and worth knowing about.
There is also an indoor playground and cafe called Jujuba which looks well set up for young kids on a wet day. We have not visited it ourselves but it is on our list for next time. Check their website for opening hours and bookings before you go. Our practical advice: pack colouring books, small toys, a favourite book or two and other easy entertainment for the kids. A rainy afternoon in a well-stocked holiday unit is not the end of the world, especially when you have a kitchen and nowhere to be.
The trip also works best from a self-contained apartment or resort unit. If you are in a hotel room with no kitchen, the economics and the pace change quite a bit. The slow travel rhythm here depends on cooking, resting and repeating. A holiday unit is the right call.
Caloundra is a very easy destination to navigate with a pram or toddler. The foreshore paths are flat, the beach access is easy, and most of the key spots are within walking distance of Kings Beach.
ACCOMMODATION
Where to Stay in Caloundra with Kids
Rolling Surf Resort on Kings Beach is our pick every year. The reason is simple: three-bedroom units with full kitchens, laundry, ocean-view balconies, and the beach literally across the road. The heated resort pool has shallow sections for toddlers, which gets used daily. For families who want to self-cater and have the kids in a separate room, there is not much that beats it in Caloundra.
If you are looking at other options, stay as close to Kings Beach or Bulcock Beach as possible. The beach being walkable is what makes the whole trip rhythm work. Drive-to-the-beach trips with a toddler add friction that adds up across a week.
WHAT TO BRING
Packing for Caloundra with a Toddler
WHAT WE BROUGHT THAT EARNED ITS PLACE
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Portable beach cabana. Non-negotiable with a toddler. The beach has limited natural shade.
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Boogie board. $10 from Kmart and used every single beach day.
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Geocaching app (free). Turns any walk into an adventure. Read our full guide: Geocaching in Australia With Kids
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Card games. Evenings on the balcony with a drink while kids play cards. That is the trip right there.
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Reusable coffee cups. You will be doing a lot of takeaway coffee runs.
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MarineTraffic app (free). For looking up the ships in the channel at dusk. Kids love this more than you’d expect.
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A plug-in fan or portable white noise for nap time in a new place.
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Hats for the whole family. The Queensland sun is strong from mid-morning. Non-negotiable for beach days and playground time.
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Sunscreen. Pack enough for the week. It goes fast when you are at the beach every day.
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Swimmers. Pack at least two sets per person so one is always dry. You will be in the water every day.
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Floaties for the kids. Rolling Surf has them for rent but bringing your own saves the cost and the wait.
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Snacks for the beach. A small cooler bag with fruit, crackers and drinks. Pack a rubbish bag too. Going back mid-session breaks the flow.
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COMMON QUESTIONS
Things to Do in Caloundra with Kids: FAQs
What are the best things to do in Caloundra with kids?
Kings Beach and the ocean pool are the main draw for families. The ocean pool has shallow corners that are safe for toddlers. The Happy Valley nautical playground on the boardwalk is excellent for young kids. The Caloundra Street Fair runs every Sunday morning with princess characters, food and over 120 stalls. Geocaching along the lighthouse walk and watching ships through the Caloundra channel at dusk are free activities that land well with children.
What is the best beach in Caloundra for young kids?
Kings Beach is the most family-friendly, especially because of the adjacent ocean pool. The ocean pool is seawater-fed and has shallow corners that are safe for toddlers who are not yet confident swimmers. Bulcock Beach is also calm and popular with families. Both are within easy walking distance if you stay along the foreshore.
When is the Caloundra Street Fair?
Every Sunday from 8am to 1pm along Bulcock Street. It runs year-round and is the Sunshine Coast’s largest weekly street market, with over 120 stalls under fig trees. Princess character appearances are common on Sunday mornings, which our daughter considered the highlight of the entire trip.
When is the Caloundra Twilight Market?
The last Friday of every month (except June and July), from 5pm to 9pm, at Bulcock Beach Esplanade. A relaxed evening out with live music, food trucks and boutique stalls along the water. Check the dates before planning your trip around it.
Is Rolling Surf Resort good for families?
It is our first recommendation for families with young kids in Caloundra. The three-bedroom units have full kitchens, laundry, and ocean-view balconies, and the resort is positioned right in front of Kings Beach. The resort pool is heated and has shallow sections for toddlers. We have returned every year and it consistently delivers.
How far is Caloundra from Brisbane?
Roughly 90 minutes by car via the Bruce Highway. We recommend driving after lunch to avoid peak hour traffic out of Brisbane. The drive is easy motorway the whole way and you will arrive well before dinner.
What are things to do near Caloundra?
Caloundra makes an excellent base for exploring the wider Sunshine Coast. Australia Zoo in Beerwah is about 30 minutes north and is one of the best family days out in Queensland. The Glass House Mountains are visible from the Caloundra headland and worth a dedicated half-day visit for families who enjoy nature walks and scenic lookouts. Noosa is about an hour north and offers the Noosa National Park, main beach and the famous Hastings Street for a change of pace. SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast in Mooloolaba is about 20 minutes north and is excellent for young kids. Eumundi Markets, one of Australia’s most famous artisan markets, run every Wednesday and Saturday and are about 45 minutes from Caloundra. For a full list of things to do across the region, visit the official Visit Sunshine Coast website.
How do I get to Caloundra from the airport?
Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) at Marcoola is about 30 minutes drive from Caloundra, making it a convenient entry point for interstate and international visitors. The airport has direct international flights to Auckland, Denpasar (Bali) and Singapore, as well as domestic connections from major Australian cities. From the airport you can hire a car, take a taxi or rideshare directly to Caloundra. A car is recommended as it gives you the flexibility to explore the wider Sunshine Coast during your stay.
M&J
Murray & Jomana
We are a Brisbane-based family writing about slow travel with a toddler across Australia and beyond. Everything on this site comes from trips we actually took with our own kid. Read our story here.
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Toddler Travel
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Queensland
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