Hike along scenic headland, eat fresh seafood as you look out over the ocean and ride some of the best waves on the Sunshine Coast at this laid-back beach community.
Alexandra Headland is known for its excellent surf breaks and family-friendly beach. Known simply as “Alex” to locals, the small oceanfront community lies on a stretch of coast between Mooloolaba and Maroochydore. Enjoy your morning coffee in one of the cafés looking out over the water before a day on the sand. In the afternoons, take a stroll along the rocky headland and watch the sun go down over this relaxed seaside town.
Surfers flock to Alex for the waves that break off its headland. The area is known as one of the best surf spots on the Sunshine Coast. Arrive early in the morning and find a seat on the rocks to watch the pros ride the waves. Hire a board from one of the shops along Alexandra Parade, the main street in town. If you’re new to the sport you can sign up for lessons with one of the local surf schools.
Families will enjoy the picturesque swimming beach, which is patrolled by lifeguards year-round. Bring a shade umbrella, hats and sunscreen, as there is very little shade along the white-sand beach. The water is usually calm but always swim between the flags that mark the patrolled areas. Each day, lifeguards put out signs that give an indication of the conditions.
Oceanfront restaurants, cafés and ice cream shops line Alexandra Parade. Choose from a range of cuisine, including modern Australian, Thai and Italian. Try fresh seafood that comes straight off the trawlers each morning. Fishing enthusiasts can buy a line and bait and try to catch their own dinner from the beach or off the headland. Cook up your catch on one of the public barbecues in the parks located along the headland.
Alexandra Headland lies along a 1.8-kilometre (1.1-mile) stretch of coast 100 kilometres (62 miles) north of Brisbane. Fly into Brisbane Airport or the Sunshine Coast Airport and hire a car. The Bruce Highway connects Alex with the rest of South East Queensland. There’s free parking along most streets. If you’re not driving, get around using the Sunbus, which will pick you up and drop you off anywhere along its route.
