What to do and see in Caloundra, Australia: The Best Places and Tips

Have an adventure or new experience by hiring Kayaks, Stand-up Paddleboards, Catamarans and Windsurfers on the Esplanade at Golden Beach. Cross the Pumicestone Passage in just minutes to the surrounds of Bribie Island National Park and feel like you are on a secluded island just a few hundred meters away from the heart of Caloundra and Golden Beach. The helpful staff are ready to help you with free instruction to get you out and enjoying the water in a safe and fun manner. Bookings are essential, open or on-call from 7am to 4pm on weekends and school holidays, normally weekdays by appointment only. Open during 9 month season from September to May, closed for winter in June, July and August. All hires are weather permitting, must close in 15 knot winds or higher for safety reasons.

Brisbane Whale Watching invites you to come on board the magnificent Eye-Spy for an encounter with the whales. There’s no better place to observe the mighty Humpback than Brisbane’s Moreton Bay.

Aria Cruises will take you on a sailing adventure like no other aboard a purpose built seawind catamaran. As you sail through the pristine waters that Moreton Bay has to offer, the boat will take you to some of the most scenic beach locations just of the Mainland of Brisbane. On board you can also keep a look out for the different marine life in the area such as dolphins, turtles, dugongs and much more. Check out Aria’s Facebook Page for latest photo and news updates.

The Tamborine Mountain Distillery (“the Company”) is a successful Queensland, based business, that for the last quarter of a century has produced and distributed several specialized liqueurs and spirits for local, regional, national distribution, although has had significant interest shown for the international market. The Company was founded in 1993 by Michael and Alla Ward and has grown over the years into an iconic tourism facility and award winning liqueur brand.

One of the oldest parks in Queensland, Queens Park boasts enormous, shady trees dotted around the picturesque green expanse on the hill at the eastern entrance to the city. A perfect place to spread out the picnic rug, fire up the barbie and spend a pleasant few hours. If you're not such a BYO person, the indoor-outdoor Queens Park Café offers everything for the hungry park-goer, including a special Kids' Menu. Next door to the Café, is the Environmental Education Centre with some fun interactive displays. Queens Park's playground was inspired by Ipswich's coal mining history, with an impressive design incorporating a flying fox, fixed model train, Liberty Swing for people in wheelchairs to enjoy a ride, and water pumps. And if that's not enough, there are two more amazing, free attractions - the Japanese-themed Nerima Gardens, and the Ipswich Nature Centre which has been delighting visitors since 1936. Enter the Ipswich Nature Centre through the historical Rotunda and be charmed by wallabies contentedly nibbling or dozing, and other native animals such as wombats, emus, bilbies and water birds in their authentic habitats. Then there's the barn where the younger ones won't be able to resist farm animals such as pigs, calves, Guinea pigs and lambs. Nerima Gardens was designed in consultation with Ipswich's sister city in Japan. A model traditional Japanese tea house, constant sound of flowing water, winding paths and charming Gardens make this a tranquil and calming space. A unique factor is that Australian native plants have been used, with some being indigenous to Ipswich.

Travel back in time to ancient and classical worlds inside the treasure house of 500,000 years of human history. View Abbey Church’s 13th century medieval stained glass collection, and historical jewelry and artefacts from Europe’s Renaissance period and industrial revolution.