Caloundra, Queensland

Caloundra (pronounced /kəˈlæɔn.dɹə/) is the southern-most community on the Sunshine Coast in South East Queensland, Australia. It is about 60 minutes drive north of Brisbane CBD, and 45 minutes from the domestic and international air terminals at Brisbane Airport. It is accessible from Landsborough Railway Station and the Caloundra Bus Station.

[edit] Suburbs

from South to North:

Golden Beach and Pelican Waters are the southernmost suburbs of the Caloundra urban area.

Caloundra the CBD located on Bulcock Street and within walking distance of beaches.

Currimundi and Aroona largely growing residential areas, but the large amount of parks help keep its character.

Wurtulla, Bokarina and Warana established residential suburbs located alongside the Nicklin Way arterial road.

Kawana Island the newest of the developed residential areas, located west of Warana and the Nicklin Way.

Kawana Waters the largest of the northern residential suburbs, it also features the large Kawana Shoppingworld.

Buddina located on the tip of Mooloolah river, it is also a popular surfing spot.

Minyama located on the Mooloolah river, it is the northernmost suburb of the Caloundra urban area.

Glass House Mountains - also features the Glass House Mountains National Park

Landsborough Station on the Nambour / Gympie North Line has regular services to Brisbane, operated by CityTrain. There are also daily coach services to the Brisbane Transit Centre. Local services are operated by Sunbus connecting Caloundra to the other areas of the Sunshine Coast.

Caloundra has a variety of beaches, allowing the discerning beach-goer to find a calm sandy bay in almost any weather.

Golden Beach is protected by Bribie Island to the east, and is ideal for children, wind-surfing, boating and fishing. On low tide you could almost walk over to Bribe Island from Golden Beach.
Bulcock Beach is equally ideal for children and wind-surfing, and has board-walks, piers, and numerous restaurants, and is situated opposite the northern end of Bribie Island. The Des Dywer walking track starts at Bulcock beach and follows the coastline on cliffs and boardwalks. The walking track ends at Moffat Beach North East of Bulcock about a one hour walk.
Kings Beach is known as the main beach of Caloundra, Kings is patrolled all year round and has a great picnic and children's play areas. Kings Beach has over 4000 holiday apartments and most can be rented out.
Shelly Beach is not a swimming beach, with the danager of wild rough waves and rocks. On low tide Shelly Beach becomes a hunting wonderland for shells and rock pools. Shelly is surrounded by residential housing with a maximum of five stories.
Moffat Beach is not a patrolled beach, but a quick dip is possible. Moffat is home to many great waves and surfers. Moffat Beach is surround by residential housing, Cafes, the post office, newsagent, parkland and apartments. One can walk to Dicky Beach along the beach North West of Moffats.

Caloundra was a sleepy seaside town in the 1980s, and is now a vibrant tourist-oriented community.

Kings Beach is host to an environmentally friendly swimming pool which, whilst built to be separate from the ocean, is fed directly from seawater.

On a clear day looking East out to sea, you can see the sand hills on Moreton Island, about 20 km away.

In the local Aboriginal dialect, 'Caloundra' translates as 'Place of the Beech Trees'.
Bulcock Beach and the main street of Caloundra, Bulcock Street, are both named after Brisbane politician Robert Bulcock. In 1875, he bought 277 acres of land in the region. His property encompassed the area which would later become the town of Caloundra.