Alexandra Headland Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Photo provided by Tourism and Events Queensland
Photo provided by Tourism and Events Queensland
Alexandra Headland featuring signage and street scenes
Photo provided by Tourism and Events Queensland
Photo provided by Tourism and Events Queensland
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.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Alexandra Headland Hotel Deals

Alex Beach Cabins
Alex Beach Cabins
4 out of 5
21-23 Okinja Road, Alexandra Headland, QLD
The price is AU$157 per night from 30 Apr to 1 May
AU$157
includes taxes & fees
30 Apr - 1 May
Stay at this 4-star holiday park in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (999 reviews)
"Covenient"

Reviewed on 23 Apr. 2025

Alex Beach Cabins
BreakFree Alexandra Beach
BreakFree Alexandra Beach
3.5 out of 5
Cnr. Alexandra Parade & Pacific Terrace, Alexandra Headland, QLD
Stay at this 3.5-star family-friendly aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free parking, 3 outdoor pools, and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,135 reviews)
"Our room and the property had much more than we expected. We really enjoyed our time here. The pools are especially great and the bus stop out the front gave us easy travel to so many places. Only major thing we didn't like were the cockroaches that kept appearing in our kitchen."

Reviewed on 18 Apr. 2025

BreakFree Alexandra Beach
Oaks Sunshine Coast Seaforth Resort
Oaks Sunshine Coast Seaforth Resort
4.5 out of 5
98-110 Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland, QLD
The price is AU$194 per night from 25 May to 26 May
AU$194
includes taxes & fees
25 May - 26 May
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,889 reviews)
"Lovely place to stay for a mini getaway. Close to shops and right opposite the beach. Our apartment was clean and the beds and pillows were very comfortable. The bathroom was clean and the shower was great. We will definitely be back."

Reviewed on 13 Apr. 2025

Oaks Sunshine Coast Seaforth Resort
Grand Palais Boolarong Beachside Resort
Grand Palais Boolarong Beachside Resort
4 out of 5
188 Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland, QLD
The price is AU$380 per night from 1 May to 2 May
AU$380
includes taxes & fees
1 May - 2 May
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (477 reviews)
"Good disability access for elderly parents"

Reviewed on 20 Apr. 2025

Grand Palais Boolarong Beachside Resort
Alex Seaside Resort
Alex Seaside Resort
4 out of 5
146 Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland, QLD
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Mooloolaba Esplanade and Mooloolaba Beach ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (370 reviews)
"Very friendly and welcoming team. Easy check in. Easy and relaxed stay. Tidy unit with everything you need and a very comfy couch! Great location, walk across the road and you have the beach and cafes. There is some road noise though but worth it for the location. Thanks team."

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2025

Alex Seaside Resort
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast by IHG
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast by IHG
4 out of 5
42 First Avenue and Fairway Drive, Maroochydore, QLD
The price is AU$167 per night from 12 May to 13 May
AU$167
includes taxes & fees
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (655 reviews)
"Nice hotel Good breakfast, and close to everything in Maroochydore I wasn’t a fan of the pillows."

Reviewed on 24 Apr. 2025

Holiday Inn Express & Suites Sunshine Coast by IHG
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Alexandra Headland

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Cotton Tree

When in Cotton Tree, you can plan a visit to Maroochydore Beach and Sunshine Plaza, some noteworthy sights in the nearby area.

Cotton Tree
Mooloolaba showing landscape views, views and a beach

Mooloolaba

A noteworthy feature of Mooloolaba is its stunning beaches. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out The Wharf Mooloolaba and Mooloolaba Esplanade.

Mooloolaba
Maroochydore showing landscape views, a sandy beach and tropical scenes

Maroochydore

Maroochydore is known for its beaches, and you can plan a trip to Maroochydore Beach and Sunshine Plaza while you're in town.

Maroochydore
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Buderim

Buderim is noteworthy for its spas, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Buderim Forest Park Nature Refuge and Foote Sanctuary of Buderim.

Buderim
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Twin Waters

Twin Waters is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Twin Waters Golf Club and Yaroomba Beach while in the area.

Twin Waters
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Mudjimba

Mudjimba is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Yaroomba Beach and Maroochy River Conservation Park.

Mudjimba


Alexandra Headland Travel Guide

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