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$168 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
AU$168
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 Apr
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! (997 reviews)
"The area the cabins are located ."

Reviewed on 29 Mar. 2025

Alex Beach Cabins
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$204 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
AU$204
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 Apr
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! (1,883 reviews)
Highly recommended
"Lovely resort. Fantastic apartment overlooking the beach. Location was great. Friendly, helpful staff. Never got to use the pool but it looked great. Unfortunately for us our stay was cut short due to the approaching cyclone."

Reviewed on 1 Apr. 2025

Oaks Sunshine Coast Seaforth Resort
BreakFree Alexandra Beach
BreakFree Alexandra Beach
3.5 out of 5
Cnr. Alexandra Parade & Pacific Terrace, Alexandra Headland, QLD
The price is AU$222 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
AU$222
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
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! (1,130 reviews)
"Good facilities and location. Some areas are getting tired, age of facilities requiring more maintenance and upkeep. Good value for money with great amenities and layout."

Reviewed on 28 Mar. 2025

BreakFree Alexandra Beach
Grand Palais Boolarong Beachside Resort
Grand Palais Boolarong Beachside Resort
4 out of 5
188 Alexandra Parade, Alexandra Headland, QLD
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! (472 reviews)
"We love the location.Amazing size unit and view!! Whilst it is a bit dated it is clean and the furniture is beautiful and the kitchen has all items you could need very well stocked."

Reviewed on 31 Mar. 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
Seaforth Resort
Seaforth Resort
4.5 out of 5
10 Okinja Rd, Alexandra Headland, QLD
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury apartment in Sunshine Coast. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 2 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Mooloolaba Esplanade and Mooloolaba ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (11 reviews)
"Lovely, restful, spacious unit overlooking the swaying palm trees & bbq/garden area. It was equipped with everything I needed plus had a weekly service. The beach is across the road, food & drink shops downstairs & around the corner, duck pond park across the road (with a children’s playground & ..."

Reviewed on 21 Jan. 2025

Seaforth Resort
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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Marcoola

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Marcoola. A stop by Marcoola Beach or Yaroomba Beach might round out your trip.

Marcoola


Alexandra Headland Travel Guide

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