What to do in the Moo

By Bobbi Lee Hitchon // 28 May 2010 // Comments: 0 // Related Categories: adventure, free, mooloolaba, museums, relax, Scuba, shark, Surfing, Things to do, tour

Backpackers have a few options of towns to stay at on the Sunshine Coast. Due to money and time, they probably can't stop at them all. Nestled between Pacific Ocean and a marina on the Mooloolah River, Mooloolaba offers an array of activities and is the passageway to major Aussie attractions.

Local attractions such as Australia Zoo and Underwater World may bring people to the beach town, but its laid-back attitude and posh stores and cafes will make people want to stay in the area. There's heaps of things for people to do and see in the area, but certain things that are a must for visitors passing through.

Australia Zoo

The famous Irwin family zoo has become a bit commercial in recent years boasting entertainment centers with names like "The Crocosium," and it's not very affordable on a backpacker's budget. Still it is one of the most visited and most well-known attractions in Australia. It's worth a stop for people that don't have time to find smaller animal sanctuaries around Australia and it does have a plethora of indigenous animals, including the crocodile, cassowary and dingo.

Learn about the Irwin family and maybe even see them in person. Steve may have passed on a few years back, but his presence and passion are still very much alive at the Australia Zoo.

People can book a courtesy bus from Mooloolaba to the zoo. which departs from the River Esplanade at 9:25 a.m. A return bus departs the zoo at 4 p.m. It's about a 30-minute drive from Mooloolaba.

Australia Zoo
1638 Steve Irwin Way
Beerwah, QLD 4519
Open daily, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Tickets: adult, $57; pensioner and student, $46 and child (3-14), $34.
www.australiazoo.com.au
(07) 5436 2000

Underwater World

Located near the beach on Parkyn Parade, this award-winning aquarium offers an array of learning and thrilling activities. Featuring grey-nurse sharks, otters, seals and more, here people can experience sea life in various ways.

Underwater World offers daily seal shows at Seal Island. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

Peer at the attraction's magnificent sharks and rays from a tunnel or jump in the water and scuba dive with them. People can learn about Underwater World's seals through a live show or they can receive a kiss and swim with them. It's also home to otters, clown fish, cow fish and more. Plus it's an affordable way for non-divers to actually see underwater life in Australia.

Underwater World
Parkyn Parade
Mooloolaba, QLD 4557
Open daily, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed on Christmas. Anzac Day, 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.
Tickets: adult, $32; concession, $26 and child (3-14), $22.
www.underwaterworld.com.au
(07) 5458 6280

q Surf School

Australia has endless places to learn surfing. This is one of the most personal. Mooloolaba is not a place that everyone stops, so not as many people are taking lessons here. Further, this school works one-on-one with students instead of throwing a million people in the water and yelling from the beach.

Owner Graeme Parsons lives to surf and seems to enjoy sharing his passion with students. His excitement and patience made the lesson a treat. The waves are ideal for learning on and the beach is beautiful, as usual in this country.

q Surf School
Urunga Esplanade
Contact school to set up lesson time.
Lessons start at $45 for one hour.
www.qsurfschool.com
0404 869 622

Hinterlands Tour

Mooloolaba Beach Backpackers offers a tour of the Gold Coast Hinterlands every Thursday at 10 a.m. The tour shows off the area's natural wonders stopping at various lookout points and a waterfall.

Check out the view at Blackall Range Lookout Point and try out one of two jungle swings at Gardner Falls. The high one is a free adrenaline rush for those who have developed an addiction traveling the east coast. Take a break from nature to sample local wines and food in the town of Montville.

A risk-taker jumps off the high Tarzan swing at Gardner Falls. Photo by Bobbi Lee Hitchon

Book this tour through Mooloolaba Beach Backpackers
75 Brisbane Road
Mooloolaba, QLD 4557
It costs $15 per person, departs at 10 a.m. and returns around 4 p.m. They pickup guests of local hostels as well.
www.mooloolababackpackers.com
(07) 5444 3399

Stand up paddle board tours

This is a luxury that comes free to Mooloolaba Beach Backpackers guests. The hostel offers daily morning tours of the lagoon on stand up paddle boards. A lot easier than surfing, it's easy to pick up on still water. The tour is relaxing and shows visitors a side of the area they are not be able to see just walking around.

The tour departs at 10:15 a.m. daily from Mooloolaba Beach Backpackers. Learn more about it upon arrival at the hostel.

Mooloolaba Beach Backpackers
75 Brisbane Road
Mooloolaba, QLD 4557
www.mooloolababackpackers.com
(07) 5444 3399