Cycle, Dine and See
Mooloolaba to Mt Coolum Bike Ride.
23.2 kilometres cycling one way according to google maps via Twin Waters and Mudjimba and Marcoola.
Starting at the Loo with a View at Mooloolaba we snake our way northbound up what locals call the Alex Hill.
The first point of interest is at the very top of the hill/headland where you will see a Ships Mast, This Mast points in the direction of the Marine Conservation Park and Dive Wreck of the old HMAS Brisbane Guided Missile Destroyer, Launched in 1966 and Decommissioned and sunk in 2005 along with over 200 tons of concrete.
Down the hill into Alexandra Headland past another of our Surf Life Saving Clubs, or maybe stop, this one a great spot for a coffee with a view or an afternoon or evening beverage of choice, watching beachgoers and the world go by.
Back on the steed of steel and keep hugging our coastal path past the Maroochydore Surf Life Saving Club, home club of the great Australian kayaker and surf life saver Clint Robinson OAM who has won a full set of Olympic medals, as well a host of Surf Life Saving Medals, including induction into the Surf Life Saving Hall of Fame in 2004.
On we go to Cotton Tree, take a sneaky right turn behind the Cotton Tree Swimming Pool/Basketball Hoops Area and I know we are only a few K's into the ride but this is a good place to park, lock and go for a walk along the beach to the river mouth for great views south and north where the river meets the sea, also a nice sunset spot here to watch the sun disappear behind the Maroochy River with Mount Coolum also in view. (pretty good fish and chip shop behind the pool as well)
Follow the path through Cotton Tree Park, this is a very much used park with free use electric barbeques, a cenotaph, swings and slides for the kids.
Turn right over the bridge after the Park and you find yourself close to the Maroochydore Ocean St entertainment precinct, here there is a free filtered water station opposite the Big Top Shopping Centre entrance, a host of eateries and very well maintained public toilets.
The name Maroochydore comes from our indigenous Yuggera language word 'Muru-Kutchi' meaning red-bill: The Yuggera name for the black swans commonly seen in the area.
We restart our ride back towards the Maroochy River and take a left to head north up Duporth Avenue, getting off Duporth Avenue by turning right and Picnic Point Esplanade
Picnic Point is exactly as the name suggests a great spot for a Picnic away from traffic and great river views, from here we keep riding past the boat ramp and follow the path around under the bridge so you can go over it and along Bradman Avenue where you come to a set of traffic lights and Chambers Island, worth a trip across the bridge for a walk about where they have a 70 member strong rowing club and also a New Area for an Artist in Residence on top of the rowing club
If you have an artistic side you can apply to be the artist in residence for a 3 month stay in the Islands Studio.
When you get to the next set of traffic lights (Maroochydore side of the bridge), go across the road and over the Sunshine Coast Motorway bridge.
A beautiful stretch of cycling infrastructure through the old cane fields takes you to Twin Waters go via Ocean Drive, take North Shore Rd for small detour if you wish park up your bike and go for a walk out to the beach and Pincushion Island which is the northside of the Maroochy River mouth
Back on the Iron Horse along North Shore Rd turn right back Ocean Drive towards Mudjimba where there is a nice Bakery Style Cafe called The Island this is a nice spot for a dip in the briny, with views of Mudjimba Island also known as Old Woman Island because legend is that an old important indigenous woman was buried on the island way back when
Once in Mudjimba tis north to Marcoola named so, because it is halfway between Maroochydore and Coolum.
Marcoola is split into two parts by the Airport on the south side (Marcoola) where it is a nice stop at Surf Air Hotel for a beverage
And on the Northside (Marcoola Beach) it is a BYO Eatery called Bulli for me, A Reuben Sandwich by day or Pizza at night.
After Marcoola, you ride through the Yaroomba Bushland Park, Yaroomba meaning "Surf on the Beach" in the local Kabi Aboriginal language, Although only a small part of the ride, The Bushland Park is one of the most enjoyable, pretty and in the shade.
After the Bushland Park and the Mount Coolum National Park appears, lock up the bike and you can take the 1.6 kilometre round trip walk to the top and you are rewarded with 360 degree views of our beautiful Sunshine Coast. They say two hours on the Government website (but what do governments know), I think for the generally fit individual, having a go, it can be done in a lot less time than this (eg. 58 year old male not that fit 25 minutes either way.)
Other favourite eats
Envy Cafe in Cotton Tree for Breakfast
Sneaky Baron in Ocean St for Beer and Burger $15 Deal also Happy Hour 4-6pm
Tome in Ocean st for Coffee and Cake
Cuba St Marcoola for Coffee
Whiptail Wallaby on Mt Coolum
Yaroomba Bushland Park
Black Swans with their young on the Maroochy River