Charming places to visit in Caloundra & Caloundra’s rich history with Gena Apartments.
To Visit caloundra, beyond the wonderful beaches in and around Caloundra, here we will share a list of charming places that make all those who visit the area, truly fall in love. Gardens and festivals full of life, coastal paths constructed with a sweet Australian touch, niche breweries boasting beach views and award-winning cafes all combine to give Caloundra a unique and relaxing vibe.
Caloundra is what we will be talking about today at Gena Apartments. Pay attention!
Before we dip into Caloundra’s blue ocean, lets dip into its rich history.
Caloundra is a coastal town at the southern most end of the Sunshine Coast Region in South East Queensland, Australia. Just short of 90 kilometres north of the Brisbane central business district, Caloundra is accessible from Landsborough railway station, 21 km away, and the Caloundra bus station.
Gubbi Gubbi is an Aboriginal language spoken on Gubbi Gubbi country. The Gubbi Gubbi language region includes the landscape within the local government boundaries of the Sunshine Coast and Gympie Regions, including the towns of Caloundra, Noosa Heads, Gympie and extending north towards Maryborough and south to Caboolture.
In 1875, Robert Bulcock, an English immigrant who founded a Brisbane newspaper and later represented the Brisbane electorate of Enoggera in the Legislative Assembly of Queensland, bought 277 acres of land in the region. A town was surveyed in the 1870s, and land sales commenced in 1883. The first allotments of land in Caloundra were advertised for public auction on 28 August 1883. The map states ‘the land is of a sandstone nature, undulating and ridgy, heavily timbered with Gum, Bloodwood, Tea-tree and Oak’. A 1907 map shows several sections from George Street to Ernest St advertised for auction on 7 January 1907 by the Government Land Office.
With its proximity to beaches, the area became popular with tourists and several hotels and guest houses were set up to accommodate them. In 1917, Bulcock’s son, Robert Bulcock Jr, who was a councillor in the Shire of Landsborough, subdivided part of the land into 404 lots. This area became known as Bulcock Beach. ‘Bulcock Estate’ was advertised for auction on 16 August 1917, with an edge of the Estate mapped as adjacent to Tripcony’s store and the Tramway terminus.
In 1919, 29 subdivided allotments of ‘Caloundra Heads Estate’ were advertised to be auctioned. A map advertising the auction shows the majority of blocks were on Albert Street between King Street and King’s Beach. Another undated map shows more blocks of this estate were advertised for auction on King Street towards Ernest Street. By 1933, Caloundra had a population of 271.
During World War II, the area became key to Australian defence due to defensive positions along the beaches. Radar stations and machine gun pits were mounted, and Australian and US armed forces came to the area. From the early 1950s onwards, Caloundra experienced a boom in development and population, and by 1968, it had come to dominate the Shire of Landsborough so completely that the council chambers were relocated to Caloundra. this is new place to Visit caloundra.
What is essential to visit in Caloundra?
From Caloundra, the Sunshine Coast airport is 35 minutes north and the Brisbane Domestic and International airport 1 hour 15 minutes south. An airport shuttle bus to drop you at our door can be organised through numerous local companies from both Brisbane and Sunshine Coast airports.
now Visit caloundra, is a year-round destination blessed with the natural beauty of the hinterland mountains, unspoiled and immaculate beaches, waterways, and national parks.
Man-made tourist attractions include the world-renowned Australia Zoo, Underwater World, Eumundi Markets, Corbould Park Racetrack, Caloundra Music Festival, the Greg Norman-designed Pelican Waters Golf Club, and the Caloundra Golf Club all of which are easily accessible from Gena Apartments.
Jump into the water at Kings Beach.
Caloundra Street Fair: Market shopping.
Dip, spoil and immerse yourself in the ultimate street market on the Sunshine Coast featuring over 200 distinctive stalls. There is a little something for the whole family with activities for kids, handcrafted locally made products and art, live entertainment, and street theatre. Enjoy fresh local food and fresh flowers, tasty breakfasts, coffee, lunch, and delicious sweet treats.
Set under the beautiful canopy of the tree-lined main street surrounded by cafes, boutiques and specialty shops and only two blocks from beautiful Bulcock Beach, the Caloundra Street Fair is a ‘must-do’ event attracting Sunshine Coast locals and visitors.
There is also the Caloundra Twilight Markets which operate Friday evenings during holiday periods. Running along the Bulcock Beach esplanade, enjoy and Visit caloundra the sensory experience of food trucks by the beach.
Stroll the beautiful coast of Caloundra.
Soak up the tranquillity and splendour of the Caloundra region by trekking the scenic coastal walk. Take on the entire 25 km stretch that starts from Golden Beach in the south or enjoy strolling along sections of the walk at a leisurely pace. Keep an eye out for birdlife and dolphins in Pumicestone Passage, check out the historical Military Jetty used for operations during World War II, as well as the heritage listed Kings Beach Bathing Pavilion – and have your camera ready to capture those astronomical ocean views.
Jet Ski around Pumicestone Passage
Pumicestone Passage is a 35 km channel of pristine water stretching from Caloundra in the north to Deception Bay in the south. It is ideal for all varieties of marine escapades. If you like to venture a little faster than a SUP or kayak, hop aboard a Caloundra Jet Ski.
Ride through tranquil mangrove-lined waterways into a marine park green zone, home to dolphins, dugongs, turtles and more than 360 species of birds.
Do not forget to bring your waterproof camera, you will want to capture the Instagram-worthy views of the Glass House Mountains that dominate the horizon. Visit caloundra.
Explore Currimundi Lake trails
Lake Currimundi is a stretch of calm water which runs into the ocean at Currimundi surf beach. There is an abundance of picturesque walking tracks surrounding the lake, so lace up your walking shoes, slip-slop-slap, and tackle one of the many bush-beach trails that lead down to the lake’s cool waters. The tracks are well mapped, with signage along the way explaining the native flora and fauna you may encounter on your walk. There are plenty of shady spots for a picnic, or you can relax in one of Currimundi’s cafés.
Photo: Ross Naumann, QPWS volunteer.
