Caloundra Bar
Caloundra is where the Pumicestone Passage meets the sea, between the town and the northern tip of Bribie Island. It looks like a handy back door into Moreton Bay. It isn't. MSQ calls the Caloundra Bar extremely shallow and dangerous and says most vessels can't cross it for lack of water. Inside, the northern passage past Golden Beach, Pelican Waters and Coochin Creek is shallow, shifting, trailer-boat water. For a delivery, Caloundra Head is a landmark you pass on the way between Moreton Bay and Mooloolaba, and the passage is something you come into from the Bribie end, if at all.
- Caloundra canal bridges: MSQ's map prints 3.57 m for the Bevan Henzell Bridge and 3.73 m for a second bridge (above HAT). These are read from the map text and not yet confirmed on the map image.
- 1Kings Beach ramp · 1 lane, tide-limited (TMR).
- 2Caloundra, Tripcony Lane ramp · 1 lane, pontoon, tide-limited (TMR).
- 3Caloundra Bar (warning label) · Approximate: MSQ map label position.
- 4Caloundra Power Boat Club · Named on MSQ's map (OSM position).
- 5Golden Beach, Churchill St ramp · 4 lanes, toilets, not tide-limited (TMR).
- 6Pelican Waters, Raleigh St ramp · 1 lane, pontoon, toilets (TMR).
- 7Pelican Waters Marina · Directory listing.
- 8Pelican Waters, June St ramp · 3 lanes, toilets (TMR).
- 9Coochin Creek, Roys Rd ramp · 1 lane, not tide-limited (TMR).
At a glance
| What it is | Northern entrance to the Pumicestone Passage, with two designated coastal bars |
| The bar | Extremely shallow and dangerous; most vessels can't cross (MSQ) |
| Channels | Banks and channels constantly shifting; contours from October 2022 satellite imagery |
| Marks | 76 MSQ aids, 38 lit (MSQ open data); many moved since 2024 |
| Speed | 6 and 20 knot zones in the passage at Caloundra; 6 knots in Bells Creek |
| Map age | MSQ Beacon to Beacon maps PP-1 and PP-1A current to 22 November 2023 |
| Last checked | 18 October 2026 |
Getting here
- Log on/off and bar conditions: VHF 73 or base phone (07) 5491 3533
- Emergency: VHF 16 or Triple Zero (000)
We don't list a mobile number: older sources give two different ones, so use the base phone or the radio.
Contacts checked on the unit's official website on 18 October 2026.From seaward. Caloundra Head is a prominent mark, and with Cape Moreton it identifies the northern approach to Moreton Bay. Shoal banks with under 2 m reach from the north end of Moreton Island to within about a mile of the coast south of Caloundra Head. Raper Shoal (3.6 m) breaks and lies about a mile offshore, 3 miles north of the head. Big ships use the North West Channel off here, and the Caloundra Head pilotage and radar station keeps watch on VHF 16. Don't anchor in the shipping fairway except in an emergency.
The bars. MSQ marks both the Caloundra Bar and the Bribie Island Bar as designated coastal bars, and says both are dangerous. Its map prints breakers and rocks near the bar and says banks and channels are constantly shifting. The northern contours were drawn from satellite imagery in October 2022, not a sounding survey, and our sources give no bar depth or crossing window. If you don't have local knowledge, don't cross it. Lifejackets are compulsory for everyone in open boats under 4.8 m on designated coastal bars.
Inside. MSQ's map soundings give medians of about 1.2 m on the Caloundra enlargement and about 0.2 m across PP-3 further south, which is mostly banks. MSQ warns the water may shoal to under half a metre LAT around Halls Bay and Coochin Creek.
Recent notices:
- ⚠ July 2026, April 2026, October 2025 and four notices in March–April 2025: marks off Golden Beach moved, swapped or added. No. 7 by the Power Boat Club ramp became a buoy in October 2025, and No. 9 moved in April 2026.
- ⚠ August 2025: the marks at the entrance to Bells Creek were removed because of heavy shoaling. MSQ said there was no defined channel.
- ⚠ February and March 2026: yellow water-quality buoys were laid in the northern passage and off Caloundra.
- ⚠ November 2024: Roys No. 3 mark at The Skids was moved.
Marks here move a lot. Check the current list before every trip.
Anchoring and moorings
Our sources don't name an anchorage in the northern passage or give holding and shelter, so this one's for the Skipper's notes. MSQ's legend has an anchorage symbol, but we haven't read those off the map images.
Skipper's notes
Garry's own observations from deliveries through Caloundra Bar. First-hand notes, dated, and no substitute for the chart.
- Depth
- [Garry to add: depths seen, state of tide and date.]
- Holding
- [Garry to add: bottom type and how the anchor held.]
- Shelter
- [Garry to add: wind directions it is good or bad in.]
- Other notes
- [Garry to add: anything else worth knowing, with date.]
Notes last updated: [date]
Facilities
- Pelican Waters Marina is listed in the trade directory (antifouling, batteries and generators, boat licensing and training). MSQ labels Pelican Waters Marina at the north end. We haven't confirmed visitor berths or depths.
- Caloundra Power Boat Club is labelled on MSQ's map at Golden Beach.
- Caloundra canals: ⚠ Unconfirmed: MSQ's map prints 3.57 m for the Bevan Henzell Bridge and 3.73 m for a second bridge (above HAT). We read these from the map text and haven't confirmed them on the map image. There are no depth contours in the canals or creeks.
- MRQ Caloundra (Marine Rescue Caloundra, formerly Coast Guard Caloundra) is based at Tripcony Lane near Bulcock Beach. It became part of Marine Rescue Queensland on 29 September 2026. Log on and off on VHF 73 or by base phone (see the bar call-out above).
- Trades (directory listings, 16 October 2026): Caloundra Marine (chandlery), Speedmaster Custom Boats, Custom Craft Marine and CSR Powersports (boat sales), Bill's Boat Hire, and Caloundra Boat and Jetski Training.
Fuel, water and pump-out
None confirmed in our sources inside the northern passage. Our directory has no fuel or pump-out entries here. For fuel on the coast, see Mooloolaba to the north or Spinnaker Sound at the Bribie end.
Boat ramps
From the Queensland Government (TMR) list, all managed by Sunshine Coast Regional Council:
- Golden Beach, Churchill Street: four lanes, toilets, not tide-limited, with a floating walkway.
- Pelican Waters, June Street: three lanes, toilets, not tide-limited.
- Pelican Waters, Raleigh Street: one lane, pontoon, toilets, not tide-limited.
- Golden Beach, Short Street: two lanes, tide-limited.
- Caloundra, Tripcony Lane: one lane, pontoon, tide-limited.
- Kings Beach, Margaret Street: one lane, tide-limited.
- Coochin Creek, Roys Road: one lane, not tide-limited.
Rules in brief
- Speed. The MSQ schedule has 6-knot and 20-knot zones in the passage at Caloundra, and 6 knots in Bells Creek (gazetted 4 March 2022). Check the schedule maps for the boundaries. The general limit is 6 knots in canals, boat harbours and marinas.
- Bars. Caloundra and Bribie Island bars are designated coastal bars, with the lifejacket rule above.
- Marine park. The passage is in the Moreton Bay Marine Park, including the Pumicestone Channel (north) conservation park zone (CPZ01). Check the zoning maps before fishing.
Ashore
What's within about a 15-minute walk (1.2 km) of each marina, ramp or landing on this page, measured along streets and footpaths in OpenStreetMap. Addresses are from OpenStreetMap where it has one; where it doesn't, we show the name and distance only. ⚠ As at 18 October 2026: we haven't confirmed each place is still trading, so check before you walk.
From Caloundra, Tripcony Lane ramp (boat ramp / dinghy landing)
| Name | Type | Walk | Street address (OSM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bars, pubs and clubs | |||
| Alfresco GBT | Pub | 770 m | – |
| Golden Beach Tavern | Pub | 780 m | – |
| Oak & Vine Bar | Bar | 880 m | – |
| CBX Hotel | Pub | 1.1 km | 12 Bulcock Street, Caloundra QLD 4551 |
| Caloundra RSL Club | RSL club | 1.2 km | – |
| Restaurants and cafes | |||
| White Picket Fence | Cafe | 220 m | 140 Bulcock Street, Caloundra QLD 4551 |
| La Promenade Cafe | Restaurant | 430 m | 4 Tay Avenue, Caloundra QLD 4551 |
| The Coffee Club | Cafe | 460 m | – |
| Donut King | Takeaway | 490 m | – |
| Kebab Heaven | Takeaway | 490 m | – |
| Sushi Gami | Restaurant | 500 m | – |
| Fifty Acres Gelato | Ice cream | 500 m | 3/38 Esplanade Bulcock Beach, 4551 |
| Zarraffa's Coffee | Cafe | 500 m | – |
| plus 27 more within the walk | |||
| Entertainment | |||
| Caloundra Arts Centre | Arts centre | 640 m | 5 North Street, Caloundra QLD 4551 |
| The Strand Cinemas Caloundra | Cinema | 1.1 km | 11 Bulcock Street |
| Supermarkets and provisioning | |||
| Caloundra Shopping Centre | Shopping centre | 450 m | – |
| Woolworths | Supermarket | 550 m | – |
| Coles | Supermarket | 600 m | 47 Bowman Road |
| Aldi | Supermarket | 910 m | 2 Baldwin Street, Caloundra QLD 4551 |
| The Source Bulk Foods | Supermarket | 990 m | – |
| Seasons IGA Caloundra | Supermarket | 1.1 km | – |
| plus 9 more within the walk | |||
From Kings Beach ramp (boat ramp / dinghy landing)
| Name | Type | Walk | Street address (OSM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bars, pubs and clubs | |||
| Kings Beach Tavern | Pub | 560 m | – |
| Restaurants and cafes | |||
| Mets on Kings | Restaurant | 430 m | – |
| Pappar'delles | Restaurant | 480 m | – |
| Frocals Kings Beach | Cafe | 500 m | – |
| Yeti Restaurant & Bar | Restaurant | 520 m | – |
| Dom's at Kings | Restaurant | 530 m | – |
| De Lish Fish @ Kings | Takeaway | 790 m | – |
| Coffee Cat On Kings Beach | Restaurant | 790 m | – |
| Kings Beach Bar | Restaurant | 800 m | – |
| Supermarkets and provisioning | |||
| Kings Beach Convenience Store | Convenience store | 380 m | – |
| Liquorland | Bottle shop | 530 m | – |
From Caloundra Power Boat Club / Golden Beach, Churchill St ramp (boat ramp / dinghy landing, marina)
| Name | Type | Walk | Street address (OSM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bars, pubs and clubs | |||
| Power Boat Club | Yacht/boat club | 60 m | – |
| Restaurants and cafes | |||
| The Moorings Cafe & Restaurant | Cafe | 910 m | Esplanade, Golden Beach |
| Dilon's Kitchen | Restaurant | 1.1 km | Shop 7B/60-62 Landsborough Parade |
| Pan O Vino Italian Restaurant | Restaurant | 1.2 km | 4-5/50 Landsborough Parade |
| Ni Yom Cafe | Restaurant | 1.2 km | Landsborough Parade, Golden Beach |
| Copper Spoon | Restaurant | 1.2 km | 75 Esplanade, Golden Beach QLD 4551 |
| Supermarkets and provisioning | |||
| The Local Grocer IGA Golden Beach | Convenience store | 1.2 km | Landsborough Parade, Golden Beach |
From Pelican Waters Marina (marina)
| Name | Type | Walk | Street address (OSM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bars, pubs and clubs | |||
| Pelican Waters Tavern | Pub | 630 m | – |
| Supermarkets and provisioning | |||
| Coles | Supermarket | 490 m | 44 Pelican Waters Boulevard |
| Woolworths | Supermarket | 630 m | – |
| BWS | Bottle shop | 660 m | – |
Nothing mapped within the 15-minute walk of: Pelican Waters, Raleigh St ramp; Pelican Waters, June St ramp; Coochin Creek, Roys Rd ramp.
No marine stores or chandlers are mapped in OpenStreetMap within the walk; see the Facilities section above for marine businesses we know of.
Places, types, addresses and walking distances: © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), fetched 18 October 2026.
About this page
This page is a planning aid written by a working delivery skipper from public sources. It is not for navigation. Use the official AHO charts (Aus 236 and Aus 4602), current MSQ notices to mariners, official tide tables and local advice. Spotted something out of date? Please use Report a correction below.
Official links
Check these before you go. They beat anything on this page.
- MSQ notices to mariners, Brisbane (covers Pumicestone Passage)
- Queensland Parks: Moreton Bay Marine Park zoning maps and app
- MSQ: crossing a coastal bar (safety advice)
- Queensland notices to mariners, all areas (subscribe)
- MSQ Queensland tide tables
- Bureau of Meteorology: tide predictions
- Bureau of Meteorology: Queensland warnings (incl. marine wind warnings)
- Bureau of Meteorology: Queensland coastal waters forecasts
Sources & credits
Written in fresh words from the facts in the Hartshorne Marine Sailing Directions area guide for Caloundra and the northern Pumicestone Passage (edition of 16 October 2026) and chapter 6 and card 12 of the Tweed to Mooloolaba guidebook. Those draw on MSQ Beacon to Beacon maps PP-1, PP-1A and PP-3 (current to 22 November 2023, northern contours from October 2022 satellite imagery), NGA Pub. 127 paras 5.30, 5.32 and 5.33, MSQ open data, MSQ notices to mariners to 16 October 2026, the MSQ speed-limit schedule, TMR boating-facility data, OpenStreetMap and directory listings (16 October 2026).
Maritime Safety Queensland. Contains Maritime Safety Queensland data (Beacon to Beacon guide, notices to mariners, nav-aid open data, pump-out map C2-335, speed-limit schedule, tide information) © State of Queensland (Department of Transport and Main Roads), licensed under CC BY 4.0. Facts restated and summarised in our own words. Not endorsed by MSQ or TMR.
Queensland legislation. Transport Operations (Marine Safety) Regulation 2016 and Transport Infrastructure (Waterways Management) Regulation 2012 © State of Queensland, CC BY 4.0. Summarised; the authorised versions at legislation.qld.gov.au prevail.
NGA. Background from NGA Pub. 127, Sailing Directions (Enroute) East Coast of Australia and New Zealand (2025), U.S. National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, a US Government work in the public domain. Parts of it are out of date; where a page leans on it, we say so. Not endorsed by NGA.
OpenStreetMap. Map tiles and some facility positions © OpenStreetMap contributors, data available under the Open Database Licence (ODbL).
Others. Facts from local authority pages and notices (for example the Gold Coast Waterways Authority), volunteer marine rescue sites and businesses' own websites are cited for fact only and restated in our own words. Listing a business is not an endorsement.
Last checked: 18 October 2026.
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