Mooloolaba Harbour
Mooloolaba is the Sunshine Coast's harbour: the mouth of the Mooloolah River, tucked between two breakwaters just west of Point Cartwright. Inside there are marinas, fuel, a proper boatyard and the shops and cafes of The Wharf, which makes it the natural stop between Moreton Bay and points north. The catch is the entrance. MSQ calls it a designated coastal bar that shoals regularly, and as of mid-October 2026 it's in a bad way. Check the latest notice before you even think about it.
- Kawana and Mooloolah River clearances: MSQ's maps print figures between about 0.7 m and 3.7 m (above HAT) for footbridges, bridges and the lock area upstream. These are read from the map text and not yet matched to each crossing on the map image.
- 1Point Cartwright light · Fl(2) WR 15s (MSQ map).
- 2Bar reference mark 1 · AIS/ECDIS only (MSQ 542(T)/2026).
- 3Bar reference mark 2 · AIS/ECDIS only (MSQ 542(T)/2026).
- 4The Wharf Mooloolaba Marina · 240 V power to all berths.
- 5Mooloolaba Marina · Bookings by enquiry form.
- 6MRQ Mooloolaba · Marine rescue (OSM).
- 7Parkyn Pde ramps · Two 3-lane ramps, pontoons (TMR).
- 8Buddina, Adaluma Ave ramp · 3 lanes, pontoon, toilets (TMR).
- 9Minyama, Outrigger Island ramp · 1 lane, pontoon (TMR).
- 10Chippo's Fuel Supply · Diesel (OSM).
- 11Lawrie's Boat Services · 44 t straddle carrier, hardstand.
At a glance
| What it is | River harbour behind breakwaters, west of Point Cartwright |
| The bar | ⚠ Shoaling. MSQ's 12 October 2026 survey found 1.1 m in the white sector, 0.5 m in the red and about 1.4 m in the green (LAT) |
| Size limits | NGA says vessels over 35 m LOA or 15 m beam, or with under 0.5 m underkeel clearance, are prohibited ⚠ check with MSQ |
| Anchoring | Not in the harbour or lower river |
| Marinas | Mooloolaba Marina, The Wharf Mooloolaba Marina, Kawana Waters Marina |
| Map age | MSQ Beacon to Beacon maps SC-5 and SC-6 current to 30 August 2021 |
| Last checked | 18 October 2026 |
Getting here
- Log on/off and bar conditions: VHF 73 or phone (07) 5444 3222
- Emergency: VHF 16 or Triple Zero (000)
This entrance shifts a lot, and the shoal moved across the channel between June and October 2026. Call before every crossing, even if you crossed last week.
Contacts checked on the unit's official website on 18 October 2026.The approach. Point Cartwright shows a light (Fl(2) WR 15s on MSQ's map), and NGA notes a conspicuous water tower just east of it. Offshore, Gneering Shoal (6.7 m) lies about 2.5 miles NNE of the point and breaks in bad weather, and Raper Shoal (3.6 m) breaks off Caloundra to the south. Anchoring is prohibited in an area running 0.6 of a mile out from the coast 3 miles south of Point Cartwright. Ships bound in board the pilot off the point and check in on VHF 12 or 16, so expect some traffic.
The bar. You enter between the two breakwaters, about 0.3 of a mile west of Point Cartwright, with a port entry light showing red, white and green sectors. NGA's older figures (2.7 m over the bar, a 3 m dredged channel) are well out of date. MSQ's own notices tell the real story:
- ⚠ 13 October 2026 (MSQ 542(T)/2026): a shoal runs from the end of the eastern breakwater west across the channel. Least depths are about 1.1 m in the white sector, 0.5 m on the eastern side of the red sector and about 1.4 m on the western edge of the green sector, plus a 1.5 m patch west of the channel and a 2.3 m patch inside the breakwaters (all LAT). MSQ has published two reference marks, shown on AIS and ECDIS only, for a possible alternative route in. It warns of swimmers and paddlers near Mooloolaba Beach.
- ⚠ 13 October 2026 (542(T)/2026, which replaced 534(T) of 8 October): the dredge CSD Navua is on station, weather permitting, with a floating pipeline and anchors. It listens on VHF 16 and 82, so call the dredge master before you pass. The notice also asks small boats, PWCs and paddle craft to keep well clear of the bar except when entering or leaving the river.
- ⚠ 15 October to 11 November 2026 (MSQ 546(T)/2026, issued 14 October): geotechnical drilling in the river entrance and off Buddina Beach, 6 am to 6 pm, from the 9 m jack-up barge Shine Barge with the workboat Scorpio. The barge stays put overnight off Buddina Beach. Slow to 6 knots, minimise wash and keep well clear. The barge master monitors VHF 16.
In June 2026 the channel was close to its 2.5 m design depth. By October it wasn't. That's how fast this bar changes, so get the current notice before every crossing. Lifejackets are compulsory on designated coastal bars in open boats, and the notices spell out the full rule.
Inside, MSQ's map soundings give a median of about 3.2 m across SC-6 (which includes open water off the coast) and 1.9 m across SC-5 up the river. MSQ warns that most contours haven't been re-surveyed since the 2011 and 2013 floods, and there are no contours in the canals or Parrearra Channel.
Anchoring and moorings
MSQ's maps show no anchoring in the harbour and lower river. They name Yangala Anchorage inside the harbour, but our sources give no depths, holding or limits on stay. NGA lists no anchorage on the open coast between Caloundra and Noosa.
Skipper's notes
Garry's own observations from deliveries through Mooloolaba Harbour. 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
From the marinas' own websites (fetched 15 October 2026, ⚠ unverified):
- Mooloolaba Marina takes bookings by enquiry form. Liveaboards are limited to three months, and it offers dry hardstand for trailer boats. Its site gives office hours of Monday to Saturday, 8:30 to 4:30. No fuel on site is stated.
- The Wharf Mooloolaba Marina has 240 V power to all berths and 32 A for berths over 21 m, with the shopping and dining precinct alongside.
- Lawrie's Boat Services is the boatyard, with a 44-tonne straddle carrier, a mobile crane, sealed hardstand, refit sheds and a work dock. Its site gives weekday hours of 7:30 to 4.
- Kawana Waters Marina is listed in the directory, and MSQ's enlargement marks fuel and marine workshops there. Details aren't in our sources.
- MRQ Mooloolaba (Marine Rescue Mooloolaba, formerly Coast Guard Mooloolaba) is based on Parkyn Parade. It became part of Marine Rescue Queensland on 29 September 2026. Log on and off on VHF 73 or by phone (see the bar call-out above).
- Trades (directory listings, 16 October 2026) include Kore Sails (sailmaker), Wright Yacht & Boat Services and Ashby Boat Builders & Chandlery, Gilliam Greg Marine and The Boat Cover Company (chandlery), Multihull Solutions, Ensign Ship Brokers, Mooloolaba Yacht Brokers and Sunshine Coast Yacht Sales (brokers), and Cool Canopies and Designer Shade (canvas).
Fuel, water and pump-out
- Fuel: MSQ's enlargements mark fuel at Mooloolaba and at Kawana. OpenStreetMap shows Chippo's Fuel Supply (diesel) up the river near Lawrie's. ⚠ Hours and access aren't confirmed.
- Power and water: The Wharf has power to all berths. Lawrie's bays have power and water.
- Pump-out: the guidebook lists several pump-out stations around the harbour. ⚠ We haven't confirmed which are working.
Boat ramps
From the Queensland Government (TMR) list:
- Mooloolaba, Parkyn Parade: two three-lane ramps (upstream and downstream), each with a pontoon and toilets, not tide-limited (managed by TMR Boat Harbours).
- Buddina, Adaluma Avenue: three lanes, pontoon, toilets, not tide-limited.
- Minyama, Outrigger Island: one lane, pontoon, not tide-limited.
Rules in brief
- Speed. The general limit is 6 knots in boat harbours, canals and marinas. Check the MSQ schedule for the river.
- Anchoring. None in the harbour and lower river, or in the prohibited area south of Point Cartwright.
- Bar. Designated coastal bar, with the lifejacket rule above. NGA's size limits (over 35 m LOA, 15 m beam or under 0.5 m underkeel clearance) should be checked with MSQ.
- Notices. In September 2026 MSQ advised salvage work on a sunken vessel in the boat harbour and proposed bed-levelling at Mooloolaba.
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 Lawrie's Boat Services (marina)
| Name | Type | Walk | Street address (OSM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bars, pubs and clubs | |||
| Kawana Hotel | Pub | 500 m | – |
| Kawana Surf Lifesaving Club | Surf club | 1.0 km | 99 Pacific Boulevard, Buddina QLD 4575 |
| Restaurants and cafes | |||
| Kawana Waters Marina | Restaurant | 160 m | 16 Orana Street |
| Grill'd | Takeaway | 330 m | – |
| The Groove Train | Restaurant | 340 m | – |
| Guzman y Gomez | Takeaway | 360 m | – |
| Spice Hut | Restaurant | 390 m | – |
| Kong Fu Dumplings | Restaurant | 400 m | – |
| Ali Baba | Takeaway | 400 m | – |
| Top Asian | Restaurant | 400 m | – |
| plus 8 more within the walk | |||
| Entertainment | |||
| Event Cinemas | Cinema | 420 m | Point Cartwright Drive, Buddina QLD 4575 |
| Supermarkets and provisioning | |||
| IGA | Supermarket | 400 m | – |
| Coles | Supermarket | 430 m | – |
| Kawana Shopping World | Shopping centre | 460 m | – |
| Aldi | Supermarket | 630 m | 119 Point Cartwright Drive |
| Woolworths | Supermarket | 640 m | – |
| Reddy Express | Convenience store | 800 m | 27 Nicklin Way, Buddina QLD |
| plus 3 more within the walk | |||
| Marine stores, chandlers and boat services | |||
| Lawrie's Boat Services | Shipwright / boatyard / haul-out † | 50 m | – |
| Ashby Boat Builders & Chandlery | Boat builder / repairer † | 50 m | – |
| The Boat Cover Company | Chandlery / marine equipment † | 50 m | – |
| Gilliam Greg Marine | Chandlery / marine equipment † | 90 m | – |
| Kore Sails | Sailmaker † | 90 m | – |
| Wright Yacht & Boat Services | Boat builder / repairer † | 90 m | – |
| Designer Shade | Chandlery / marine equipment † | 160 m | – |
| Tackle World Kawana | Fishing tackle & bait | 990 m | – |
From The Wharf Mooloolaba Marina (marina)
| Name | Type | Walk | Street address (OSM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bars, pubs and clubs | |||
| The Savvy Squire | Pub | 100 m | – |
| Boston Shaker Bar | Bar | 250 m | – |
| Surf Club Bar | Surf club | 350 m | – |
| Pub Mooloolaba | Pub | 840 m | – |
| Restaurants and cafes | |||
| Sushi Kabou | Restaurant | 40 m | – |
| El Bigoton | Restaurant | 50 m | – |
| Rice Boi | Restaurant | 150 m | 123 Parkyn Parade |
| The Coffee Corner | Cafe | 350 m | – |
| Bayview Restaurant & Bar | Restaurant | 350 m | – |
| The Boathouse Restaurant | Restaurant | 390 m | – |
| Fish & Chippery | Restaurant | 480 m | – |
| Nobuzo Japanese Restaurant | Restaurant | 540 m | – |
| plus 4 more within the walk | |||
| Entertainment | |||
| Sea Life Sunshine Coast | Attraction | 200 m | – |
| Sunreef | Attraction | 250 m | – |
| Supermarkets and provisioning | |||
| 7-Eleven | Convenience store | 470 m | – |
| Reddy Express | Convenience store | 650 m | – |
| BWS | Bottle shop | 660 m | – |
| BWS | Bottle shop | 850 m | – |
| Bakers Delight | Bakery | 880 m | – |
| Coles | Supermarket | 920 m | – |
From Minyama, Outrigger Island ramp (boat ramp / dinghy landing)
| Name | Type | Walk | Street address (OSM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants and cafes | |||
| three Seafood Bar & Grill | Restaurant | 430 m | 209 Brisbane Road |
| The Pallet Espresso Bar | Cafe | 860 m | – |
| Panda Dumpling Mooloolabah | Restaurant | 960 m | 6/144 Brisbane Road |
| Supermarkets and provisioning | |||
| Crust Bakery | Bakery | 1.0 km | – |
| FoodWorks Express | Convenience store | 1.1 km | – |
| Marine stores, chandlers and boat services | |||
| Outrigger Park | Rigger † | 70 m | – |
| Whitworths | Fishing tackle & bait | 970 m | – |
From Mooloolaba Marina / Parkyn Pde ramps / Buddina, Adaluma Ave ramp (boat ramp / dinghy landing, marina)
| Name | Type | Walk | Street address (OSM) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Restaurants and cafes | |||
| Surfside Local Store | Takeaway | 490 m | – |
| One On La Balsa | Cafe | 640 m | – |
† From our own marine business directory (live directory listings and business websites checked 16 October 2026), not OpenStreetMap; walk measured the same way from the listed position. Where no street address was published, only the suburb or nothing is shown.
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 chart (Aus 236), 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 Mooloolaba)
- 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 Mooloolaba and the Mooloolah River (edition of 16 October 2026) and chapter 7, card 13 and Appendix D of the Tweed to Mooloolaba guidebook. Those draw on MSQ Beacon to Beacon maps SC-5 and SC-6 (current to 30 August 2021), NGA Pub. 127 paras 5.32 and 5.33, MSQ open data, MSQ notices to mariners to 16 October 2026 (notice 542(T)/2026 read in full from a copy published by the Mooloolaba Yacht Club), TMR boating-facility data, OpenStreetMap, directory listings (16 October 2026) and marina websites (fetched 15 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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