Maroochydore, QLD

The Sunshine Coast's commercial heart — a wide surf beach at the mouth of the Maroochy River with reliable waves year-round.

Live AI Coastal Briefing

Sunday 12 July is shaping up to be a beautiful day here on the coast, with a mix of sun and clear skies greeting us this morning. The temperature is currently sitting at 13C, with a gentle breeze blowing in from the northwest at 10 km/h, gusting up to 19 km/h. It's a great day to get outdoors and enjoy all that our stunning coastline has to offer.



Out in the ocean, the wave height is looking good for surfers, with a knee to waist high wave of 0.70m, making for some fun longboard conditions. The water temperature is a pleasant 19.6C, so you may want to consider wearing a spring suit or rashie to stay comfortable in the water. With high tide not until 06:27 pm, and low tide at 11:35 am, there's plenty of time to get out and enjoy the water throughout the day.



For all you sports and fitness enthusiasts out there, today is a great day to get active. Surfers will love the conditions, while runners and cyclists will enjoy the gentle breeze and sunny skies. Anglers, paddleboarders, and swimmers will also find plenty of opportunities to get out and enjoy the water, whether it's in the ocean or in the calmer waters of the river. With the UV index currently sitting at low UV, you don't need to worry about special protection, just remember to slip, slop, slap, and seek some shade if you're planning a long day outdoors.



As we head into the afternoon, the sun is expected to continue shining, with a maximum temperature of 25C and no chance of rain. It's going to be a fantastic day to get out and enjoy the beach, whether you're swimming, surfing, or just soaking up the sun. So why not grab your board, your bike, or your running shoes, and get out there to make the most of this beautiful day on the coast – we hope you have a great one.

About This Coastline

Maroochydore is the Sunshine Coast’s main urban centre, positioned between an open surf beach and the broad mouth of the Maroochy River.

Here, the coast remains central to the identity of the settlement rather than sitting at its edge as a separate attraction.

The Vibe

The beachfront and river parks have an everyday local energy shaped by swimming, fishing, paddling and cycling.

Cotton Tree feels relaxed and leafy, while the town centre adds shopping, dining and civic life close to the coast. Food, exercise, family life and water activity overlap naturally, producing a rhythm that feels lived-in rather than staged.

The Local Anchor

Cotton Tree and the river mouth form the strongest local anchor, bringing camping, parkland and calm-water recreation together beside the ocean.

The changing sandbanks are central to how the area looks and functions. The strongest landmarks work as orientation points, but they also reveal how generations have interpreted and used the surrounding shore.

The Landscape

Maroochydore Beach faces open swell, while the river entrance introduces tidal channels and sheltered shallows that can shift after storms and floods.

Dunes, casuarina-lined parks and the river create a broad, open landscape despite the growing urban centre. Seen as a whole, the area is a mosaic of sand, rock, vegetation and water rather than a single uniform beach.

The result is a shoreline where natural conditions, community history and everyday recreation remain closely connected.