Take your big and little wheels out on these family friendly paths for some sea breeze and beautiful sights, with the best bike rides on the Sunshine Coast for families!
Best bike rides on the Sunshine Coast for families
Brightwater waterfront
This 3.1 km path around Brightwater Lake is a great waterside ride that can start or finish with a coffee or a play in one of the local parks. It’s flat and easy, so a perfect choice for early riders. The best access point is on Brightwater Boulevard, and parking is at Lake edge Park.
Golden Beach Esplanade
This scenic 4.6 km circuit along the Pumicestone Passage waterway begins at the Short St boat ramp. There are a number of playgrounds and picnic facilities on the way as well as access points to the beach for a pit-stop. The turnaround point is Bells Creek boat ramp which has a shelter, toilet facilities and a green space for the kids to play. On returning to Short St boat ramp, enjoy the spectacular sweeping views of the Caloundra end of the passage from the bench view seats.
Moffat Beach to Kings Beach
This 2.9 km one-way path winding around Caloundra Head is a slightly more challenging choice but still on a beginner level. It’s part of Caloundra’s Coastal Pathway, a breathtaking nine-kilometre stretch of paths, meandering along Caloundra’s beaches from Bells Creek in the south to Point Cartwright in the north. Start the journey at Eleanor Shipley Park in Moffat Beach and take in spectacular views along Shelley Beach and south to Bribie Island and the Glass House Mountains with a cooling ocean breeze on your back. There are bench seats, toilets and sheltered picnic areas along the way, and on weekends there’s a good chance a coffee van will be there, too. The route ends at Caloundra Surf Life Saving Club and Kings Beach Park at the northern end of Kings Beach. To get back to the car, there’s the option of taking the same coastal path or a faster way is walking down Edmund St.
Maroochydore Sunrise Park circuit
This cruisy 1.9 km loop begins at Sunrise Park, an impressive modern playground with its own BBQ facilities, green open spaces and toilets. It continues across the bridge and along the river pathway, passing a nature reserve along the way. It’s also close-by to local shops and cafes for those needing to refuel. Park on Sunrise Road right next to the park.
Mooloolah River to Alexandra Headland
Take this 3.3 km one-way coastal path and you’ll be rewarded with spectacular beach views, lots of playgrounds, picnic spots and countless cafes. Start off by parking the car at the end of Parkyn Parade and follow the path to the northern break wall of the Mooloolaba River. Then head past Mooloolaba Beach with its cooling ocean breeze and continue towards Alexandra Headland. The kids will love spotting bush turkeys and bearded dragons in the scrubby areas, but there is a small section of boardwalk where everyone will need to hop off their bikes and walk them as the path does get busy with walkers.
Parrearra waterfront loop
Well known by locals, this 3.7 km circuit travels alongside and across the Mooloolah River. While it’s in the middle of suburbia, it’s a surprisingly peaceful ride, with ample benches along the way for rest stops in the shade with views of the river. At the half-way mark, leave the main path and walk up to the bridge, cross the road at the roundabout and walk down to rejoin the main path for the remainder of the track. The starting and end points are at the park near Premier Circuit. Street parking is available.
Viridian Circuit Park, Birtinya
Little people will love the wide paths on this easy 1.2 km loop bike ride. Cycle through peacefully maintained parklands and Kawana Forest, shoot some hoops at the half-court, exercise on the gym equipment or bring a ball to kick around. There are also playground and BBQ facilities overlooking the river on the way. To get there, take the road down Birtinya Boulevard then turn left into Viridian Circuit. Car parking is next to the raised BBQ area.
Weyba Creek cycle loop
Take this 6.5 km picturesque ride to experience one of Noosa’s estuaries and the Noosa of old. This mostly-flat path isn’t signposted, so have a map handy. The route crosses Weyba Creek on both the charming historical wooden bridge and the soaring new bypass bridge for fantastic birds-eye views of this natural area. It’s a great bird watching location, so look out for an Osprey that nests in the Weyba Park Mangrove Walk area as well as Mangrove Gerygones and Striated Herons. There are several road crossings on this track but it’s still very safe for families. To get there, park in the Girraween Sports Complex carpark off Eenie Creek Road. From there, ride to Eenie Creek Road and follow the cement pathway that runs beside it on the left.
By Josephine Agostino
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