Whether you’re just heading out for a day trip on the Sunshine Coast, or planning on spending a few days at Currimundi Lake, there’s so much fun to be had by the whole family in these glistening waters and between the shady trees.
There truly is something for everyone here. Nature lovers can enjoy a picnic with a view, while the kids splash in the shallows. Meanwhile, adventurers can explore to their heart’s content on the many bike-friendly walking paths.
Here are some ideas to tick off your to-do list when visiting the beautiful area of Currimundi Lake on the Sunshine Coast.
Source: Caloundra Holiday Centre
Everything to Know About Currimundi Lake in the Sunshine Coast Region
Currimundi Lake lies behind Currimundi Beach, north of Caloundra, just a two-hour drive from Brisbane.
The Currimundi region is known for its beautiful beach options, scenic vistas, and unspoiled nature. The lake is filled with calm salt water, perfect for swimming, boating, and watersports.
Meanwhile, the surrounding walking paths are well-suited to wheels, too, for the avid cyclists and mountain bikers. If you continue on the coastal pathway, you’ll reach Pelican Waters or the iconic Noosa.
The Currimundi Lake Conservation Park is a preserved hinterland where a meander down the paths will introduce you to native birds, indigenous fauna, and flora.
After a day of fun in the sun, a short ten-minute drive will take you to Caloundra’s trendy cafes, boasting local produce and freshly caught seafood.
Water Activities
Watersports like rowing, canoeing, kayaking, and paddleboarding are particularly popular thanks to the stillness of Currimundi Lake. Visitors can bring their own equipment, or you can rent what you need from the dedicated shack positioned on the beach. Currimundi Lake is also hugely popular among keen fishermen. There are large populations of bream and whiting, but remember to bring your own yabby pump for even more action.
The shore of the lake is perfect for youngsters because the shallows are quite extensive. The lack of waves and stormy waters makes for very safe swimming, and if you’re up for the challenge, you can swim out and reach the open ocean.
Walking Trails
We recommend the downloadable map of Currimundi Lake Conservation Park to support your adventures, which details the various trails available. You can choose from the many walking trails, thanks to their previous use in World War II for military purposes. Beware, though — hikers are encouraged to stick strictly to the official paths, as there may still be unexploded ammunition in the thicket.
Remember to slip, slop, and slap with your hat, sunscreen, water bottle, and comfy walking shoes all ready to go.
Here are our favourite walking trails to keep you busy around Currimundi Lake.
Heath Circuit
Grade 2; 1.4km return ± 40 minutes
This walking route travels through the woodlands and reaches a viewing point that allows you to stop and look out over Currimundi Lake.
Beach Access Track
Grade 3; 2km return ± 1 hour
Begin on the heath circuit and then branch off through a tea tree and wattle thicket. The path winds along with several dunes where the rainforest plants form a low and dense canopy over the track.
Coastal Pathway
The Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s Coastal Pathway is 9km in total, and visitors can walk and cycle from Caloundra, finishing up at Point Cartwright.
Picnicking
You’ll find all the picnic facilities you need in Crummunda Park, where there are plenty of tables and barbecues to make use of. There are also public toilets here, and the canoe launching area is also situated here. Alternatively, pack a blanket and choose a spot next to the lake or under the shady trees for the perfect lunch.
Spotting Wildlife
If you can easily blend into the stillness, you may be lucky enough to experience some of the Sunshine Coast’s most iconic wildlife, from kangaroos and wallabies to koalas and possums. It’s best to do this during the cooler times of the day, such as early mornings and evenings, as these are the times when the wildlife is most active.
A large variety of habitats exist in the small reserve, making for an array of different animals to spot. The park’s entrance is more woodlands, leading up to a dense forest before reaching the ocean beach dunes.
Birdwatching
Speaking of wildlife, some birds migrate, while others, like rainbow lorikeets and friarbirds, live on the coast year-round.
You may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of:
- Birds of prey
- Blue-faced honeyeaters
- Drongos
- Fantails
- Friarbirds
- Lewin’s honeyeaters
- Rainbow bee-eaters
- Scarlet honeyeaters
- Wagtails
- Waterbirds
- Wattlebirds
- White-cheeked honeyeaters
- Wrens
Viewing Wildflowers
Some wildflowers bloom throughout the year, but the peak flowering time is during the late winter and spring months (particularly around September). This is when you’ll be graced with masses of pink, gold, white, and purple. Take your time to spot the camouflaged insects and spiders nestled between the petals.
Common wildflowers include:
- Banksias
- Boronias
- Bottle brushes
- Fan flowers
- Geebung
- Guinea flowers
- Iris
- Melaleucas
- Pimelea
- Prickly heath
- Tea-tree
- Twinning peas
- Vanilla lilies
- Wallum peas
- Wattles
- Waxflower
- Wedding bush
Source: Victorian Native Seeds
Camping
Camping isn’t permitted at Currimundi Lake, but there is a dedicated area about half an hour away called Coochin Creek in Beerwah on the Sunshine Coast.
Coochin Creek is also perfect for visitors who enjoy fishing and boating, as there is a boat ramp just 1km away from the camping area. Meanwhile, a terrace offers vantage points to fish from the creek bank, and you can also launch a canoe into the creek to fish from there.
Individual campsites can be booked according to how they best suit your tent, trailer, campervan or caravan. Check-in time is at 2 PM, and check-out time is at 11 AM.
Source: Caloundra Holiday Centre
Start Planning Your Trip ASAP
When you’re looking for action during your getaway to the Sunshine Coast, don’t forget to take a stroll down the picturesque coastal pathway at Currimundi Lake.
Look out over the calm waters and experience the vividly coloured heath wildflowers. Spend a few hours perfecting your paddle boarding, take a short walk along the walking track, and choose a great spot for a barbeque and a picnic.
This wonderful lake area truly is a hidden gem, and it’s no wonder the migrating coastal birds keep coming back every single year!
