Maroochy Area

Maroochydore splits neatly between calm water and open surf, and mornings belong to the river, paddleboards gliding out at sunrise while the town's still waking up. Maroochydore Beach takes over once the sun's properly up, a proper patrolled strip of sand for swimming or a longer walk. Cotton Tree, right where the river meets the sea, keeps things calmer still, shallow water good for younger kids. The whole stretch links up easily on foot, river one side, ocean the other, barely a few minutes between them. It's a beach town built around two different kinds of water.