New hotels in Caloundra

We track one hotel confirmed for Caloundra: Holiday Inn & Suites Caloundra Sunshine Coast, a 160-room, 33-suite tower on Bulcock Street developed by Felix Capital, approved by Sunshine Coast Council in 2025 and targeting an early 2028 opening. No branded hotel we track is open here yet — Caloundra's accommodation today runs largely to holiday apartments, motels and short-term rentals, spread across its string of beaches on the southern Sunshine Coast.

What to do

A weekend in Caloundra

Start at Kings Beach, Caloundra's most popular stretch of sand, sheltered between headlands with a beachfront pool and a water play area for kids. Walk the coastal path north to Moffat Beach, known among surfers for its point break, then double back into town for the Bulcock Street shopping and dining strip. On day two, head south to Golden Beach, a calm, sheltered stretch fronting the Pumicestone Passage, good for a swim, a kayak or watching for dolphins and migratory birds.

A full week

With more time, add Dicky Beach — named for the wrecked steamship SS Dicky, still visible in the sand at low tide — and its cafe strip and skate park, plus Bulcock Beach's calmer waters for families. A day trip inland to Australia Zoo in Beerwah, about 30 minutes' drive, covers the Sunshine Coast's best-known wildlife attraction. If timing allows, the Caloundra Music Festival returns to Kings Beach Amphitheatre in October, and the Pumicestone Passage rewards a half-day out on the water regardless of season.

Where to stay

Bulcock Street

Holiday Inn & Suites Caloundra Sunshine Coast will anchor Caloundra's main retail and dining strip once it opens, a short walk from Kings Beach and Bulcock Beach, with a rooftop restaurant and sky bar, pool and kids' club aimed squarely at the town's family-leisure market.

Golden Beach

The quiet, sheltered southern end of Caloundra facing the Pumicestone Passage, currently served by resort apartments rather than international hotel brands — a calmer alternative to the town centre for travellers prioritising water access over walkability.

Which hotel for your trip

Travellers waiting on Caloundra's first international hotel

Holiday Inn & Suites Caloundra Sunshine Coast, once it opens in early 2028, will be the town's first hotel of this scale and brand recognition — worth checking back on as construction progresses on Bulcock Street.

Families

The planned kids' club and pool at the Holiday Inn, plus Kings Beach's water play area and sheltered swimming right in town, make Caloundra's centre the pick once the hotel opens; in the meantime, self-contained holiday apartments remain the practical choice for a family stay.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a branded hotel open in Caloundra yet?

Not among the projects we track. Holiday Inn & Suites Caloundra Sunshine Coast is approved and under development but targeting an early 2028 opening.

What was Caloundra's accommodation like before this hotel?

Largely holiday apartments, motels and short-term rentals spread across the town's beaches — Felix Capital, the hotel's developer, has described the project as the area's first international-branded hotel of this scale.

How many rooms will the Holiday Inn & Suites Caloundra have?

160 rooms in total, including 33 suites, across an 11-storey tower on Bulcock Street.

What is Caloundra known for?

A string of surf and family beaches — Kings Beach, Moffat Beach, Dicky Beach, Bulcock Beach and Golden Beach — plus the Pumicestone Passage, a sheltered waterway popular for kayaking and wildlife-watching, on the southern Sunshine Coast.

How far is Caloundra from Brisbane?

About 90 minutes' drive, and roughly 35 minutes from Sunshine Coast Airport.

Is Caloundra close to Australia Zoo?

Yes — Australia Zoo in Beerwah is about a 30-minute drive inland from Caloundra.