Day Trip To Mooloolaba Sunshine Coast

Day Trip To Mooloolaba Sunshine Coast, Queensland Australia.

Up early we headed to the Sunshine Coast for breakfast at The Velo Project Café which has our vote as one of the best cafes in Mooloolaba. The Velo Project was on our wish list for a long time and we caught up with friends Stuart and Kate for a long, lazy weekend brekkie.

Locals may have a go at us for sharing this neighbourhood gem, but we live by the “sharing is caring” motto, so regulars, if you’re reading, please don’t hate us. Tucked in the residential area of Mooloolaba, you won’t come by this café unless you hunt it down, which we highly recommend doing. Set in a converted garage and decked out with retro furniture and knick knacks, this home-style eatery is as far away from bland and sterile as you can get.

The service is swift and super friendly, and as soon as we’re sitting, we’re presented with menus, glued onto the pages within old encyclopedias, lemon water, and our coffee orders taken. Poured and served within minutes, we get the feeling that these guys know what it’s like to have a serious caffeine habit that needs to be looked after. Quickly sipping on smooth, strong coffees, we’re already becoming fast fans. If you can rip your eyes away from the shelves adorned with vintage world globes, worn board games and teapots sprouting greenery, you’ll be rewarded with a peek at the menu and a whiff of what’s to come.

The Velo Project focuses on supporting local farmers and local suppliers of produce and in doing so the food and drinks they put in front of you are always guaranteed to be the highest of quality; freshest they could find and sourced locally rather than abroad. Between us we ordered the Bae Watch, served with local free range bacon, fried eggs, baby spinach & house-made tomato chutney on a toasted brioche bun and Ninja’s in Paris with cracked pepper, leek & pork sausage, roasted field mushrooms, double smoked ham, fresh baby spinach, house-made tomato chutney, toasted ciabatta & a poached egg.

There is a dog menu. Isn’t that all that needs to be said? This café has a scrumptious selection of human meals, but truly takes the dog biscuit with its pet friendly menu. We order Shari a Poochy Chino which we lapped up with seconds.

The Mooloolaba Collective Markets are in the same vicinity as The Velo Project, so a good brekkie and then a relaxing outdoor shopping experience would surely not go amiss. I would highly recommend this quirky out-of-the-way venue for its top-notch service, creative decor and more-ish food delights.

DISCLAIMER: We went to the Velo Project on our own free will and paid in full for our meals and coffee. We think this place is a real gem and you should check it out for yourself.

THE VELO PROJECT

19 Careela St, Mooloolaba

OPEN: Mon – Sun 7am – 3pm

PH: 07 5444 8693

After breakfast we took a walk along the Mooloolaba Esplanade to bask in the sunshine as Kim and Kate visited a wealth of retail outlets. Where else can you enjoy such amazing seaside views while making holiday purchases from such an extensive range?

First Avenue in Mooloolaba has also emerged of late as an upmarket shopping precinct of designer products from Australia and around the world. While the Sunshine Coast may have the persistent reputation as a small coastal town, the local fashion scene is close on the heels of our city neighbours.

We then finished up at The Wharf Mooloolaba which offers a unique experience in one of Queensland’s most beautiful settings. Overlooking the Mooloolah River, visitors have the option to partake in various water-based activities, enjoy local produce at their 15 different restaurants, cafes and bars, shop at unique fashion and homewares boutiques like Meraki Thread Co, Bedouin Traders, Mikimi Resortwear and Gingers Boutique or stroll around the boardwalk taking in the Marina and river views.

The Wharf precinct plays a big role in the area offering attractions such as SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast, scuba diving, cruises, whale watching and fishing charters for locals and visitors to the region, as well as some great dining and entertainment options. If you are feeling a little more adventurous you can hire jet skis, paddle boards, fishing boats or kayaks and explore the waterways for yourself.