The Sunshine Coast community can ring in the new year with a series of family-friendly events across the region.
Mooloolaba will have a fireworks display at 8.30pm, plus a raft of entertainment, activities and food trucks to enjoy throughout the evening.
Scroll down for a list of road closures
Fireworks displays also will take place at 8.30pm at Coolum and 9.30pm at Caloundra.
Noosa will have its share in the celebrations with Noosa Marina to hold its annual event from 5pm at 2 Parkyn Court, Tewantin, with fireworks at 10pm.
Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli said the council was hosting a free community event from 5-10pm along Mooloolaba Esplanade.
“You’ll find a range of family-friendly festivities, leading up to the much-anticipated 8.30pm fireworks display,” Cr Natoli said.
“The Esplanade will come alive with roving entertainment and face painting for the kids, food trucks and markets, and getting there will be a breeze with a range of active and public transport options.
“We’re expecting more than 30,000 people will celebrate New Year’s Eve in Mooloolaba this year.
“So, we encourage attendees to use active and public transport.”
While the midnight fireworks have been scrapped for this year’s festivities, Cr Natoli said the 8.30pm show would be bigger than usual.
“If you’d prefer to escape the crowds and still want to enjoy the fireworks, you’re in luck,” she said.
“Fireworks will be bigger this year, meaning you’ll see them from Cotton Tree in the north to La Balsa in the south.”
Festivities at Caloundra will begin from 4pm with Kings Beach Amphitheatre to transform into a vibrant hub of activity, with food trucks and entertainment prior to the fireworks.
While there will be no official celebrations at Coolum, Tickle Park will come alive for an 8.30pm fireworks display from Coolum Beach next to the surf club.
Sunshine Coast police will be out and about during the festivities and Cr Natoli said any alcohol-fuelled or ill-behaved people would not be tolerated.
“As usual, community safety is our priority,” she said.
“So, to ensure everyone has an enjoyable evening, this is strictly an alcohol-, drug- and glass-free event.
“Queensland Police will be on site and event partners will be on deck to make this an enjoyable celebration for everyone.”
For safety, animals are not permitted in the fenced event zone.
For advice on caring for pets and animals during fireworks, visit rspcaqld.org.au.
For more information and to stay up-to-date, visit events.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au or Facebook.
Mooloolaba event transport options
- Bikes and scooters – for those wanting to beat the crowds and cycle or scoot to the event, there will be free BikePark services at Charles Clark Park on River Esplanade and opposite the Steve Irwin statue on Mooloolaba Esplanade.
- Public transport – public buses will be available, so plan your journey using the Translink Journey Planner at translink.com.au.
- Park and ride – jump on a free Park and Ride shuttle at Chancellor State Secondary College in Sippy Downs. Park at the Claymore Road car park and jump off at Alexandra Headland. Shuttles will run continuously from 5-11pm.
- Uber and taxi services – a dedicated Uber drop-off point will be located at Alexandra Headland and the taxi rank at Mooloolaba Esplanade will operate as usual.
- Ferry – the new Mooloolaba Ferry Service will be operating between Kawana Waters and Mooloolaba. Visit mooloolabaferry.com.au for timetables.
Road closures
Mooloolaba
The below streets will close at 2pm on December 31 and reopen at 3am on January 1.
- Mooloolaba Esplanade closed between Beach Terrace and Burnett Street
- Brisbane Road partially closed between Brisbane Road car park and Mooloolaba Esplanade
- Burnett Street partially closed between Landmark Resort and Mooloolaba Esplanade
The below car parks and roads will be closed at the times stated below and reopen at 3am on January 1.
- Mooloolaba Esplanade between Club Lane and Burnett Street (outside Mooloolaba Surf Club) – closed from 5am, December 31
- River Esplanade partially closed between Parkyn Parade and Club Lane – closed from 5am, December 31
- Beach Terrace (Mooloolaba foreshore) – closed from 10am, December 31
- Club Lane and car park (between Mooloolaba Surf Club and Arthur Parkyn Park) – closed from 10am, December 31
Caloundra
The below streets will be closed from 3-11pm on December 31.
- De Vene Avenue between Moreton Parade, Burgess Avenue, Edmund Street and Ormonde Terrace
- Ormonde Terrace between Edmund Street and Princess Lane
The car park areas below will be closed from 4.30am-11pm on December 31.
- Between Ormonde Lane and the Esplanade
- The end of Edmund Street near the Arthur Street intersection
- The area between Burgess Street and De Vene Avenue
Access for emergency services and local residents will be facilitated by traffic controllers through the road closures.
Coolum
All roads and car parks will remain open.
Noosa
All roads will remain open, however, there will be a full closure of the Main Beach Reserve car park area next to Noosa Surf Club on New Year’s Eve to provide access for Queensland Police and emergency services.
