More than 7000 cruise ship passengers are expected to visit the Sunshine Coast in coming months, with nine luxury vessels scheduled to anchor off Mooloolaba.
The season’s schedule includes international ships such as Viking Orion, Viking Sky, Azamara Onward, Ocean Vista and Seven Seas Mariner.
The first ship of the season, Silver Nova, arrives today, bringing more than 700 passengers from Singapore en route to Melbourne. A second visit follows on October 22, sailing from Brisbane to Darwin.
Other highlights include Viking Orion on November 29, stopping over during a 30-day voyage from Benoa (Indonesia) to Auckland.
Sunshine Coast Resilient Economy Councillor Joe Natoli said cruise tourism was a growing part of the region’s visitor economy, and Mooloolaba was perfectly positioned to make a lasting impression.
“Thousands of cruise passengers will disembark at The Wharf Mooloolaba, injecting fresh energy into local tourism and trade, and encouraging valuable national and international repeat visitation,” he said.
“These arrivals bring a real buzz to the region, supporting local jobs and showcasing our world-class attractions to international guests.
“I encourage locals and businesses to make a special effort to give these people a warm welcome when the cruise ships land on our shores, and leave a lasting memory of how friendly we are here on the Sunshine Coast.”
More than 7000 visitors are expected to disembark across between October 2025 and March 2026, enjoying curated excursions to iconic attractions such as Australia Zoo, the Ginger Factory, SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast and the hinterland.
Visit Sunshine Coast (VSC) will lead the visitor arrival activations, ensuring visitors receive a warm welcome and will show case the region’s unique offerings.
Local journalists supporting local people. Help keep independent and fair Sunshine Coast news coming by subscribing to our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your email at the bottom of this article.
Local businesses are poised to benefit from increased visitation, with opportunities to engage cruise passengers and promote regional products and experiences.
The Wharf Mooloolaba general manager Karen Hugg said cruise days brought a lively atmosphere to the precinct.
“As guests tender ashore at The Wharf Mooloolaba, we’ve coordinated with Visit Sunshine Coast and our operators to ensure a smooth arrival and a warm Sunshine Coast welcome that encourages visitors to explore more of Mooloolaba,” she said.
VSC CEO Matt Stoeckel said the cruise industry was invaluable to the region.
“Travellers’ appetite for cruising has rebound sharply since the pandemic, and the Sunshine Coast is set to become a fixture on many cruise ship itineraries over the next year,” he said.
“What makes the cruise sector so valuable for the Sunshine Coast – beyond the immediate revenue injected into local businesses – is that cruise ships tend to visit our region mid-week and out of peak holiday periods, so it really boosts our tourism economy when we most need it.
“As a bonus, research indicates passengers who have a pleasurable experience during a stopover are likely to talk about the experience and return to the Sunshine Coast for a dedicated visit in the future, providing longer term benefits.”
Cr Natoli said the cruise ship arrivals aligned with the council’s Regional Economic Development Strategy and helped build the Sunshine Coast’s profile, especially in international markets.
“Looking ahead, we see cruise tourism growing in volume, with more local businesses participating in cruise experiences and potential infrastructure improvements to support that growth,” he said.
“Not being able to dock is a challenge, but it’s one that can be overcome.
“Council isn’t directly involved in the logistics of passenger transfers, that’s managed commercially, but we’re always looking for ways to support tourism operators and enhance the visitor experience.
“Any future infrastructure upgrades to better accommodate cruise ships would need to be led by the state government. Council would certainly welcome planning and investment similar to what the Gold Coast received for the Spit.”
While Mooloolaba undergoes its foreshore transformation, more than 1.3km of beach south of the lifeguard tower will remain open, with lifeguards on duty as usual (via Beach Access 180). To help guide visitors through Mooloolaba, wayfinding signs have been installed.
Cruise schedule (subject to change)
- Thursday, October 9, 8am–6.30pm Silver Nova (728 people)
- Wednesday, October 22, 8am–5pm Silver Nova (728 people)
- Saturday, November 29, Viking Orion (930 people)
- Tuesday, January 27, 8am–7pm Silver Nova (728 people) – 18 days from Sydney to Singapore
- Monday, February 8, Viking Sky (930 people) – 121 days, one-way from Los Angeles to London-Tilbury
- Thursday, March 6, 8am–8pm Azamara Onward (670 people) – 21 days, one-way from Sydney to Hong Kong
- Friday, March 13, 7am–6pm Seven Seas Mariner (769 people) – 18 days, one-way from Auckland to Benoa, Indonesia
- Thursday, April 2, Viking Orion (930 people) – 77 days, Sydney to Vancouver
- Saturday, April 11, 7am–5pm Oceania Vista (1200 people) – 18 days, Sydney to Singapore
Tendering into The Wharf Mooloolaba is subject to ocean and weather conditions.
