David Whitehill discovers the hidden gem of Mooloolaba, Queensland on board a cultural and culinary cruise

David Whitehill discovered a hidden gem at the heart of Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

On the picturesque Mooloolah River, he tasted fresh seafood straight off the trawlers, and joined a cultural and culinary cruise on board a historic vessel. 

Location: 

Mooloolaba, QLD 

Costs: 

Mooloolaba Fisheries www.mooloolabafisheries.com 
Tours available on request 

Saltwater Eco Tours www.saltwaterecotours.com.au 
Bushtucker Cruise costs $99 for adults and $65 for kids including food and welcome drink

Prices correct at 15.11.25 

Highlights: 

Nestled on the sun-drenched Queensland coast, Mooloolaba beckons with a claim that’s hard to ignore: the best seafood in Australia. On a recent visit, David found out this isn’t just a boast, but a delicious reality. 

Each morning, trawlers roll in, bringing a bounty of the ocean’s finest to Mooloolaba’s Fisherman’s Wharf. This isn’t just a seafood market; it’s a finely tuned ocean-to-plate operation, where tonnes of locally caught seafood are sorted, graded, and packed daily.

Paul Schenk from Mooloolaba Fisheries, gave David a quick tour while proudly championing the famous eastern king Mooloolaba prawn. All of the fresh seafood can be bought direct from the wharf, including yellow-fin tuna, Moreton Bay bugs, sand crabs, spanner crabs, and wild caught barramundi. The commitment to sustainability is evident, with strict regulations ensuring nothing in the region is overfished. 

Mooloolaba offers more than just tasty seafood. For those seeking a deeper experience, Saltwater Eco Tours provides a cultural, culinary, and cruising combo along the Mooloolah River.

Captain Simon and his crew blend ancient storytelling with modern flavors, offering a journey through Indigenous culture of the Kabi Kabi people, the traditional owners of the beautiful coastline.

Aboard the 117 year old boat, guests enjoy a delicious menu of seafood with local, sustainably foraged native ingredients. Sipping on handcrafted cocktails, gliding along the calm waters of the Mooloolah River while learning about the unique coastal ecology and history was a great way to spend an afternoon! 

Mooloolaba truly is a destination where the “hook” is definitely the fresh seafood, but the rich culture and local stories make a visit an unforgettable experience. 

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