Port of Mooloolaba

Mooloolaba’s harbour supports a commercial fishing fleet alongside recreational boating and water-based tourism. Prawn trawlers and other fishing vessels use the sheltered waters of the Mooloolah River, with the catch connecting the waterfront to seafood businesses and export markets.

The state boat harbour forms part of a wider maritime neighbourhood around the river and spit. Visitor cruises share these waterways with working boats, while the fishing industry remains a visible part of the local economy. Its significance lies in this mix of fishing, marine businesses and leisure activity.

Access depends on the river entrance, where moving sand can create shoals. Maritime Safety Queensland undertakes surveys and dredging to manage the channel, but weather and swell can interrupt that work. The harbour’s sheltered interior therefore does not imply an unrestricted entrance.