Coolum to Point Arkwright via Foreshore Trail

This foreshore walk runs from Point Perry near the Coolum Surf Club south to Point Arkwright, on boardwalk and elevated pathway past three quiet bays and a run of rocky headlands on the Sunshine Coast. AllTrails puts it at 5.1km out and back, graded easy at a little over an hour. Dogs are welcome for most of it, on lead, but one stretch near the southern end is closed to them completely.

The walk

The route is mostly elevated boardwalk and sealed path with some dirt sections, passing First, Second and Third Bay as it threads between the headlands. It is an out and back, so you can turn at any point and shorten it, and the boardwalk from the Surf Club to Dewar Street is pram accessible.

At low tide the sandy bays and rock pools are worth dropping down to, and the lookouts give open ocean views that turn into whale watching between roughly June and October.

Leash status

Sunshine Coast Council requires dogs on lead on all paths, boardwalks and headlands along this route; there is no off-lead section here. Dogs are not allowed at all from 100 metres south of Beach Access 84 through to Beach Access 85, including the rocky foreshore at Point Arkwright, to protect wildlife.

That exclusion sits near the southern end, so plan your turnaround with it in mind. The council's dog rules were updated in July 2026 and the signage on the ground reflects the current boundaries, so read the signs on the day before you set your route.

Max: the headlands have real drops in places and the wind gets up on the exposed sections. Short lead near the edges, and leave the retractable at home.

Water

Lookouts, bench seats and shade shelters break up the path, and toilets sit at the Point Perry Lookout on David Low Way and at the Point Arkwright parking area. Carry water, because this is an exposed coastal walk with no creek to fall back on.

Getting there

Start at Point Perry near the Coolum Surf Club, with free parking at Tickle Park, or pick up the path from the southern end at the Point Arkwright parking area off Yandina Coolum Road. Coolum Beach is about 20 minutes south of Noosa and 25 minutes north of Maroochydore.

When to go

Early morning is the local habit: cooler for the dog, softer light on the water and the boardwalk clears out before the beach crowd arrives. Check the tide if rock pools are the goal, and go easy on the middle of the day in summer when the path has no shade cover.

For off-lead time afterwards, the Stumers Creek Dog Offleash Area at Coolum's northern end is the local favourite, and the Coolum Beach off-leash dog beach covers the sand run. Ma Boulange Cafe handles the post-walk coffee. More walks are on the Queensland dog walk guide and the Coolum Beach destination page.