Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel Is the Sunny Coast's Newest Destination for Rooftop Cocktails, Nostalgic Dining and Sun-Drenched Escapes

Rising above Mooloolaba, the beachfront is looking a little more luxe now that this landmark hotel has welcomed its first guests.
Hudson Brown
Published on May 15, 2026

Signalling the changing face of Mooloolaba, a landmark hotel has just opened its doors to guests. Years in the making, Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel is the first internationally branded new-build hotel in the region in more than four decades, bringing 180 rooms to the Mooloolaba Esplanade overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Rising to 12 storeys, the coastal views are more than impressive, with the rooftop perch offering sweeping 180-degree vistas spanning Mooloolaba Beach, Point Cartwright and the coastline beyond.

Meanwhile, the entire hotel is light-filled and layered with textual materials that evoke a distinctive modern coastal palette. "We are thrilled to welcome our first guests today and deliver on our promise to bring a new level of accommodation and dining to the Sunshine Coast," said Scott Wright, General Manager of Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel, adding that the property's opening is the culmination of a long-term vision to elevate hospitality along the Sunshine Coast.

Ranging from 27 to 45 square metres, the suites offer options for interconnected rooms, making Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel a stellar choice for families and group stays. What's more, the dining options are a cut above. Sully's Rooftop, the property's headline-grabbing restaurant and bar, leans into Australian flavours and nostalgic references, with Executive Chef Marky Godbeer (The Calile Hotel) shaping a relaxed yet elevated dining experience.

That experience is built around produce-led focus that highlights the Sunshine Coast's growers, trawlers and producers — think freshly shucked oysters with fermented chilli mignonette, lime-cured Mooloolaba yellowfin tuna, and grass-fed rib eye with black garlic butter, dovetail with playful desserts, including a reimagined cherry ripe featuring dark chocolate mousse with coconut crumb and cherry sorbet. Plus, Sully's vibe is just as ripe for easygoing cocktails and nibbles with friends.

"We wanted Sully's to feel like the kind of place people come for one drink and end up staying all afternoon," says Godbeer. "The menu has been built around that idea of sharing and discovery. You might start with oysters and a flatbread, move into seafood and grilled proteins for the table, then finish with something nostalgic like our lamington or cherry ripe dessert. It's relaxed food, but there's still a lot of technique and detail behind it."

Yet the rooftop is for more than just dining. This sky-high perspective also features a stunning rooftop pool and terrace, which guests will no doubt find hard to leave. Then, on the lower levels, there's a fully equipped gym, a day spa and a series of curated experiences, including ocean activities and coastal treks. In addition, future guests can also look forward to the launch of First Avenue Cellar + Bar — Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel's street-level wine bar and retail cellar set to open later in the year.

Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel is now open for reservations at 10 Brisbane Rd, Mooloolaba. Head to the website for more information.

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Images: Supplied.

Published on May 15, 2026 by Hudson Brown
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