Caloundra sits at the southern tip of the Sunshine Coast, about 95 km from Brisbane Airport — roughly 85 minutes up the Bruce Highway. It's the closest of the Sunshine Coast beaches to Brisbane, but public transport still means changes and waits, so most travellers just settle in for a straight-through ride.
Ways to get from BNE to Caloundra
There's no quick public route to the door, so it comes down to comfort and time:
Private transfer
Door to door, one vehicle, driver tracks your flight and waits. No changes, no stairs with bags. Best for groups, late arrivals and families.
Train + bus
Airtrain to the city, then a Sunshine Coast train to Landsborough and a connecting bus. Cheapest solo option but slow, with changes and a wait.
Rideshare / taxi
Available at the terminals, but a 95 km metered or surge-priced fare climbs fast — and there's no flight tracking if you land late.
Self-drive hire car
Freedom once you're up there, but you're driving tired after a flight, then paying for parking all trip.
Travelling as a group or landing late? A fixed-fare private transfer is usually the calmest way up to Caloundra.
Get my quote →Fixed fares by vehicle
One fixed price for the whole vehicle — not per person — so groups travel better value. Flight monitored, no surge, no surprises.
| Vehicle | Best for | Passengers | Luggage | From |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | Couples, solo, business | 1–4 | 3–4 bags | $179 |
| Premium (Mercedes/BMW) | A little luxury | 1–4 | 3–4 bags | $229 |
| SUV / Van | Families & groups | 5–7 | 6–7 bags | $249 |
| People mover | Larger groups | 8–11 | 10+ bags | $329 |
Indicative fares for illustration — your exact price is confirmed in the instant quote. Larger vehicles, child seats and extra stops available on request.
The drive: what to expect
From the airport your driver takes the Gateway Motorway and heads north on the Bruce Highway, exiting for Caloundra at the southern end of the Sunshine Coast. It's a straightforward, mostly-highway run of around 85 minutes in normal traffic, dropping you right at your Caloundra hotel, apartment or address.
The Bruce Highway can bank up on Friday afternoons and through school holidays. We build in a buffer when it matters — and because your fare is fixed, traffic never changes the price you pay.
Want to break the trip? Ask about a stop at the Glass House Mountains lookout on the way — our drivers know the good spots.
What to do when you arrive
Caloundra is a relaxed, family-friendly beach town with a string of coves and calm waterways. A few of our drivers' favourites:
Kings Beach
A patrolled surf beach with a boardwalk, ocean pool and grassy foreshore — the heart of Caloundra.
Bulcock Beach & Pumicestone Passage
Sheltered swimming and a scenic esplanade looking across to Bribie Island.
Coastal walk
The path linking Caloundra's beaches and headlands, great for a morning stroll.
Glass House Mountains
The dramatic volcanic peaks and lookouts just inland — an easy half-day from town.
Turn the transfer into the first day of your holiday
We're the ground-transport arm of Cooee Tours, showing people the Sunshine Coast and its hinterland for 30 years. Add a Glass House Mountains stop or a hinterland day tour to your transfer — same trusted drivers, same Mercedes fleet, one easy booking.
Explore Sunshine Coast experiences →
Local tips from our drivers
Lock in your airport-bound transfer when you book the arrival — one less thing to sort mid-holiday, and a guaranteed car on checkout morning when Sunshine Coast taxis are scarce.
With your flight number we track the actual landing and adjust pickup automatically. Land early or late and your driver is still there — no calls, no extra charge.
Sunshine Coast Airport (MCY) is about 30 minutes from Caloundra. If your flights suit it, we run MCY → Caloundra transfers too.