Mooloolaba Road Closures and Heavy Traffic Expected for Triathlon Weekend

Significant Disruptions in Mooloolaba and Surroundings

Commuters and residents should prepare for significant traffic changes this Saturday, March 14, 2026, as the 34th annual Mooloolaba Triathlon festival takes over the coastline. While the main motorway closures are scheduled for Sunday, several key local thoroughfares in Mooloolaba will be shut down early this morning to accommodate the Sprint Triathlon events.

• Parkyn Parade: Closed between River Esplanade and the Mooloolaba Beach Holiday Park from 4:00 am to 11:00 am. Access to The Spit via the Wharf car park will be restricted.
• River Esplanade: Closed between Hancock Street and Mooloolaba Esplanade from 4:00 am to 11:00 am.
• Hancock Street: Eastbound lanes between River Esplanade and Brisbane Road will be closed from 4:00 am to 11:00 am.
• Beach Terrace: Remains under a full road and car park closure throughout the day.

Motorists are advised to avoid the Mooloolaba CBD if they are not attending the event, as heavy congestion is expected on Brisbane Road and the Sunshine Motorway off-ramps as spectators arrive.

Major Roadworks and Regional Alerts

Beyond the triathlon, regional commuters should stay alert for ongoing infrastructure projects. The Steve Irwin Way corridor between Beerburrum and Beerwah continues to see delays due to the Stage 1 Rail Upgrade. Speed limits are reduced to 60km/h in active zones, and motorists should expect increased worker vehicle movements between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm today.

In the hinterland, Coulon Road in the Glass House Mountains remains closed following emergency flooding repairs earlier this week. In Caloundra, Oval Avenue is subject to partial lane closures for road rehabilitation works, which may cause minor bottlenecks during peak shopping hours.

Public Transport Updates and Weekend Trials

For those looking to bypass the traffic, several public transport trials are currently active. The Route 613 Maroochydore Weekend Loop offers a convenient way to navigate between Maroochydore and Alexandra Headland. Additionally, the Route 616 Late Night Service will be operating tonight, providing 50-cent fares for travel after 10:00 pm between Maroochydore and Palmview.

The Sunshine Coast train line is currently operating on a normal weekend schedule today, though passengers should note that a major weekday track closure is slated to begin this coming Monday, March 16.

Events Impacting Local Traffic

Travelers should also account for increased activity in Bokarina and Noosa. The Conscious Life Holistic Wellness Festival at Venue 114 and the Dragon Boat Queensland State Championships at Lake Kawana will likely increase traffic volume on Nicklin Way and Sportsmans Parade. Meanwhile, the Noosa Festival of Surfing continues at Laguna Bay, leading to high demand for parking around Noosa Heads throughout the weekend.